Pakthini Hadi Batcha Sahib- Melvisharam

 

Pakthini Hadi Batcha Sahib (Pacha Sahib) - A Legacy of Leather Trade and Service

     Pakthini Hadi Batcha Sahib, popularly known as Pacha Sahib, was a respected figure of the 19th and early 20th centuries. He is remembered for his contributions to business, community welfare, and religious service. Born in 1845 to Pakthini Abdul Khadar Sahib, he became one of the most influential personalities of Melvisharam and earned the title “Iron Man of Visharam” for his strong leadership and character.

Pioneer in Leather Trade 

     He was the first to establish a leather tannery in Melvisharam, in the area now called Khadarpet, which was earlier known as 'Toal Shop Maidanam'. His efforts played an important role in making the town a center for leather trade. As days passed, he expanded his business across South India, owning tanneries 7 at Ranipet, 3 at Madras, 3 at Bangalore,  3 at Vijayawada 1 at Kannikapuram, 1 at Ammoondi, 1 at  Trichy, and Dindigul. He also built a large network of 64 raw skin branches across India. These skin collection centres were located near railway stations, as railways played a key role in the leather trade. Many wagons were reserved for transporting his goods, and from Nellore to Calcutta, he maintained centres at major railway junctions.

Concession by Southern Railways

Due to his large-scale business through the railways, he was granted free travel across the country. Once, unaware of this concession, officials fined him for travelling without a ticket. He paid without protest.

Later, he calculated the total fare for all his past journeys and sent the full amount with penalty to the railway department. Though authorities apologized and asked him to take it back, he refused and never used the concession again. 

He also extended a helping hand to many other retail businessmen to achieve greater heights. He was one of the founders of AISHTMA.  

Founding members of SISHMA renamed as AISHTMA 

Grain Trade 

     Alongside this, he continued his family’s grain trade, with Bangalore as his main base, where he had large godowns and several branches across Karnataka. 

    He expanded his trade across the Presidency, with Bangalore as his headquarters. His main office was at No. 133, Ibrahim Sahib Street, Cantonment, while branches operated at Jolly Mohalla (Old Tarakpet) and Avenue Road.

     The Old Tarakpet godown was capable of holding stocks of up to 100 lorries. Elders recall that people used bullock carts to move around inside due to its vast size.

     He collected and traded commodities like garlic, turmeric, and tamarind through branches across present-day Karnataka, including Arsikere, Madikeri, Davanagere, Mysore, Tumkur, Kolar, Channapatna, Virajpet, Chitradurga, Hubli, Dharwad, and Gadag. He also imported dry fruits from Iran.

    A leading dry fruit merchant of South India, he combined business success with generous contributions to public welfare.

Relief For Mysore Famine 

     During the difficult period of the Mysore famine (1876-78) , which affected the Mysore region and caused great suffering, Pacha Sahib showed great compassion. He arranged for food grains to be distributed from his godowns to people who were suffering from hunger. His timely help brought relief to many families, and the Mysore Darbar recognized and honored him for his humanitarian service.

Contributions to Education 

     He also made valuable contributions to education. In 1906, he started Madarsa-e-Quwwatul Islam at Lababeen Mosque in Bangalore. This institution later developed into the Quwwatul Islam High School, which continues to educate students even today. A rolling trophy in his name was also established in his memory. He had great respect for Ulama. He was honorary member of  administrative body of Madarsa E Baqiyathus Salihath, Vellore.

Builder of Mosques

     Pacha Sahib was deeply involved in religious and community activities. He served as the Muthavalli of Lababeen Mosques at chamrajpet, Old Tarakpet and few other mosques in Bangalore,. He built a mosque at Jolly Mohalla in 1924. He also constructed mosques  at Gadag,  Goothi and also served as the Muthavalli of Labbaipet Mosque at  Mohammad Nagar, and also made liberal donations to Tarapet mosque in Vijayawada. A street in Vijayawada named P.H.B. Street stands in his memory. He constructed and supported many mosques across the Madras Presidency, showing his dedication to faith and community service. 

His Services at Melvisharam 

     His service to Melvisharam was especially significant. He served as the Muthavalli of the local Jamath for five decades and played an important role in maintaining unity and organization within the community. He built the Pakthini Mosque in 1884 and the Rasheedpet Mosque in 1929, which was earlier known as Masjid-e-Sara and named after his wife. He also constructed two 'Musafir Khana' (Pakthini chatram) for travelers. One near Kathiawadi bus stop and the other at Khasim Bazaar. During the month of Ramadan, he regularly distributed zakat to many poor and needy people, helping them in times of difficulty which was familiar as 'Pakthini Katkada'. In  Melvisharam also a street is named as   P. H.B street. 

    Pacha Sahib was widely known for his generosity. He regularly donated to madrasas and charitable causes. A well-known story is quoted here: When a delegation  of  a madarsa came to request financial help, he gave them a sealed bag and asked them to open it after reaching their destination. When they did so, they found enough money to cover the expenses of Madarsa for the entire year. 

     He also served as a trustee and patron of the Melvisharam Muslim Educational Society (MMES), supporting it during challenging times and helping in its development. He gifted 90 cents of land to Madarsa E Khaire Jaree, Melvisharam. He liberally gave to the poor, needy, orphans and the widows.

Death

     Pacha Sahib passed away on 2nd June 1939.  Special buses were arranged to facilitate public  to reach his janaza, funeral prayer was held at the Old Eidgah in Melvisharam and it was attended by a large gathering.  40 years before his death, he had decided his place of burial at Pakthini Masjid.  As per his will, he was buried on north-western part of the mosque.  

His will of burial at Pakthini Masjid was composed in this poem  titled 'Foretell' by the poet  named 'Shoukat'

Obituaries 

    Condolence meetings were conducted at various parts of the country like Madras, Bangalore,  Vijayawada in which the condolence messages received from various places were read in the gathering. Prominent  figures like Sir Mohammed ismail Sahib, the Diwan of Mysore, Nawab Ghulam  Ahmed Kalami , Khan Bahadur Abbas khan and many VIPs conveyed their condolences. One of the meetings was conducted by the Hindu fraternity on 1st August 1939 at  Bangalore. Even the Hindu community kept their shops  closed at chamrajpet market and other places in Bangalore.

    His life remains an inspiring example of how success in business can be combined with service to society, leaving behind a lasting legacy of generosity, leadership, and compassion.

    Condolence poems by Hazrath Moulana Mohammed Habeebullah Baqwi Nadwi. (Principal, Madarsa Quwwatul Islam, Bangalore)