Grave of early Indian settlers

16 October 2020

"The headstone marking the graves of Wuzerah and Kulloo in Sydenham Cemetery. Both were from India and worked for John Cracroft Wilson at his estate in Cashmere.

Mahomet Wuzerah arrived in Lyttelton with his wife, Mindia, in 1854 onboard the Akbar. He was a Muslim and was possibly of Pashtun (Afghan) descent. After the death of Cracroft Wilson in 1881, Wuzerah and his son settled on a section of land at the corner of Cashmere Road and Valley Road which had been bequeathed to them. Wuzerah died on 30 April 1902.

Kulloo also arrived from India with Cracroft Wilson onboard the Akbar. He claimed to have previously worked as a hangman in India. He died on 21 August 1902.

The original headstone was damaged by vandals but was restored in 1985 by the Cracroft Community Centre.

This grave is an important part of Christchurch's history as it demonstrates that Indians and Muslims are not recent immigrants but instead contributed to the early settlement and establishment of Christchurch." - Contributor's note

Creator: Simon Daisley

Area: South / Somerfield

Contributor: Simon Daisley

Source: Entry in the 2020 Christchurch City Libraries Photo Hunt

Source: View in canterburystories.nz

Reference ID: CCL-PH20-DW-125091

Uploaded by: Daisleys

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