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I am Kiran Dunga.
My great grandfather, Nandram Dunga was born in Hazara, Pakistan.( then Northern India - before the partition) He was a goldsmith. He had four sons and one daughter.
Nandram's second eldest son, Bashi Ram, was my grandfather.
Bashi Ram worked as a goldsmith in Rawalpindi city. He was an expert goldsmith, producing contemporary designs in Rawalpindi.
Bashi Ram's other brothers, Jagan Nath and Krishan Dass were self employed as goldsmiths in the village, making simple jewellery for the locals and pathans.
Bashi Ram, not being tied into his own business, managed to take trips, for adventure,to Africa in 1930's. He first went to Congo and then East Africa. My father, Dalip Singh, was born in Daresalaam, Tanzania in 1933. Bashi Ram settled in Africa for a few years and then returned to Rawalpindi Pakistan.
In August 1947 the India/Pakistan partition was formed. Nandram's clan was forced to leave their homes for India.
Nandram, his wife Laxmi, his older son Krishan Dass and his family travelled to the holy city of Hardwar, India. Hardwar was chosen as Nandram's cousin was already there and Hardwar was a town situated by the holy river Ganges.
The hot weather in August and also the long journey by train and horse carriage took its toll and Nand Ram passed away in Hardwar in August 1947. His eldest son eventually settled in Delhi, India.
After the partition Bashi Ram and his family temporarily came to Ambala, India. In Ambala they met up with Mr Harbans Lal Bhasin, a relative. Harbans Lal worked for the Indian civil service and he offered Bashi Ram possession of a shop which had been left vacant by a Muslim owner who was caught up in the partition turmoil and had left for Pakistan. However,Bashi Ram had decided to settle in Kenya and in 1948 they emigrated to Kenya.
In Kenya,Bashi Ram struggled at first, as a trader in clothes at first, working for various jewellers and then finally settling in his own business - a jewellery shop in Mombasa, Kenya. This first shop was opened in 1952 (see photograph). His eldest son and also my father, Mr Dalip Dunga , worked in the family business. Bashi Ram passed all his goldsmith skills to Dalip.In 1972 the shop in Mombasa was closed and everyone then settled in Nairobi, Kenya took on another business partner and opened a jewellery manufacturing unit. Jewellery was manufactured for resale to other retail shops.
In 1972 Bashi Ram and his wife, Moranwanti came to U.K.( as British passport holders) and settled in Birmingham where their youngest son, Sarwan, was already settled. Bashi Ram had retired at this point.
In 1975 Dalip Singh and his family also emigrated to England. Dalip had decided that the future for his children was not in Kenya. Mainly the security and education worries had bothered him.
Upon arriving in Birmingham, Dalip took his parents under his own wing.In December 1975 Dalip bought a spacious semi- detached house and used all his savings for this house purchase. From 1975 to 1979 Dalip worked from home where he had set up a small workshop in the garage. I was 15 years old when we came to the U.K
In 1979 he sold this house in order to provde funding for a jewellery shop which he has leased. Bashi Ram was indeed looking forward to joining Dalip in this new venture. The family meanwhile moved into a small rented terraced house. Bashi Ram's asthma flared up and soon after the house move , he passed away before he could witness the opening of the new business. Dalip, Usha and their eldest son Kiran, as part time, ran the jewellery shop.
In 1985 Kiran joined the family business, as full time, and took it to new heights. It is now one of the largest jewellery store in Midlands with a manufacturing arm. The shop was increased in size and refurbished in 1999. ( see photograph)
In 2004 another branch was opened in Birmingham City centre.
If you have contribution to make to our family tree please contact Kiran Dunga.
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