From the Banks of the Ganges to the Corentyne Coast: The Indomitable Spirit of Three North Indian Sisters.

The three sisters, the Begums of No. 78, exemplified strength, entrepreneurship, resilience, and Tehzeeb (refinement or culture). They were the acknowledged driving force behind the businesses and wealth of their husbands and hailed from three well-known, industrious Guyanese families. Their heritage was rooted in North India: their Mother was Goolmani Khatun, and their Abba (father) was Rustom Khan and Sharief Khan. Sakina Begum was the eldest sister and was an infant when she and her mother were kidnapped in Benares and sent to a holding depot in Calcutta for transportation to Guyana in 1877 on the King Arthur. Sakina Begum was thus separated from her father,  Sharief  Khan.

The parents of the sisters reinforced this cultural sophistication, having originated from the city-dwelling areas of Baranres (Varanasi), Farrukhabad, and Hardoi. Consequently, they were highly refined in the sophisticated etiquette associated with the region.

Sakina Begum: The Matriarch of Enterprise and Survival

Sakina Begum was the eldest sister, wife of Mr Khoda Baksh Sankar, and the mother of the Sankar children. Sakina Begum was an astute businesswoman, driving the family’s expansive enterprises, which included a sawmill, rice and sugar trading, grocery stores in Skeldon and Nickerie (Suriname), and a bus transportation service. Following her husband’s passing, it is said she was taken to Georgetown to live. A testament to her wealth and distrust of formal banking is the enduring anecdote that she slept with a small bag filled with gold and silver jewellery, securely wrapped and tied.

Two of her sons, Amin and Ahmad Sankar, were well-known businessmen who settled in Georgetown. Hence, this is Mrs Lyla Sankar Kissoon’s grandmother. 

Her sister, Shehzaadi Begum, was married to Mr Abdool Rahaman from the big Rahaman family of 78. 

The third sister, Zainab Begum, was the wife of Imam Mohamad Ibrahim and the Matriarch of the Deens.

Shehzaadi Begum: Building a Foundation of Generosity and Wealth

Nilofar Singh, Shehzaadi Khan’s granddaughter, offered the following heartfelt tribute:

“This year marks her half-century death anniversary. Words are not enough to pay tribute to all the hard work and dedication she has given to her family and community. Together with her husband, Abdool Rahaman, she built the foundation of a successful sawmill, a general store, and a beautiful house. When her husband passed away, she became the wealthiest woman in No. 78 Village, as he had made her the 100% beneficiary of his estate. May Allah bless her soul and grant her rewards.”

“Fifty years ago, yes, it seems like a monumental half a century, she departed this world. My beautiful, phenomenal grandmother, Shehzaadi, wife of Abdool Rahaman and mother of Deen, Ieen, Azrudin, Sultan, and Rahim. We are all here today because of her brilliant, hard work and dedication to her family. As my father once said, she was never truly given the credit she deserved for the work she did in the community of No. 78 Village, Corentyne, and the success she brought to the sawmill and shop she managed. She walked away from all her wealth and left a good life to her family. Let us, her grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and all others, take time to pay tribute to Amaa who left us the best foundation for life. May Allah bless her soul and grant her Paradise.”

Hajin Naza Nasreen Ashim: A Multi-Generational Echo of Strength

Hajin Naza Nasreen Ashim was born to Shahahbuddin Khan and Zaitoon Sankar at 78 Village. A woman of remarkable strength, grace, and determination, she lived a life defined by courage, faith, and service to others.

After the passing of our grandmother, Maryam Khan, in 1955, Aunt Naza selflessly stepped into the role of a mother, raising my aunts and uncles with love and devotion. To Halima, Izmet, and Kemal, she was not just an aunt—she was a second mother. Her bond with my mother was one of deep affection and respect; they often exchanged gifts, shared visits, and supported one another in every way.

Known for her calm spirit, non-judgmental nature, and unwavering work ethic, Aunt Naza was the driving force behind the Ashim family’s success and prosperity. From humble beginnings as a pastry chef, she used her resourcefulness and entrepreneurial vision to build a legacy. Together with her husband, she founded and expanded the Saramacca Saw Mill, a bold achievement that transformed their lives and became a cornerstone of their family’s wealth and stability.

Before moving to Suriname, she lived at the Maida Big House, sharing space with her beloved Haniffa Deedi, and later made a new home in Saramacca, where “Ashim Holdings” became a respected name, symbolizing diligence, faith, and perseverance.

Aunt Naza was the breadwinner of her family for many years, carrying her responsibilities with humility and quiet strength. She performed the Hajj pilgrimage multiple times, a testament to her deep devotion and love for Islam. Throughout her life, she upheld the noble customs of her faith, showing kindness, grace, and compassion to all.