Of all the notables resting in our nearby churchyard, one stands out above the others.
Sake (Sheikh) Dean Mahomed (a.k.a. Dr Brighton) was an Anglo-Indian surgeon and entrepreneur. He was one of the most famous early non-European immigrants to the western world, and was responsible for introducing the west to Indian cuisine, at The Hindoostane Coffee House which he opened in 1810 at 34 George St W1; a road in which I actually lived for a while.
He also introduced England to steam baths and massage (Mahomed's Baths) at his establishment on Brighton's seafront.
Mahomed was born in 1759 in Patna India, and died in Brighton in 1851.
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There are several pictures of Mahomed, but I particularly like this very primitive attempt (below), which refers to him as an 'East Indian'.
His gravestone is in a fenced area of the churchyard, otherwise I would have taken a photo.
Most of the information above comes from Wiki, and if you should wish to know more about him it's all there.
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26 comments:
You live in such an interesting environment and have a lot to discover.
Brighton does have a very interesting history, especially after The Prince Regent built his palace here (The Brighton Pavilion). It's always been a rather 'spicy' town.
There is something about him in the People's History Museum in Manchester
He wasn’t a looker
Fascinating stuff. He should be better known.
The picture suggests that Dean Mahomed was in fact a cartoon character. His proportions were all awry.
Whilst factually correct, John, who knows - some people don't cut much of a figure in a photo yet are beautiful in the flesh, bowling you over with their flair, their charm, their wit, their brain power, their life force. So my question to you: "And?" "So?"
U
PS You may remember Rachel mentioning Ottoline Morrell some time ago (Bloomsbury set). She most certainly wasn't your standard beauty ideal what with her height, her nose, and yet ... my goodness. Bertrand Russell wasn't the only one smitten by her. So there is hope for you yet.
I think he was well known throughout the UK.
There are other portraits of him showing a handsome man. I chose the etching above because it was so bizarre.
Extremely famous in his day, now almost forgotten.
I think the artist had a sense of humour.
Ursula ,
It never crossed my mind that people may be beautiful on the inside even if they do not have classic good looks.
Thank you for helping me see things from a different and interesting perspective
I've never heard of him ..... he seemed rather ahead of the game. Have you got snow Cro ? It is SO thick here ...... the most snow I've seen for years. XXXX
He spent more time in Cork than anywhere else. I am grateful to him for introducing massage and hammans to us for their health benefits.
Your attempt at sarcasm is touching, John.
Take heart: Like all arts, indeed crafts, sarcasm is one that you either have an innate (not to say, inane) talent for or may be able to improve by putting in the blood, sweat and tears of practice.
U
I’m touched that you are touched
He was a very forward thinking man. Massage and steam continues to be much loved by many today.
We had about an inch yesterday, mostly gone now.
I'm grateful for his introducing Indian restaurants.
Yes, a rarity for his time.
A bright bloke. I never realised Brightons depravity went back so far, possibly it didn't and was a normal spot before the Royals and Dean moved in.
I wonder if Martha Gunn's grave is still there. I remember going to see that with the school. She was a dipper and lived in East Street. I believe the house she lived in is still standing. Maybe you could have a look and take a picture.
Briony
x
Just bawdy fishermen before the Prince Regent turned-up.
Yes, it's still there, not far from Phoebe Hessel's stone. It's not very photogenic these days!
An interesting fellow. I thought the Romans brought the steam baths, but I don't mind being wrong.
The Romans certainly brought hot water baths, but I think Mahomed's were an improvement.
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