BHAGA, Dhadia or Dhedia or Phedia
Born c1893; died 18 November 1918; buried 19 November 1918; age 25
Bhaga is a Sanskrit word that means ‘wealth’, ‘power’ or ‘fortune’ and is the name of the Hindu god of prosperity and marriage.
Very little is now known about Dhadia/Dhedia/Phedia BHAGA who died from influenza on 19 November 1918 at the temporary hospital at Wellington College. He was buried the next day in the Public section of Karori Cemetery by the Wilson funeral service and as his plot was not paid for, it was resold and reused in 1922. Dhadia was buried alongside his (presumably) fellow countryman, Parbhia Bhaga.
Dhadia Bhaga was 25 and was born in Bombay, India. He had been in New Zealand for 8 – 9 months and was ‘working at a pin factory’ in Wellington according to the records of the Wilson funeral home. These records also show that the Public Health Department made a £6 grant in June 1919 to cover the cost of his burial and that his body was taken to the cemetery on ‘a waggon’ shared with a soldier.
Mr Bhaga’s death record shows his parents were Dhedia and Narni Bhaga who earned their living farming in India. He had been married to Sukhi Soma at the age of 9 and the couple had a 5-year-old daughter. In 1918 the family lived at 14 Forresters Lane (off Tory Street) in Te Aro. Presumably these details on the death record were supplied by his wife, ideally placed to provide it.
Although the Indian community was not large in New Zealand 100 years ago, another person with the same surname – Mr G Bhaga – was called up for military service on 21 May 1918 from his nearby home at 4 Forresters Lane. And a Mr Hari Bhaga, fruiterer, also appears on a later electoral roll in this neighbourhood at 16 Tory Place. It would be conjecture to claim any relationship among these surname sharers.
Dhadia’s connection with Parbhic Bhaga of the same age is unknown. As there are no reports on Papers Past, no any electoral roll entries, or any probate, it is uncertain whether Dhadia Bhaga was connected with any of the other members of the Indian community who earned a living hawking goods or bottle gathering while residing in Te Aro. It is also uncertain whether Dhadia was intending to settle in New Zealand or here short term en route between India and Fiji where Indian nationals entered into 5-year contracts working on sugar cane or other plantations. They also often passed through New Zealand again on completion of their contract but there is no information to show the purpose of the stay of this flu victim in New Zealand.
Researched and written by Jenny Robertson
Grave Information:
Section: PUBLIC2
Plot: 385 H
Born c1893; died 18 November 1918; buried 19 November 1918; age 25
Bhaga is a Sanskrit word that means ‘wealth’, ‘power’ or ‘fortune’ and is the name of the Hindu god of prosperity and marriage.
Very little is now known about Dhadia/Dhedia/Phedia BHAGA who died from influenza on 19 November 1918 at the temporary hospital at Wellington College. He was buried the next day in the Public section of Karori Cemetery by the Wilson funeral service and as his plot was not paid for, it was resold and reused in 1922. Dhadia was buried alongside his (presumably) fellow countryman, Parbhia Bhaga.
Dhadia Bhaga was 25 and was born in Bombay, India. He had been in New Zealand for 8 – 9 months and was ‘working at a pin factory’ in Wellington according to the records of the Wilson funeral home. These records also show that the Public Health Department made a £6 grant in June 1919 to cover the cost of his burial and that his body was taken to the cemetery on ‘a waggon’ shared with a soldier.
Mr Bhaga’s death record shows his parents were Dhedia and Narni Bhaga who earned their living farming in India. He had been married to Sukhi Soma at the age of 9 and the couple had a 5-year-old daughter. In 1918 the family lived at 14 Forresters Lane (off Tory Street) in Te Aro. Presumably these details on the death record were supplied by his wife, ideally placed to provide it.
Although the Indian community was not large in New Zealand 100 years ago, another person with the same surname – Mr G Bhaga – was called up for military service on 21 May 1918 from his nearby home at 4 Forresters Lane. And a Mr Hari Bhaga, fruiterer, also appears on a later electoral roll in this neighbourhood at 16 Tory Place. It would be conjecture to claim any relationship among these surname sharers.
Dhadia’s connection with Parbhic Bhaga of the same age is unknown. As there are no reports on Papers Past, no any electoral roll entries, or any probate, it is uncertain whether Dhadia Bhaga was connected with any of the other members of the Indian community who earned a living hawking goods or bottle gathering while residing in Te Aro. It is also uncertain whether Dhadia was intending to settle in New Zealand or here short term en route between India and Fiji where Indian nationals entered into 5-year contracts working on sugar cane or other plantations. They also often passed through New Zealand again on completion of their contract but there is no information to show the purpose of the stay of this flu victim in New Zealand.
Researched and written by Jenny Robertson
Grave Information:
Section: PUBLIC2
Plot: 385 H