Dean Mahomed

Sake Dean Mahomed

Dean Mahomed (1759 – 1851) was an Indian entrepreneur and surgeon who became notable for being the first Indian to publish a book in English and for introducing shampoo baths to Europe. He is also known for opening the first Indian restaurant in England, the Hindoostane Coffee House in London.

Early Life

Dean Mahomed was born in 1759 in Patna, then part of the Bengal Presidency but now in modern-day India. He was born into a Muslim family and was educated in Arabic, Persian, and later in English. At a young age, he joined the British East India Company Army, serving as a trainee surgeon, which allowed him to travel extensively across India.

Career

In 1784, Mahomed moved to Ireland, where he enrolled in a medical school in Cork. There, he met and married an Irish woman, Jane Daly, in 1786, which was quite unusual at the time due to racial and religious differences. After his marriage, he moved to London, where he initially tried to establish himself as a medical practitioner by leveraging his knowledge of Indian therapeutic practices.

Publishing

In 1794, Dean Mahomed made history by becoming the first Indian to write and publish a book in English, titled The Travels of Dean Mahomet. The book is a travel narrative, detailing his experiences in India and his journey to Britain. This work provided a unique perspective on British colonial life in India and is considered an important document in postcolonial studies.

Entrepreneurship

Not finding long-term success in medicine, Mahomed turned to entrepreneurship. In 1810, he opened the Hindoostane Coffee House in George Street, London. It was the first Indian restaurant in England, offering a range of Indian dishes and hookah smoking. Despite its initial popularity, the venture eventually failed, and Mahomed declared bankruptcy in 1812.

Undeterred, Mahomed moved to Brighton, where he introduced the therapeutic practice of "shampooing" or Indian massage to a European audience. He opened a spa, the Mahomed Baths, offering luxurious herbal steam baths and therapeutic massages. His establishment became famous, attracting a wealthy clientele, including members of the British aristocracy and royalty. Mahomed styled himself as the "Shampooing Surgeon of Brighton," and his success in this venture earned him the appointment as shampooing surgeon to both King George IV and William IV.

Legacy

Dean Mahomed's contributions to British society were significant, yet for many years, his achievements remained largely unrecognized. Today, he is celebrated as a pioneer who bridged cultural divides, introducing Indian cuisine and therapeutic practices to Europe. His life and work are seen as early examples of cultural integration and entrepreneurship in the face of racial and social barriers.