Dean Mahomed: Regency Entrepreneur

Dean Mahomed (also spelled as Deen Mahomet) was a man of many talents. Starting as a servant in India, he tried his hand at several occupations and became a Regency entrepreneur. It’s South Asian Heritage Month in the UK, so let’s look at the interesting life of Dean Mahomed, who left his mark on British society by introducing us to takeaways and shampoo.

Bengal to Cork

Dean Mahomed was born in 1759 to a Muslim family in Patna, India. He started as a servant and worked for the British East India Company in Bengal. An East India Army officer, Godfrey Evans Barker, took Mahomed under his wing and brought him back to Ireland with him in 1784.

Barker was from a wealthy family of Irish landowners, and he sponsored Dean. Barker paid for Dean’s education, and likely introduced Dean to his future wife, Jane Daly, who was also from high society family in Cork.

Dean converted to Protestantism to marry Jane in 1786. Society accepted their marriage, and they lived amongst the well-to-do families of Cork for over twenty years. In 1794, Dean wrote and published The Travels of Deen Mahomet, the first book by an Indian written in English.

Sake Dean Mahomed

By 1806, we know Dean and Jane had moved to London because he was working for another wealthy and former East India officer, Basil Cochrane. Cochrane owned a bathhouse, and Dean provided Indian head massage using aromatic oils. The massage was known as “champissage”. The Indian word “champi” soon became incorporated into the English language as shampoo.

The Hindostanee Coffee House

Britain’s close connections with India meant that people often moved back and forth between the two countries. Many who worked for the East India Company returned with their Indian servants and they wanted to eat the food they loved. A small infrastructure grew around them, providing ethnic food and experiences. Dean Mahomed decided he wanted a piece of the pie.

In 1809, Dean opened the Hindostanee Coffee House in Portman Square, Marylebone. This was the first Indian restaurant in Britain.

“…for the entertainment of Indian Gentlemen; where they may enjoy Hoakha, with real Chilm Tobacco, and Indian Dishes, in the highest perfection.”

From an advert for the Hindostanee Coffee House, 1811

The restaurant soon became popular, boasting a clientele comprising society’s elite. They even provided takeaways for those who wished to eat in the comfort of their home. Yep, the takeaway is two hundred years old.

It’s believed that at this time Dean adopted the title “Sake” (Shaikh)—an honorific frequently used by upwardly mobile Muslims in India, meaning “venerable one”.

However, success went to his head, and he expanded too quickly. By 1813 Mahomed was bankrupt, but the coffee house continued under different management until 1833.

Dean Mohamed – “Shampooing Surgeon”

After this setback, Dean and Jane moved to Brighton. By 1814, the seaside town was at the height of its popularity.

The Mohameds opened a bathhouse on the seafront. Male and female clients could bathe (separately, of course) in seawater that had been piped in and warmed. I would have been banging at the door for their services. To me, and it seems Brighton society at the time agreed, this is a much more attractive option than bathing in the frigid water on the seafront and I really could not have been bothered with all the faff of using a bathing machine, but I digress.

Mohamed’s Bath’s offered shampooing with Indian oils, aromatherapy massage and an Indian Medicated Vapour Bath.

“…a cure to many diseases and giving full relief when everything fails, particularly Rheumatic and paralytic gout, stiff joints, old sprains, lame legs, aches and pains in the joints.”

Description of the Indian Medicated Vapour Bath in a local newspaper.

Mohamed’s Baths had high society flocking to them, including the Prince Regent. Prinny continued to use Dean’s services when he became king, as did his brother William IV. Mohamed again appointed himself with another title — “Shampooing Surgeon to the King.”

Integration

Mohamed’s story shows that while we have been led to believe that Georgian and Regency society was not multicultural and most people of colour were servants or slaves, it was far from the truth.

While Mohamed had to convert to Protestantism for his marriage to be legitimate, society accepted Dean’s marriage to Jane, and they lived and worked amongst the elite. The Mahomed family fully integrated into British society, and one of their sons became a surgeon at St. Guy’s Hospital. Dean made such a significant contribution to British society it’s clear why he has two portraits in the National Portrait Gallery.

So, first, let’s not forget that the larger towns and cities of Georgian and Regency society had a diverse population, and integration was normal and accepted. Second, takeaways are much older than we may believe.