(February 25, 2025) Kanaksi Khimji, who passed away in 2021 at the age of 85, remains renowned as the only Hindu Sheikh in the world. He came from a family which in the early 19th century even lent money to Sultan Sa’id, who ruled Oman from 1791 to 1856. Those were the days before oil transformed the Middle East and when India’s Khimji family was already forging influential ties with the region.
Carrying forward his family’s legacy, Kanaksi Khimji with his visionary leadership and generous contributions to education, business, sports, and philanthropy in Oman enriched countless lives, embodying the enduring spirit of the Indian diaspora in the Middle East. As he once remarked, “Oman has always been a land of great acceptance; we have built our roots here, and yet, we have never forgotten where we came from.” Kanaksi Khimji was honoured with the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman in 2003. Global Indian takes a look at the Khimji family’s journey from Gujarat to Oman and its impact on the Middle-Eastern nation.
Sheikh Kanaksi Khimji
A story that began in the 1800s
The Khimji family’s journey to Oman began in the western coast of India, in the lively port town of Mandvi. A visionary businessman named Ramdas Thackersey embarked on a daring voyage toward an uncertain yet promising future in the 1800s.
Like many Gujarati traders of his time, Thackersey was drawn to the emerging ports of the Arabian Peninsula, a region where commerce reigned supreme in the absence of oil-driven wealth. His destination was Muscat, Oman – a business hub bridging the Indian subcontinent and the Gulf, with trade as its economic lifeblood.
Upon arriving in Oman, Thackersey launched a modest yet ambitious trading enterprise. His foresight allowed him to tap into the promising local market, exchanging Indian grains, tea, and spices for Omani dates, dry lime, and frankincense. This period, dominated by maritime trade and the indispensable role of Gujarat’s dhow merchants, set the stage for what would later evolve into one of Oman’s most formidable business conglomerates, the Khimji Ramdas Group.
The Muscat Harbour, dating between 1900-1910 | Photo Credit: British Consulate, Muscat, Oman
From commerce to community
The success of Thackersey’s enterprise paved the way for his son, Khimji Ramdas, to expand the family’s business interests. The turn of the 20th century saw the firm diversify into financial services, offering loans and monetary aid to local traders and even the ruling family of Oman. This established the Khimjis as a trusted name in Omani society, a reputation that continued to strengthen across generations.
Through the early and mid-1900s, as global markets evolved, the Khimjis strategically broadened their scope. They became key players in importing consumer goods, partnering with international brands, and establishing a presence in sectors such as construction, insurance, shipping, and education. Their ability to adapt and innovate cemented their status as economic pioneers within Oman, long before the discovery of oil transformed the region.
Founder of Khimji Group, Khimji Ramdas, with his son Kanaksi Khimji and Oman’s Sultan Qaboos in 1983
The rise of Kanaksi Khimji – A visionary leader
In 1970, Kanaksi Gokaldas Khimji, the great-grandson of Ramdas Thackersey, took the helm of the family enterprise. Having completed his education in Mumbai, he returned to Oman with a keen business acumen and a commitment to his family’s legacy. At a time when Oman was undergoing a transformative era under Sultan Qaboos bin Said’s leadership, Kanaksi saw immense potential in leveraging the company’s strengths to contribute to the nation’s development.
Under his stewardship, Khimji Ramdas evolved into a corporate powerhouse, partnering with over 400 global brands, including Britannia, Procter & Gamble, and Rolex. The company expanded into new markets, operating in Oman, India, and the UAE, and generating a revenue exceeding $1 billion annually. His leadership not only solidified the firm’s economic footprint but also reinforced Indo-Omani trade relations, fostering deeper ties between the two nations.
Kanaksi had once remarked, “We see achievements as milestones in the quest for excellence. We just want to be the best.” His focus on quality and integrity became the guiding principle for the company’s success. He even utilized his proximity to the ruling family in the cause of the Indian diaspora in the country.
Sheikh Kanaksi Khimji
A heart for philanthropy and social development
Beyond business, Kanaksi Khimji was a stalwart advocate for social progress. One of his most notable contributions was the establishment of the first English Indian School in Muscat in 1975. What began as a single institution grew into a network of 21 Indian schools across Oman, providing education to over 46,000 students.
To further his vision for community development, Kanaksi championed numerous philanthropic initiatives under Eshraqa, the social development arm of Khimji Ramdas. The organization played a pivotal role in advancing local leadership, vocational training, healthcare services, and humanitarian aid. Recognizing his extraordinary efforts, the Indian government honoured him with the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award in 2003, making him the first recipient from the Gulf region to receive this prestigious accolade.
Sheikh Kanaksi Khimji received the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman in 2003, the inaugural year of the award
Godfather of Omani cricket
While business and philanthropy were integral to his life, Kanaksi Khimji harboured a deep passion for cricket. His love for the sport took root in the 1950s when he played against visiting British naval teams. Over the decades, he became the driving force behind Oman’s cricketing scene, earning the title of ‘the godfather of cricket in Oman’.
In 1979, with the support of the Omani royal family, Kanaksi officially established Oman Cricket, serving as its president and chairman for over four decades. His contributions went beyond administrative roles. He personally funded tournaments, supported young players, and worked tirelessly to elevate Oman’s presence in international cricket. His dedication earned him the ICC Lifetime Achievement Award in 2011, owing to his deep commitment to the sport.
Pankaj Khimji, his son and an integral figure in Oman Cricket today, remarked in an interview, “My father, my uncles, my cousins – we’re all a passionate cricket family. We used to travel six hours by car to Sharjah to watch the early days of Sharjah cricket and the Bukhatir league. People would call us crazy.”
Kanaksi Khimji during a felicitation ceremony following the ICC WCL3 trophy in 2017
Cultural identity and the title of Hindu Sheikh
Despite his deep integration into Omani society, Kanaksi Khimji remained firmly rooted in his Gujarati and Vaishnav heritage. His office reflected his devotion, serving traditional vegetarian meals and honouring religious customs. His impact on Oman’s socio-economic fabric was so profound that Sultan Qaboos conferred upon him the honorary title of ‘Sheikh’, making him the only Hindu Sheikh in the world as a symbol of the deep respect and recognition he commanded within the country.
A lasting legacy
Kanaksi Khimji passed away in 2021 at the age of 85, leaving behind an indelible legacy. His vision, resilience, and generosity not only shaped the future of the Khimji Ramdas conglomerate but also enriched the lives of countless people in Oman and India. His contributions to education, business, sports, and philanthropy ensured that his name would be etched in the annals of history as a symbol of the Indian diaspora’s global success.
Today, the Khimji Ramdas Group continues to thrive under the leadership of the next generation. Kanaksi’s son, Pankaj Khimji, and other members of the extended family carry forward his commitment to business excellence and community development, ensuring that the family’s legacy endures. Whether in commerce, cricket, or cultural diplomacy, the Khimjis remain an integral part of Oman’s evolving story, and as a great example of the enduring spirit of the Indian diaspora.
Successive generations and the board of directors of the Khimji Ramdas Group in Oman
Mini India in Oman
In 2018, Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited a 125-year-old temple constructed by the Gujarati merchant community in Muscat, which stands as a great example of the longstanding heritage of Indians in Oman. Addressing the diaspora, the PM remarked, “I am seeing a mini India in Oman.” Over time, the Indian community. prominently led by the Khimjis has become integral to Oman’s development, influencing everything from commerce to education and philanthropy. The diaspora’s presence is evident through festivals, cultural landmarks and community institutions across the nation. The deep-rooted camaraderie and mutual respect between the Indian and the Omani communities continue to strengthen the bonds that make the Middle-Eastern nation a unique cultural mosaic.
