Since its inception in British India in 1919, the Ismaili Volunteer Corps (IVC) has grown from modest beginnings to an international body dedicated to serve the Ismaili Muslim community, its Imam and the wider societies it is part of, with discipline and humility. In its 93-year history, Ismaili volunteers have not only been an important and essential part of community activities, they have also assisted and served a range of government and civil society institutions from sports and religion to education and health. Younger members also served through the aegis of the Boy Scouts and Girl Guides.
In its earliest iteration, a Bombay based organization known as the Vidhya Vinod Club, wanted to bring a greater degree of organization and professionalism in the service of the Jamat, particularly during the visits of the Imam-of-the-Time. Lt Colonel Itmadi Pirmahomed V. Madhani, Major Abdullah Jafar Lakhpati, Major Rehmatullah V. Charania, Abdullah Ismail Modi and Kassam Ali Dawoodani gave breath to the idea of the Young Ismaili Vidhya Vinod Corps. Based on the model of other regimented corps, the idea of service-oriented volunteer bodies were legally endorsed in British India as early as 1857, as a way for colonial subjects to “volunteer” and assist in quelling rebellion and disturbance. In 1869, a new law was passed, de-emphasizing the military character of service and instead focusing on “good order” and “discipline,” “the protection of life and property,” and the “preservation of peace.”
In 1920, Imam Sultan Mahomed Shah, Aga Khan III, changed the name of the Corps to His Highness the Aga Khan’s Young Volunteer Corps and granted the organization a coat of arms to be worn as part of their uniform. The Imam wore the uniform for the first time the following year as the Colonel of the Corps and both he and his eldest son, Prince Aly Solomone Khan, became its patrons. Also in that year, the Bombay neighbourhood of Kandi Mohalla saw its first ever Ladies Volunteer Corps with Mukhiani Sakinabai Ibrahim Lalji and Prembai Mukhi K. Nura serving as its first Captain and Vice-Captain respectively.
In August 1923, Imam Sultan Mahomed Shah made his first visit to the Recreation Club Institute, an early predecessor of the Ismailia Associations and ITREB, and in his own hand, wrote a Persian verse in the diary of its President, Alimahomed Mecklai, which briefly became the motto of the Corps. In April 1924, less than one year later, the 48th Ismaili Imam offered a new motto to the Corps: “Work no words,” a compact but powerful message still in place today, reflecting one of the initial roles of the Corps – “social work” both within and outside the Ismaili community.
During its initial years, the Corps faced many challenges. In 1921, the Volunteer Corps protected endangered Ismailis in Gujarat, India from ethnic tensions. In 1927, volunteers saved many lives during the torrential rains and floods in Gujarat and Kathiawar. In that same year, Major Lakhpati fell seriously ill and six volunteers were part of blood transfusion efforts to save his life, a rare and brave act at the time. Continuing their civic duty, the Volunteer Corps actively participated in air raid precaution activities and aided the injured and homeless. The Corps quickly expanded outside of Bombay to the rest of British India and to other colonies and nations where Ismailis lived. In 1923, the first Volunteer Corps in Africa was started in Kisumu, Kenya.
Although the role of the Corps has changed over the years, the fundamental principles behind the service it provides remain the same. Today, the IVC continues to serve the Imam and the Jamat with the same high degree of professionalism and organization.