Why it matters: The tribute at 11 St Edmunds Road commemorates a pioneering figure in Ipswich's history who broke barriers in local politics whilst contributing significantly to the town's wartime efforts and civic life in the early 20th century.
The details: Current Mayor of Ipswich, Councillor Stefan Long, attended the Ipswich Society's unveiling ceremony at 11:00 on Saturday at Badshah's former family home. This was followed by a reception at Ipswich Town Hall at 11:30, hosted by Cllr Long, who himself made history in May 2025 when he became one of the youngest-ever mayors to take office in the borough.
Who was Kavas Jamas Badshah: Born in 1859 in Bombay, India, Badshah had a distinguished career in the Indian Civil Service before retiring to Ipswich in 1904. He was elected to Ipswich Town Council for the Liberal Party in 1913 and became mayor on 9th November 1925, serving until 1926.
During the First World War, he played a prominent role in war savings campaigns, delivering lantern lectures across Ipswich schools and public venues. His contribution to the war bond promotion earned him the Order of the British Empire in 1918.
Badshah was educated at Elphinstone College and London University, and in 1877 passed the Civil Service examination, standing eighth on the list. He obtained two prizes of £50 each – one for high proficiency in political economy and one for high proficiency in Bengali. He served as a magistrate and postmaster-general across different provinces in India before becoming deputy director-general of the Post Office of India in the North-Western Provinces and Oudh.
He married Emma Collington Pierson in Dacca, Bengal, India, in 1885, and the couple had three children. The family made their home at Lalla Rookh, 11 St Edmunds Road, Ipswich, where Emma and their children had been established since 1892.
For context: The Ipswich Society has installed a number of blue plaques in the town – a version of the English Heritage blue plaques seen originally in London. What started at the turn of the century continues to be an important and relevant tribute to some of the most distinguished people who were born in the town or subsequently lived here.
Badshah died on 22nd March 1931, following an illness of a few weeks' duration, aged 73, at his home on St Edmunds Road.
The bottom line: One hundred years after breaking barriers in Ipswich politics, Kavas Jamas Badshah's legacy of public service and community leadership has been formally recognised with a permanent tribute at his former home.
