Family History
Micheal Adam Nedou
In the early 1800s, Michael Adam Nedou discovered Gulmarg as a holiday
destination for Europeans and royalties. Venturing into hospitality, he
acquired Sind Punjab Hotel in Karachi and later built Nedou's Hotel in
Lahore in the 1870s. In 1888, Nedou's Hotel in Gulmarg became a major
skiing destination, retaining its recognition today. The legacy
continued with Srinagar's first All Day European Hotel in 1900. These
three hotels, symbolizing colonial luxury, became Asia's first organized
hotel group and India's first. With European interiors infused with
local culture, heritage, and geography, our properties hosted
influential figures from Indian, European, and royal societies
Harry Nedou
Harry Nedou, the eldest son of Michael Adam Nedou and Jesse Maria,
created a stir in the family by marrying Mir Jaan, a woman of Rajput
Gujjar descent from Gulmarg. Mir Jaan saved Harry from a bear attack,
and they married, leading to Harry's conversion to Islam and his
renaming as Sheikh Ahmed Hussein. The inter-religious and inter-racial
marriage faced opposition from the Nedou kinsfolk, including Michael
Adam and Jesse Maria. Despite this, Mir Jaan, affectionately called
Ranijee, stood her ground and nurtured her expanding family. Harry and
Mir Jaan, both devout Muslims, raised their children with religious
values. Their daughter, Akbar Jahan, married Sheikh Abdullah, who later
became the Chief Prime Minister of Kashmir and three times Chief
Minister of Indian Jammu & Kashmir. The legacy continued through Sheikh
Abdullah's son, Dr. Farooq Abdullah, and grandson, Omar Abdullah. The
sons of Harry Nedou inherited the family business of Nedou's Hotels in
India, which is currently run by their descendants from Harry Nedou's
side.
