The first migration of Cutchi Memons to Kochi is believed to have taken place around 1815. Having learnt that Cutchi Memons were honest, hard working and trustwor-thy businessmen, the Maharajah of Cochin gave permis-sion to them to settle down in the state.  He wanted them to live permanently in his kingdom so that it would beco-me prosperous by means of foreign trade and commer-ce. By the end of the 19th century, Cutchi Memons had accumulated great wealth through their trading in goods, and were considered among the leading commercial communities of Cochin.  They became well established.  Their simplicity and ideal life made a good impression on other communities of cosmopolitan Cochin.

Cutchi Memons of Cochin were organized as a Jamat from the time Cutchi Memons settled down in Cochin. It is well said that men who make history have no time to write it. Our Jamaths' elders did not care to leave any records, and so, no records exist regarding the identities of past Presidents in the early and middle 19th century. Wherever Cutchi Memons settled, they united among themselves and organized their Jamaths (Association). Thus, Cutchi Memons of Cochin also organized the Cutchi Memon Jamath. It must be proudly mentioned there that the Cutchi Memon Jamath at Cochin was conducting its affairs creditably from the time Cutchi Memons settled down in Cochin. Though the Jamath laws were unwritten, all members scrupulously followed certain rules, norms, customs and practices. Also, those days, the Jamath’s President, who was known as Jama-th Sait, was the lone office bearer, He was respected much, and his rulings were obeyed by all. His office was hereditary, and the incumbent held it for life.

Joonus Haji Kummeesa Sait was the Jamat Sait as well as the Muthavally until the end of the 19th century (Managing Trustee) of the Cutchi Memon Hanafi Juma Masjid at Bazar Road, Cochin,  popularly known as Old Juma Masjid. It was constructed by Haji Dhossal Khadwani Sait in the middle of the 19th century and handed over to the Cutchi Memon Jamat per the Will Document No. 2/ 1927. Thus, the President of the Jamat became the Muthavally of the Masjid as well. His eldest son, Haji Ismail Joonus Sait (also known as Haji Abba Sait) succeeded him as the President of the Jamat and Muthavally of the Masjid.  After his demise, when  his son Haji Abdul Rehman Haji Ismail Sait refused the positions of the Jamat Sait and Muthavally of the Masjid, the Jamat members decided to divide the positions among the two brothers of the Haji Ismail:the Presidency went to Haji Salay Mohammed Joonus Sait, and the Muthavallyship to his younger brother, Abdulla Joonus Sait.  On the demise of Haji Salay Mohammed Joonus Sait, his son, Haji Yousef Haji Salay Mohammed Sait succeeded him as the President and remained in office until 1932. With the demise of Muthavally  Abdulla Joonus Sait, his son, Haji Thayab Abdulla Sait took office.  On his death, his eldest son, Mohammed Haji Thayab Sait succeeded him. After his death, his younger brother, Haji Abdulla Haji Thayab Sait became the Muthavally.

1932 was a terrible year for the Cutchi Memons of Cochin.  During the presidency of Haji Yousef Haji Salay Mohamed Sait, the Jamat disintegrated on account of the growing rift between the conservative “pure” Cutchi Memons and the so-called “Besser Memons”.  The latter, the Besser Memons were not permitted to attend Jamat meetings, and some progressive Cutchi Memons,  revolted against  this policy.  The result was an aggravation of the differences of opinion, and increased hostilities.  The two groups separated and the Jamat became like a ship without a rudder.  Thus, the Cutchi Memons of Cochin had the misfortune to be without a Jamat for nearly four decades.