Where's Koojah?

[DebbieLou]

An ancestor died in Koojah, of fever, in 1840. I can't find any other 19th century references or a modern day equivalent. She was buried in the Rajpura cemetery in Delhi. Her husband was in the 5th Bengal Light Cavalry and their son was only four months old at the time of her death.

I did wonder if Koojah was a district within Delhi itself?

[LaurenceB]

Have found the Koojah Pass which seems to be in Afghanistan: http://digitalgallery.nypl.org/nypld...2&pNum=&pos=15
and other references to the same place, but nothing in India (on Google anyway).

Laurence.

[Browneyes]

At that time all sorts of things were going on concerning Pakistan, India and Persia, the Raj and the East India Company. It's possible the word 'Koojah' had an alternative spelling or changed as time went on. Think this is going to be a hard one!

I've looked at a few old maps online but still haven't found the Koojah Pass yet. Only one name close so far...Koochan.

Maybe looking into the 5th Bengal Light Cavalry might help...i.e. did wives accompany them on their journeys?

Interesting puzzle DebbieLou!

Browneyes

[bibliojunkie]

There is Kujah in what is now Pakistan. Given your ancestor was buried in Delhi, that was probably where she died as bodies were very rarely brought back to 'home' territory. For what it's worth, according to a book I read recently, there is an area called Kalkaji in south Delhi. Indian names were often spelt phonetically or shortened by foreigners.

Ali

[DebbieLou]

Thanks chaps! I had also seen there was a Koojah pass but if Emily died there would her body have been brought back to Delhi?