Blue Plaque for Kavas Badshah OBE

On Saturday 15th November 2025 and hosted jointly with Ipswich borough Council, The Ipswich Society unveiled our latest Blue Plaque to Kavas Badshah OBE. (Followers may be familiar with Badshah Avenue in Ipswich).

Mr Badshah was born and educated in Mumbai and London, was a senior officer of the Indian Civil Service and who eventually retired to Ipswich, where he contributed to civil life and served as Mayor. Kavas Badshah OBE was Ipswich's first Mayor of colour.

In 1913 Kavas Jamas Badshah was elected as a Councillor representing Middle Ward for the Liberal Party. During the First World War he served as Honorary Secretary to the Ipswich War Savings Committee, amongst many other roles, and was awarded an OBE for his work.

He lived for many years at 11 St Edmunds Road, where we celebrated and unveiled the plaque in the presence of the Mayor, the High Sheriff of Suffolk and other distinguished community representative guests.

The timing, if not the weather was exactly right for the occasion as Mr Badshah was elected as Mayor 100 years ago in November 1925.

Photos include the unveiling and celebration at Ipswich Town Hall.