Shaikh Brothers: The Nineteenth Century Cake Shop Nehru Loved

From running a small family bakery in Bengal to becoming a beloved sensation in Guwahati, Shaikh Brothers' journey is nothing short of a heartwarming tale. Their delectable treats didn't just capture the hearts of locals but even caught the attention of Jawaharlal Nehru himself. Follow their story of success and passion for baking that led them to the pinnacle of fame

The exterior of the shop (Source: Shaikh Brothers)

Who can say no to a freshly baked cake, especially when it's coming from the renowned Shaikh Brothers Bakery? It all started over 130 years ago when Ghulam Ibrahim, a young man from the Hooghly district in Bengal, came to Assam in the late 1800s to work on the construction of the Guwahati-Shillong Road. While here, Ibrahim realized there was good potential for starting a bakery business. At that time, many British officers and planters were living in Assam, and Ghulam Ibrahim saw an opportunity to serve them fresh baked goods.

Shaikh Ibrahim's first business venture in Guwahati was established in 1882 in Panbazar, but it was a soda water-making plant. When he decided to expand, he chose to open a bakery, as his family already had expertise in this field. His elder brother, Shaikh Sobiruddin, joined him, and Shaikh Brothers were established in Guwahati in 1885. Soon after opening their bakery, the business grew and gained popularity in the region, earning a name for churning out delicious cakes. Ghulam Ibrahim's bakery soon became a popular gathering place among British officers and planters, as well as for locals.

Back then, the Britishers found that the bread from Shaikh Brothers was soft and fresh and greatly preferred it over the local bread, which was hard and tacky. During Jawaharlal Nehru's visits to Guwahati, Cheese Straw from this bakery was always served on his breakfast table, as he had a real fondness for it. Indira Gandhi's Z-category security personnel would even stand by the oven for a security check while bread meant for the former Prime Minister was being baked and packed to ensure its safety.

The bakery continued to flourish after Independence and throughout the 1970s. Today, the Shaikh Brothers bakery is a well-known name in Assam, and its products are still popular among locals and visitors alike. They are known for their delicious Cheese Straws — the same ones Nehru once came to love — as well as their American Red Velvet Cake, Special Black Forest, Mango Mousse, Choco Truffle and Rum and Raisin.

For the brothers, choosing a confectionery business over a traditional job was a risk; but one they were confident would pay off. The Shaikh Brothers, Ibrahim and Sobiruddin, were from the Hooghly district in Bengal. Here, they had a lineage of bakers and were confident about their skills. In the late 19th century, they experimented with a bakery business in Assam while staying there, and Bengal's response convinced them about the potential. In Bengal, British rule, the spread of education, the slow emergence of a middle class in Assam and other factors — like the rise of a neo-Babu culture — gave the bakery a much-needed boost.

Ghulam Ibrahim's vision and unwavering dedication to his craft have left a lasting legacy in the form of Shaikh Brothers Bakery. Despite facing certain risks in choosing such an unconventional path, Ghulam and Sobiruddin trusted in their baking abilities and pursued their dream. Guwahati locals flock to Shaikh Brothers for classics like Cheese Straws and Red Velvet Cake, thanks to the quality ingredients and high level of customer service they offer. As time passes, Ghulam Ibrahim's hard work and determination ensure that Shaikh Brothers will remain a popular spot in Guwahati for years to come.