“Searching J. M. Marker”

This refers to Viraf D. Munshi’s query "Searching J. M. Marker” (Parsiana, June 21, 2005).

Parsis and Sports by H. D. Darukha­na­wala, 1935 has a picture of Jamsetji Merwanji Marker wearing a Parsi topi and with a racket in his right hand. He was the world squash champion from 1903 to 1911. (This picture shows that Parsis then felt proud to wear a Parsi topi and did not find it unfashionable as the modern Parsis do.)

Jamsetji hailed from a family of racket players. His father Merwanji and Dhunjibhoy (sons of Cursetji Marker) were fine players of their time. Jamsetji was appointed rackets marker at the Bombay Gymkhana in 1890 and in 1899 won the Open Professional Tournament held at Bombay in which 14 players competed.

J. M. Marker: stylish game Photo: Parsis and Sports

He was sent to England in 1903 to compete for the World Championship in London where he succeeded in beating Gilbert Browne of Primlo’s Club by five games to one, being the only player from India who gained this honor. In 1911 he went to London to meet the challenge of Professor Charles Williams, the Harrow professional. There was a difference of 16 years in age, and Williams regained the championship for England by five games to one on May 14, 1911.

The Morning Post reported: "There is no doubt that Jamsetji’s style of play is of the highest order. Just as in cricket, among the great cricketers none has shown cricket like Ranji, so in rackets Jamsetji is the best. Compared to other players Jamsetji sees the ball a second earlier and with the combined force of the eye and the hand the stylish game he plays is to be considered praiseworthy.”

MARZBAN GIARA