Baba had planned to stay in the small office in the backyard of Manzil-e-Meem for an indefinite period. But, soon after his return, he started complaining about the discomforts of the small office house — its leaky roof and the damp rooms. And the landlord, whose attitude was less than friendly, did nothing toward fixing the roof. Baba had noticed a building for rent in the Parel district and liked it. His bedding and luggage, and that of some of the mandali, were transferred there on Sunday, 2 September 1923; the remaining belongings were to be brought the following day. But the next day, after Baba had spent the night in the new house, he declared that it was quite unsuitable and inconvenient, so it was promptly vacated.
Baba selected another house newly built near Kohinoor Mills in Dadar. He looked the place over and, before settling the rent with the owner, ordered the remaining baggage from Circle & Company's office to be shifted there. However, within an hour, he found fault with the incomplete condition of the building, as some of the construction work was still being done, and asked Behramji and Vajifdar to find another accommodation in Dadar. They selected one and Baba went in person to inspect it.
The apartment was situated near the Dadar railway station, on the second floor of Irani Mansion No. 6.1 It was spacious and could be comfortably divided into two main sections. In one part, there were two bedrooms, a kitchen, a toilet and a bathroom — which Vajifdar was to occupy with his family. In the other half, there was a large room, a balcony and a bedroom which would adequately serve Baba and the mandali as an office and living accommodations. After Behramji and Vajifdar settled the terms of rent with the landlord, Baba moved in on 3 September. Behind the Master's sudden change of plans was always a hidden objective. From this move, Vajifdar and his relatives came into Baba's close contact. New deep connections were also established with other people of the locality.
All furniture from the Manzil office was moved to Irani Mansion during the first week of their stay. A huge wooden cupboard could not be taken up the narrow staircase, so it had to be hoisted by ropes over the balcony to the second floor. The office tables and chairs were kept outside on the balcony, and the wooden almirah (cupboard) was kept in the large hall.
Footnotes
- 1.The building (which was owned by Kaikhushru Masa's sister) was later called Tafti Mansion.