A BLUE plaque has been unveiled for the extraordinary man who introduced shampoo to Britain.
Sake Dean Mahomed was George IV’s shampooing surgeon, and set up popular bath houses on Brighton seafront in 1820 where the Queen’s Hotel now stands.
Inside, bathers would recline in a tank of steam infused with herbs and spices from India.
Just after 3pm on Sunday, Brighton’s mayor Alexandra Phillips whipped off the Velcro curtain to reveal the plaque.
Davinder Dhillon, chairman of the Chattri Memorial Group, led the celebrations. He said: “We’re here to recognise the contribution made by an immigrant, an Indian, to the development of the city.”
In the 19th century, not everyone in Brighton was so welcoming. Davinder said: “Mr Mahomed had to face snobbery, racism, and ridicule of his methods.”
But he overcame this prejudice, and went on to set up Britain’s first Indian restaurant. He was also the first person from India to publish a book in English.
Brighton museum is now showcasing his original clothes.
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