Hadji was Jonny Quest's 11-year-old Indian side kick. Hadji's full name was Hadji Singh. He was a poor Calcutta orphan who was rescued from a life of poverty by Jonny Quest's father Dr.Quest after Hadji saved Dr. Quest from an assassination attempt. (I guess he could have been a rich orphan if he had sold the red ruby in his turban and it's never explained why he doesn't ever pawn it for a dirt bike.)

It's eventually learned that Hadji is the surviving heir to a throne in Bangalore, India. But anyway, what a find Hadji turned out to be! On the mean streets of Calcutta Hadji learned the ancient art of the fakir and yogin, plus all sorts of Indian mystical shit. Hadji appeared to have the following powers:

• Levitate people/objects
• The ability to hypnotize people using his turban gem
• Sleight of hand
• Snake charming

Hadji's other duty on the show, besides side kick and magic user, was to offer Jonny situation-specific Indian proverbs, although many seem oddly non-Indian in nature ("There are more things in heaven and earth then are dreamed of in your philosophy." )

Hadji's "d'oh!" signature line was "Sim sim sala bim".

Hadji is an informal honorary title given to male Muslims who have completed the Hadj. Performing the Hadj is one of the five pillars of Islam, a sacred duty for all Muslims.

In the days before cheap air-travel, this pilgrimage was one of the most difficult journeys a person could undertake. In the middle-ages when the practice began many who began the journey would never return.

Pilgrims would travel for many months, through scorched deserts, bitter sand storms and bandit country in order to reach the holy city of Mecca. Having completed the pilgrimage they faced an equally risky return journey.

Spiritually enlightened the pilgrims would return as men of the world, and in honor of their achievements they would be given this title.

Hadj"i (?), n. [Ar. hajī. See Hadj.]

1.

A Mohammedan pilgrim to Mecca; -- used among Orientals as a respectful salutation or a title of honor.

G. W. Curtis.

2.

A Greek or Armenian who has visited the holy sepulcher at Jerusalem.

Heyse.

 

© Webster 1913.