Sahebaan Business and Professionals Group (SBPG) and Sahebaan UAE conducted a Business and Professionals Meet at Al Jumairah Ballroom of Crowne Plaza Hotel, Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai, on 5th February 2023 from 2.00 PM onwards.
The event, sponsored by the Sahebaan Business Community UAE, was a success, with Sahebaan Community delegates from UAE, GCC, and India in attendance.
The event commenced with a recitation of verses from the Holy Quran. The convenor of SBPG, Althaf M.S., welcomed the gathering and explained the purpose of this maiden initiative.
The Program thereafter commenced with a panel discussion moderated by Althaf M.S., an EPC Oil and Gas Professional. The panel consisted of Dr. Abdul Rahiman Beig, a Professor at Khalifa University Abu Dhabi; Mrs. Ambreen Sheik, a Businesswomen and also an Honorary President of the Indian Ladies Association, Abu Dhabi; Mr. Mumtaz Hussain, an established Businessman from Qatar; Dr. Waleed Ahmed, Fellow of the Royal College of Psychiatrists (UK) and a well- known consultant and Mr. Syed Siraj Ahmed, Ex banker & Risk Management Consultant.
While speaking during the event, Mr. Imran Hidayath, CEO of Hidayath Group, Dubai, dwelt on his entrepreneurial journey to success.
Mr. Suhail Kudroli, Chartered Accountant, urged all to participate in such gatherings.
While speaking at the sidelines of the meeting, UAE Sahebaan Convenor Mr. Afroz Assadi and Mr. Siraj Ahmed appreciated the initiative and urged all to lend their support.
Business presentations were made subsequently by Mohd Salman on his startup business “The Stepup Ventures,” followed by Sahebaan ladies, Sahara Asif on “Life Skills Education” and Waseem Shaikh & Thanziya Khan on “Tru Choco & Nuts.”
The event’s highlight was Speed Networking, which evidenced active participation by delegates and interaction on a one-to-one basis with every delegate.
The Program was managed by Althaf M.S, Mohd. Samiulla, Mohd Sufiyan, and Faizaan Khateeb and anchored by Mohd. Sufiyan.
source: http://www.english.varthabharati.in / Vartha Bharati / Home> Gulf / by Vartha Bharati / February 13th, 2023
Shrayana Bhattacharya will speak at The Hindu Lit for Life in Chennai on February 25, 2023.
Shrayana Bhattacharya’s Desperately Seeking Shah Rukh: India’s Lonely Young Women and the Search for Intimacy and Independence is one of those interdisciplinary books that defy easy categorisation.
It is primarily a book about Indian women, their aspirations, their systemically undervalued labour, and the other socio-economic inequities they continue to be subjected to. The narrative just happens to be strung together by Shah Rukh Khan fandom. Like the projectionist of yore bounced images off a wall for our viewing pleasure, these women project their hopes and desires onto their favourite star’s movies.
As the author, who will be a part of The Hindu Lit for Life in Chennai on February 25, says in the preface, “My primary interest is to shed light on the trajectories of a few Indian women as they travelled from the 1990s into the 2020s with a film star for companionship. These journeys are as far from feminist principles as Shah Rukh’s films are. Their politics may not live up to progressive ideals. But the messy beliefs on display serve as important guides to understand the lived experiences of Indian women without active Twitter handles, those considered too ordinary to find mention in the news.”
The book has recently been translated to Hindi as well. “I remember when the book was first released in November 2022, the way it was discussed was quite funny,” says Bhattacharya, an economist with the World Bank. “The people who’ve blurbed the book are well-known economists. Despite that, some people thought the book was erotic fan fiction. Perhaps because they saw Shah Rukh’s name on the cover? It took them a while to register that the book is actually about gender and economics, and that the actor is an entry point, a research method.”
Channelling SRK’s fandom
The ‘research method’ bit was especially important because it became a way for Bhattacharya to connect with the young women (especially those belonging to villages or really small towns) she was interviewing. Also, the author feels, her own status as a single woman, living alone and earning her own money, became a point of connection for some. But the one thing that was a constant was the instant likeability of the Shah Rukh fandom. With time and patience and slow, unhurried engagement, she began to win them over.
Shahrukh Khan fan club members at a theatre in Guwahati on the day of the release of ‘Pathaan’, January 25, 2023. | Photo Credit: PTI
“These women connected with me because I could speak the language of Shah Rukh Khan,” Bhattacharya says. “I am a believer in slow, laboured, gradual engagement. And I’m very clear about the fact that this is how I want to write my next book as well. I want it to be longitudinal. When I met these women, it was for a research project but I wasn’t tied to a deadline and that difference in approach is significant.”
What of the man himself, then? With Pathaan, Khan has just scored the biggest hit of his career. His fan clubs have never been more vocal and there’s every chance that his next film, Jawan, which sees him teaming up with Tamil stalwarts Vijay Sethupathi and Nayanthara, will be an even bigger success. According to Bhattacharya, most of the fan videos shot around Pathaan feature mostly men, and when she watched the movie herself at a 7 a.m. show in Saket, the hall had “maybe five or six women”.
The matinee idol
“I just want to clarify that there’s a large — though not as vocal — Shah Rukh fan base among women and while they’re happy at his success, they also hope he will do a romantic film again soon. Someone recently told me that Shah Rukh’s scenes with Dimple Kapadia are how you know he’s an irrepressible matinee idol — no man in the Indian defence establishment would have been okay with a woman wielding that much power!”
Significantly, Pathaan also shows the superstar acknowledging his age and the fact that younger, perhaps hungrier competitors are circling the throne. However, as the post-credits scene with Salman Khan makes it clear, the King is in no mood to slow down just yet.
“I particularly enjoyed the little hat-tips to middle age in Pathaan,” Bhattacharya says. “The coffees and the back pain and the painkillers. I’ve always said that Shah Rukh Khan exists to make South Asian men feel bad about themselves and even at 58 or 60, he will continue to do that.”
The writer and journalist is working on his first book of non-fiction.
The Hindu Lit for Life 2023 is, Powered by Life Insurance Corporation of India, Jewellery Partner: joyalukkas, Banking Partner : Indian Bank Associate Partners: Nitte Meenakshi Institute of technology, Hindustan Group of Institutions , State Bank of India & VFS Global Realty Partner: Casagrand, Knowledge Partner: SSVM Institutions Bookstore Partner: Higginbothams & Gift Partner : Anand Prakash
One can find a rather impressive collection of mechanical timepieces at Bombay Watch Co (subject to availability).
Hyderabad:
Unlike bigger cities like Bombay, where can hunt in areas like Chor Bazar and find local vintage watch repair stores or dealers, the same cannot be said for our city here. Even the online market space for horology lovers is filled sellers from other cities.
Finding something similar in Hyderabad turned out to be rather difficult. While one can always go to the known stores like Kamal Watch or Ramesh Watch (or any of the bigger stores on the Abids road), it took me a few weeks after a lot of searching to finally find what I was looking for.
In fact, it dawned on me to ask the owner of Mahbub Radio in the Old City if he knew any of the old watch experts. After all, the Chatta Bazar area also at one point of time had close to a dozen watch stores (most of which except ones like Mahmood Watch have shut however.
Vintage watches at Bombay Watch Co. (Image: Yunus Y. Lasania)
From old models of Favre Leuba to the now in demand HMT mechanical models, Bombay Watch Co has everything.
When I visited the store a few weeks ago, I spotted different models of old watches ranging from Tissot to Henry Sandoz. While one can look at the many online sellers, going to a watch store and geeking out over these old time pieces is a very different experience.
Store owner Kareem with his son. (Image: Siasat)
“I had gone to Bombay and worked there for two years in my youth to learn how to repair and service watches. I learnt my craft in Bhendi Bazar. I came back around 1976 and then set up my shop here. We fix everything. You can get us any watch or clock and we can repair it,” said Kareem Khan. Today he runs Bombay Watch with one of his sons Mohd Rizwan Khan (26).
At a time when fashion watches are sold everywhere and are an easy buy, the demand for old or vintage watches he says is in fact growing. “Lot of people still like old watches and Bombay Watch is known for selling old time pieces. Quartz watches that are made now are not so good in terms of quality,” he opined.
A serviceman at Bombay Watch Co. (Image: Siasat)
A quartz mechanism is essentially a battery-powered watch, which is not as complicated as a mechanical watch or an automatic watch. Mechanical watches do not need batteries, as it runs on a series of gears and a main spring, all of which work when the machine is winded (typically an old mechanical watch works for 24 to 48 hours after being fully winded). One can find a rather impressive collection of mechanical time pieces at Bombay Watch (subject to availability).
An automatic watch on the other hand is also a mechanical watch, but with a rotor which self winds the watch based on hand movements. It basically will run forever for as long as it is worn. Typically, automatic watches last for 40 plus hours after it is taken off from the wrist.
“We even fix 100-year-old clocks and watches. There are watches here that as close to a century old as well,” quipped Kareem Khan. Those interested in checking out vintage watches at Bombay Watch Co can easily find the place, which is located a stone’s throw away from the famous Subhan Bakery in Nampally.
source: http://www.siasat.com / The Siasat Daily / Home> News> Hyderabad / by Yunus Lasania / February 22nd, 2023
Lt-Gen Zamiruddin Shah, Ramlal, Dr Krishna Gopal, Shahid Akhtar, Dr Mohan Bhagwat , Dr Khwaja Iftikhar Ahmed, Dr Indresh Kumar, Gen V K Singh
Ghaziabad :
“There is a need to guard against fear-mongering that the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh is against minorities or that Islam is in danger in India. I believe that the DNA of the people of India is the same and that both Hindus and Muslims are one entity,” said Dr Mohan Rao Bhagwat, Sarsanghchalak, RSS, on Sunday at the Kitaab book launch event where he unveiled Dr Khwaja Iftikhar Ahmed’s book – “The Meeting of Minds: A Bridging Initiative”.
The book launch at Ghaziabad was organized by Prabha Khaitan Foundation of Kolkata in association with Muslim Rashtriya Manch and presented by Shree Cement.
“When people speak about the need for Hindu-Muslim unity, we say we are already one, we are not separate,” Bhagwat said.
Leading professors, scholars, students and eminent personalities from across the globe attended the event that was streamed live. “This is a historic moment as intellectuals meet at one point. The book, which took me eleven months to write, is an honest straight forward account of economics, politics, emotional and many other aspects that determine our national interest; and the fate of tomorrow’s India. We need dialogue and not deadlock, there should be trust and brotherhood among Hindus and Muslims and together we shall make India the `Vishwa Guru’,” said author Dr Khwaja Iftikhar Ahmed who is revered scholar, philosopher and academic.
“Honesty, integrity and credibility are the hallmarks of any relationship and would guide all the future actions and initiatives. He lamented that secular politics of today has brought us to a dead end. If there is no organisation, there is no ideology; if there is no ideology, there are no ideologue; if there are no ideologue, there is no direction; if there is no action and instead of response people react,” said, Dr Khwaja, whose book is now available in English, Hindi and Urdu.
Dr Khwaja lavished praised on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, “We are lucky to have one of the most decisive prime minister ever. He calls a spade a spade and takes firm decisions.”
Dr Mohan Bhagwat said that political parties cannot act as tools to either help unite people or deepen the divide but can influence it. Allaying fears that a majoritarian sentiment is gaining ground in India, he said when atrocities take place against the minorities, voices in protest come from the majority itself. “If anyone says that Muslims should not stay in India then he is not a Hindu,” Bhagwat said.
Alluding to violence against minorities by alleged cow vigilantes, Bhagwat said that though cows are revered in India, violence in the name of cow protection cannot be condoned. “Law should take its course. They should investigate without partiality and punish the guilty. Anyone who is involved in lynching is not a Hindu,” he said.
Kitaab is an initiative of Prabha Khaitan Foundation which provides a forum for book launches by connecting intellectuals, book lovers and litterateurs with authors. Eminent authors like Shashi Tharoor, Vikram Sampath, Salman Khurshid, Kunal Basu, Vir Sanghvi, Vikas Jha, Luke Kutinho, Jeffrey Archer,Devdutt Patnaik, Anupam Kher, Ram Madhav, Guru Prakash Paswan, Sanjaya Baruand others have earlier had book launching sessions at Kitaab.
The Muslim Chamber of Commerce and Industries conducted a Business Summit on the 1st of April, 2022 at the Shantai Hotel, Rasta Peth Pune.
The Chief Guest of the program was Sanjay Shah who is the immediate Past President of Bombay Industries Association and Guest of Honor was Ex-Mayor of Pune City and Current NCP Pune President Prashant Jagtap.
The Summit was successful with more than 125 Delegates from various Industries participating, there were speakers who spoke on Digital Marketing, Startups, Government Subsidies etc.
Prashant Jagtap was felicitated by MCC&I President Nisar Sagar and MCC&I Secretary Rizwan Munir Shaikh.
source: http://www.punekarnews.in / Punekar News / Home> Business / April 04th, 2022
A total of 946 Police personnel have been awarded Medals on the occasion of the Republic Day, 2021.
The break-up is as under:-
Gallantry Medals
Name of the Medal
Number of Medals Awarded
President’s Police Medal for Gallantry (PPMG)
02
Police Medal for Gallantry (PMG)
205
Service Medals
Name of the Medal
Number of Medals Awarded
President’s Police Medal for Distinguished Service (PPM)
89
Police Medal for Meritorious Service (PM)
650
Among the majority of the 207 Gallantry Awards, 01 PPMG to Jharkhand (Posthumous) & 01 PPMG to CRPF (Posthumous) is being awarded, 137 personnel are being awarded for their gallant action in Jammu & Kashmir, 24 personnel for their gallant action in Left Wing Extremism affected areas and 01 personnel for their gallant action in North-East Region. Among the personnel receiving Gallantry Awards, 68 are from CRPF, 52 are from J&K Police, 20 are from BSF and 17 are from Delhi Police, 13 are from Maharashtra and 08 are from Chhattisgarh and 08 are from Uttar Pradesh and the remaining from the other States/UTs and CAPFs.
Force Wise/State Wise list of Medal awardees to the Police Personnel are as follows:
Sl.No.
Name of States/ UTsOrganization
President’s Police Medal for Gallantry (PPMG)
Police Medal for Gallantry(PMG)
President’s Police Medal (PPM) for Distinguished Service
Police Medal (PM) for Meritorious Service
1
Andhra Pradesh
0
2
1
15
2
Arunachal Pradesh
0
0
0
2
3
Assam
0
0
1
13
4
Bihar
0
5
2
11
5
Chhattisgarh
0
8
1
10
6
Delhi
0
17
3
18
7
Goa
0
0
0
2
8
Gujarat
0
0
2
17
9
Haryana
0
0
2
12
10
Himachal Pradesh
0
0
1
4
11
Jammu & Kashmir
0
52
2
17
12
Jharkhand
1
2
1
8
13
Karnataka
0
0
0
19
14
Kerala
0
0
1
9
15
Madhya Pradesh
0
2
4
17
16
Maharashtra
0
13
4
40
17
Meghalaya
0
0
1
3
18
Mizoram
0
0
1
3
19
Nagaland
0
0
0
2
20
Odisha
0
0
2
11
21
Punjab
0
3
2
16
22
Rajasthan
0
0
1
13
23
Sikkim
0
0
0
1
24
Tamil Nadu
0
0
3
17
25
Telangana
0
0
2
12
26
Tripura
0
0
0
6
27
Uttar Pradesh
0
8
7
72
28
Uttarakhand
0
0
1
5
29
West Bengal
0
0
2
20
UTs
30
Andaman & Nicobar Islands
0
0
1
1
31
Chandigarh
0
0
0
1
32
Puducherry
0
0
0
1
CAPFs/Other Organizations
33
Assam Rifles
0
1
1
13
34
BSF
0
20
5
46
35
CISF
0
0
2
24
36
CRPF
1
68
6
57
37
ITBP
0
2
3
12
38
NSG
0
0
0
4
39
SSB
0
2
2
12
40
IB (MHA)
0
0
8
26
41
CBI
0
0
7
24
42
SPG
0
0
1
4
43
BPR&D
0
0
1
2
44
NCRB
0
0
1
1
45
NIA
0
0
1
5
46
SPV NPA
0
0
0
1
47
NDRF
0
0
0
4
48
NEPA
0
0
0
1
49
NHRC
0
0
1
1
50
M/O Social Justice
0
0
1
0
51
UIDAI
0
0
1
0
52
M/o Railways (RPF)
0
0
1
15
Total
2
205
89
650
Detailed lists of Awardees are as below:
PRESIDENT’S POLICE MEDAL FOR GALLANTRY (PPMG):
Jharkhand
Sl No
Name S/Shri
Rank
Medal Awarded
1
Late Banua Oraon
ASI
PPMG (Posthumous)
CRPF
2
Late Mohan Lal
ASI
PPMG(Posthumous)
POLICE MEDAL FOR GALLANTRY (PMG)
Andhra Pradesh
Sl No
Name S/Shri
Rank
Medal Awarded
1
Gongati Girish Kumar
AAC
PMG
2
Kudupudi Hari Krishna
JC
1st BAR TO PMG
Bihar
3
Birendra Kumar Medhavi
Insp.
PMG
4
Pradeep Kumar
Insp.
PMG
5
Dhanraj Kumar
SI
1st BAR TO PMG
6
Uttam Kumar
CT
PMG
7
Dharmendra Kumar
CT
PMG
Chhattisgarh
8
Santosh Hemla
SI
1st BAR TO PMG
9
T. P Dilip
HC
PMG
10
Ajay Sonkar
Insp.
PMG
11
Abdul Sameer Khan
Insp.
3rd BAR TO PMG
12
Omprakash Sen
Company Commander
1st BAR TO PMG
13
Raman Usendi
Insp.
2nd BAR TO PMG
14
Ramesh Kumar Sori
ASI
2nd BAR TO PMG
15
Leeladhar Rathore
Insp.
PMG
Delhi
16
Sanjeev Kumar Yadav
DCP
8th BAR TO PMG
17
Prabhat Kumar Pankaj
Insp.
PMG
18
Pankaj Kumar
Insp.
PMG
19
Krishan Kumar
SI
PMG
20
Neeraj Kumar Sharma
SI
PMG
21
Girdhar Singh Gurjer
HC
PMG
22
Gurdeep Singh
CT
PMG
23
Pramod Singh Kushwah
DCP
2nd BAR TO PMG
24
Hridaya Bhushan
ACP
PMG
25
Sandesh. K
SI
PMG
26
Bhupender Kumar
ASI
PMG
27
Pramod Singh Kushwah
DCP
1st BAR TO PMG
28
Vinod Kumar
Insp.
1st BAR TO PMG
29
Dr. G.Ram Gopal Naik
DCP
PMG
30
Rajesh Kumar
ACP
PMG
31
Vinay Tyagi
Insp.
PMG
32
Kuldeep Singh
CT
PMG
Jammu & Kashmir
33
Abdul Waheed Shah
SSP
1st BAR TO PMG
34
Farooq Ahmad Malla
Follower
PMG
35
Ashish Kumar Mishra, IPS
SP
2nd BAR TO PMG
36
Farooq Ahmad Bhat
DySP
PMG
37
Sarjan Ahmad Dar
SI
PMG
38
Fayaz Ahmad Lone
ASI
1st BAR TO PMG
39
Arshid Rasool Tantray
CT
PMG
40
Tariq Mahmood
DySP
1st BAR TO PMG
41
Reyaz Ahmad Mir
SI
1st BAR TO PMG
42
Jagdish Singh
ASI
1st BAR TO PMG
43
Mohd Hussain Mir
HC
PMG
44
Sahil Sharma
DySP
PMG
45
Sageer Ahmad Pathan
ASI
1st BAR TO PMG
46
Tahair Ashraf
SP
1st BAR TO PMG
47
Javeed Ahmad Yatoo
Insp.
1st BAR TO PMG
48
Mohamad Irfan Malik
Insp.
PMG
49
Tariq Ahmad Rather
HC
PMG
50
Vidhi Kumar Birdi, IPS
DIG
2nd BAR TO PMG
51
G V Sundeep Chakravarthy, IPS
SP
1st BAR TO PMG
52
Shahjhan Choudhary
DySP
1st BAR TO PMG
53
Mohd Rafi Malik
ASI
1st BAR TO PMG
54
Mohd Suleman Choudhary, IPS
DIG
PMG
55
Reyaz Ahmad Baba
SgCT
PMG
56
Sandeep, IPS
SSP
1st BAR TO PMG
57
Firdous Ahmad Ganie
SgCT
PMG
58
Reyaz Ahmad Khan
CT
PMG
59
Arvind Kumar Badgal
DySP
PMG
60
Javid Ahmad Mir
CT
PMG
61
Mashkoor Ahmed
DySP
2nd BAR TO PMG
62
Yousuf-Ul-Umer
SI
1st BAR TO PMG
63
Ferooz Ahmad Lone
HC
2nd BAR TO PMG
64
Tahir Saleem Khan
SSP
1st BAR TO PMG
65
Zahoor Ahmad Wani
SI
1st BAR TO PMG
66
Shabir Ahmad Dar
HC
PMG
67
Rakesh Akram
DySP
1st BAR TO PMG
68
Madasar Nasser
Insp.
1st BAR TO PMG
69
Nazir Ahmad Jatal
SgCT
PMG
70
Mohd Idress Wani
DySP
1st BAR TO PMG
71
Khursheed Ahmad Malla
HC
PMG
72
Ferooz Ahmad Lone
HC
1st BAR TO PMG
73
Bilal Ahmad Shagoo
SgCT
PMG
74
Dawood Ahmad Bhat
SgCT
1st BAR TO PMG
75
Bashir Ahmad Sheikh
Follower
PMG
76
Shamshir Hussain
SSP
1st BAR TO PMG
77
Fayaz Hussain Shah
DySP
1st BAR TO PMG
78
Khushal Hussain Shah
HC
PMG
79
Reyaz Ahmad Mir
CT
PMG
80
Tariq Mahmood
DySP
2nd BAR TO PMG
81
Parveen Kumar
SI
PMG
82
Tariq Ahmad Khoja
SgCT
PMG
83
Sajad Ahmad Malik
DySP
1st BAR TO PMG
84
Ravinder Paul Singh
Insp.
1st BAR TO PMG
Jharkhand
85
Prakash Kumar Rajak
SI
PMG
86
Kunal
Addl.SP
PMG
Maharashtra
87
Raja R, IPS
Addl.SP
PMG
88
Nagnath Gurusiddha Patil
PSI
PMG
89
Mahadev Maroti Madavi
NPC
PMG
90
Kamlesh Ashok Arka
NPC
PMG
91
Hemant Korke Madavi
PC
PMG
92
Amul Shriram Jagtap
PC
PMG
93
Vella Korke Atram
PC
PMG
94
Sudhakar Malayya Mogaliwar
PC
PMG
95
Biyeshwar Vishnu Gedam
PC
PMG
96
Gajanan Dattatray Pawar
Police Insp.
PMG
97
HariBalaji N, IPS
Addl.SP
PMG
98
Girish Maroti Dhekale
NPC
PMG
99
Nilesh Maroti Dhumne
NPC
PMG
Madhya Pradesh
100
Arvind Kumar Saxena,IPS
SP
PMG
101
Dharm Vir Singh
Addl.SP
1st BAR TO PMG
Punjab
102
Bikramjit Singh Brar
DySP
2nd BAR TO PMG
103
Sukhwinder Kumar
ASI
PMG
104
Parwinder Singh
HC
PMG
Uttar Pradesh
105
Sunil Kumar
SI
PMG
106
Vinay Kumar Sharma
SI
PMG
107
Amit Kumar Teotia
CT
PMG
108
Prashant Kumar, IPS
ADG
1st BAR TO PMG
109
Sanjeev Kumar
Insp.
PMG
110
Abhishek Singh, IPS
SSP
PMG
111
Brijesh Kumar Singh
DySP
PMG
112
Rakam Singh
HC
PMG
Assam Rifles
113
Dr Shyam Sunder Shah
2-IC
PMG
BSF
114
Late Gajender Singh
AC
PMG(Posthu)
115
Late Amresh Kumar
CT
PMG(Posthu)
116
Walkunde Shantilal Devidas
SI
PMG
117
Late Abhijit Nandy
CT
PMG(Posthu)
118
Anirban Chatterjee
CT
PMG
119
Mohd Yousaf
HC
PMG
120
Mukesh Yadav
CT
PMG
121
Hari Lal
DIG
PMG
122
Surjeet Singh Guleria
DIG
PMG
123
Prateek Vashisth
AC
PMG
124
Suraj Karan Meena,
SI
PMG
125
Late Braj Kishore Yadav
ASI
PMG(Posthu)
126
Ramesan N
ASI
PMG
127
Rohit Joshi
ASI
PMG
128
Shyam Singh
HC
PMG
129
Mudit Kumar
CT
PMG
130
Rajput Jaydip Bhimsing
CT
PMG
131
Sawant Sachin Sambhaji
CT
PMG
132
Rentu Mollick
CT
PMG
133
Raman Gupta
AC
PMG
CRPF
134
Manoranjan Nath
HC
PMG
135
Reji Kumar K.G
HC
PMG
136
Ibraj Newar
CT
PMG
137
Yogesh Kumar Sharma
Insp.
PMG
138
Madhu Kumar
CT
PMG
139
Bhagat Vinit Shyamrao
CT
PMG
140
Shankar Lal Jat
AC
1st BAR TO PMG
141
Syed Shoaib Ahmad
CT
PMG
142
Keshari Kumar Singh
AC
PMG
143
Shabir Ahmad Dar
CT
PMG
144
Loukrakpam Ibomcha Singh
AC
2nd BAR TO PMG
145
Feda Hussain Dar
CT
PMG
146
Sajad Ahmad Bhat
CT
PMG
147
Prabhat Chandra Jha
DIG
PMG
148
Harinder Kumar
Comdt.
PMG
149
Jitendra KumarGupta
Comdt.
PMG
150
Rabi Narayan Swain
HC
PMG
151
Pawan Kumar
HC
PMG
152
Puncham Singh
CT
PMG
153
Rajesh Kumar
2-IC
PMG
154
Sanjeev Kumar
Insp.
PMG
155
Mahendra Kumar
HC
PMG
156
Nand Kishor
HC
PMG
157
Pankaj Kumar
CT
PMG
158
Durga Prasad Yadav
CT
PMG
159
Komal Singh
DIG
1st BAR TO PMG
160
Ambika Yadav
ASI
PMG
161
Mahesh Pillai R
CT
PMG
162
Gulam Rasool Lone
CT
PMG
163
Md Yousuf Itoo
ASI
1st BAR TO PMG
164
Shaid Hussain
CT
1st BAR TO PMG
165
Brajbhan Singh
Insp.
PMG
166
Akash Kumar Badal
SI
PMG
167
Roomi Kumar
CT
PMG
168
Mohd Shabir
CT
PMG
169
Naraganti Durgapathi
CT
PMG
170
Karthik K
AC
PMG
171
Brijanand Kumar Singh
SI
PMG
172
Sandeep Sharma
CT
PMG
173
Sonu Goutam
CT
PMG
174
Sanjeev Kumar
CT
PMG
175
Sukhjinder Singh
CT
PMG
176
Joni Kumar
CT
PMG
177
Velat Ram Dangi
AC
PMG
178
Shyam Singh Tomar
CT
PMG
179
Sorthiya Kalpesh Kumar Vallabh Bhai
CT
PMG
180
Kailash Pati Bera
CT
PMG
181
Rambol Kumar
SI
PMG
182
Vijay Singh
CT
PMG
183
Susheel Kumar
CT
PMG
184
Surya Prakash
CT
PMG
185
Sonu
CT
PMG
186
Nadeem Ahmad Samdani
Comdt.
PMG
187
Lallu Singh
CT
PMG
188
Ahsan Ahmad
CT
PMG
189
Ranjit Machahary
CT
PMG
190
Santosh Kumar
HC
PMG
191
Asim Das
CT
PMG
192
Mudasir Ahmad Shan
CT
PMG
193
Shalinder Kumar
CT
PMG
194
Krishan Kumar Yadav
AC
PMG
195
Sudhakar Kumar Gupta
SI
PMG
196
Bijay Tirkey
CT
PMG
197
Henzang
Comdt.
PMG
198
Jony Kumar
AC
PMG
199
Rameshwar
CT
PMG
200
Patil Rajendra Bhavalal
CT
PMG
201
Dod Sagar Gajanan
CT
PMG
ITBP
202
Anurag Kumar Singh
AC
1st BAR TO PMG
203
Rajesh Kumar Luthra
AC
PMG
SSB
204
Ajay Kumar
Comdt.
PMG
205
Naseer Ahmed
CT
PMG
PRESIDENT’S POLICE MEDAL FOR DISTINGUISHED SERVICE (PPM)
DR. ARCHANA SHIVAHARE, INSPECTOR GENERAL OF POLICE, COMPUTER CUM STATE CR, OFFICE OF THE IGP, SCRB, GUJARAT, 382010
SHRI JASHVANTKUMAR RAMJIBHAI MOTHALIYA, INSPECTOR GENERAL OF POLICE, BORDER RANGE, BHUJ, OFFICE OF THE IGP, BORDERRANGE, BHUJ. DISTRICT-KUTCH, GUJARAT, 370001
SHRI SANKAR GHOSH DASTIDAR, SUB INSPECTOR OF POLICE, BIDHANNAGAR POLICE COMMISSIONERATE, STADIUM GATE NO 3, SECTOR-III, SALT LAKE, WEST BENGAL, 700106
SHRI BABAR ALI, SUB INSPECTOR OF POLICE, ENFORCEMENT BRANCH, BHABANI BHAWAN, ALIPORE, KOLKATA, WEST BENGAL, 700027
SHRI SANTANU BISWAS, SUB INSPECTOR OF POLICE, DIGHA POLICE STATION, PURBA MEDINIPUR, WEST BENGAL, WEST BENGAL, 721428
SHRI TARAK MONDAL, SUB INSPECTOR OF POLICE (ARMED BRANCH), DEPUTY INSPECTOR GENERAL OF POLICE (ARMED POLICE) CELL, BARRACKPORE, NORTH 24 PGS, WEST BENGAL, 700120
SHRI TAPASH KUMAR MANDAL, POLICE DRIVER, SWAMI VIVEKANANDA STATE POLICE ACADEMY, BARRACKPORE, WEST BENGAL, 700120
SHRI SUBRATA KUMAR BERA, ASSISTANT SUB INSPECTOR OF POLICE, TITAGARH POLICE STATION, BARRACKPORE POLICE COMMISSIONERATE, WEST BENGAL, 700119
SHRI ASIT CHAKRABORTY, ASSISTANT SUB INSPECTOR OF POLICE, GOALPOKHER POLICE STATION, UTTAR DINAJPUR DISTRICT, WEST BENGAL, 733210
When we think of the empowerment of women, we usually think about Western culture. Nevertheless, the East has had its fair share of female role models. While Islam has historically given men the role of providing security, women were not restricted from doing the same. During the Mughal Empire, a special class of female soldiers known as the Urdubegis appeared on the scene with the sole purpose of protecting the Mughal emperor and his harem.
In point of fact, over time many Muslim women were famed for their fighting skills, including Nusaybah Bint Ka’ab, the first female warrior of Islam. The Mughal Empire sprang up in India in 1526, when Babur, the first Mughal emperor defeated Ibrahim Lodi. Accompanying Babur was his harem, and to ensure their protection he created the Urdubegis made up of women who belonged to Kashmiri, Turk, Habshi and Tartar tribes.
A strong threat to the king’s enemies, the Urdubegis were feared by both men and princes alike. Trained female warriors, the Urdubegis have been remembered for their incredible loyalty to the king. Time has been harsh to their legacy and nowadays they are no more than footnotes in the annals of Mughal history. In this article, we will try to do their story some justice.
Emperor celebrating with ladies in the harem ( Public domain ).
The Varied Role of Women in the Mughal Harem
Thoughts of a pleasure garden tend to come to mind when thinking of a harem, but that is far from the truth. Most of the women that lived there were female employees and relatives of the emperor. Only five percent of the women served for the sexual pleasure of the emperor; they were his queens and concubines. The residents of the harem practiced the parda, in front of all men, except the emperor. The literal meaning of the word parda is a veil, in the Mughal period women would cover themselves from head to toe to cover their face and skin, as well as concealing their form from men.
In an article published in South Asian Studies, Gull-i-Hina describes how the Mughal women were expected to behave. “The public lives of women of nobility were governed by the laws of seclusion. The practice of parda, or the sequestering of women behind the veil or wall, had already been known in ancient and medieval India and had been used throughout history by many of the upper classes. By the time of the Mughals, seclusion was an accepted way of life for aristocratic families.”
A vast majority of women inhabited the harem, also known as the zanana or zenana. They each had a specific role to play, and the Urdubegis were responsible for security. “The palaces in which the zanana women lived were self-sufficient cities with a full range of castes, occupations, and administrators, and were as cosmopolitan a mix of religions, nationalities, and artistic talents as to be found in any metropolis of the time,” explains Ellison Banks when discussing the harem in her book Nur Jahan: Empress of Mughal India .
Due to the number of inhabitants, there was a need for female employees that would help maintain the smooth functioning of the harem. Thus, apart from eunuchs, there were lady officials like the Angas (foster-mother), the Daroghas (matrons), Mahaldars (superintendents), and Urdubegis (armed women guards). These women were married and served in the harem during their hours of duty, otherwise, they lived in their own homes away from the harem.
Three things helped sustain the Mughal emperor’s power: his army, his treasury, and his women. The first two were not directly linked to the king, but the Harem, on the other hand, was closest in proximity to him. The king spent a lot of time there, thus there was a need for trustworthy and capable guards. Since only eunuchs and women were allowed in the harem, a few among them were selected and trained as proper warriors, capable of guarding the women without the need for male guards.
Women in the harem practiced parda, or the veil, in front of all men except the emperor. ( Public domain )
The Urdubegis –Female Warriors of the Mughal Harem
The Urdubegis were trained female warriors, who served as guards in the proximity of the harem. For them to become guards, they had to belong to tribes that did not practice parda. A guard would have had to be visible to men on certain occasions, including times when they were traveling. Therefore, to ensure the protection of their charges, the Urdubegis had to be willing to sacrifice the veil so that they could guard the hidden queens and princesses. These women usually came from Habshi, Tartar, Turk, and Kashmiri tribes.
The Urdubegis have been mentioned during the times of Emperor Babur and Humayun. Therefore, it can be said that they came into being with the coming of the Mughals as there is no mention of Urdubegis before that. There may have been female guards with different names, but no mention of the Urdubegis specifically has been discovered to date.
The guards were trained in the use of bows and arrows, and spears. Along with long-range weapons, they were taught to use short daggers and swords. Taught the art of fighting, these women had to be trustworthy because they would not only be guarding the queen and the rest of the harem but the king as well. The Mughal emperor spent the most time in the harem, which is why why the guards had to be trusted not to betray the emperor in the one place where he would be the most vulnerable.
“The Urdubegis of the Mughal court was so skillful in warfare, that during the war of succession, Aurangzeb rejected to visit Shah Jahan because he feared the female armed guard would murder him,” wrote Kishori Saran Lal in his book The Mughal Harem when discussion the ferocity and strength of the Urdubegis.
The women would accompany the emperor everywhere he went. In 1527, Babur conquered India and set about laying the foundations of the Mughal Empire, however, both Babur and Humayun ruled from their encampments. The first two Mughal kings were unable to lay down a solid foundation, which meant they kept wandering. As they traveled, their wives and other female companions accompanied them, and to keep them protected but hidden, female guards were assigned to the mobile harem.
These female guards were vital especially when the haram accompanied the emperor on his travels or battle excursions. Their presence outside the women’s tents ensured exclusivity and regulation. The guards, both male and female, were swapped every twenty-four hours to guarantee that they were alert and to prevent internal conspiracies from forming.
Akbar came to power in 1556, the third emperor of the Mughal Empire. At the time of his ascension, the empire did not have a solid foundation. However, in his 49-year reign, the Mughal Empire had gained permanence. Grand palaces were constructed, and, usually, the harem would be located close to the emperor’s lodgings. However, the male guards that protected the emperor could not venture into the harem, so the female guards, the Urdubegis, gained a more significant role.
Not all Urdubegis were originally warriors. Some moved up in the ranks over time. For example, the only known Urdubegis once served as the nurse for Emperor Humayun, the father of Akbar and the second Mughal emperor. When Humayun died in 1556, his nurse was promoted to the chief of the Urdubegis during his son’s reign.
Only one of the Urdubegis has been remembered by name. Representational image. (Cleveland Museum of Art / CC0)
Bibi Fatima – The Only Known Urdubegis
Unfortunately, there is very little information regarding the numerous women who protected the harem. Only one name appears in written records, that of Bibi Fatima, chief of the Urdubegis. Serving during the life of Emperor Humayun, her name is mentioned in the Humayun-Nama, written by Gulbadan Begum, his half-sister. Perhaps Bibi Fatima was mentioned because a woman wrote the biography and found the contributions of the female guard worthy of remembrance.
Originally Bibi Fatima had served Emperor Humayun as his wet nurse or Anka. She took care of Humayun when he fell gravely ill, nursing him back to health, and continued to care for him until his death in 1556. She continued to serve under Emperor Akbar, who rewarded her for her loyalty and dedication to his father, promoting her to the chief of the Urdubegis. Although she was probably not as trained as a warrior, like the women under her, Bibi Fatima earned her place, proving to the emperor that she would be loyal to the king, no matter the circumstances.
The Humayun-Nama claims that she had a daughter called Zuhra. In appreciation for her work, Zuhra was later married off to Hamida’s (Humayun’s wife) brother, who would go on to murder her, despite her mother’s best efforts to rescue her daughter. The sad incident is mentioned in the Humayun Nama:
“In 1564, Bibi Fatima lamented to Akbar that Khwaja Mu’azzam had threatened to kill his wife Zuhra, who was her daughter. The emperor consequently sent the Khwaja word that he was coming to his house and followed the message closely. As he entered, the Khwaja stabbed Zuhra and then flung his knife, like a challenge, amongst the loyal followers.”
It seems that Bibi Fatima continued to serve her king, because there is no mention that she left her post after the incident. However, one can imagine the heartache a mother who lost her child must have gone through. She deserves respect for all her service, regardless of the circumstances. Luckily, we know the name of at least one Urdubegis.
Nur Jahan entertaining the Mughal emperor. ( Public domain )
Why Have the Urdubegis Been Forgotten?
With the coming of the British in the 18th century, the Mughal Empire fell into decline. However, it wasn’t until 1858 that the last king was removed from his throne and replaced by British rule. When Bahadar Shah Zafar lost his crown, the Mughal harem ceased to be, thus there was no longer a need for the Urdubegis. Their main task of protecting the king and the harem had ended.
Political decay lowered the status of women and female guards became extinct. In this new context, women were seen as weak and therefore rules were applied that subjected women to incarceration within their own homes. However, the strength and dedication of the Urdubegis ensured that they have been remembered to some extent.
We know more about the Urdubegis as a whole, rather than individually, which is a shame because the stories of these female warriors must have been fascinating. They were privy to the emperor’s most inner moments, and had they had recorded their stories, we would know a lot more about the life of the Mughal kings. Despite the scarce information, they have left an imprint upon history, albeit minute.
Top image: The Urdubegis were female warriors tasked with protecting the Mughal emperor and his harem. Representational image. Source: Public domain
By Khadija Tauseef
Khadija Tauseef, has always had a passion for ancient history. She completed a BA(Hons) and MPhil in History along with historical programs online. Egyptian and Greek are of particular interest but she likes to study all she can. She is currently mid-way through two courses that are about the ancient Greeks and their myths and wants to share her learning with others.
source: http://www.ancient-origins.net / Ancient Origins / Home> News / by Khadija Tauseef / June 20th, 2022
Delhi-based author Syed Ubaidur Rahman’s latest book is making waves among academics and history buffs these days. His book, ‘Forgotten Muslim Empires of South India: Bahmani Empire, Madurai, Bijapur, Ahmadnagar, Golconda and Mysore Sultanates’ that was released earlier this month has caught the imagination of a large number of people.
While the Muslim history in north India is well documented, the history of Muslims in the Deccan hasn’t caught the same attention. This is the reason that while hundreds of books have been penned on the Mughals and the Delhi Sultanate’s rule in different languages, if you try to lay your hands on the Muslim rule elsewhere, there is very little available on the ruling dynasties and their rule in other regions including South India.
Syed Ubaidur Rahman’s latest book tries to correct this mistake and bring back the Muslim sultanates of the Deccan and south India into focus. The voluminous book of 664 pages, it contains a more than three hundred fifty page chapter on the Bahmani Empire alone.
When asked as to why he wrote so much on the Bahmani Sultanate, the author says, “Bahmani Sultanate, towards the end of the 14th century was the pre-eminent power not just in South India, but across the Indian subcontinent. However, despite its resplendent and great past, there is not much literature available on the Bahmani Sultanate that was the most powerful empire from mid fourteenth century till the end of the fifteenth century. It has been relegated to the margins of history in our school syllabus and even in our history books. In this book, I have made an effort to bring it back to common imagination and make it a talking point”.
The author goes on to add that “The Bahmanis and the latter day sultanates in the region had a transformative impact over the populace, both Muslims and Hindus. Not much is written about how the Bahmani sultans spread education across the region and established schools and colleges in every major towns of their realm that not just provided free education to the pupils but took care of all their needs including food and lodging. Muhammad Shah II, during his peaceful reign of close to two decades, ensured that schools and colleges were established in almost every part of the sultanate with hostel facilities. The building of Mahmud Gawan’s university is still standing tall in Bidar, the second capital of the Bahmani empire”.
Chapters on Bijapur’s Adil Shahi Sultanate, Ahmadnagar’s Nizam Shahi Sultanate, Golconda’s Qutb Shahi Sultanate, besides Madurai and Hyder Ali and Tipu Sultan’s Mysore Sultanates are also thoroughly engaging, detailed and informative.
The book is a must read for history buffs, especially the ones who are concerned with preserving Indian Muslim history in the country.
***
Name of the book: ‘Forgotten Muslim Empire of South India’
Photographers Dar Yasin, Mukhtar Khan and Channi Anand captured images of protests, police and paramilitary action and daily life in Kashmir.
Women shout slogans as the police fire teargas and live ammunition in the air to stop a protest march in Srinagar, Aug. 9, 2019. The image was part of a series of photographs by Associated Press photographers which won the 2020 Pulitzer Prize for Feature Photography.
The story of India’s crackdown on Kashmir last August was difficult to show to the world. The unprecedented lockdown included a sweeping curfew and shutdowns of phone and internet service.
But Associated Press ( AP ) photographers Dar Yasin, Mukhtar Khan and Channi Anand found ways to let outsiders see what was happening. Now, their work has been honoured with the 2020 Pulitzer Prize in feature photography.
Snaking around roadblocks, sometimes taking cover in strangers’ homes and hiding cameras in vegetable bags, the three photographers captured images of protests, police and paramilitary action and daily life — and then headed to an airport to persuade travellers to carry the photo files out with them and get them to the AP ’s office in New Delhi.
Kashmiri Muslim devotees offer prayer outside the shrine of Sufi saint Sheikh Syed Abdul Qadir Jeelani in Srinagar, Dec. 9, 2019. The image was part of a series of photographs by Associated Press photographers which won the 2020 Pulitzer Prize for Feature Photography.
“It was always cat-and-mouse,” Mr. Yasin recalled on Monday. “These things made us more determined than ever to never be silenced.”
Mr. Yasin and Mr. Khan are based in Srinagar, Kashmir’s largest city, while Mr. Anand is based in the neighboring Jammu district.
Mr. Anand said the award left him speechless.
“I was shocked and could not believe it,” he said, calling the prize-winning photos a continuation of the work he’s been doing for 20 years with the AP .
An Indian Border Security Force (BSF) soldier keeps vigil near the India-Pakistan border at Garkhal in Akhnoor, about 35 kilometers (22 miles) west of Jammu, India, Aug. 13, 2019. The image was part of a series of photographs by Associated Press photographers which won the 2020 Pulitzer Prize for Feature Photography.
With communications shut down, these journalists had to find out about protests and other news by finding them in person. Mr. Khan and Mr. Yasin took turns roving the streets in and around the regional capital of Srinagar, Mr. Yasin said, facing mistrust from both protesters and troops. The journalists were unable to go home for days or even let their families know they were doing okay.
“It was very hard,” Mr. Khan said, but “we managed to file pictures”.
After spotting luggage-toting people walking toward the airport, he said, the photographers decided to ask travellers to serve as couriers. Mr. Yasin also recalled how a relative of his, who was also a photojournalist, had told him about delivering film rolls to New Delhi in person as the conflict in Kashmir raged in the 1990s.
A masked Kashmiri protester jumps on the bonnet of an armored vehicle of Indian police as he throws stones at it during a protest in Srinagar, May 31, 2019. The image was part of a series of photographs by Associated Press photographers which won the 2020 Pulitzer Prize for Feature Photography.
The photographers thus went to the Srinagar airport and sought out strangers willing to carry memory cards and flash drives to New Delhi and call AP after landing in the Indian capital.
Some flyers declined, fearing trouble with the authorities, Mr. Yasin said. But others said yes and followed through. Most of the memory cards and drives arrived.
Mr. Yasin says their prize-winning work has both professional and personal meaning to him.
“It’s not the story of the people I am shooting, only, but it’s my story,” he said. “It’s a great honour to be on the list of Pulitzer winners and to share my story with the world.”
“This honor continues AP ’s great tradition of award-winning photography,” said AP President and CEO Gary Pruitt. “Thanks to the team inside Kashmir, the world was able to witness a dramatic escalation of the long struggle over the region’s independence. Their work was important and superb.”
Pulitzer finalists for breaking-news photography award
In a year when protests arose across the globe, AP photographers Dieu Nalio Chery and Rebecca Blackwell were Pulitzer finalists for the breaking-news photography award for their coverage of violent clashes between police and anti-government demonstrators in Haiti.
Protesters and passersby look at images of people said to have been injured or killed during the month-long protests calling for the resignation of President Jovenel Moise, in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Oct. 15, 2019. The image was part of a series of photographs by Associated Press photographers which was named a finalist for the 2020 Pulitzer Prize for Breaking News Photography.
Bullet fragments hit Mr. Chery in the jaw while he documented the unrest. He kept taking pictures, including images of the fragments that hit him.
A protest against fuel shortages and demanding the resignation of President Jovenel Moise in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Sept. 20, 2019. The image was part of a series of photographs by Associated Press photographers which was named a finalist for the 2020 Pulitzer Prize for Breaking News Photography.
“All five of these photographers made remarkable, stunning images despite dangerous and challenging conditions, sometimes at great personal risk,” said AP Director of Photography David Ake. “Their dedication to getting up every morning and going out to tell the story is a testament to their tenacity. The result of their work is compelling photojournalism that grabbed the world’s attention.”
AP Executive Editor Sally Buzbee called the Kashmir prize “a testament to the skill, bravery, ingenuity and teamwork of Dar, Mukhtar, Channi and their colleagues” and lauded Mr. Chery’s and Ms. Blackwell’s “brave and arresting work” in Haiti while many journalism outlets were focused elsewhere.
“At a time when AP ’s journalism is of more value than ever to the world, these journalists’ courage and compelling storytelling show the absolute best of what we do,” Ms. Buzbee said.
The honor for the photographers is the AP’s 54th Pulitzer Prize. The news cooperative last won a Pulitzer last year for stories, photos and video on the conflict in Yemen and the ensuing humanitarian crisis.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> World / by Associated Press (AP) / May 05th, 2020
Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s name is taken with great pride and respect in Maharashtra. Every year on February 19, Shivaji Jayanti is celebrated with great pomp across the state. The coronation day of Shivaji Maharaj is also celebrated on June 6, 1674. About 350 years ago, Shivaji Maharaj was coronated at Raigad Fort in the presence of thousands of people.
There have been many kings but people remember only those who worked for the good of the people. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj is one of them as he established Swaraj based on the values of equality, brotherhood, and justice. During his rule, he worked for public welfare without any discrimination.
These days, Shivaji Maharaj is portrayed as a Hindu ruler by vested interests like political parties and organizations. Is it fair to see a great personality like Shivaji Maharaj only in the frame of religion? To see Shivaji Maharaj only as a protector of religion amounts to diminishing his stature. Shivaji’s life was spent following high ideals.
He respected Saints, Peer Auliyas, and all religions. For this reason, when he established Swaraj, along with the local Marathas, a large number of Muslims also supported him. At that time the Marathas who were in his army were called Mawle of Shivaji. Thousands of Muslims participated in the battles he fought; his administration also had Mawle. That is why even today Muslims of Kolhapur, Satara take part in Shivaji Jayanti processions with great fanfare.
During the rule of Shivaji Maharaj, public welfare, justice, and brotherhood were given priority. That’s why he and his regime are remembered even today.
Shivaji Maharaj’s family respected Sufi saints a lot. His grandfather had named his two sons Shahji and Sharifji after the Muslim Pir Baba Shah Sharif. Shivaji Maharaj had great respect for Sufi Saint Baba Yakut. Before leaving for the war front he visited Baba to seek his blessings. He also had oil lamps lit on various dargahs, the resting place of the Sufis.
Women were respected during Shivaji’s reign. Even during the war touching a woman was prohibited. It seems that after the governor of Kalyan was defeated at the hands of Shivaji’s forces, his beautiful daughter-in-law was presented to Shivaji. He was ashamed of his General’s act of using a woman as a booty. He apologized to the Muslim woman and told her she is like his mother and returned her to her homeland with full state honour.
Shivaji Maharaj had unwavering faith in his Muslim soldiers. There were more than 60 thousand Muslim soldiers in his army. He had also established a strong Navy and its command was in the hands of Muslim soldiers. Even the management of sea forts was entrusted to experienced Muslim governors like Darya Sarang, Daulat Khan, Ibrahim Khan, Siddi Mistry. Many Muslim warlords like Rustamozman, Hussain Khan, Qasim Khan left the princely state of Bijapur and joined the army of Shivaji Maharaj along with 700 Pathan soldiers. Siddi Hilal was one of the closest Sardars of Shivaji Maharaj. His acts of bravery in the war are famous.
Most of the cannons used in Shivaji’s army were manned by Muslim soldiers. Ibrahim Khan was the chief gunner; Shama Khan and Ibrahim Khan were the head of the Cavalry squad.Siddi Ibrahim was one of Shivaji’s bodyguards. In the encounter with Afzal Khan, Siddi Ibrahim saved Shivaji Maharaj by risking his life. Later, Shivaji Maharaj appointed him as the head of the Fonda fort. All the facts bear testimony to a close bond between Shivaji and his Muslim associates.
When Shivaji was under arrest in Agra Fort, a Muslim man named Madari Mehtar played the most important role in his escape. While Shivaji escaped from the fort, Mehtar masqueraded as him.
With his secular ways, Shivaji Maharaj won the hearts of his colleagues and they were ever ready to make sacrifices for their king.
Qazi Haider, a scholar of the Persian language was Shivaji’s Chief Law officer. He had a major role in the administration’s correspondence and agreements and secret plans. Once a Hindu Sardar expressed doubts about Qazi Haider and advised Shivaji against trusting him. Shivaji told him rather curtly: “Honesty is not tested by looking at someone’s caste (religion), it depends on that person’s deeds”.
The preparations for the coronation of Shivaji Maharaj had started long back. New buildings including temples were being constructed when Shivaji Maharaj reached Raigad to review the work. On his return to his palace, he asked his Sardars while they have built magnificent temples why no mosque for Muslim subjects has been built. Immediately, a mosque was built right in front of the palace and it stands there even today.
Today the rivalry between Shivaji and Afzal Khan is presented as a story of Hindu-Muslim tension. The truth is after Afzal Khan died, Shivaji Maharaj ordered that his body be buried with Islamic rites. A concrete grave was built for Afzal Khan; his sons were pardoned.
Such behaviour of a ruler against his enemy is rarely found in history.
All these incidents of history prove that the war between Shivaji Maharaj and the Mughals was of mutual conflicts between the kings for political interests and not for religious supremacy.
source: http://www.awazthevoice.in / Awaz, The Voice / Home> Story / by Mukhtar Khan, ATV / posted by Aasha Khosa / February 22nd, 2023
