Syeda Mirza pens the legacy of Aly Asker, the man who put the city on India’s horse racing map and built iconic colonial bungalows
Bengaluru :
Once a quaint lane that housed colonial bungalows, Ali Asker Road (situated between Cunningham Road and Infantry Road) may now be a bustling street with commercial outlets, only retaining some of the old-world charm. But the street comes with a rich history, which Syeda Mirza (Aly Asker was her husband’s great-grandfather) is trying to re-tell through the story of Aly Asker in her first book, Agha Aly Asker.
Having heard of stories – Aly Asker leaving his homeland, Shiraz, as a 16-year-old to come to India in 1824 to trade Persian and Arab horses, building 100 bungalows around High Grounds, Cantonment, and Richmond Town, at the behest of Sir Mark Cubbon – Mirza felt the need to highlight his contribution to Bengaluru and Mysuru, which she had heard from elders. “A great-uncle of my husband had compiled some history and anecdotes which also came handy,” says Mirza, who is in her 80s. She adds that his legacy lingers in the family to this day among her grandchildren, with her grandson, equestrian Fouaad Mirza, getting prepared for the Tokyo Olympics.
Her book also mentions the key role that Aly Asker played in saving the then Mysuru state from being annexed by the British, with their policy at that time stating that if there was no direct heir, the state would be annexed.
“Here, Aly Asker played a crucial role in convincing Sir Cubbon and Krishna Raja Wadiyar-III about an adoption, but sadly it’s not remembered. Everyone in the family knows about it though,” says Mirza, who started work on the book 18 years ago, and completed it within 2-3 years. The manuscript, though, was in hibernation ever since.
While information was aplenty, the challenge lay in authenticating it. “It was like a thread, one thing led to another. But then again, everything was a family legend,” she says.
With Aly Asker being a historical figure, making a mark in the history of the city, they were particular that the information was verified. This meant going through several archives and hours of research, which was done by historians. “We kept getting bits and pieces and had to keep changing it. My three children did a lot of leg work to look up the records,” says Mirza, who got some information from unexpected sources, including the Ooty Library.
pix: ink-and-feathers.blogspot.com
Mirza, now keen to bring out a cookery book, decided to self- publish the book (printing 500 copies), to ensure that the story was told the way she wanted to. “I didn’t want anything changed. I’ve written it for my grandchildren,” says Mirza, who is currently working on translating the book into Urdu, and getting it translated into Kannada.
With several books having been written on Sir Mirza Ismail, the grandson of Aly Asker, and Diwan of Mysore, Mirza hopes this book on Aly Asker will highlight his history as well.
source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Bengaluru / by Vidya Iyengar / pix added: as above / January 14th, 2020
There are many miles that separate Bengaluru from Haifa. But our city’s connection to this distant Mediterranean port town goes beyond geography to that of the spirit. It is where Mysorean cavalrymen earned honours and distinguished themselves during World War I. The town also became a final resting place for many who never returned home.
These men on horseback were the inheritors of an older legacy. Both Hyder Ali and his son Tipu Sultan, the 18th century rulers of Mysore, were known for their famous cavalry, the `Savar’ that had fought on home territory in the Anglo-Mysore Wars almost 150 years ago.
The Mysore Lancers (says a commemorative souvenir) were raised from what remained of this cavalry following the 4th Anglo-Mysore War in 1799.
The regimental insignia and Mysore’s royal emblem, the two headed Ganda Berunda eagle
Bengaluru’s equestrian legacies also extended beyond the military; the Bangalore Turf Club is a heritage institution and the Race Course that was initially located near Domlur was as old as the Cantonment, Horse riding in Cubbon Park was `de rigeur‘ till the early 1900’s, many large houses had private stables and British Commissioner Sir Mark Cubbon even built a new home beyond Cubbon Park to accommodate his beloved horses!
Military forces in India’s princely states were maintained purely as a formality for a very long time following 1857.
But Viceroy Lord Dufferin’s landmark speech in Patalia (1888) signalled a change.
The Mysore (Mysuru) Maharaja Chamarajendra Wodeyar X was one of the first to raise a military force (including an Infantry and Transport Corps) capable of fighting alongside Imperial troops anywhere in the world. Major Mellis arrived here in 1890 to rearrange the two existing Silledar regiments into the Mysore Horse based in Mysore, and the Bangalore based Mysore Imperial Service Lancers (Mysore Lancers).
The Investiture Ceremony: “On the arrival of the Viceroy at the Imperial Service Lines, he was received by Dewan Krishna Murthi and conducted to a position near the saluting flag. After the horses of the entire regiment had lain down on the word of command so as to form covers for their riders in action, the regiment formed mass and the men dismounted and left their horses entirely alone with the rein passed through the girths. Rockets, carbine discharges and other noises were then made to test the training of the horses and except one or two horses which broke away, the remainder kept perfectly steady and unconcerned. After galloping past and advancing in review order, the Lancers cheered His Excellency. The Viceroy remarked that the display he had seen proved the excellence of the training of the horses and the special attention paid to the matter by Colonel Desaraj Urs… The manoeuvres subsequent to special show in connection with the horses reflected great credit, said His Excellency, on the regiment.” –M Shama Rao, Modern Mysore
The Mysorean, with his “superior physique” was also “specially noted for his endurance and hard work in distant countries and under the most trying conditions of climate and fatigue.”* And so, as part of the 15th Imperial Service Cavalry Brigade (this included the Patiala, Jodhpur and Hyderabad Horse) the men left Bangalore on 13th October, 1914 under the field command of Lt.Col. Chamaraj Urs Bahadur.
They were accompanied by Special Officers Major MH Henderson and Lt. K Evans-Gordon and Colonel J. Desraj Urs (Commander-in Chief of the Mysore State Forces and brother-in-law to Maharaja Sir Nalwadi Krishnaraja Wodeyar IV).
The men in the distinctive black head collar rope, black and white lance pennant, crossed lance badges on the chain mail epaulettes and the royal Ganda Bherunda insignia of Mysore disembarked to defend the Sweet Water Canal and undertake reconnaissance duties to the east of the Suez Canal.
Many of us in the city can proudly trace family who in 1914, were a part of the largest volunteer army in the world!
Fans of a sun tanned Peter O’ Toole in the film `Lawrence of Arabia’ will know that our Mysorean men and the legendary TE Lawrence were both part of a WWI force commanded by Field Marshall Sir Edmund Allenby. But off screen conditions were very tough. Water sources were scarce. Thousands of cavalry horses and Transport Corps animals perished at various stages-en route, during combat and post-war.The emaciated and weak were left by the road to be picked up and (hopefully) rehabilitated by the Remount and Veterinary Corps.Most were not so lucky.
Much has been written about the Battle of Haifa where Mysorean cavalrymen braved German and Austrian guns as they charged alongside the Jodhpur Lancers to route an artillery battery located on a hill above the town.
Mysore’s two headed eagle also altered history at Gaza, Jordan Valley, Sharon, Megiddo, Damascus and Palestine. Their roles in these decisive battles saw the officers, including Captain B. P. Krishne Urs, 29 year old Mir Turab Ali and Risaldar Subbaraja Urs, and their loyal horses receive a hero’s welcome in 1920.
Sirdar Bahadur Lt.Col. Chamaraj Urs succeeded the distinguished Col.J Desraj Urs to the post of Commandant-in-Chief in 1919.
The horsemen were then reconstituted into the New Horsed Cavalry Regiment, raised in Jaipur on January 1st, 1953 under the special dispensation of Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru.It was named the 61st Cavalry a year later. It is the only horse cavalry regiment in the world and is equally well-known for its indomitable equestrian sportsmen.
My grand aunt, Mrs. Syeda Mirza tells me that her husband, my grand uncle the late Major Mohammad Mirza, a Bengalurean 61st cavalryman, dashing polo player and nephew of Sir Mirza Ismail, Diwan of Mysore (1926-1941) commanded the elite President’s Bodyguard for Dr.Rajendra Prasad and Dr. S Radhakrishnan in the 1960’s. He was also in the Ganganagar Sector with the 61st Cavalry during the 1971 War.
Standing second from right: Major Mohammad Mirza. Photo Source: Sixty First Cavalry Diamond Jubilee Souvenir, courtesy: Mrs. Syeda Mirza
“I was returning to Jaipur with the children after visiting my parents in Hyderabad” she says “and hired a porter to help with the luggage. He deposited me near the army vehicle that had come to receive us, and refused to take any payment. He said he could not take money from someone whose husband was fighting for the country.” She adds, “those were very tough times for wives and families.With no mobile phones or connectivity like it is today, we had no way to stay in regular touch with our loved ones.We just had to manage as best as we could on our own.”
While a tribute to Indian cavalrymen is visibly embedded at Teen Murti Circle, New Delhi, a smaller Memorial Column on Col. Desraj Urs Road in Bengaluru’s Munireddy Palya stands overshadowed by the massive TV Tower nearby. The long forgotten structure lists all the brave men including officers Captain A.Lingaraj Urs (son-in-law to the Field Commander) and a Meer Ashroff Ali who lost their lives upholding the honour of Mysore state. Most city folks ride by without a second glance these days.
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On the Roll of Honour:
A Lingaraj Urs and Meer Ashroff Alli, Venkata Rao Maney, Annaji Dhummal, Rachunatha Rao Birjey, Mohammed Abdul Sattar, Nar Singh, Mohammed Peer Khan, Rahimon Khan, Ganapaty Rao Sindhey, Rama Rao Gaikwad, Manadeva Rao Bobdey, Sheik Ibrahim, Sham Singh, Roya Sundaram, Chithambara Rao Ithapay and Meer Abdul Latheef.
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This story was originally published in the Bangalore Mirror on April 11th 2016.Read it here.
* M Shama Rao, Modern Mysore, Page 104-106
source: http://www.aturquoisecloud.wordpress.com / A Turquoise Cloud / by Aliyeh Rizvi
Syed Kirmani, an ODI World Cup winner with India in 1983, speaks during the launch of his autobiography, in Bengaluru. | Photo Credit: PTI
The cricket universe was represented by Kapil Dev, Rahul Dravid, V.V.S. Laxman, Anil Kumble, Brijesh Patel, E.A.S. Prasanna, B.S. Chandrasekhar and many of Kirmani’s State teammates.
A galaxy of stars descended at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium on Sunday for the launch of ‘Stumped: Life Behind And Beyond The Twenty-Two Yards’ by Syed Kirmani, the autobiography of one of India’s finest wicketkeepers.
The cricket universe was represented by Kapil Dev, Rahul Dravid, V.V.S. Laxman, Anil Kumble, Brijesh Patel, E.A.S. Prasanna, B.S. Chandrasekhar and many of Kirmani’s State teammates.
Infosys co-founder N.R. Narayana Murthy and Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D. K. Shivakumar were also in attendance.
Deputy Chief Minister D. K. Shivakumar during the launch of ‘Stumped, Life Behind And Beyond The Twenty-Two Yards ‘ with Krimani (right). | Photo Credit: The Hindu
Former cricketer Sunil Gavaskar, badminton stalwart Prakash Padukone and actor Jackie Shroff sent their well wishes through video messages. The book is co-authored by Debashish Sengupta and Dakshesh Pathak.
Kirmani’s famous partnership with Kapil Dev against Zimbabwe in the 1983 World Cup, where the duo rescued India from a precarious 17 for five, was a favourite memory among speakers on the stage.
Kapil spoke about the first time he met Kirmani, who incidentally celebrated his 75th birthday on Sunday.
Kirmani’s famous partnership with Kapil Dev (right) against Zimbabwe in the 1983 World Cup, where the duo rescued India from a precarious 17 for five, was a favourite memory among speakers on the stage. | Photo Credit: PTI
“I was in an under-19 camp when Syed Kirmani, Bishan Singh Bedi and others returned to India after being bloodied and bruised on a tour to the West Indies. I worked up the courage to approach Kirmani. The first autograph I ever received in my life was from the great ‘Kiri bhai’ and G.R. Viswanath,” Kapil said.
“I remember what Kirmani wrote when signing the autograph. He wrote ‘Hope to see tons of runs and tons of wickets from you’. That was most kind of him. I also spent a few hours with him, where he taught me so much about the sport and beyond,” Kapil said.
source: http://www.sportstar.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> Cricket / by Ashwin Achal / December 29th, 2024
(From left) Lokaraj Urs (Founder, Madilu Seva Trust NGO), Veeresh, President, Suvarna Karnataka Chemists and Distributors Association, S. Manjunath, President, Mysore District Chemists and Distributors Association, C.K. Muralidharan, Ashok Kumar, Joint Secretary, Mysore District Chemists and Distributors Association and Nigin.
World’s youngest Head Master (HM) Babar Ali, who was in city recently, was felicitated by the office-bearers of Mysore District Chemists and Distributors Association.
source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> Photo News / December 31st, 2024
Sulaymaan Al Majid, a 26-year-old Indian-origin doctor, was born and raised in the UAE. (Photo: LinkedIn)
A 26-year-old Indian-origin doctor, Sulaymaan Al Majid, was killed in a light aircraft crash off the coast of Ras Al Khaimah, UAE. The crash occurred on December 26, shortly after takeoff. Investigations are underway to determine the cause of the accident.
In Short
A 26-year-old Indian-origin doctor was killed in the UAE in a plane crash
Sulaymaan Al Majid had hired a light aircraft for sightseeing with his family
Majid was a clinical fellow at the County Durham and Darlington Trust in the UK
A 26-year-old Indian-origin doctor was among two people killed in a light aircraft crash in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The aircraft, that took off from Jazirah Aviation Club, crashed off the coast of Ras Al Khaimah on December 26.
Two people, Sulaymaan Al Majid, an Indian-origin doctor, and a 26-year-old Pakistani woman who was flying the plane, lost their lives in the crash.
The doctor, Sulaymaan Al Majid, was a clinical fellow at the County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust in the UK. Born and raised in the UAE, Sulaymaan hired the aircraft for a sightseeing experience.
His family, including his father, mother, and younger brother, were present at the aviation club to watch the flight. Sulaymaan’s younger brother was scheduled to take the next ride, the Khaleej Times reported.
The crash occurred shortly after takeoff near the Cove Rotana Hotel, close to the beach. The aircraft was piloted by a 26-year-old Pakistani woman, who also lost her life in the accident.
Sulaymaan’s father, Majid Mukarram, recounted the events leading up to and following the crash.
“At first, we were told the glider had lost radio contact,” Majid said. “Later, we were informed it had made an emergency landing and that the occupants had been taken to the hospital. When we reached the hospital, we were told that both were critically injured and undergoing resuscitation efforts. Sulaymaan passed away before we could see him, and his time of death was recorded as past 4:30 pm.”
Sulaymaan was also known for his dedication to medical advocacy. He served as Co-Chair of the Northern Resident Doctors Committee of the British Medical Association, where he worked to advance the interests of his peers, according to his LinkedIn profile.
The family, who resides in Sharjah, is preparing for Sulaymaan’s funeral at Al Ghusai graveyard.
The General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) confirmed the crash on Sunday. Work teams and relevant authorities are continuing their efforts to determine the cause of the accident.
source: http://www.indiatoday.in / India Today / Home> News> World / by Girish Kumar Anshu, India Today World Desk / December 30th, 2024
Thanjavur District, TAMIL NADU / Bengaluru, KARNATAKA :
ESA Mission (Esa – Easiest Solution for All) from “May, 2021 till present” works to help all places in India lead eco-friendly, cleanliness.
Vision Bringing back humanity. We do service to control the inflation and to bring smiles on the faces of the poor. We join hands with school, university students, public & private sectors to transform this earth for everyone!
Mission In India, we focus on healthy natural organic foods, to give clothes for the poor, to stay fit & healthy, to develop the rural & to improve the urban, to support government institutions, to compare and learn from the art & history!
Environment * Education * Food * Clothing * Rural Development * Marriage & Family * Fitness & Health * Art & History Our motto/slogan for Esa – (Our Vision Your Mission!)
‘ESA Mission’ is now registered & comes under “KONAKIND FOUNDATION” ((KONA – Purity Speaks & Quality Serves))
A BRIEF :
We started ESA Mission (Esa – Easiest Solution for All) from “May, 2021 till present” works to help all places in India lead eco-friendly, cleanliness.
The reason behind this mission and vision for our India, we have seen a lot of people without humanity. Though they’re rich but not willing to spend for their own family members because of their short selfishness. Our selfishness should be big and broad like district, state or national level. Then we can see the brightness in our district level, state and national level too.
Mr. Mohamed Abubacker started his first step from the plantation drive doing the plantation in his backyard space in his house and then he started doing the plantation drive in his Thanjavur district.
Later on he felt it small so after doing 1500 fruit saplings he started collecting and donating the books not only in Thanjavur also in Vellore, Bengaluru, Mysore and planned to start in Palakkad.
His vision begin in the year 2013 back in Teynampet, Madras. At the time he lost Rs. 200 no one was ready to help. He felt should bring back humanity. It also should control the inflation and smiles on the faces of the poor. He joined hands with the school, university students, public & private sectors to transform this earth for everyone! His mission is for India.
He focus on healthy natural organic foods, to give clothes for the poor, to stay fit & healthy, to develop the rural & to improve the urban, to support government institutions, to compare and learn from the art & history!
We have spent Rs. 2,00,000 within this amount we have planted more than 2600 fruit saplings, 2500 meals for 2500 people for 2.5 years, collected more than 55000 books and donated more than 13,000 books to the schools, colleges, libraries, tuition centres, and individuals, awareness program for more than 6 institutions and social media platforms, art & history related.
We have collected more than 30 historical events and messages about our Hindustan 200 years record.
We have collcted more than 100 waste tyres, well washed and painted orange, white and green those were placed at the entrance of the government hospital.
Our Present Target :
Surprisingly everything till date costed Rs. 2,00,000 only, but from now we expect more than Rs 15,00,000 to do more initiatives.
Mohamed Abubacker is the Managing Director and incharge of KONAKIND FOUNDATION, Amzath Ibrahim is the Director of KONAKIND FOUNDATION, Tarik Ahmad is the Board Member of KONAKIND FOUNDATION, Abdul Lateef is the volunteer incharge and advisory of KONAKIND FOUNDATION, Mr Thameem is the environmental specialist and advisory of KONAKIND FOUNDATION, they also have more than 150 volunteers in person and they expect more than 1500 volunteers in person.
*EasyLand Environment Project – (Our Land Is Our Brand!)
*AlKareem Bin Project – (Time Brings Money But Ideas Become an Investment!)
*Men Women Society (The more you plan, the more you will perform!)
*KONA CLOTHING EXCHANGE (Our Brand Is Our Grand!)
*AlWaris Art & History Project – Good lessons done, history begins now! Things have just started!))
We’re applicable for 12A, 80G, CSR & Darpan Certificates.
We receive only Indian Rupees for now.
Contribute your wealth to improve & develop the projects :
We’re applicable for 12A, 80G, CSR & Darpan Certificates. We receive only Indian Rupees for now. Contribute your wealth to improve & develop the projects.:
The All India Ideal Teachers Association (AIITA), after completing its 2020-2024 term, conducted elections for the new term 2025-2028 in New Delhi.
Delegates from across the country participated in the process and elected Abdul Rahim Sheikh from Maharashtra as national president for the next session. Mukhtar Kotwal will serve as general secretary.
Elections were also held for state presidents, and Khalid Akhtar was elected president of AIITA Rajasthan. Mohammad Yunus Ansari was nominated as state secretary.
State Advisory Council Members are Abdul Hameed Rangrej, Qari Mohammad Ishhaq, Mohammad Juned, and Ansar Ahmed from Jaipur; Mohammad Shakir, Makrana; Khalid Akhtar, Sikar; and Mohammad Yunus Ansari, Mangrol.
AIITA is functioning nationwide among teachers with objectives to improve the declining moral standards of educational institutions, to prevent the commercialisation of education, to make society aware of the respect for teachers, to curb the growing trend of violence among students, to inspire students to become good human beings, and to keep the curriculum free from communalism.
source: http://www.radiancenews.com / Radiance News / Home> Latest News> Report / by Raheem Khan, Radiance News Bureau / December 30th, 2024
Haleema Mizna, a local resident, has achieved a remarkable milestone by clearing her Chartered Accountancy (CA) exams in her first attempt. The results were announced on Friday.
Haleema began her education at The Yenepoya School and later completed her Pre-University education at St. Agnes College. She pursued her CA studies at St. Aloysius Evening College in Mangaluru and completed her articleship under CA Narendra Pai.
Haleema is the daughter of SM Saleem and Fathima Naseera. Her achievement has brought pride to her family and community, marking an accomplishment in the competitive field of Chartered Accountancy.
source: http://www.radiancenews.com / Radiance News / Home> Latest News> Report / by Mohammed Atherulla Shariff, Radiance News Bureau / December 28th, 2024
Zakir Abbasi, a singer and secretary of ‘Bazm-e-Musiqi,’ has been honoured with the Shekhawati Ratna Award by Vipra Foundation. The award ceremony was held at Stardom Hotel in Jaipur, where talents from Shekhawati, who have brought fame to their region and India in their respective fields, were honoured.
Singer Zakir Abbasi received this award for his awareness-raising songs. Abbasi has worked to raise awareness in society through songs on road safety, drug rehabilitation, save the girl child, and voter awareness.
Abbasi is known across India for his social activism and awareness campaigns. His goal is to make the common people aware through his self-composed songs. Upon receiving Shekhawati Ratna Award, the office bearers and music lovers of Bazm-e-Musiqi congratulated Abbasi. His efforts to educate the masses through his music have made him a prominent figure in the Shekhawati region.
source: http://www.radiancenews.com / Radiance News / Home> Pride of the Nation> Awards> Latest News / by Raheem Khan, Radiance News Bureau / December 28th, 2024
Prof. S.M. Khan, Department of Psychology, Aligarh Muslim University delivered a talk on “Feasibility of Project Management – Generative AI”, at Hindustan Institute of Management & Computer Studies (HIMCS), Sharda University, Farah, Mathura.
Prof. Khan delved into the practical applications of GenAI in various facets of project management, including risk management, resource allocation, project planning and scheduling and communication and collaboration throughout the project lifecycle.
source: http://www.radiancenews.com / Radiance News / Home> Latest News> Report / by Radiance News Bureau / December 28th, 2024
