Category Archives: World Opinion

The Blinding of a Mughal emperor

Community Involvement / Social Issues, Leaders, World Opinion, , , , , , , , ,

DELHI :

A sketch showing Robert Clive receiving, from Shah Alam II, the decree conferring on the East India Company the right to receive Bengal’s revenues.
A sketch showing Robert Clive receiving, from Shah Alam II, the decree conferring on the East India Company the right to receive Bengal’s revenues.
  • The reign of Shah Alam, one the last Mughal emperors, was upturned by the Rohilla chief Ghulam Qadir
  • The vengeful treatment of the emperor caused such outrage that even the Afghan king offered to send aid

In August 1788, the Red Fort in Delhi witnessed what one observer would recall as the most “unspeakable and indescribable” crimes. As in the previous year, the Rohilla chief, Ghulam Qadir, had descended on the Mughal capital, threatening to unleash chaos. While his last attempt had been aborted, thanks to Begum Samru, a dancing girl turned princess, nobody rode to Shah Alam II’s rescue on this occasion. In fact, the officer in charge of the fort, despite orders to the contrary, threw open its gates, and 2,000 of Ghulam Qadir’s troops quickly took charge of the premises. Secure, the warlord made his way to the audience hall. And there, as William Dalrymple recounts in his splendid new book, The Anarchy, he “sat down on the cushions of the imperial throne”, blowing smoke from a pipe into the face of the badshah of Hindustan.

Shah Alam had not had a particularly glorious career, but even with its general turbulence, this was unprecedented. It was decades since the empire of the Mughals had begun to unravel, but while the emperors had been reduced to ciphers, their dignity had never been so insolently offended. Shah Alam had tried in vain to reclaim power for the crown: For over a decade, he was not even in control of his capital, and, during his peregrinations, was forced (after military defeat) to grant governorship of the empire’s richest province to the East India Company (EIC). In 1772, he finally returned to Delhi, his general Najaf Khan bringing order to the surrounding regions. When the latter died, the Marathas stepped in to supply protection. For all his outward marks of authority, though, this came at the cost of giving free rein to Shivaji’s political heirs. As the contemporary chronicler Prem Kishor wrote, “The king (had) abandoned his sovereignty and taken up the ways of beggary.”

As a man, Shah Alam was not, to be clear, all incompetence, but, as scion of the Mughals, he inspired little support. He was a poet of talent, writing verses in languages as diverse as Braj Bhasha and Persian. EIC officer Col Polier described him as “a good and benevolent man” so far as his private characteristics went, but acknowledged that he was not by any stretch a “great king”. The English governor Warren Hastings, who refused to remit even the share of Bengal revenues that were due to the emperor, was more blunt: Shah Alam was merely a “wretched King of shreds and patches”.

And, as Dalrymple reminds us, while others in theory paid homage to the crown, Tipu Sultan discarded even this pretence. Those who bowed before Shah Alam, announced Mysore’s sultan, “act through ignorance, since the real condition of the so-called Emperor is…(that he is) the servant of (the Marathas) at the monthly wages of ₹15,000″.

And yet for all this contempt, Ghulam Qadir’s actions in 1788 sent shockwaves down the entire subcontinent: As the colonial-era historian W. Francklin wrote, to this man “it was reserved to…add the last outrage to the miseries of a long and most unfortunate reign”. The sequence of events that confirmed the Rohilla as one of the worst villains of the 18th century is chilling. Soon after taking charge of the Red Fort, Ghulam Qadir had Shah Alam locked up, planting in his place another prince on the throne. But what the trespasser really wanted was gold, not empty titles and grants of land, and none of the coin heaped before him satisfied the demand. Old begums were dispossessed of their jewels, and even the officer who opened the fort gates paid up—threatened that he would be drowned in excrement, the latter surrendered his own money to escape this revolting fate.

Furious, Ghulam Qadir turned on the imperial family, which for all its bloody intrigues had never quite experienced what he now decided to unleash. Princes of royal blood, including sons and grandsons of Shah Alam, were dressed in drag and made to dance for the Rohilla troops. The emperor’s daughters were stripped, raped and humiliated. Even Malika-i-Zamani, the formidable widow of a previous emperor, Dalrymple writes, was left naked in the hot sun after failing to deliver to Ghulam Qadir the riches he believed she possessed. And finally, bringing to his presence Shah Alam himself, the “ferocious ruffian” had the emperor blinded. In some accounts, in fact, he sits himself on Shah Alam’s chest, scooping out the old man’s eyes with a dagger.

Theories abound on Ghulam Qadir’s diabolical ferocity. His father had rebelled several times against Delhi, and, after defeating him, Shah Alam had taken Ghulam Qadir, then eight or 10 years old, hostage. One apocryphal tale says that after seeing the uncommonly handsome boy, the emperor had him castrated, often making him dance in women’s clothes. In an account left behind by a disgruntled Mughal prince, there is a suggestion of something beyond a regular relationship between Shah Alam and the Rohilla boy. Even as the emperor described Ghulam Qadir as his “special son”, wishing him great happiness in his poems, this contemporary noted that the boy suffered from ubnah, or “an itching in his behind”, hinting that he was made to serve as the emperor’s catamite. This, more than mere ambition or greed, it is believed, explains the horrors Ghulam Qadir let loose in 1788 on Shah Alam and his children.

But the act was for the Rohilla a death sentence. The treatment of the emperor caused such outrage that aid was offered even from Kabul. The Maratha general, Mahadji Scindia, led a large force to Delhi, and while Ghulam Qadir escaped, he was cornered and captured in Mathura very soon. Placed in a cage, his ears, nose, lips and feet were cut off, one by one, each of these circulated in the Red Fort by the emperor. And finally, the story goes, Shah Alam, in whose reign the Mughals lost their final vestiges of power, received one last box, holding within it Ghulam Qadir’s eyes.

Medium Rare is a column on society, politics and history. Manu S. Pillai is the author of The Ivory Throne (2015) and Rebel Sultans (2018)

source: http://www.livemint.com / Live Mint / Home / by Manu S. Pillai / August 30th, 2019

An association of Indian Muslims

Community Involvement / Social Issues, Leaders, NRI's / PIO's, World Opinion, , , , , ,

AUSTRALIA :

A new organisation seeks to represent Indian Muslims, as well as help dispel the negative stereotyping about their community

On 16 July, the Indian Crescent Society of Australia (ICSOA) held its inaugural Eid function at the Himalaya Restaurant in South Granville. The hugely successful event provided an opportunity for Indian Muslims to connect with Indians from other religions.

The evening was attended by Dr A.S. Nakadar (founder of the American Federation of Muslims of Indian Origin), Rajeev Kumar (Vice Consul CGI), Peter Doukas (Chair, Ethnic Community Council NSW) and Julia Finn (Member for Granville) amongst other dignitaries.

The soon-to-be launched ICSOA aims to promote a positive image of Indian Muslims and help them integrate into mainstream society. Indian Link scratched the surface to find out more from the President of the society Mr Abbas Raza Alvi.

A well-known community leader, poet and businessman, Mr Alvi began by summing up the need for such an organisation:

“For the last 30 years, we’ve felt that the participation of Indian Muslims in the mainstream society has been limited. Most Indian Muslims are highly educated professionals, but due to a lack of networking and proper representation, they are not being recognised and celebrated as they should be. After lengthy discussions with the Indian High Commission and the Consul General, we finally came to the conclusion that Indian Muslims needed a special representation in Australian society. There was a need for a platform to allow them to participate and integrate like other Indians.”

In the wake of the hysteria against Muslims being kicked up by public figures like Pauline Hanson and Sonia Kruger, Mr Alvi feels that ICSOA has suddenly become the need of the hour. He realises the urgency to dispel the negative stereotype by integrating and showing the world that Muslims are a peace-loving people.

Touching briefly on the issue, he said, “Pauline Hanson must understand the effect of her provocative comments on the Australian economy. She has a history of inciting racial hatred; initially she targeted Indigenous Australians, then Chinese and Indian origin Australians, and now Muslims. Her comments can have a negative impact on Australian jobs, businesses and families. Australia currently exports $15 billion worth of goods to parts of the Muslim world. Include in that the exports to India and China and this figure may exceed $120 billion.”

On a lighter note he added, “I do suggest that PH (Pauline Hanson) should neutralise herself to the value of seven. (pH for pure water, H2O) is 7). Continuously spreading hatred through racist comments towards ethnic communities will not benefit any Australian and this includes those who have voted for her.”

There are around 5000 Indian Muslim families in Australia, but Mr Alvi feels, “Even though there are several small Indian Muslim organisations, their overall participation is rather small. When Muslims are not seen playing a role in society it creates disharmony and unbalance. India can never be properly represented in Australia until Indian Muslims are included in its representation.”

HIGHLIGHTING SOME OF THE MAIN GOALS OF ICSOA, MR ALVI EXPLAINED, “OUR AIMS WOULD BE TO HELP INDIAN MUSLIMS IN ISSUES AFFECTING THEIR DAILY LIVES LIKE EDUCATION, COMMUNITY WELFARE, MENTORING AND SUPPORT FOR NEW MIGRANTS.”

In addition, the organisation would work towards the integration of Indian Muslims within their own community, with other Indians and with the wider Australian society. “We will send our representatives to attend functions arranged by other organisations and invite them to ours in order to share and learn and work together for the welfare of all Indians.”

Programs will include working towards better recognition of the Urdu language, promoting creative talents within the community, supporting high achieving students, encouraging women in their goals and working with Aboriginal people to create artworks that depicts both cultures.

Another issue that concerns Mr Alvi is the demise of Indian cultural values in Australia. “I grew up with Hindus, Sikhs and Christians all living side by side in India. I don’t remember calling them by name, they were either mama, chacha, taya or dada. When we misbehaved, our parents weren’t the only ones to discipline us. If the neighbours got to know they would chastise us before them. That’s the Indian culture I love, but sadly when we come here, we get so busy trying to make a living, educating the kids, building a house, that the only spare time is either spent in home maintenance or religion. This is creating an isolation and disconnect with our Indian culture and is the cause of major problems and stress not just for Indian Muslims but for all Indians. Being religious is good, but the community connection is important for people to thrive and be happy. So, we want to bring back the integration, community feel and brotherhood we were used to in India and we want to promote peace.”

Mr Alvi took great pains to stress that ICSOA is not a religious organisation but an organisation to promote the Indian Muslim culture, language, food and traditions in order to help them integrate in the mainstream society.

To get the ball rolling, ICSOA has contacted individual organisations to form an ad hoc board which will represent Indian Muslims from all corners. The board is ironing out the finer details, compiling a database, advertising, initiating coordination in other cities and getting the website and logo in place before the formal launch. Mr Alvi informed that there will be a membership but the fee will be nominal. “We want every single Indian Muslim to join ICSOA.”

On the question of funding, he advised, “ICSOA will be self-funded by the large Indian Muslim business and professional community.”

The immense support for ICSOA was apparent at the Eid function where the expected turnout of 150 guests ballooned to over 250 attendees. Mr Alvi is optimistic about the future of the organisation, remarking, “Since ICSOA is a need based organisation with an experienced leadership I foresee it growing rapidly in future.”

ICSOA can be contacted via email on contact@icsoa.org.au

source: http://www.indianlink.com.au / Indian Link / Home> News / by Farzana Ahmed / August 11th, 2016

Allauddin of CSJMU in Kanpur make Guinness World Record by continuously reading for 27 hours

Amazing Feats, Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Education, World Opinion, , ,

Kanpur, UTTAR PRADESH :

A student from Chhatrapati Shahu Ji Maharaj University (CSJMU), Kanpur created a world record for continuously reading books for 27 hours and five minutes.
A student from Chhatrapati Shahu Ji Maharaj University (CSJMU), Kanpur created a world record for continuously reading books for 27 hours and five minutes.

Kanpur | Jagran Trending Desk:

A student from Chhatrapati Shahu Ji Maharaj University (CSJMU), Kanpur created a world record for continuously reading books for 27 hours and five minutes. His feat was acknowledged by the Guinness Book of World Records on Monday.

The 22-year-old boy, Allauddin, broke the previous record of continuous reading for 24 hours which was held by Yatish Chandra Shukla of Lakhimpur Kheri, who achieved this feat two years back.

His teacher, Dilip Gangwar, who helped him achieving this milestone said that the executive officers of the Guinness Book told him that he could break the earlier record if he could read for 24 hours and five minutes, but Allauddin said he would continuously read for 27 hours.

The Gangwar coaching made subsequent arrangements for Allauddin and a judge Mahesh Vishnoi, from Guinness Book of World Record was assigned to monitor the reading feat.

According to the rules to set this record, Allauddin could only take breaks of 30 seconds to sip water or to take some edibles and he would not be allowed to go to the washroom during the reading time.

Allauddin, standing firm on his desire to break the record started reading at 10 am on Sunday and finished on Monday. He took less than three breaks of less than 30 seconds to sip small quantities of water, said Dilip Gangwar.

Several eminent people, including former union minister Sri Prakash Jaiswal, MLC Arun Pathak and Satish Nigam witnessed the challenging task.

source: http://www.english.jagran.com / Jagran English / Home> English News> Trending / posted by Talib Khan / August 27th, 2019

Rare honour for Hyderabad’s wildlife photographer

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, World Opinion, , , ,

Hyderabad, TELANGANA :

Ismail01MPOs27aug2019

Hyderabad’s Ismail Sheriff only lensman to be invited to conference on snow leopards in Kazakhstan

For city-based wildlife photographer Ismail Sheriff, known for capturing the elusive snow leopards on camera, it was a rare honour to be invited as the only lensman to a recent conference on conservation of snow leopards in Kazakhstan.

The conference attended by delegates from 12 countries including Russia, India, Bhutan, Nepal, Pakistan, Afghanistan and Mongolia, focussed on initiating various measures to increase the population of snow leopards.

“It was indeed an honour to be there. I am glad that my adventure in Kibber (Himachal Pradesh) where I first sighted a snow leopard five years ago and subsequent sightings of the magnificent species helped me come thus far,” he tells The Hindu.

Rare captures of the elusive snow leopards by City-based wildlife photographer Ismail Sheriff. PHOTO: Special Arrangement
Rare captures of the elusive snow leopards by City-based wildlife photographer Ismail Sheriff. PHOTO: Special Arrangement

Mr. Sheriff, 39, started off on the big cat trail nine years ago, mostly photographing Royal Bengal Tigers and gradually moved on to snow leopards.

“India has about 250 snow leopards and interestingly, there are no territories for them like tigers. They often travel across about 150-200 square km, transgressing even borders of a few countries,” says Mr. Sheriff, who is into fine arts printing apart from pursuing his passion in wildlife photography.

“Unlike spotting tigers in a reserve forest, this is a different ball game altogether because the biggest challenge comes from the freezing conditions. Often, we have to brave life-threatening landslides and avalanches. It was a spine-chilling experience for me,” he explains. “But, still these factors don’t deter me as anything related to a snow leopard gives me joy,” he adds.

The maximum snow leopards, Mr. Sheriff says, are in China — about 2,000 — and it is Kazakhstan’s national animal and hence, that country’s concern for conservation is pretty much understandable.

“Groups of wild dogs pose serious threat to the leopards, especially the cubs. They also deny food to the leopards by taking away their kill. And, then there is climate change which is making the snow leopards come closer to the human habitat,” he points out.

What are the corrective measures being planned? “It has been decided to have a four km grid with trap cameras to understand their behavioural pattern, density and prey base, and educate the locals about the importance of protecting them. We generally travel to the mountain ranges during winter and by the time we have the second edition of the conference in January 2020, we should have more practical solutions to ensure an increase in their numbers,” he concludes.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Hyderabad / by V.V. Subrahmanyam / Hyderabad – August 26th, 2019

Son-of-the-soil diplomat does nation proud

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Hyderabad, TELANGANA / New York, U.S.A :

Syed Akbaruddin
Syed Akbaruddin

Syed Akbaruddin’s friends describe him as a thorough professional

India’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Syed Akbaruddin, won accolades from Twitteratti after he extended his ‘hand of friendship’ to Pakistani journalists and reportedly asserted at the U.N. Security Council’s closed consultation on Kashmir that Article 370 was an internal matter of the country. But unbeknownst to many, the suave diplomat has a strong Hyderabadi connection, including that of serving as joint secretary of Nizam College Students’ Union.

Those who have been acquainted with Mr. Akbaruddin describe him as ‘focussed’, ‘articulate’, ‘soft spoken’ and with ‘no enemies’.

“He was a degree student at the Nizam College from 1977 to 1980. His father S. Bashiruddin was head of the Department of Journalism from the early 70s to the mid-80s and then moved to Dr. B.R. Ambedkar as its Vice-Chancellor. He also served as Ambassador to Qatar,” says his friend and journalist M. Somasekhar, who met the diplomat around six months ago. “He was active in student politics in the college and was very popular. He continues to be articulate and soft spoken.”

Mr. Akbaruddin’s school, Hyderabad Public School at Begumpet, tweeted its appreciation on Tuesday, “We are proud to recognize the man of the moment, Syed Akbaruddin who is the permanent representative of India at the United Nations, an alumnus of the HPS @IndiaUNNewYork @AkbaruddinIndia @UN #HPSBegumpet #HPS #Alumni #Hyderabad #Begumpet”.

Managing editor of Siasat Daily, Zaheeruddin Ali Khan, who was the diplomat’s junior in Nizam College, describes Mr. Akbaruddin as ‘truly secular’ and ‘highly efficient’ with a deep understanding of not just diplomatic issues, but also those connected to the culture of the country.

“We had organised an exhibition of Indian calligraphy exhibits in Delhi in 2013. It was there that he understood its potential and wanted to project it as India’s contribution to global Islamic culture. A thorough professional, one can never find him in controversies and has always maintained a clean record,” Mr. Khan says.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Hyderabad / by Syed Mohammed / Hyderabad – August 22nd, 2019

Nagpur Police constable’s daughter Alfiya Khan Pathan bags bronze medal in international boxing

Sports, World Opinion, , , , , , ,

Nagpur, MAHARASHTRA :

Akram Khan, Alfiya Khan along with Joint Commissioner of Police Ravindra Kadam
Akram Khan, Alfiya Khan along with Joint Commissioner of Police Ravindra Kadam

Nagpur Police constable Akram Khan’s 16-year-old daughter Alfiya Khan Pathan won the bronze medal in the ongoing 80+ kg category at the 3rd Nations Cup International Boxing Championship.

City’s only international boxer, Alfiya had earlier won a silver medal in the previous edition. The championship took place in Serbia on Sunday night. . Alifiya defeated Russian boxer Vorontsova Valeriia and clinched the third spot.

Alfiya Khan Pathan (Photo source: facebook)
Alfiya Khan Pathan (Photo source: facebook)

The Indian team won four gold, four silver and four bronze medals and clinched the runners-up trophy. Also, Tamanna (48kg), Ambeshori Devi (57kg), Preeti Dahiya (60kg) Priyanka (66kg) bagged the gold medals.

In 50kg category, Karnataka’s Anju Devi, Maharashtra’s Simran Verma (52kg), Haryana’s Manshi Dalal (75kg) and Punjab’s Tanishbir Kaur Sandhu (80kg) bagged silver medals. Nagpur’s Alfiya (+80kg), Neha (54kg), Goa’s Aashreya Naik (63kg), Khushi (70kg) and bagged bronze medals each.

In 2018, the international boxer during the Khelo India games had created history in Nagpur division after bagging the top spot.

Nagpur Police on its official Twitter handle posted,”At 16, Alfiya Khan Pathan, daughter of Police Constable Akram Khan Pathan, is leaving everyone in awe, with her commendable performance in the boxing ring. Nagpur Police congratulates Alfiya for her achievements.”

Nagpur City Police

✔@NagpurPolice

At 16, Alfiya Khan Pathan, daughter of Police Constable Akram Khan Pathan, is leaving everyone in awe, with her commendable performance in the boxing ring.

Nagpur Police congratulates Alfiya for her achievements.

NagpurPoliceMPOs24aug2019

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source: http://www.nationnext.in / Nation Next / Home> Next News> Sport / by Radhika Dhawad / August 21st, 2019

How Shah Jahan connects Bhopal, Delhi, and England

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DELHI / Bhopal, MADHYA PRADESH :

How two rulers with a common name left a rich history and culture for its people but one is more renowned than the other.

Taj-ul-Masajid, Bhopal (Photo: SNS/Aena Thakur)
Taj-ul-Masajid, Bhopal (Photo: SNS/Aena Thakur)

In the heart of Madhya Pradesh’s capital city, Bhopal, resides Taj-ul-Masajid which literally translates to the ‘crown of mosques’. The mosque was intended to be the largest mosque in the country and was based on the design of Delhi’s Jama Masjid. In a town called Woking in England stands a mosque called Shah Jahan.

The common denominator between these three mosques is the name Shah Jahan. The fifth Mughal emperor Shah Jahan built the Jama Masjid in Delhi and the third female ruler of Bhopal, Shah Jahan Begum built Taj-ul-Masajid of Bhopal. The Bhopal’s matriarch went a step ahead as she also funded the construction of England’s first Mosque in 1889.

Taj-ul-Masajid (Image: SNS/Aena Thakur)
Taj-ul-Masajid (Image: SNS/Aena Thakur)

In the 19th century when India was a British colony, the princely state of Bhopal had a string of female rulers for roughly 107 years. The city was founded in 1707 by Afghan ruler Dost Muhammad Khan. Surrounded by Rajputs in Rajasthan and Marathas in Maharashtra, Bhopal was a vulnerable state yet the female rulers with their loyal allegiance to the British rule survived the turbulent times.

The female dynasty of Bhopal started with the death of young Nawab Nazar Muhammad Khan. His 18-year-old wife Qudsia Begum decided that the legacy of her family shall continue and declared her 15-month-old daughter Sikandar as the rightful heir of the state. In 1819, Qudsia Begum became the first Muslim female who defied the veil and became the ruler of Bhopal. Her rule was legitimised by the British and the clergy.

Both Qudsia (1819-37) and Sikandar (1847-68) were known to be tough rulers who strengthened Bhopal’s military and trained themselves to fight. However, it was the third matriarch of Bhopal, Shah Jahan Begum who brought in the period of flourishing art and culture just like her male Mughal namesake.

Unlike Qudsia and Sikandar, Shah Jahan was not known for her tough training for battles. Shah Jahan followed the system of veil and was more interested in literature, poetry, and arts.

Shah Jahan Begam of Bhopal (Image: Wikimedia Commons)
Shah Jahan Begam of Bhopal (Image: Wikimedia Commons)

Interested in Urdu and Persian poetry, Shah Jahan Begum also offered state pensions to poets like Amir Minai, a contemporary of Mirza Ghalib.

Shah Jahan Begum ordered that a dictionary of select terms in Hindustani, Persian, Arabic, Sanskrit, English, and Turkish was compiled to facilitate translation of literature between these languages. A poet herself, Shah Jahan Begum also patronized a group of female poets. According to Siobhan Lambert-Hurley’s book Muslim women, Reform and Princely Patronage, these gifted women included “Hasanara Begam ‘Namkeen,’ author of a diwan and two prose publications, Munawwar Jahan Begam and Musharraf Jahan Begam, the daughters of Nawab Mustafa Khan ‘Shefta,’ and several others.”

In her book, Siobhan Lambert-Hurley also mentions, “Shah Jahan’s interest in this area was so great that she charged a male poet at her court, Abul Qasim ‘Muhtasham’, to devote himself to collecting an anthology of female poets writing in Persian. Entitled Akhtar-i-taban, it publicized the work of 81 poetesses when it was printed in Bhopal in 1881 in dedication to the ruling Begam.”

Her ambitions for grand architecture is evident from the fact that her daughter Sultan Begum in her biography mentioned that she has lost count of the number of palaces and buildings, her mother made. Some of the prominent buildings that still remain are Taj-ul-Masajid, Taj Mahal, Ali Manzil, and Benazir.

Taj Mahal, Bhopal (Image: Wikimedia Commons)
Taj Mahal, Bhopal (Image: Wikimedia Commons)

Unlike Mughal emperor, Shah Jahan’s Taj Mahal which is a tomb, Bhopal’s Taj Mahal was a palace for the Begum. Shah Jahan Begum also helped orientalist and scholar Dr Gottlieb Wilhelm Leitner in constructing England’s first mosque which is also called the Shah Jahan mosque.

The similarities do not stop here. Just like the Mughal emperor built a planned city named Shahjahanabad, the Begum too built a neighbourhood with the same name. Hurley mentions in her book, “Shah Jahan was also responsible for building an entirely new neighbourhood of homes and offices within her capital that was predictably named Shahjahanabad. Unlike the version at Delhi, however, it was laid out on a uniform plan in-keeping with the latest ideas of town planning in Britain.”

Taj-ul-Masajid, Bhopal (Image: SNS/Aena Thakur)
Taj-ul-Masajid, Bhopal (Image: SNS/Aena Thakur)

Shah Jahan Begum of Bhopal encouraged female participation in education, religion, and culture. She was responsible for setting up institutions for female education, she reserved areas in mosques for veiled women to pray on special occasions, she also constructed a Pakka bazaar exclusively for women.

Shah Jahan Begum’s daughter Sultan Jahan Begum was the last Begum of Bhopal whose reign ended in 1926. The reign of female rulers in Bhopal broke stereotypes and brought in various reforms in the princely state. Even though women still continue to fight for their rights it should not be forgotten that the Begums did assert their authority in the 19th century and it can be done again.

source: http://www.thestatesman.com / The Statesman / Home> Features / by Aena Thakur, New Delhi / August 20th, 2019

Syed Husain Bilgrami: An English scholar in Nizam’s court

Amazing Feats, Books (incl.Biographies - w.e.f.01 jan 2018 ), Community Involvement / Social Issues, Education, Leaders, World Opinion, , , , , , ,

HYDERABAD :

Torch bearer Syed Husain Bilgrami, Special arrangement
Torch bearer Syed Husain Bilgrami, Special arrangement

Apart from holding high ranking positions in Nizam’s dominion, Syed Husain Bilgrami was also made a member of the Secretary of State’s Council, in London.

Nawab Imad-ul Mulk is a familiar name in the annals of Hyderabad’s 19th century history. He was a noted educationalist, civil servant, prominent administrator and a noted scholar in the Nizam’s dominions. He was private secretary to Salar Jung I, the then Prime Minister of Hyderabad State; also a tutor and conscience keeper of the Nizam — Mahboob Ali Pasha — whose government he served with great distinction. For his dedication for work, strength of character and extraordinary mastery over English language and literature, the British government also utilised his services on many occasions. He had the rare honour of having served as member in the Secretary of State’s Council .He also had the distinction of having met along with Salar Jung I, Queen Victoria at Buckingham Palace in London.

Nawab Imad ul Mulk was the title that the Nizam bestowed in recognition of the services he rendered, with which he was well known in Hyderabadi circles; but his actual name was Syed Husain Bilgrami.

Syed Husain Bilgrami was born in 1844 at Gaya, where his father held high position under the East India Company administration. He was educated at the Presidency College, Calcutta from where he graduated in English literature. In 1868 he became a Professor at the Canning College in Lucknow before joining the service of the Nizam of Hyderabad in 1873. It was the time when Salar Jung I the Prime Minister of Hyderabad state was looking for English educated young men to be appointed in Hyderabad to modernise the administration and to improve educational facilities in the dominions. In 1872, Salar Jung while on a visit to Lucknow, met young Syed and was attracted to his intelligence and demeanour. He was invited to join the Hyderabad service, which he did the next year. For his impeccable English, both spoken and written, Syed Husain was taken as the private secretary to Salar Jung. The rest of his long career was irrevocably bound with Hyderabad.

The story goes that when Salar Jung asked Syed where his family originally hailed from, he answered, ‘Bilgrami’ (in the then United Provinces). The Prime Minister in a lighter vein suggested that Bilgrami could as well be added to his name and thus he became Syed Husain Bilgrami.

Bilgrami’s rise to prominence in Hyderabad was due to his sheer work as an educationalist. As the first Director of Public Instruction (1875- 1902) he initiated several reforms to improve the educational set up in the state. He was instrumental in the establishment of the Nizam College with English medium, with Dr Aghoranath Chattopadhyay, (father of Sarojini Naidu) as its first Principal. It is said that Bilgrami was the person who discovered the genius in Chattopadhyay, the first Indian to obtain D. Sc in Biochemistry from Edinburgh University. The College was affiliated to Madras University as there was no University in the Hyderabad dominions by then. Bilgrami was for some years taken by the government of India, as a member of the Universities Commission, a forerunner of the present UGC. In Hyderabad, he established Madarsa- i- Aizza, a school exclusively for the children of the nobles with a view to make them cultured and more responsible towards society. A crowning achievement of Bilgrami in the furthering of education in Hyderabad was the establishment of a girls school in 1885 with his personal funds. This was hailed as one of its kind in the country as the girls were taught besides usual subjects, needle work, household duties etc. English, besides Urdu and Arabic, was made the medium of instruction. To make girls from traditional families attend school, bullock carts with curtains were arranged to fetch them to school and back home.

In Hyderabad state, with a view to foster industrial growth, Bilgrami established three Industrial Schools at three important towns in the state, Aurangabad, Warangal and Hyderabad, which later grew to be Engineering Colleges. The State Central Library in Hyderabad also owes its establishment to the untiring efforts of Syed Husain Bilgrami.

Bilgrami was also a prolific writer in English and his books include Historical and Descriptive Sketches of His Highness, the Nizam’s Dominions, in 2 volumes, and A Memoir of Sir Salar Jung I. Besides, he had also composed several poems.

Lord Morely, the Secretary of State for India, who took Bilgrami as a member of his council.
Lord Morely, the Secretary of State for India, who took Bilgrami as a member of his council.

The career graph of Syed Husain Bilgrami reached its zenith when he was made a member of the Secretary of State’s Council, in London. After the Liberal Party came to power in Great Britain in 1906, the new Secretary of State for India, Lord Morley, along with Lord Minto, the Viceroy of India wanted to initiate certain administrative and legislative reforms which ultimately resulted in the passing of India Councils Act of 1909 ( popularly known as Morley-Minto Reforms). For the task of formulating the reforms, Morley took two Indians as members to his council. The first was Syed Husain Bilgrami, who from the days of his first visit to England accompanying Salar Jung way back in 1876, had maintained friendship with several high ranking British political leaders of his time like Disraeli, Lord Salisbury, Gladstone etc. The other Indian appointed to the council by Morley was Krishna G Gupta, a senior ICS officer. Bilgrami thus played a key role in the passing of the first ever Constitutional Act of 1909.

Indian ayahs

As a member of the Council of the Secretary of State for India, Bilgrami once made history by protesting the pitiable and callous attitude to Indian ayahs and other caretaker women who had been abandoned by their British employers. Many British officials in those days, employed Indian ayahs to look after their children on the long voyage from India to Britain and the employer was to provide for their passage home. But many a time those ayahs were dismissed once they reach Britain and left to fend for themselves. Such conditions led even to the founding of a ‘Ayahs Home in East London’, where such abandoned destitute ayahs were temporarily provided with food and shelter.

Ayas House / special arrangement
Ayas House / special arrangement

In May 1908, an Indian ayah Meera Sayal from Bombay arrived in London with a British family that was returning home. But she was abandoned by the family on the busy Kings Cross road in Central London, with a mere one pound in hand. The matter was brought to the notice of the India Office in London by the manager at Ayahs Home. The British authorities were of the opinion that Indian ayahs had no legal remedy in the absence of any written agreements that they would be taken back to India and quoted a precedent when the India Office in London in a similar case in 1890 had declined to take any action.

The protest note Bilgrami wrote as a member of the council of Secretary of State for India.
The protest note Bilgrami wrote as a member of the council of Secretary of State for India.

But Syed Husain Bilgrami, as a member of the Secretary of State’s Council felt hugely outraged and immediately wrote a strongly worded resentment on “the dishonest and cruel European employers inveighing Indian servants to travel with them and abandoning them on arrival in Britain”. This bold stand of Syed Husain Bilgrami reflected how he was a man of lofty principles and high ideals with a strong sense of duty and impeccable uprightness. This letter dated July 14, 1908, had been quoted in many future complaints of the Asian caretakers against British employers that ultimately led to the betterment of Indian ayahs going with British families to London.

After returning from England in 1909, Bilgrami spent his retirement in Hyderabad in a villa on the slopes of the iconic Naubath Pahad, overlooking the waters of Hussain Sagar and died in 1926, aged 82. Bilgrami had four sons and all of them were brilliant as they excelled in their different chosen fields. Nawab Sir Mehdi Yar Jung Bahadur, the Education and Finance member in Nizam’s administration and who led a delegation to the Round Table Conference in London in 1930 -31, as a representative of the Nizam, was one of Bilgrami’s sons. Yar Jung as the Vice-Chancellor of Osmania University, had hosted the 5th session of the Indian History Congress (IHC) in 1941. Today Bilgrami’s progeny has a network that is spread across all the continents. Prof. Akeel Bilgrami, the California=based renowned academic intellectual, is one among the high-profile, large Bilgrami family.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> Society> History & Culture> Hyderabad Heritage / by K S S Seshan / August 19th, 2019

‘It’s a true honour,’ says equestrian Fouaad Mirza about Arjuna recognition

Karnataka (under research project), Sports, World Opinion, , , , , ,

Bengaluru, KARNATAKA :

The award will be conferred on him by the President of India on August 29

In 2018, Mirza won two silver medals at the Asian Games in Jakarta
In 2018, Mirza won two silver medals at the Asian Games in Jakarta

Bengaluru :

Bengaluru’s Fouaad Mirza is currently on cloud nine. After having brought laurels to the country with two silver medals in the 2018 Asian Games, the equestrian has now made it to the list of Arjuna awardees this year. The award will be conferred on him by the President of India on August 29. Speaking to CE, the 27-year-old expressed his elation, saying, “I did not believe it at first, it took some time for me to wrap my head around it. This is a true honour.” A dedicated sportsman, Mirza, who is in Germany, said his current focus is on training but upon returning to the country, his focus will be on the award.

FouaadMirza02MPOs21aug2019

In 2018, Mirza ended the country’s 36-year long wait for an equestrian win by bagging two silver medals at the Asian Games in Jakarta. “A lot of hard work went into achieving this feat. One has to be physically prepared, especially for a lot of hours on the saddle and in training. We started training for the Asian Games a year in advance in order to ensure smooth execution,” he recounted.

Taking us back to where it all began, Mirza recalled his childhood as the time when things began to take shape. An avid animal lover, Mirza would spend ample time with dogs, cats and other four-legged creatures. His father, Dr Hasneyn Mirza, who is a veterinarian and specialises in horses, had a great impact on him. At the age of five, Mirza started to ride at The Embassy Riding School as a hobby but little did he know that this hobby would lead to a competitive calling.

The biggest difference over the years, however, has been the upgrade in the infrastructure of training facilities and on the young  talent in the field.Talking about his next big challenge, Mirza says he has blinkers on and is focused on the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, where he aims to qualify and represent the country.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Cities> Bengaluru / by Muneef Khan / Express News Service / August 20th, 2019

I have no regrets: Indian tennis great Akhtar Ali

Amazing Feats, Leaders, Sports, World Opinion, , , , , , , ,

Kolkata, WEST BENGAL :

A member of India’s Davis Cup teams from the late 1950s to the mid 1960s, Ali holds an enviable 9-2 win-loss record in the tourney – rated as the World Cup of the sport.

Akhtar Ali (R) at a club event in Kolkata. (Photo | Twitter)
Akhtar Ali (R) at a club event in Kolkata. (Photo | Twitter)

Kolkata :

Notwithstanding his failing health and advanced age, India’s celebrated tennis player and legendary coach Akhtar Ali still keeps a keen eye on the courts of the eastern metropolis to spot and guide budding talent. Now a 80-plus veteran, Ali leads a simple life, spending time with his grandchildren and has little hesitation in saying: “I have no regrets”.

A member of India’s Davis Cup teams from the late 1950s to the mid 1960s, Ali holds an enviable 9-2 win-loss record in the tourney – rated as the World Cup of the sport. Proficient in both singles and doubles, he has played alongside the country’s legends like Ramanathan Krishnan, Naresh Kumar, Premjit Lall and Jaidip Mukerjea.

Later, as a coach, he guided the creme de la creme of Indian tennis — Ramesh Krishnan, Vijay Amritraj, Anand Amritraj and Leander Paes. Even Sania Mirza once publicly expressed her indebtedness to Ali for having set her on the right track during her formative years.

As a player, Ali grabbed the limelight in 1955, when he first claimed the Junior national title, and continued his wonderful show to reach the semi-finals of the Junior Wimbledon.

The Davis Cup stints till bring tears to his eyes as Ali turns emotional and nostalgic.

“In 1964, I went to Lahore to play the Davis Cup. Myself, S.P. Misra and Gaurav Misra. Four matches we won, one match could not be completed due to bad weather,” he recalled during an interview with IANS.

But it is India’s 3-2 victory over Brazil in 1966 on his South Club home ground that Ali cherishes the most, though he did not get to play any of the matches.

“The Davis Cup was a big thing in those days. I was a member of the Davis Cup squad. When India beat Brazil, that was a big moment and that is the lasting memory I have. That was the first big tie we won and we reached the final,” he said.

The Brazil victory and his son Zeeshan Ali’s success as both a tennis player and coach keeps coming back as one converses with him.

“I have no regrets. I am very attached with the 1966 Brazil win. My son is also a national champion and Davis Cup coach. There is no other family in the world which has a father-son duo to have played and also coached Davis Cup teams”.

In fact, the International Tennis Federation confirmed this in 2013.

Talking about his success as a coach, Ali said: “I enjoy coaching and I work hard. I have produced the maximum national champions and Davis Cup players. I also coached Belgium and Malaysia. I went to the best coaches to learn,” said Ali, who got the coveted Arjuna Award in 2000.

He leads a disciplined and routine life in a nicely done-up South Kolkata flat.

“After I wake up, I do my namaaz. Then I go to the club (South Club). I go to the Saturday Club also. Then I come home, have my lunch and if there is bank work, I do that.

“I lead a simple life. I go to South Club again and help the players. I am not coaching anybody at the moment because I am not well. But I help BTA (Bengal Tennis Association) in finding promising players. That keeps me busy. I love coaching. I enjoy it.

“I go to bed early. Sometimes my grandchildren come over and I spend time with them. It’s good fun,” he recalled, satisfaction ringing in his voice.

However, notwithstanding his high spirits, Ali has recently had his bouts of illness.

“I had lost eight kilos. My hand was shaking and it was tough for me. I took a lot of medicine. I saw the doctor. Doctor told me this was due to old age.

“I am much better now. I am pulling on. I am fit. I train light and can run a little bit” he said.

India’s recent performance in Davis Cup, a tournament in which the country finished runners-up thrice in the past, may not be that noteworthy, but Ali is optimistic.

“We have talented youngsters, but they have to work very hard,” he maintained.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Sport> Tennis / by IANS / August 18th, 2019