by admin | May 25, 2021 | Books
By Mohammed Shafeeq,
Book: The Bourbons and Begums of Bhopal; Author: Indira Iyengar; Publisher: Niyogi Books; Price: Rs 850; Pages: 234
The book is an attempt to relive the forgotten history of Bourbons, who played a key role in the development of Bhopal by serving the ruling Begums of the State.
Since she comes from the same family, the book is a historical account with a personal flavour. Indira Iyengar has thus fulfilled a promise she made to her mother, Magdaline Bourbon, to research and write about Bourbons, who were appreciated by the Mughals and trusted by the Nawab Begums of Bhopal.
The author has compiled the stories narrated by Magdaline, a descendant of Bourbons, besides her own extensive research on the family.
With the French Bourbons buried in oblivion for three centuries, it was no easy task digging out the past and making people aware about their heroic deeds and the role they played in shaping Bhopal and its history. Indira, a social activist, has done this brilliantly with ample use of photographs from her private collection.
Historian Rizwanuddin Ansari has prepared the family tree of the Bourbons for the book.
“This book fills a huge gap in the literature regarding the contribution of the Bourbons in Bhopal’s history. It provides a compelling case to attribute the success of the Bhopal State to the Bourbons,” Ansari writes in the foreword.
Magdaline, who was born and raised with the Muslim royal family in Bhopal, shared with his daughter her memories in Bourbon Palace (Shaukat Mahal).
She traced the origin of Bourbons in India with the arrival of Jean Philippe de Bourbon, a descendant of one of the noblest French families, in 1560. He made his way to Mughal emperor Akbar’s court and said to have married Juliana, the sister of Akbar’s Christian wife. Jean Phillipe’s descendants travelled to other parts of India and finally came to Bhopal.
The Bhopal story starts with the arrival of Salvador Bourbon in the 1750s. He was welcomed by Mamola Bai, Bhopal’s first woman ruler. She made him a General in the Bhopal State army and gave him the Muslim name Inayat Masih. His son Balthazar Bourbon alias Shahzad Masih and later his son Sebastian Bourbon served as Prime Ministers to the Begums of Bhopal — Qudsia Begum (1819-1837), Nawab Sikandar Begum (1844-1868) and Shahjahan Begum (1868-1901).
Bourbons accepted Muslim names, clothes and the language and ultimately settled down in Bhopal. Known for their bravery and administrative acumen, Bourbon Prime Ministers also left their mark on the French-influenced architecture in Bhopal. The Bourbons were also known for their culturally diverse living style. They went to church, but just like the Muslims, the women sat behind a curtain. They wore Muslim garb and celebrated both Hindu and Muslim festivals, Iyengar observes.
The author has dedicated a chapter to Balthazar Bourbon, who had a multifaceted personality. A prolific writer and a linguist, he was well versed in Urdu, Persian and English. He used to attend ‘mushairas’, reciting Urdu and Persian poetry at night and don the Prime Minister’s mantle during the day.
The book highlights the secular ways of living as depicted in the architecture, clothes, language and the style of celebrating festivals of Hindus, Muslims and Christians in Bhopal.
Iyengar writes that the reign of the Begums spanning two centuries was Bhopal’s most fruitful period.
“The peaceful rule of the Begums was characterised by a beautiful blend of Hindu and Muslim cultures, which made Bhopal unique in many ways. To this day, Bhopal is known for its Ganga-Jamuni thezeeb, which signifies the marriage between India’s dominant cultures.”
The book lauds the role played by Bourbons in defending Bhopal in wars and as mediators between the rulers of Bhopal and the East India Company.
Another interesting aspect dealt with by the author is the bravery and courage shown by Begums of Bhopal, Balthazar’s wife Isabella Bourbon alias Madam Dulhan and even ordinary women.
The author has also highlighted the contribution of the family in building churches, chapels and cemeteries in different places.
The author also dealt with the decline of the Bourbons. One of the conjectures is the end of the Zamindari system and the rift between the royal family and the Bourbons. A few of the Bourbon clan managed to settle down abroad and one of their branches married into the Bengali Ghosal family, a reference to Magdaline’s marriage with Satish Chandra Ghosal in 1936. They had four daughters including the author of this book.
(Mohammed Shafeeq can be contacted at m.shafeeq@ians.in)
—IANS
by admin | May 25, 2021 | Entrepreneurship, Events, Social Round-up, Success Stories
MP Alok Sanjar being presented his name written Sallgraphic Urdu
BJP MP mesmerized by Islamic Calligraphy
By Pervez Bari, Maeeshat.in,
Bhopal: The 3-day National Exhibition & Shopping Carnival christened as “Jazba” left the people of Bhopal, the city of lakes, hills, mosques and mandirs too, fascinated and having a memory long to cherish with. The carnival won the hearts of the citizens.
The main highlight of the Carnival was the stall of Siasat Indian Art & Calligraphy Gallery put up by Siasat, the leading newspaper of South India published from Hyderabad and Bangalore. It was the star attraction of the carnival. Entrepreneurs from all over the country participated in the carnival.
The carnival was organised by women here in Bhopal from March 16-18, 2018 in Hindi Bhavan under the aegis of an NGO called IIWA, (Iqra International Women’s Alliance), which concluded on Sunday. The “Jazba” was held under able supervision of internationally acclaimed social activist Mrs. Uzma Naheed, president of IIWA, of Mumbai.
The IIWA is an NGO working for Socio-Economic Empowerment, (SEE), of the underprivileged women. With constant hard work IIWA has successfully involved 3000 underprivileged women across the country producing more than150 items.
Alok Sanjar, Member of Parliament from Bhopal Constituency, who visited the exhibition on the last day was mesmerized and overwhelmed at the collection of rare art work in the Siasat’s Indian Art & Calligraphy Gallery. “I would leave everything and learn Calligraphy while getting fully involved in it”, he exclaimed!
Sanjar was so enthusiastic about the Calligraphy that he tried his hand at it on the spot and later requested for “Qalam” (pen) prepared from bamboo shoot which artist Mohammed Amir readily obliged and he carried away with him. Artist Mohammad Amir wrote Alok Sanjar’s name in Calligraphic Urdu which was presented to him by Nabeel Bari. Later, Sanjar distributed certificates to the participants of the exhibition.
He also appreciated the efforts of Mrs. Uzma Naheed for empowering women of underprivileged class under the banner of her NGO IIWA. He assured her all help from his side to establish IIWA outlet in Bhopal.
Apart from this a number of interested ladies expressed their intense desire to learn the At of Calligraphy and inquired about its intricacies and the time required for it from the Hyderabad-based Siasat’s artists. The artists Mohammed Amir and Mohammad Mazharuddin briefed the ladies about the facilities available in Hyderabad provided by Siasat to the students who are keen to learn the Art and promote it.
Aimed to cultivate interest
The Art and Calligraphy stall in the “Jazba” exhibition was aimed to cultivate an interest in learning about the Indo-Islamic calligraphy tradition in the people of Bhopal who at present have lost connect with it following the onslaught of Hindi. The art of calligraphy is among the trough struck arts dying out at double the pace of evolution of multi-media. The idea is to bring calligraphy back to life and simultaneously generate employment. It may be noted here that the Islamic calligraphy and related art work is in great demand in the international market.
Meanwhile, the exhibition showcased hundreds of artifacts which included the artwork of renowned artists Nayeem Saberi, Faheem Saberi, Mohammed Hakeem, Mohammed Amir, canvas paintings of Abdul Lateef Farooqui, Wooden art of Mohammad Mazharuddin.
Calligraphy is an art
The Art & Calligraphy is an exhibition depicting the evolution of Urdu calligraphy – one of the most ornate alphabet writings – from the confines of fine print into a high art form. Urdu calligraphy flourished as the sole printed medium painstakingly crafted by calligraphers before the arrival of the computer. The publishing industry depended on the services of the calligraphers to copy out books, documents and newspapers to print. But the arrivals of computers and customized alphabets have elevated calligraphy to a fine art – kept alive by the traditional writer.
Calligraphy is an art which involves the coordination of the brain, eyes and hands. It combines knowledge with skill. Calligraphy is flourishing not only in Islamic nations, but also in Western and European countries. Islamic calligraphy is a symbol of representing unity, beauty and power. It has been an integral part of India’s Islamic traditions. Calligraphy in India has evolved over centuries to acquire its own unique characteristics.
According to Zaheeruddin Ali Khan, Managing Editor of Siasat, said Siasat Gallery is ready to provide training to the students, adding housewives are being guided and given opportunities of coming up with innovative ideas of calligraphy with their wit and will and thus the skill has made the Art take a fresh gasp. He said their skill has allowed the art form to take a fresh turn. He informed that in Hyderabad there are three thousand masterpieces of Islamic Calligraphy and Painting. He added that India has the potential to emerge as an international hub of Islamic art and calligraphy.
The Siasat Indian Art & Calligraphy Gallery exhibition has showcased hundreds of its artifacts nationally and internationally in the past. These artifacts have been exhibited in the US, Saudi Arabia, Dubai while in India in Delhi, Aligarh, Hyderabad, Kareem Nagar, Bangalore, Bidar etc.
Meanwhile, Mrs. Qaiser Zaman, secretary Kurwai Education Society, and Manoj Shrivastava, Principal Secretary in the Department of Commercial Tax, Culture and Religious Trusts and Endowments to the Govt. of MP, were chief guests at the inaugural function of “Jazba”, the National Exhibition & Shopping Carnival, on March 16th. Mrs. Ghazala Faisal, Director in the Union Ministry of Communications, Mrs. Nusrat Mehndi,Secretary M.P. Urdu Academy, and Mrs. Razia Hamid, eminent Urdu writer, were guests of honour on the occasion.
‘Potentiality of Iqra not utilised fully’
Speaking on the occasion Manoj Shrivastava stressed that the potentiality of “Iqra”, the first word of Quran revealed to Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), calling upon Muslims to read, has not been utilised fully in making the community literate and in skill acquisition.
Shrivastava lamented that in this machine age of mass industrialisation/production the tradition of honouring the hand which is instrumental in making beautiful handicrafts items has been vanishing. However, while eulogising Mrs. Uzma Naheed for promoting handicrafts, he said the services IIWA will go a long way to re-establish the importance of hand once more in making the home made hand goods much sought after. He assured to find space for outlets where the artists’ goods can be displayed depicting their originality and creativity in good measure.
Educationist Mrs. Qaiser Zaman in her speech while admiring Mrs. Uzma’s efforts for a noble cause said: “In India we let our laziness rule over us and thereby do not set our priorities right. The result of which most of the time we end up at the receiving end. The financial empowerment is one thing that will cement all our efforts which will give us energy and the will to help others including have-nots and our less fortunate colleagues”.
Women as managers & entrepreneurs better than men
Mrs. Ghazala Faisal, Director in the Union Ministry of Communications, who was Guest of Honour speaking on the occasion, said that real empowerment is that when one is able to take one’s own decision be it man or woman. For decision making knowledge is necessary. Knowledge not put in action is wastefulness while action without knowledge is foolishness. As such acquiring knowledge is a necessity for leading a respectable life, she added.
Mrs. Faisal said that surveys and researches have proved that women as managers and entrepreneurs, if they are capable enough, are better than men. This is because women have unique inbuilt qualities or traits of having more emotional quotient and patience. The women should realise their potential by harnessing their qualities, she said.
Empowering poor women
Mrs. Uzma Naheed, who is very much active in empowering women of underprivileged class, while speaking in the inaugural function, informed that IIWA encourages them by nurturing the creativity of the women’s inherent natural talents in production of various handicraft items which have ready market. IIWA uses its creativity in modifying the existing arts and crafts of each state of India as per the latest trend. IIWA believes in forming an alliance with NGOs, Media and Corporate sector; this concept was highly appreciated by the United Nations in the International Conference in Turkey.
Mrs. Naheed said that IIWA also promotes women to develop new skills or modify their products to suit current trend with continuous training and workshops. In short IIWA is a platform where talents meet opportunities to womenfolk so that they manufacture any product without disturbing their family lives. Their main concern is 1. What to make? & 2. Where to sell? IIWA helped thousands of women in establishing their own business and improve their earnings. The economic uplift of women is the main agenda of IIWA, she declared.
Mrs. Nusrat Mehndi and Mrs. Razia Hamid also spoke on the occasion.
Earlier, Kalim Akhtar, president of A. U. Education Society, welcomed the guests while A.U. School, Bhopal students presented the Tarana (song) “Sare Jahan Se Achcha Hindustan Hamara…….”.
At the outset the inaugural programme started with the recitation of the Holy Quran. Mushaira, Mehndi and painting competitions, Hijab show were organized during the carnival. While A. U. School, Cares Welfare Society and Tea Ville supported the three-day event.
by admin | May 25, 2021 | Business Summit, Entrepreneurship, Events, News, Social Round-up, Women Entrepreneur
Internationally acclaimed social activist Mrs. Uzma Naheed of Mumbai addressing a Press Conference in Bhopal
By Pervez Bari, Maeeshat.in,
Bhopal: A 3-day National Exhibition & Shopping Carnival which is christened as “Jazba” is being organised by women here from March 16-18, 2018 in Hindi Bhavan under the aegis of an NGO of women called IIWA, (Iqra International Women’s Alliance). It is being held under able supervision of internationally acclaimed social activist Mrs. Uzma Naheed of Mumbai.
Mrs. Uzma Naheed, president of IIWA, made the above announcement while addressing news persons here on Wednesday. She informed that IIWA is an NGO working for Socio-Economic Empowerment, (SEE), of the underprivileged women. Women need a platform, a place where they can securely make use of their talent in a financially rewarding way. With constant hard work IIWA has successfully involved 3000 underprivileged women across the country producing more than150 items.
Mrs. Naheed, who is very much active in empowering women of underprivileged class, Manoj Shrivastva, Principal Secretary in the Department of Commercial Tax, Culture and Religious Trusts and Endowments Govt. of MP, will be the Chief Guest in the inaugural function which would be held on March 16th from 10 am in Hindi Bhavan, near the Polytechnic square.
She said that IIWA encourages them by nurturing the creativity of the women’s inherent natural talents in production of various handicraft items which have ready market. IIWA uses its creativity in modifying the existing arts and crafts of each state of India as per the latest trend. IIWA believes in forming an alliance with NGOs, Media and Corporate sector; this concept was highly appreciated by the United Nations in the International Conference in Turkey.
Mrs. Naheed told a questioner that IIWA also promotes women to develop new skills or modify their products to suit current trend with continuous training and workshops. In short IIWA is a platform where talents meet opportunities to womenfolk so that they manufacture any product without disturbing their family lives. Their main concern is 1. What to make? and 2. Where to sell? IIWA helped thousands of women in establishing their own business and improve their earnings. The economic uplift of women is the main agenda of IIWA, she declared.
A poster of the 3-day National Exhibition & Shopping Carnival which is christened as “Jazba”
Meanwhile, recalling Justice Sachar Committee Report Mrs. Naheed said that it had declared that Muslims are under the Below Poverty Line and Muslim women have crossed the dangerous line. It means this is an emergency situation where it is necessary to work for economic empowerment of women. As such IIWA an NGO of women is working with all communities as poverty is a curse for every one.
“We are happy that the Govt. of India is very concerned on this subject particularly women empowerment. India is a large country where every community should come forward to serve to poor and provide them an opportunity with new ideas of business to uplift them economically. If every Indian worked for this cause it will help us to alleviate poverty by providing opportunities to the talents they have. Women are working as labourers earning paltry sum”, she stated.
by admin | May 25, 2021 | News, Politics
Photos of All India Congress Convention in Bombay 7-8 August 1942 displayed in the month-long exhibition to commemorate the 75th Anniversary of the Quit India Movement and the Azad Hind Fauj in the Bhopal Regional office of the National Archives of India, (NAI).
By Pervez Bari, Maeeshat.in,
Bhopal, Oct. 09 : A month-long exhibition to commemorate the 75th Anniversary of the Quit India Movement and the Azad Hind Fauj is underway here in the city at the Bhopal Regional office of the National Archives of India, (NAI), located behind MLB Girls College neat Polytechnic.
The exhibition is based on public records, private papers, photographs, newspaper reports and proscribed literature banned by the British Government which came out during the last phase of freedom movement. Some of original papers are on display in this exhibition.
The exhibition has large digital content which can be accessed through interactive mode. The film presenting the passing of the “Quit India Resolution”, arrest of freedom struggle leaders, the role of INA and Subhas Chandra Bose is also on display.
The exhibition “Quit India” and “Chalo Dilli” – 75th Anniversary (1942-2017) was inaugurated by Ajatshatru Srivastava, Commissioner, Bhopal Division on October 2 and it will continue till November 3rd, 2017. Dr. M. A. Huque, Deputy Director NAI, New Delhi, Mrs. Pranjana Sinha, Assistant Director of Archives, National Archives of India, Regional office, Bhopal, Archivist in the Regional office Mirza Mumtaz Baig and others welcomed the Commissioner with floral bouquets.
Dr. M. A. Huque, Deputy Director NAI, New Delhi, explaining about the papers of princely Bhopal state put up in the exhibition to Ajatshatru Srivastava, Commissioner, Bhopal Division, who inaugurated the exhibition.
Thereafter, Commissioner Ajatshatru Srivastava, who has been a student of History, went round evincing keen interest in each section of the exhibition. Dr. M. A. Huque conducted the Commissioner through the exhibition while explaining the background of each exhibit on display and answered his queries also.
Later, Commissioner Ajatshatru Srivastava giving his impressions about the exhibition told this correspondent that the Quit India Movement helped in the unification of the whole country wherein several princely states joined hands to support the movement to unyoke the British rule from India. It was an important milestone in the Indian Freedom Movement. This movement had international ramifications. He appreciated the NAI for organising such an exhibition which will enable the public at large to be ware what the elders under the leadership of Mahatma Gandhi paid price to attain freedom from foreign rule.
Meanwhile, the exhibition is spread over four sections viz. 1. The Prelude to the Quit India Movement; 2. The Actual Movement; 3. The Impact of the Movement and 4. The Indian National Army and Azad Hind Fauj.
(1) The Prelude to the Quit India Movement: The Section displays documents/reports pertaining to the coming of the Cripps Mission to India and its failure, Gandhiji’s description of the offer of the Mission as “post-dated cheque”. The section also depicts the All India Congress Committee resolution of 14 July 1942 at Wardha and its adoption on 8 August 1942 in Mumbai.
(2) The Actual Movement: This section includes the coining of the term “Quit India” and “Do or Die” by Yusuf Mehar Ali, besides Mahatma Gandhi’s message in his own words ‘Karenge Ya Marenge – Mat Puccho Kyon’. Depicting the calendar of events, the section also highlights the role of important personalities like Sarojini Naidu, Suchita Kripalani, Aruna Asaf Ali, Ram Manohar Lohia, Jai Prakash Narayan, J.B. Kripalani and Usha Mehta (who was instrumental in setting up private radio broadcast).
(3) The impact of the Movement: The section reflects the disturbances that occurred all over the country after the arrest of the prominent leaders on 9th August 1942. The exhibits also showcase the parallel governments that were set up in different parts especially in Midnapur, Satara, Ballia, Tamluk (West Bengal) etc.
(4) The Indian National Army and Azad Hind Fauj: The important documents displayed in this section consist of Indian Independence League, Tokyo 1942, message of Rash Bihari Bose 1942, publicity material, including various posters and banners of Azad Hind Fauj etc.
Photgraph depicting massive turn out for “Bharat Chhoro” campaign.
The last portion in the exhibition is assigned to the message of the Prime Minister, who while addressing the nation via “Man ki Baat” on 30th July 2017, gave a call to our countrymen and women to come together to launch a new ‘Quit India’ Movement:
• Filth – Quit India; • Poverty – Quit India; • Corruption – Quit India; • Terrorism – Quit India; • Casteism – Quit India; • Communalism – Quit India.
The need of the hour is not ‘Do or Die’, instead, to resolve, to come together, persevere, and work relentlessly for making a new India.
Meanwhile, giving a regional touch Archivist Mirza Mumtaz Baig has also arranged exhibits from NAI’s Bhopal regional office in the exhibition. Apart from 29 reproduced visual panels and two L. E. Ds displaying various aspects and stages of Quit India Movement, some selected original files from the record holding of National Archives of India, Regional Office Bhopal have also been kept for display in three show cases. These files are unique in a manner that they have been placed on display for the general public and more importantly these are the primary sources and testimony to the related historical events and speak the truth.
Much before the coining of the ‘Quit India’ slogan the British Empire had to face most difficult times of her history in the shape of Second World War that not only plunged the stream of history but also created a great question mark for her survival in Asia. They were so confused that they started seeing every foreigner with suspicion (a secret circular dated 18 April 1941).
Following the ‘Quit India” agitation the British administration instructed its allies and Provincial Governments to ensure safety and security of Postal and Railway services (from Secretary, Civil Defence Department, Bhopal to the Secretary to Govt. of Bhopal, dated 2.9.1942 and, from Political Agent at Bhopal to Political Member, Govt. of Bhopal, dated 31.7.1943). Even the sale of chemicals and explosives were controlled with certain exceptions (Political Agent at Bhopal to Political Member, Govt. of Bhopal, dated 29.7.1943). The release of Congress Security Prisoners from jail or confinement after taking an undertaking that they will not indulge in further subversive activities was criticized by the press and hence the British Administration started celebration to cope up this criticism and search a safe and secure exit for the Congress men (Express letter from Additional Secretary to Govt. of India to all Provincial Govts. dated 22nd October 1943).
Azad Hind Fauj of Subhash Chandra Fauj
Files providing information on the presence and activities of “Khaksars” and Communist Party far “Peoples War” have also been displayed. Two files throw light on the response of the Princely States to the Cripps Proposal. One file gives a brief history of Bhopal-British relationship particularly during the Second World War. Two files provide information on the steps taken by the British Administration to ‘maintain the public morale’ and to remove all subversive elements in order to inculcate in public a feeling of unity “against the Nazism and Fascism”.
And finally a file is related to the Merger Movement in Bhopal when Dr. Shankar Dayal Sharma organized a public gathering at Unani Shifakhana Maidan on 6th January 1949 and consequently he was arrested.
It may be mentioned here that from August 9th, 2017 to September 1st, 2017 this exhibition was first held in NAI headquarters at New Delhi. The exhibition was then inaugurated by Dr. Mahesh Sharma, Union Minister of State (I/C) for Culture & Tourism.
