Akbar married Amer maid, not princess, claims Rajasthan governor
Rajasthan governor Haribhau Bagde
Udaipur: Rajasthan governor Haribhau Bagde ignited controversy by claiming Mughal emperor Akbar married a palace maid from Amer, not a princess, challenging centuries of historical consensus and accusing British historians of distorting India's past.
Speaking on eve of Maharana Pratap's birth anniversary Wednesday, Bagde said: "It is said Jodha and Akbar got married and a film was made on the story. History books say the same thing but it is a lie."
Bagde said Akbar's wife was not a royal but the daughter of a maid, and while king Bharmal of Amer arranged the marriage, it did not involve a princess. He cited the absence of any reference to Jodha Bai in Akbarnama, the official record of Akbar's reign, to support his claim.
Akbar is historically believed to have married Bharmal's daughter in 1569 as part of a strategic alliance. Historians refer to her as Harka Bai or Mariam-uz-Zamani.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
India Gazette
an hour ago
- India Gazette
MP: Pachmarhi Sanctuary to be named after Raja Bhabhoot Singh, says CM Yadav
Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh) [India], June 3 (ANI): Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav on Tuesday announced to name the Pachmarhi Sanctuary after Gond ruler Raja Bhabhoot Singh, a symbol of the tribal community's bravery and valour. The CM also chaired a cabinet meeting at Raj Bhavan in Pachmarhi in memory of the Gond ruler and remembered his legacy. Ahead of the cabinet meeting, while addressing the council of ministers, the CM announced to rename the Pachmarhi Sanctuary 'The Pachmarhi Sanctuary will now be known as 'Raja Bhabhoot Singh Pachmarhi Sanctuary'. This renaming is dedicated to Raja Bhabhoot Singh's love for nature and his lifelong efforts to protect Pachmarhi from foreign forces. The sanctuary will also showcase details of Raja Bhabhoot Singh's life, his struggles, valour, and contributions. This move aims to enhance local pride and strengthen the identity of the sanctuary, making it a symbol of both historical and natural heritage,' the CM said. He also stated that Raja Bhabhoot Singh had a deep influence on the tribal society, and his tales of bravery still resonate in the public consciousness. Holding the cabinet meeting in Pachmarhi is a tribute to his legacy. Recalling Raja Bhabhut Singh's contributions, the Chief Minister said that he was a close ally of freedom fighter Tatya Tope during the 1857 War of Independence. Known for his guerrilla warfare tactics, Bhabhut Singh was referred to as the 'Shivaji of Narmadanchal.' The British had to summon the Madras Infantry to capture him. Despite constant battles against the British until 1860, they could only arrest him after two years and subsequently hanged him the same year. Additionally, CM announced that three tribal community conventions will be organized this month. The Baiga Convention at Bajag in Dindori on June 7, Kol Convention in Beohari, Shahdol on June 9 to mark Birsa Munda Jayanti, and Sahariya Convention in Kolaras, Shivpuri on June 18. He also informed that from June 9 to 21, state-wide events will be held to commemorate 11 years of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's public welfare governance. Additionally, the birth centenary of former Prime Minister and Bharat Ratna Atal Bihari Vajpayee will be celebrated, who shared a special bond with Madhya Pradesh. The Chief Minister further noted that May was a month full of developmental achievements for Madhya Pradesh. Prime Minister Modi inaugurated new airports in Datia and Satna, and the Metro in Indore. He also released the first installment for the construction of 1,271 Atal Gram Good Governance Buildings. These milestones reflect the state's progress in development and welfare. Furthermore, CM Yadav shared that Khandwa district has set a national record in water conservation under the 'Water Conservation - Public Participation Campaign' for the period from April 1, 2024, to May 31, 2025. Khandwa ranked first in the country among districts, while Madhya Pradesh secured fourth place among states. This is a matter of pride for the state. The Jal Ganga Samvardhan Abhiyan is being run from March 30 to June 30, and the Chief Minister called upon all cabinet members to lead public awareness and participation in water conservation efforts in their respective regions. (ANI)
India Gazette
an hour ago
- India Gazette
Ravi Shankar Prasad-led delegation concludes Europe visit, rallies support against Pak's cross-border terrorism
London [UK], June 3 (ANI): The all-party delegation, led by BJP MP Ravi Shankar Prasad, departed from London to India on Tuesday after concluding their five-country visit in Europe and the European Union to garner widespread support for India's fight against terrorism and exposed Pakistan's role in fostering terrorism. Prior to their departure, the BJP MP-led delegation, which includes BJP MPs Daggubati Purandeswari and Samik Bhattacharya, Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi, Congress MPs Ghulam Ali Khatana and Amar Singh, former Union Minister MJ Akbar, and former Ambassador Pankaj Saran, met with the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG)-India and interacted with the media there, during which the delegation delivered a strong message on the global threat of terrorism, highlighting Pakistan's misuse of international funds to support terrorism and arms proliferation. The delegation also received widespread support from British parliamentarians, think tanks, and the Indian diaspora for India's democratic unity and firm stance against terrorism. Delegation leader Ravi Shankar Prasad stated that during their time in the UK, the delegation met with key UK figures, including the Speaker of the House of Commons and Shadow Foreign Secretary Priti Patel, emphasising the need for international accountability on terrorism financing amidst appreciation for India's democratic approach. Following the interaction with the media, Prasad highlighted the global concern over terrorism as a 'cancer' and called for scrutiny of Pakistan's use of international funds, noting the novelty of the all-party delegation initiative. 'This has been really good. Our visit to England concludes today. We held a press conference at the India House here; we met the Speaker of the House of Commons this morning. We met the Chairman of the Conservative Party yesterday; we also met Shadow Foreign Secretary Priti Patel. We also met Indian Friends in the Labour Party... We also interacted with Think Tanks. All of them are concerned that terrorism is a cancer... We also said that they (Pakistan) get loans from the IMF and World Bank and they get other funding too. So, is the funding being used for terrorism and weapon purchases or for the poor? This should be asked of them... Everyone said one more thing: that the all-party Parliamentary delegation visit is a new initiative,' Prasad said. Congress MP Amar Singh emphasised the delegation's efforts to explain India's terrorism challenges and urged Pakistan's government to clarify its stance. 'We met several people here. We met the Speaker, Ministers, a few State Ministers, Labour MPs, and Conservative MPs. We have tried to explain how India is being affected by terrorism... We have also said how our neighbouring country troubles us again and again. Now, their Government has to decide what stand they take. But we have said everything we had to,' Singh stated. Meanwhile, AIADMK MP M Thambidurai noted the UK's support for India's anti-terrorism actions, its appreciation of India's democratic unity, and its criticism of Pakistan's military rule and misuse of funds for terrorism. 'We met all the elected people of the House of Commons and Senators also... They are all positive... The Indian delegation is much more successful, seeing the reaction of all sections of people in Britain. They are for India; they are against terrorism... They are very unhappy with Pakistan... Instead of developing the country, there is no democracy there. There is a military rule there... They are misusing the money they are getting and using it for terrorism... The UK is one of the countries that have suffered. So, the UK also felt that terrorist camps in Pakistan are a dangerous thing... So, whatever action that has been taken by India to tackle terrorism is being appreciated by them,' the AIADMK leader noted. UK MPs, following the meeting with the delegation from the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG)-India, questioned Pakistan's aid misuse as well as backed India's anti-terror stand. UK MP Bob Blackman raised critical concerns over Pakistan's use of international aid money during the meeting with the all-party delegation, questioning whether funds meant for the country's development were being diverted to purchase Chinese weapons for terrorism against India. Key figures like House of Lords MP Lord Karan Bilimoria and former member of the UK Parliament Shailesh Vara also expressed unanimous cross-party support in the UK for India's response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, alongside discussions on deepening India-UK ties in trade, security, and education, despite last-minute camera restrictions leading to phone recordings. Blackman expressed the UK's condolences and support for India's anti-terrorism actions, emphasising India's desire for peace and questioning Pakistan's misuse of aid for military purposes, advocating for its use in health initiatives like polio eradication. 'We had a meeting and it's great to see the delegation from all parts of India... Everyone from the United Kingdom expresses their condolences and support for the people of India who've suffered this terrorist outrage... India wants peace and tranquillity between the two,' Blackman stated. 'The money that's sent to Pakistan, what is it used for? What it shouldn't be used for is buying Chinese weapons that would then enable terrorists to attack India, and I take a very strong view that our international aid money that should go to Pakistan should be going for the eradication of polio and other infectious diseases that benefit the people of Pakistan rather than it being used illicitly for military purposes,' he added. Lord Karan Bilimoria, who chaired the APPG-India meeting, highlighted the unified cross-party support in both nations against terrorism, reflecting a positive meeting outcome and emphasised the potential for deeper India-UK collaboration in security, education, and the recently agreed FTA, strengthening bilateral ties. Former UK MP Shailesh Vara appreciated the delegation's in-person visit for providing a clear explanation of the Pahalgam attack and enhancing bilateral understanding and underscored the solid India-UK relationship. The all-party delegation was welcomed by APPG India President Sandy Verma, and the meeting was co-chaired by UK MPs Lord Karan Bilimoria and Jeevun Sandher. Many current and former MPs, including Lord Ed Vaizey, Bob Blackman, Barry Gardiner, Gurinder Singh Josan, Gagan Mohindra, Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi, Kanishka Narayan, Shailesh Vara, Baggy Shanker, Mark Pritchard and others also joined the discussion. Earlier today, the delegation met UK Minister for Citizenship and Migration and Minister for Equalities Seema Malhotra at the UK Parliament. Meanwhile, on Monday, the Conservative Party's Shadow Foreign Secretary Priti Patel expressed her pleasure after meeting with an all-party Indian parliamentary delegation, led by Prasad, and stated that 'significant areas of discussion were covered.' During their diplomatic outreach, the delegation visited the UK, France, Germany, Italy, and Denmark. (ANI)
The Hindu
an hour ago
- The Hindu
IFAB updates laws on penalty kicks after Alvarez's UCL incident: Rule-change explained
The laws of football on taking a penalty kick were clarified on Tuesday after Julián Álvarez's accidental double touch helped to eliminate Atletico Madrid from the Champions League. What is the update? The update published by FIFA-backed rules panel IFAB means the kind of penalty Átletico forward Álvarez had disallowed after scoring in a shootout against Real Madrid in March should now be retaken. Álvarez slipped and kicked the ball against his standing left foot in the shootout in the Champions League round of 16. FILE - Atletico Madrid's Julian Alvarez falls to the ground after taking a penalty kick during a shootout at the end of the Champions League round of 16, second leg, soccer match between Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid at the Metropolitano stadium in Madrid, Spain, on March 12, 2025. | Photo Credit: AP After the looping ball beat Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois for an apparent score, a video review ruled out the goal, and Atletico ultimately lost the shootout. The laws of football relating to the penalty kick and penalty shootout were seen as correctly applied in Madrid in March, though too vaguely worded. The incident was widely judged to have been unfair as Álvarez did not deliberately slip and take the double touch to gain an advantage. What did IFAB say? 'This situation is rare, and as it is not directly covered in Law 14, referees have understandably tended to penalize the kicker,' IFAB said in a statement. 'However, this part of Law 14 is primarily intended for situations where the penalty taker deliberately touches the ball a second time before it has touched another player.' IFAB clarified in a circular letter to football stakeholders that a penalty kick, which is scored now after an accidental double touch, should be retaken. ALSO READ: England coach Tuchel expects players to suffer in World Cup heat A double-touch penalty that is not scored will not be retaken. In a shootout, such a penalty 'is recorded as missed,' IFAB said, and during regulation time or extra time, a free kick can be awarded to the defending team. The clarified rule will apply at the Club World Cup, which starts on June 14 in the United States. The 32-team lineup includes Atletico. IFAB is comprised of FIFA plus the four British football federations. Rules can be changed with six of the eight votes, which are distributed by four to FIFA and one each to the British.
