Latest news with #BahadurShahZafar
New Indian Express
2 days ago
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Reclaiming the spirit, relieving the pain: Two poems for an independent India
India has historically had more than one Independence Day. The first among them is 11 May 1857, the day on which the revolutionaries of 1857 declared Bahadur Shah Zafar as the Emperor of India. 'Against this background […] the Mughal court, for all its weakness, assumed a centrality and a political importance it had not had for a century. The daily audience, or darbars, were resumed for the first time since the Persians sacked the city in 1739, and the Emperor, Bahadur Shah II, was hailed again throughout Hindustan as Mightiest King of Kings, Emperor son of Emperor, Sultan son of Sultan,' writes William Dalrymple in The Last Mughal: The Fall of a Dynasty, Delhi, 1857 (2007). Yet the remarkable social significance of this turbulent day lay in its revitalising air of communal harmony. The flag song of the revolution, Hindustan Hamara, penned by the polyglot ideologue Azimullah Khan from Kanpur, proclaimed the fraternity of Hindus and Muslims: Hum haen iss ke malik, Hindoostan hamaaraa Paak watan hae qaum kaa Jannat se bhee piyaaraa. (We are its owners, Hindustan belongs to us. It is our holy land, lovelier than paradise.) Aaj shabidon ne tumko, ahl-e-watan lalkaaraa Todo ghulamee kee zanjeeren, barsaao angaaraa. (Martyrs are calling you, compatriots! Break the shackles of slavery, rain down fire.) Hindoo–Mussalmaan–Sikh hamaaraa bhai piyaaraa–piyaaraa Yeh hae azaadi kaa jhanda, isse salaam hamaaraa! (Hindu, Muslim, Sikh are our dear brothers. This is the flag of independence, salute to it.) The Muslim Diwan of a Hindu Peshwa Azimullah Khan's life was itself a testament to India's syncretic spirit. Born in the early decades of the 19th century, he was proficient in English and French, a scholar, poet, and political strategist. Azimullah served Peshwa Nana Sahib II as a minister, and could recite Persian ghazals as easily as he could quote from Sanskrit scriptures. He had a keen interest in international politics and travelled to Constantinople to study the military capabilities of Russia. Later, he visited France and the Crimea, observing the politics and war strategies of their rulers. The struggles of those nations for their own freedom inspired him to work for India's liberation. Azimullah sought to build friendly ties with countries willing to aid in the fight against British rule. After returning to India, he advised Nana Sahib to rally native rulers and wrote to them about the urgency of coordinated revolt. To mould public opinion, he launched a newspaper, 'Payaam-e-Azadi', in both Hindi and Urdu. He assisted leaders such as Begum Hazrat Mahal of Awadh, Moulvi Ahmadullah Shah, Rani Lakshmi Bai of Jhansi, Mughal Prince Firoz Shah, and Tantia Tope, formulating strategies against the British. When the flames of the 1857 revolt spread from Meerut to Delhi, Azimullah took up not only political and military roles but also the pen — crafting verses that united communities against a common oppressor. Though the British crushed the revolt, his war song survived in oral memory — a relic of a time when the dream of freedom was inseparable from the dream of togetherness. Azimullah escaped to Nepal, where he breathed his last, but his message outlived him. The Clouded Dawn On 15 August 1947, the soil of India was red with the blood of communal riots triggered by Partition. If Azimullah Khan's song was the music of an unbroken dream, renowned Urdu poet Faiz Ahmed Faiz's Subah-e-Azadi (The Dawn of Freedom) was the dirge for a dream torn apart. As the subcontinent celebrated its liberation, Faiz's words refused to join the official chorus of jubilation; he was consumed by anguish at the scourge of Partition. Ye daagh ujala, ye shab gazeeda seher Wo intezaar tha jiska, ye wo seher tau nahi Ye wo seher tau nahin, jis ki arzu le kar Chaley thay yaar ke mil jaye gi kahin na kahin Falak ke dasht mein taaron ki aakhri manzil Kahin tau hoga shab-e-sust mauj ka saahil Kahin tau ja ke rukay ga safeena-e gham-e dil. (This stained light, this night-bitten dawn; This is not that long-awaited daybreak; This is not the dawn in whose longing We set out believing we would find, somewhere, In heaven's wide void, The stars' final resting place; Somewhere the shore of night's slow-washing tide; Somewhere, an anchor for the ship of heartache.) Faiz concluded with: Abhi giraani-e-shab mein kami nahin aai Nijaat-e-deeda o dil ki ghadi nahin aai Chaley chalo ke wo manzil abhi nahin aai. (Night's heaviness is not yet lessened; The hour of the heart and spirit's deliverance has not yet arrived; Let us go on, that goal has not yet arrived.) Faiz had witnessed the terrible price of freedom: trains arriving filled not with passengers but with corpses; refugee caravans stretching for miles; homes abandoned in haste; neighbours turned strangers. Independence had come at the cost of unity — the unity Azimullah's song had once so passionately proclaimed. His refusal to romanticise 1947 was not cynicism but a moral stance. Freedom, Faiz insisted, could not be celebrated without confronting its cost — millions displaced, bereaved, and permanently scarred. Today, India stands at a crossroads where the spirit of Azimullah Khan's song is more necessary than ever. His call to embrace our shared heritage and see one another as brothers is the antidote to the polarisation that gnaws at our social fabric. At the same time, we must free ourselves from the lingering pain that Faiz so eloquently captured — the divisions, prejudices, and unfinished reconciliations that bind us to the traumas of the past. To reclaim the spirit of the former is to make unity not a slogan but a lived reality. To relieve ourselves of the pain of the latter is to dare to imagine a freedom that is whole — not fractured, not conditional, not partial. The Fading Colours of the Rainbow A rainbow — a thing of beauty — is a joy to every poetic mind. When the first public flag hoisting took place at Princess Park near India Gate in the afternoon of 15 August 1947, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru unfurled the Tiranga, and at that very moment, a rainbow appeared in the sky — as if nature itself blessed the tricolour with its full spectrum of promise. Seventy-nine years later, those colours are fading. The saffron of courage pales when we are afraid to stand for what is right. The white of truth dims when falsehood becomes currency. The green of hope withers when cynicism takes root. As Ali Madeeh Hashmi concludes his biography Love and Revolution: Faiz Ahmed Faiz (2016): 'Faiz is gone but his voice is still with us in his poetry, and so are those things in the world that so rankled and infuriated him: exploitation, injustice, tyranny, oppression. If we can remember that the best tribute we can pay him is to dedicate ourselves, in whatever small way we can, to ending these cruelties, Faiz would be happy that he had succeeded in his mission.' This Independence Day, let us reclaim the colours of that rainbow. Let us bind ourselves, as Azimullah Khan once urged, in the fraternity of a common flag. Let us dry the tears Faiz wept for a fractured freedom. And let us dedicate ourselves to harmony, peace, and justice — so that future generations may inherit a rainbow that shines in full, undimmed glory. (The author is Deputy Law Secretary to the Government of Kerala. Email:
News18
4 days ago
- Politics
- News18
Independence Day 2025: Essay Writing Tips And Ideas For 15th August School Competition
Independence Day essay writing: Get inspired this I-Day with essay writing tips and topics for students. Explore India's freedom journey, heroes, and patriotic themes for 15 August Independence Day essay writing tips for students: On the 79th Independence Day, schools across India will be organising cultural programs and dance performances to celebrate the patriotic fervour felt by citizens and create awareness among young minds about India's great freedom struggle. While the traditional pre-Independence Day function remains a common form of 15th August celebrations in schools, many educational institutes also arrange essay competitions for students to take part in. Through these competitions, students learn about our freedom fighters and how the democratic and secular country we live in today came to be despite 200 years of British dominance. Here are some of the tips and essay ideas that students can follow and give their best shot at winning their school prize for Independence Day. An essay detailing how the British colonial rule began in the mid-18th century and expanded aggressively through the East India Company before it was first challenged by the Revolt of 1857. Figures like Bahadur Shah Zafar, Rani Lakshmi Bai and Mangal Pandey fought with bravery against the British army and awakened the nationalist sentiment against the white narcissists, laying the foundation for the freedom struggle. Writing on Freedom Fighters While unsuccessful, the Revolt of 1857 laid the groundwork for civil resistance led by several of our political leaders and revolutionaries. Students can write an essay on how Hindustan Socialist Republican Association (HSRA) leaders such as Bhagat Singh and Chandrashekhar Azad gave the British a taste of their own medicine by opting for violence to protect the rights of the citizens from unlawful practices. They may also focus on the peaceful civil resistance movements led by Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi, including the Non-Cooperation Movement (1920), Salt March (1930) and Quit India Movement (1942). Students are also advised to learn and write about Jawaharlal Nehru, Subhas Chandra Bose and Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, among other leaders, to truly expand their understanding of the freedom struggle and underline how youth can take inspiration and take part in the national welfare today. Role of Women In the Independence Struggle The brave women of India were not behind and fought for the country's Independence with equal courage. Students can write an essay on how the journey and bravery of Rani Lakshmi Bai during the 1857 Revolt inspired women across the country to take part in the freedom movement. Whether it is Sarojini Naidu, who broke stereotypes as a poet, speaker, and political leader, or Kasturba Gandhi for her participation in civil disobedience movements alongside her husband. Students can also write about Aruna Asaf Ali for fearlessly leading protests and becoming a national icon during the Quit India Movement. About the Author Nibandh Vinod Nibandh Vinod is a seasoned journalist with 26 years of experience, specializing in covering events, festivals, and driving SEO content for A tech-savvy person, Nibandh works closely with a young More Stay updated with the latest education! Get real-time updates on board exam results 2025, entrance exams such as JEE Mains, Advanced, NEET, and more. Find out top schools, colleges, courses and more. Also Download the News18 App to stay updated! view comments First Published: Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Time of India
02-08-2025
- Time of India
Why the Red Fort was once white; more interesting facts to know about Delhi's Lal Qila
Red Fort, also known as Lal Qila, is a historic fort in Delhi which was built by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan in the 17th century. The fort will definitely leave you awestruck with its architectural beauty and is known for its red stone walls. The architecture is a mix of Persian, Timurid, and Indian styles. This fort in Old Delhi, near Chandni Chowk, is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a great symbol of India's rich history and independence. On this note, let's have a look at some unique facts about Red Fort that will definitely leave you astonished: Construction The construction of this fort started in 1638, which is the Islamic month of Muharram, under Emperor Shah Jahan. This fort took almost a decade to get completed, and the city of Shahjahanabad was built around it. This fort was constructed because the capital of Shah Jahan was being shifted from Agra to Delhi. The Fort Was Originally White This fort is quite famous worldwide for having red sandstone, but this fort was actually white in color as it was covered in white lime plaster. When the plaster got eroded, the British decided to paint it red to preserve the structure, which gave way to the name 'Red Fort'. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Chittagong: New Container Houses – Take A Look At The Prices! Container homes | Search ads Learn More Undo Pre-Mughal Eras There have been excavations at the Red Fort that revealed some artefacts such as Ochre Colored Pottery culture dated between 2600–1200 BC. These excavations show that this region was inhabited a millennia before Shah Jahan built the fort. There have been similar findings at other areas of India as well, such as Haryana and Uttar Pradesh, as they depict ancient settlement patterns. A Covered Royal Bazaar Chatta Chowk, located in the Red Fort, is a covered market with 32 arched shops that sold items like silks, gems, and jewelry. This kind of indoor bazaar was one of a kind in Mughal India, which used to serve the imperial elite and court visitors within the Red Fort walls, as mostly the Mughal bazaars were open-air markets. Invisible Security System Red Fort is considered to have a unique design where approaching visitors could be detected from certain chambers with the help of echoes, which used to help court officials to hear who is entering the court even before they entered it. Trial at Home This architectural marvel was home to the last Mughal emperor, 'Bahadur Shah Zafar', who was tried for treason by the British in Diwan-i-Khas, his own reception hall, after the revolt of 1857, but ultimately was sent to exile in Rangoon, now known as Myanmar. Entrance of Red Fort The main gate of Red Fort is known as Lahori Gate and is one of the 14 gates of the city of Shahjahanabad, now known as Old Delhi. Every year, the Prime Minister of India hoists the national flag from the Lahori Gate. The Koh-i-Noor and Peacock Throne Was Once a Part of It Reportedly, the Koh-i-Noor diamond, now in London, was once placed on the beautiful Peacock Throne, which was placed inside the Diwan-i-Khas in the Red Fort. Both of these beautiful ornaments were taken from India. So next time you visit Red Fort, you'll want to look at it from a new perspective! Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Friendship Day wishes , messages and quotes !
The Hindu
04-07-2025
- General
- The Hindu
Daily Quiz: On Indian National Movement
Daily Quiz: On Indian National Movement Copy link Email Facebook Twitter Telegram LinkedIn WhatsApp Reddit YOUR SCORE 0 /7 RETAKE THE QUIZ 1 / 7 | Which Kerala ruler waged a 13-year guerrilla war against the East India Company? DID YOU KNOW THE ANSWER? YES NO Answer : Pazhassi Raja SHOW ANSWER 2 / 7 | Which tribal community led a rebellion in 1855–56 in response to colonial exploitation? DID YOU KNOW THE ANSWER? YES NO Answer : The Santhals SHOW ANSWER 3 / 7 | Under which Act was Bahadur Shah Zafar tried in the Red Fort in 1858? DID YOU KNOW THE ANSWER? YES NO Answer : Act XIV of 1854 SHOW ANSWER 4 / 7 | Which Indian revolutionary raised an early version of the Indian flag at an international socialist gathering in 1907, marking India's assertion on the world stage? DID YOU KNOW THE ANSWER? YES NO Answer : Bhikaji Cama SHOW ANSWER 5 / 7 | Upon conviction, what was the sentence handed down to Savarkar by the British colonial government? DID YOU KNOW THE ANSWER? YES NO Answer : Two life terms totaling 50 years SHOW ANSWER 6 / 7 | What was the codename for the attempted pan-India uprising against British rule during World War I in 1915? DID YOU KNOW THE ANSWER? YES NO Answer : Ghadar Mutiny SHOW ANSWER
India.com
10-06-2025
- General
- India.com
Meet the last Mughal heiress who now survives on Rs 6000 pension, has Bahadur Shah Zafar's connection, she lives in..., her name is...
Meet the last Mughal heiress who now survives on Rs 6000 pension, has Bahadur Shah Zafar's connection, she lives in…, her name is… The Mughals ruled most parts of the Indian subcontinent for over three centuries, starting from 1526 and until 1857. During their rule, Mughal emperors looted gold, jewellery and other precious stones and metals from India, making themselves enormously wealthy. When you imagine a Mughal heiress, you must have imagined her wearing several diamond and gold jewellery, living a comforting royal life. But, the imagination is not true. The great-granddaughter-in-law of India's last Mughal emperor who once lived in luxury, lives in a slum area on the outskirts of Kolkata city. 60-year-old Sultana Begum, who claimed to be related to the last Mughal Emperor Bahadur Shah Zafar, is living her life full of hardships. She lives in a hut with her family in Howrah. As per reports, she shares a kitchen with neighbours and street-side taps for washing clothes. A Mughal descendant's Journey From Royalty to Poverty In the 1980s, after the death of her husband Prince Mirza Bedar Bukht, Sultana's life changed tremendously. Since then she has been surviving on a pension per month pension of Rs 6,000. The family, burdened by the financial strain of raising six children, faces major economic hardship. Her daughters are also dealing with financial hardships and unable to help her. Sultana lives with her daughter Madhu Begam. She has filed several petitions to the government for help but get no response. As her royal ancestry is well-documented, the 60-year-old received a little support. Are Human Rights Organisations And NGOs Helping Sultana? Many descendants of India's former aristocracy, including Sultana, have experienced major financial hardship following British rule. Human rights advocates are helping these families. The contrast between their noble lineage and current poverty highlights historical negligence. While facing hardships, Sultana maintains pride in her heritage, recalling her late husband's emphasis on their royal ancestry and their refusal to resort to begging. She continues to petition the government for the support she believes her family is entitled to. The Mughal Dynasty The Mughal dynasty from which Sultana belongs contributed several architectural legacies throughout 16th, 17th and 18th centuries. The Mughal, irrespective of their atrocities, built several beautiful structures such as the Taj Mahal, Red Fort, the Agra Fort and the Lahore Shalimar Gardens, most of them are recognised as world heritage sites by UNESCO. However, Sultana, for several years, sending petitions to central and state governments for help and a decent pension, but got no proper response.
