Calligraphy is one of the many arts that has been on the decline in the modern age: with people not even using pen and paper these days, the art of calligraphy has few takers, or at least that is what the image around calligraphy has been. But in Bhiwandi, a city in Thane district, a medical practitioner is working hard to ensure that the future generations both treasure and learn the art of Urdu Calligraphy.
Dr.Rehan Ansari has been conducting weekend Urdu Calligraphy (Khattati) classes for the past many months at a local school for the benefit of all. Dr Ansari, who is a calligraphy expert and has been practising it since his school days, says that his classes have been met with an enthusiastic response from students of all age groups and professions.
In a conversation with TwoCircles.net, Dr Rehan says that these classes are at an attempt to save the script. In an interesting observation, he says, “This art has helped me a lot in being a doctor. Observing the words, the art of turning the hand and setting words in a proper shape is a unique art which is called calligraphy and it needs sincere efforts. I regularly use a blackboard as a teaching aid to draw letters and explain the various aspects of calligraphy.”
The one thing that sets Dr Rehan apart from other people is he disagrees to the statement that calligraphy is a dying art form. “In Bhiwandi, Hyderabad and other cities of India, calligraphers exist and extend their services. Nowadays, social media is also playing a favourable role in promoting this and expanding the market. It would be wrong to expect hundreds of calligraphers; one or two are enough for the amount of work that exists,” he says. To add to his point, He further told Twocircles.net that India will be hosting the International calligraphy conference of Urdu, Arabic and Persian on October 22 and 23 in Jaipur, which will see delegates of about 50 countries participate in the event.
Talking about his teaching methods, Dr Rehan says he provides beginners with the Reed Pen (Baru Qalam), which is a well-known tool in the world of Urdu and Arabic Calligraphy. Sajida Jamal, a teacher and an Urdu story writer, shared her experience with TwoCircles.net. “This is really a good opportunity for me to improve my writing skill…it is a skill that helps everyone and I believe it makes a person love the language a little more and appreciate the art of writing a lot better.”
Another student of Dr Rehan, Fahim Bari, who is a lecturer at the local commerce college, was full of praise for the classes. “This is our literary and cultural asset…it’s promotion and progress can only be possible when we protect it and reach more and more people. Dr Rehan is the creator of the famous Faiz Nastaliq font and his classes are doing a lot to help us fall in love with the language again.”
source: http://www.twocircles.net / TwoCircles.net / Home> Indian Muslim / by Imran Inamdar, TwoCircles.net / September 28th, 2018
The Rajasthan elections are out and the Congress is all set to form a government in the state along with also doing the same in Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh. The ousting of the BJP from Rajasthan has also resulted in a larger number of Muslim candidates being elected to the Rajasthan assembly, even though interestingly this is the first time that no Muslim won from the BJP since 1998. Compared with 2013 elections when the Rajasthan assembly had only two Muslim MLAs, this election resulted in seven Muslims from Congress and one Muslim from BSP winning. The Congress had given tickets to 15 Muslims in these elections.
Rafeek Khan, Adarshnagar Constituency(Photo: Social Media)
Rafeek Khan of Congress won from Adarsh Nagar seat with a margin of 12,553 over BJP’s Ashok Pamami, who was the current MLA of the region. In Kishan pole, Amin Kagzi won by a narrow margin of a little less than 1,500 votes. The closest fight among the eight Muslim candidates was for Saleh Mohammed from Pokhran, who beat Pratap Pani from the BJP by a margin of just 929 votes. The same could not be said about Zahida Khan, however. The only Muslim female candidate who won, Khan received over 1 lakh votes. She defeated her closest candidate by a margin of over 39,000 votes. Along with Khan, another strong victory for Muslim candidates came from Danish Abrar, who is also the party’s spokesperson for the state. Abrar beat popular BJP leader Ashok Meena by a margin of over 25,000 votes. The other Muslim candidates who won on a Congress seat were Hakam Ali from Fatehpur and Amin Khan from Shau constituency.
Hakim Ali Khan (Photo: Social Media)
Interestingly, the only non-Congress Muslim candidate who won from Rajasthan came not from the BJP but the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP). Ali won by a margin of over 25,000 against Nempal Singh of the Samajwadi Party with the Congress and the BJP relegated to third and fourth respectively.
WajibAli Naagar constituency ( Photo: Social Media)
The only BJP candidate who won in 2013 elections, Mohammed Younus, was essentially turned into a sacrificial lamb for these elections. Younus, who was the number 2 to Vasundhara Raje, was made to change his constituency on the last day and to make matters worse, he was made to contest against Sachin Pilot in Tonk. No surprises, then, that Younus lost by over 56,000 votes to Pilot who polled over 1 lakh votes.
Amin Khan who won for the 5th time (Photo: Social Media)
These elections across five states have resulted in a total of 19 Muslim candidates winning across Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Telangana and Chattisgarh. While Rajasthan and Telangana saw eight Muslim candidates each, two Muslim candidates won from Madhya Pradesh while one Muslim candidate also won from Chattisgarh. No Muslim candidate contested from Mizoram.
Sohail Mohammed with his father Ghazi Fakeer from Pohkhran ( Photo: Social Meida)
source: http://www.twocircles.net / TwoCircles.net / Home> Elections Update> Indian Muslim> Lead Story / by Aas Mohammed Kaif, TwoCircles.net / December 12th, 2018
Once driver and PA to a legislator, Mirza Rahmat Baig is MIM’s Rajendranagar nominee
Mirza Rahmat Baig criss-crosses several localities in the Rajendranagar Assembly segment as part of his paidal daura (canvassing). He is the Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (MIM)’s candidate from the constituency. As he meets people, some at the doorstep and others passing by, he greets them with the traditional aadaab and says “Mere liye dua kijiye (pray for me)” as he promises to solve their problems once elected.
Speaking to The Hindu, he says, “The jamaat is not new here,” and proceeds to clarify that by jamaat, he means the MIM. “In fact, we have had a strong presence in this constituency for several years. We have always been with the people.”
The 31-year-old claims to have had humble beginnings. It was in 1994 that he first came in contact with the party leadership. Soon, he began to work with the MIM’s Ibrahimbagh primary unit. “After serving in the primary unit, Asad sahab (Asaduddin Owaisi) in 2004 instructed me to work for Charminar MLA Syed Ahmed Pasha Qadri. So, I became his driver, and then his personal assistant. I am grateful to Asad sahab for choosing me as a candidate,” he says.
Mr Baig says that the contest in the Assembly segment is between him and Bharatiya Janata Party candidate Baddam Bal Reddy. “Our fight has always been with the BJP,” he says.
While that may be the case, Mr Baig claims the constituency is in dire need of developmental work. The primary concerns are potable water and the drainage system. “Places in Narsingi, Sun City and Khizara Colony, among many others, have been facing major water supply issues. Also, drainage issues are seen in Narasareddy Colony and other places.”
He claims the area is in need of government schools, junior and degree colleges and accuses former MLA T. Prakash Goud of doing little there. “I would like to ask the MLA how many new Urdu medium schools have been sanctioned? How many new government schools have been established? There is a lot that needs to be done,” he says.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> States> Telangana / by Syed Mohammed / Hyderabad – December 01st, 2018
A total of 356 candidates of different parties and independents are in fray for the 74 seats of Dhule Municipal Corporation (DMC)
[AIMIM MLA Imtyaz Jaleel addressing an election rally in Dhule. (Photo: @imtiaz_jaleel)]Dhule :
Contesting the Dhule Municipal Corporation (DMC) elections for the first time, AsaduddinOwaisi’s All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) has won 04 seats, election officers said after counting of votes Monday.
The AIMIM had fielded 11 candidates in the 2018 Dhule elections. Of them 04 candidates have won. 03 AIMIM candidates – Ansari Saeeda M Iqbal, Naziya Bano Nasir Khan Pathanand Saeed Baig Hashim Baig have won from Prabhag 03. The 4th one Mehrunnisa ZakirShaikh has won from Prabhag 13.
On the other hand, Samajwadi Party (SP) led bu Abu Asim Azmi had fielded 09 candidates. Two of them have won. One of them, Ansari Fatema, was declared unopposed. The other SP who has won the Dhule civic election is Patel Ameen Ab Kareem. He has won from Prabhag 12.
According to trends available at 02:15 pm, the BJP has won 50 seats of the total 74 Dhule Mahanagar Palika.
Congress+NCP alliance is a distant second with lead on 14 seats. Anil Gote’s Loksangram is also leading on 01 seat. Gote, a BJP MLA, is contesting this election on his own. He has projected his wife as Mayor of Dhule.
Dhule Municipal Corporation 2018 Election Result Live Updates
02:00 pm – BJP set to sweep Dhule Municipal Corporation 2018 Elections, leads on 50 seats
The Bhartiya Janta Party (BJP) look set to sweep the Dhule Municipal Corporation 2018 elections where counting of votes is in its final phase.
According to trends available at 02:00 pm, the BJP is leading in 50 seats of the total 74 Dhule Mahanagar Palika.
Congress+NCP alliance is a distant second with lead on 14 seats. Anil Gote’s Loksangram is also leading on 01 seat. Gote, a BJP MLA, is contesting this election on his own. He has projected his wife as Mayor of Dhule.
01:00 pm – BJP consolidates its lead
The Bhartiya Janta Party (BJP), which had taken early lead in Dhule Municipal Corporation (DMC), also known as Dhule Mahanagar Palika, has consolidated its lead.
According to trends available at 01:00 pm, the BJP is leading on 38 seats. Congress+NCP alliance leads on 18 seats. Anil Gote’s Loksangram is also leading on 03 seat. Gote, a BJP MLA, is contesting this election on his own. He has projected his wife as Mayor of Dhule.
Shiv Sena is leading on 07 seats. Others are ahead on 01. Samajwadi Party (SP) has already won 01 seat. Asaduddin Owaisi’s AIMIM and Raj Thackeray’s MNS have so far not leading on any seat.
11:30 am – BJP:31, Cong+NCP:28, Lok Sangram:03, Sena:03
The Bhartiya Janta Party (BJP) takes early lead in Dhule Municipal Corporation (DMC), also known as Dhule Mahanagar Palika, elections where counting of votes to elect a new body is underway.
According to trends available at 11:30 am, the BJP is leading on 31 seats. Congress+NCP alliance leads on 28 seats. Anil Gote’s Loksangram is also leading on 03 seat. Gote, a BJP MLA, is contesting this election on his own. He has projected his wife as Mayor of Dhule.
Shiv Sena is leading on 03 seats. Others are ahead on 01. Samajwadi Party (SP) has already won 01 seat. Asaduddin Owaisi’s AIMIM and Raj Thackeray’s MNS have so far not leading on any seat.
10:00 am – Counting of votes begins
Counting of votes in Dhule where polling to elect new body of the Dhule Municipal Corporation (DMC), also known as Dhule Mahanagar Palika, started at 10:00 am today i.e. Monday December 10, 2018.
Poll officers said counting of votes in Dhule started with counting of Postal Ballots. This will follow counting of votes registered in Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs).
07:15 am – Counting of votes to begin at 10 am
Counting of votes in Dhule where polling to elect new body of the Dhule Municipal Corporation (DMC), also known as Dhule Mahanagar Palika, was held on Sunday will start today i.e. Monday December 10, 2018 at 10:00 am, State Election Commission officials said.
Poll officers said counting of votes will start in Dhule to count votes in 19 prabhags comprising of 73 members. The process will start with counting of Postal Ballots, if any. After this, votes registered in Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) will be counted. Dhule Municipal Corporation (DMS) has a total of 74 members. In Ward 12A, Samajwadi Party Candidate Ansari Fatema has been declared elected unopposed.
Voting for the remaining wards were held on Sunday December 09, 2018. According to the election commission officials, Dhule recored around 60% voting in the 2018 December Civic Elections. Poll percentage in 2013 Dhule Local Body election was 61%.
A total of 356 candidates of different parties and independents are in fray for the 74 seats of Dhule Municipal Corporation (DMC). Of them 82 candidates are Muslims who are contesting the elections in 08 Prabhags dominated by the members of the community.
Among the 82 Muslims contesting the Dhule Mahanagar Palika Chunav, Congress-NCP alliance has fielded 17 candidates, Samajwadi Party (SP) has fielded 09, Rashtriya Samaj Paksh has given its tickets to 11, Shiv Sena has given its tickets to 03 Muslims, BJP has given tickets to 02 Muslims whereas the Muslim League and Bahujan Samajwadi Party (BSP) have fielded 01 Muslim candidate each on their party symbol.
The All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) of Asaduddin Owaisi is contesting the Dhule Municipal Corporation, also known as Dhule Maha Nagar Palika, election for the first time. It has fielded 11 candidates in the 2018 Dhule civic elections. The AIMIM had earlier won elections in the neighbouring Shahada local body election.
Besides the candidates from the mainstream and prominent regional parties, as many as 26 Muslims are contesting the Dhule local body polls as independents.
The Dhule Municipal Corporation (DMC) has a population of 4,46,094 and total number of voters are 3,29,596. More than 700 candidates had filed nomination papers for the 2018 Dhule civic election. Last date of withdrawal was November 26. After withdrawal of about half the candidates, 356 candidates finally contested the election.
In 2013, Dhule Municipal Corporation (DMC) election was held on Decemver 15, 2013 for 35 wards to elect a total of 70 councillors – two each from a ward.
As per the Dhule Municipal Corporation 2013 results, Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) won 34 seats in the 70-member house. Shiv-Sena won 11 seats. Its alliance partner BJP won just 03 seats whereas the Congress party won 07 seats. On the other hand, the Loksangram Party of local MLA Anil Gote could win just 01 seat.
The Independents had won on 10 seats whereas the Bahujan Samaj Party had won on 01 seat. The Samajwadi Party, which fought the election for the first time from Dhule had won 03 seats in the 2013 Dhule Municipal Corporation (DMC) elections. A total of 16 Muslims belonging to the NCP, Congress, Samajwadi Party and independents had won in the 2013 Dhule Municipal Corporation election.
source: http://www.ummid.com / Ummid.com / Home> India / ummid.com news network / December 10th, 2018
As Congress comes back to power in Chhattisgarh after fifteen years, one of the most talked about victories in the state elections has come from Kawardha.
Senior Congress leader Mohammad Akbar has won by a huge margin–he was leading by over 51,000 votes as per latest trends.
Akbar will be the sole Muslim MLA in the 90 member Assembly of the tribal-dominated state. He had secured over 1.15 lakh votes while the other candidate, BJP’s Ashok Sahu had secured 64,000 votes.
Congress has swept the state but it is the margin of victory that tells the real story about Akbar, one of the most popular leaders of the state, who strangely is not as much known outside Chhattisgarh.
In fact, this is the biggest win after Amitesh Shukla’s victory over Santosh Upadhyay by a margin of 59,000 votes. Shukla has beaten an earlier record of Ajit Jogi’s victory margin (52,000).
Akbar was a former minister in Congress government (during Ajit Jogi’s tenure).
Though in the last Assembly polls, he had lost, he has won repeatedly from various constituencies across the State.
Though Chhattisgarh doesn’t have a sizable Muslim population–the community is more concentrated in cities and towns, Md Akbar has won from constituencies that had less than 5% Muslims.
In times of polarization, it is no mean achievement. In 1990, he had contested from Raipur rural seat and had lost to Tarun Chatterji, a local strongman and former Mayor of Raipur. Akbar had lost but got nearly 42% votes, even then.
In 1993, he lost from Virendra Nagar constituency but won in the year 1998. The other senior Muslim leader from Chhattisgarh, Badruddin Qureshi, was elected from Bhilai the same year.
Akbar kept getting elected laster also. In 2008, he had won from Pandaria.
Chhattisgarh has a population of over 2.56 crore as per the last Census. There are less than one million Muslims in the state.
In the year 2013, there was no Muslim MLA in Chhattisgarh Assembly. In this election, Akbar will be the sole Muslim legislator. The other Congress leader, Badruddin Qureshi has lost from Vaishalinagar constituency by a margin of around 18,000 votes.
source: http://www.newsd.in / Newsd.in / Home> Assembly Elections 2018> Chattisgarh Election> Politics / by Shams Ur Rehman Alavi / December 12th, 2018
In Rajasthan, there were 16 Muslim candidates fielded by both the Congress and the BJP. Congress fielded 15 whereas BJP fielded 1 candidate.
BJP’s lone candidate Yoonus Khan fielded from Tonk was defeated by Sachin Pilot and among 15 candidates of Congress, 7 tasted the victory but 8 of them lost.
The list of winning Muslim candidates in Rajasthan is as follows:
Danish Abrar won from Sawai Madhopur by 85655 votes
Ameen Khan won from Sheo by 84338 votes
Shaleh Mohammad won from Pokaran by 82964 votes
RAFEEK KHAN won from Aadarsh Nagar by 88541 votes
Zahida Khan won from Kaman by 110789 votes
Hakam Ali Khan won from Fatehpur by 80354 votes
Amin Kagzi won from Kishan pole by 71189 votes
This time Congress fielded nearly same number of Muslim candidates in comparison to the last assembly election, but all of them had faced defeat.
This time the scenario has changed. Whereas, the BJP had given tickets to four Muslim candidates in 2013, two of them had won but this time the lone Muslim candidate Yoonus Khan who was a minister in Vasundhara Raje government lost to Rajasthan Congress chief Sachin Pilot in Tonk.
source: http://www.newsd.in / Newsd.in / Home> India> Election Politics> Rajasthan / by Newsd / December 12th, 2018
Shopian District, South Kashmir, JAMMU & KASHMIR :
Police officers said that the policemen who were killed were guarding a minority picket, meant for security of a few Kashmiri pandit families in Zainapora area of Shopian.
Three policemen were killed by militants in Shopian on Tuesday. (File photo)
Four Jammu and Kashmir policemen were killed in a militant attack on a police picket in South Kashmir’s Shopian district on Tuesday. The attack was the first one by militants in the Valley after they suffered several blows in multiple encounters over the last one month in South Kashmir.
Police officers said that the policemen who were killed were guarding a minority picket, meant for security of a few Kashmiri pandit families in Zainapora area of Shopian. Four weapons belonging to the policemen were also taken by the militants after the attack, officials said. The four policemen have been identified as Abdul Majeed, Mehraj-ud-din,Anees and Hameed-ul-lah.
Majeed was a selection grade constable and a resident of Gandebal district, Mehraj-ud-din was a resident of Bandipora district in North Kashmir, while as Anees and Hameed-ul-lah were residents of Kulgam and Anantnag districts of South Kashmir respectively, officials said.
“We pay rich tributes to our colleagues Abdul Majeed, Mehraj-ud-din, Anees and Hameed-ul-lah who were #martyred in a #terror attack at #Shopian today. Our thoughts and prayers are with the grieving families at this juncture. RIP,” the state police tweeted.
Shopian district has witnessed a spurt in violence in the last one month. Apart from multiple encounters between security forces and militants, over a dozen civilians were abducted from South Kashmir villages by militants and two of them were killed on suspicion of being informers. The state police has recently claimed that they eliminated the top militant leadership in South Kashmir.
About the militant attack on Tuesday, police sources told The Indian Express that a group of militants entered the guard post of the minority picket. The militants fired indiscriminately, killing three policemen on the spot and injuring one. The injured policeman succumbed on way to the hospital, a senior police officer said.
After the attack on Tuesday, militants also posted pictures of the weapons taken by them from the police picket.
Senior state police officers, however, told The Indian Express that they are verifying the pictures that have appeared on social media. A senior police officer in Shopian said that they suspect JeM militants for the attack.
The mainstream political parties in the Valley condemned the killing.
National Conference leader Omar Abdullah said, “State has been at the receiving end with deaths, whether of a civilian, a policeman or a militant, becoming order of the day over the past three decades.”
Former CM Mehbooba Mufti tweeted, “Strongly condemn attack on policemen in Shopian claiming 3 precious lives…. Solidarity with families of jawans .Relieved that no harm caused to any civilians in the minority pocket they guarded.”
source: http://www.indianexpress.com / The Indian Express / Home> India / by Adil Akhzer / Srinagar – December 12th, 2018
Grand design: A view of Fatehpuri Masjid | Photo Credit: V_V_Krishnan
From Haji Begum to Qudsia Begum, there is a a long list of women who contributed to the city’s grandeur
Women who patronised Delhi and converted it into a centre of art and culture, besides making it verdant and floral by laying parks and gardens, can be traced right from the time of Bega Begum or Haji Begum who built the beautiful tomb for her husband in Nizamuddin, which became the model for the Taj Mahal. After her, the daughters of Shah Jahan made it a paradisiacal city (just as Nur Jahan had done so earlier in Lahore and Kashmir). They were followed by Qudsia Begum and in recent times, in a small way though, by Lady Willingdon, Aruna Asaf Ali, Indira Gandhi and Sheila Dixit, among others. From the mid-17th century, the social and cultural fabric of Shahjahanabad has borne the stamp of women as during the Mughal era they acquired considerable wealth and influence. Much of what survives in Shahjahanabad reminds us of them and their contribution, compiled from different sources.
The imperial city was given overall shape under the supervision of Shah Jahan himself. His diktat determined the encircling of the city wall and the two main streets, running north-south and east-west, respectively at their junction of the palace complex (Red Fort) and the congregational Jama Masjid. “Within the limits of this centralised plan, it was mainly individual enterprise that led to the creation of commercial, religious, public spaces and homes.” Among the landmarks of the city were its mosques, three of which were commissioned by the wives of Shah Jahan after the death of Mumtaz Mahal – Akbarabadi, Fatehpuri and Sirhindi masjids named after the three. Akbarabadi Begum of Agra built a grand mosque to the south of Red Fort which was demolished by the British after the Revolt of 1857. Akbarabadi Begum was gifted a garden by Shah Jahan to the north-west of the city which came to be known as Aizzabad or Shalimar Bagh. The Begum then built a sarai within it. It was in this garden that the coronation of Aurangzeb took place on the July 31, 1658, after he had deposed Shah Jahan and also the place where Gen Ochterlony caught a chill that led to his death. Another wife of the emperor, Fatehpuri Begum built a mosque at the western end of the street that led from the Red Fort, which is known after her name. The Sirhindi Masjid, just outside the city wall, was built by the third wife, Sirhindi Begum.
Women of influence
Shah Jahan’s elder daughter, Jahanara commanded great influence and resources. She was well-educated and also had leanings towards Sufism. Jahanara’s wealth enabled her to patronise works of learning, like commentaries on Rumi’s Masnavi and for commissioning architectural projects, in which the pride of place was taken by the moonlight square, Chandni Chowk.
Mughal ladies who continued the tradition of Jahanara and Roshanara were Aurangzeb’s wife, Aurangabadi Begum who built a mosque near the Lahore Gate. The emperor’s two daughters, Zinat-un-Nissa and Zeb-un-Nissa, were also great patrons. Zeb-un-Nissa is the author of poems composed under the alias ‘Makhfi’. A skilled calligraphist, she patronised many writers, poets and learned men and commissioned several important books and tracts. She was buried in the Tees Hazari Bagh, inherited from Jahanara, but her tomb is hard to find.
Her sister Zinat-un-Nissa built a grand mosque beside the Yamuna in 1700 which is called Ghata Masjid now, her tomb, north of the mosque, was demolished in the aftermath of 1857 while the mosque was used as a bakery for British troops.
Story of Sunehri Masjid
Qudsia Begum laid Qudsia Bagh to the north of the city in 1748 whose grand buildings and a mosque were badly damaged during 1857. She also constructed Sunheri masjid near the southern gate of the Red Fort in 1751, whose dome were originally gilt-covered. A noted Shia, she constructed a number of buildings in Jorbagh, at the Dargah of Shah-e-Mardan, the shrine of the footprint of Hazrat Ali. Fakhr-ul-Masjid, near Kashmeri Gate, was built in 1728-29 by Kaniz Fatima in memory of her husband, Shujat Khan, a commander of Aurangzeb’s time who was killed during a military campaign in Kandhar.
Rabia Begum built a palatial house south of the Jama Masjid in the 18th Century. She was the wife of Muhammad Khan Bangash, the Governor of Farukkhabad, Agra and Allahabad. Rabia also commissioned a number of other structures, including Pul Bangash. Some buildings are named after unknown women such as Burhiyas’ (old women’s) mosques, two other anonymous ladies built Mir Afzal’s mosque in the Lal Kuan area in 1806. In fact, there were a large number of mosques and temples built by women at that time. These included three mosques, a Kali temple and several Shiva temples. Mubarak Begum, a dancing girl, built a mosque in Lal Kuan which came to be known as “Randi-ki-Maszid”. But now it is known after her name. She was the chief mistress of Gen Ochterlony. Better known than her and other 18th Century women was Begum Samru, a Kashmiri dancing girl of Chandni Chowk who had married the European military adventurer, Walter Reinhardt ‘Sombre’. His nick name, Sombre, or ‘dark’ was corrupted to Samru. After his death, his begum inherited the estate of Sardhana. She also successfully led military expectations and made astute political alliances.
Zinat Mahal was the wife of Bahadur Shah Zafar who became a powerful influence within the palace, and controlled a good deal of wealth. In 1846, she built a mansion in Lal Kuan Bazar. Her aim was to establish herself in the city, so that when the emperor died, her property and person would not be under the jurisdiction of the new emperor, who might be one of his older sons. So how can one overlook the contribution of women (royal or not) to Delhi’s grandeur?
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> Society> History & Culture / by R.V. Smith / December 10th, 2018
Noted Islamic scholar Maulana Mohammed Asrarul Haq Qasmi, who represented Kishanganj in Lok Sabha passed away today, i.e. on Friday, December 7, 2018 at 3:30 am. He suffered from heart attack. Earlier he was quite well. Yesterday evening he attended a programme at Darul Uloom Suffah founded by him at Kishanganj and addressed students and teachers.
Funeral prayer will be offered after Friday prayers at 3 pm at his home town Tarabari in Kishanganj, Bihar.
Maulana Qasmi is survived by 3 sons and 2 daughters.
He studied Fazil (M.A.) from Darul Uloom, Deoband, Uttar Pradesh.
Maulana set up 163 primary educational institutions and also established Milli girls schools in Kishanganj, Bihar which distributed relief material among the victims of Tsunami and flood in Bihar.
He was the secretary Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind, Member of All India Muslim personal law Board, Vice-President of All India Milli Council, President of All India Talimi wa Milli Foundation. He was also the state president of Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind.
source: http://www.siasat.com / The Siasat Daily / Home> India> News> Top Stories / by Rasia Hashmi / December 07th, 2018
He was a former vice chancellor of Jamia Millia Islamia university and wrote extensively on Partition and the history of Islam in South Asia.
Professor Mushirul Hasan | YouTube screengrab
Historian Mushirul Hasan, a former vice chancellor of Jamia Millia Islamia university and director general of the National Archives of India, died on Monday morning. He was 71.
Academic Jayati Ghosh, who teaches at Jawaharlal Nehru University’s Centre for Economic Studies and Planning, said Hasan had been on dialysis for a number of years and had sustained head injuries in a car accident in 2014. Though he was badly injured, he made remarkable recovery, she added. “He had tremendous spirit but the last few months he had been very ill and was in and out of hospital,” Ghosh told Scroll.in.
Hasan was awarded the Padma Shri in 2007 for his extensive writings on Partition and the history of Islam in South Asia. He served as the pro vice chancellor of Jamia Millia Islamia between 1992 and 1996 and served as vice chancellor from 2004 to 2009.
Ghosh described Hasan as “a very proactive vice chancellor” and credited him with modernising Jamia Millia Islamia. “He also hired a lot of new faculty from varied backgrounds and was able to attract faculty from Delhi University and elsewhere,” she added. “He was anxious to fill the university with good people but faced some resistance and there were court cases. This is the period when Jamia Millia Islamia emerged as a quality institution and not just a minority one.”
Jayati Ghosh@Jayati1609
Prof. Mushirul Hasan, former VC, JMI, & former Director General, National Archives of India, passed away early morning today 10.12.2018. His namaz-e-Janaza shall be performed at 1.00 pm at Babul Ilm & 2.00 pm at Jamia Mosque and burial shall take place in Jamia graveyard.
Historian Syed Irfan Habib said Hasan was one of the most prolific historians of modern Indian history. “Saw him decline gradually over the past few years after the terrible accident,” he tweeted.
Ghosh said prayers for Hasan will be performed on Monday afternoon and he will be buried at the Jamia graveyard.
S lrfan Habib
✔@irfhabib
Extremely sad news. One of the most prolific historians of modern Indian history. Saw him decline gradually over the past few years after the terrible accident. RIP Mushir bhai.
atiya zaidi@atiyaz
Tragic news
Prof Mushirul Hasan has passed on.
His years of suffering has come to an end. Alwida Mushir Sb.
May you rest in peace
source: http://www.scroll.in / Scroll.in / Home> The Latest> Passing On / December 10th, 2018
![[AIMIM MLA Imtyaz Jaleel addressing an election rally in Dhule. (Photo: @imtiaz_jaleel)]](http://www.mpositive.in/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/ImtyazJaleemMPOs12dec2018.jpg)
