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The future of specialty coffee in India looks bright with Rasulpur Coffee Estates

Agriculture (since June 07th, 2021), Amazing Feats, Business & Economy, Inventions, Innovations (wef. Nov 30th, 2021), Karnataka (under research project), Women/Girls(since May26-2021), ,

Rasulpur (Kodagu District), KARNATAKA :

In my previous article, I featured an Ethiopian coffee export company who ran her business based on trust. This is factored in two ways; dealing with her farmers and clientele. In this day and age, we can learn a thing or two by understanding the wisdom behind why some people do the things they do, treading a harder path and not resort to shortcuts. They are in it for the long term, not focused on the short term gains. I have nothing but high regard for individuals like Medina.

Continuing a similar conversation, I have been focusing on what exactly is happening at the farm level by getting in touch with the producer directly. In this article, I talk to the owner of a coffee estate farm based in India. Sumaira gives us an insight about how her family’s coffee estate started in the late 18th century, processing techniques employed on her farm, the specialty coffee movement in India, and much more.

source: Rasulpur Coffee Estates

Can you tell me a bit about yourself and Rasulpur Coffee Estates?

I am Sumaira, the owner of Rasulpur Coffee Estates & Roasters . We are located in the Rasulpur village, Coorg district, in the hot spots of the Western Ghats, India. My entrepreneurship journey has had its shares of ups and downs. I took up a career as an interior designer and worked as a business head for a furniture empire in India. Later on, I moved to the UAE and explored the real estate industry and the coffee sector. I envisioned starting up something of my own, being from a family of coffee planters and having the self-confidence and determination to start my own business. Something clicked the moment I realized how the coffee industry is growing day-by-day.

To add, I am a fifth generation coffee planter who introduced specialty coffee at our estate. We introduced better equipments and techniques, and new processing and fermentation methods which I’ll get into a little later. A laboratory is set up for roasting and cupping to create different roast profiles and new blends at our estate. We believe in helping and encouraging our coffee community, especially the neighboring small and marginal coffee growers to analyze their coffees, and improve their harvesting and processing methods to fetch a better price for their coffee.

The journey of Rasulpur Coffee Estates started in the late 18th century when our ancestors migrated to the Western Ghats of India i.e. Coorg at the time of the British rule, as their main occupation was trading in coffee and spices. They travelled to different parts of Coorg, as they developed a liking towards coffee estates and the greenery, purchased plenty of estates, learnt the methods of coffee cultivation, and started exporting coffee to foreign countries. England was one of the major countries to which coffee was exported to from our estates in that period with the help of the Coffee Board.

We named the estate and brand ‘Rasulpur Coffee’ after the village, Rasulpur, which is on the banks of the Kaveri river in Kodagu district is named after Mr. Rasul Khan, our first generation planter. He cleared the land, started cultivation, built dams for irrigation, made the place livable and initiated agricultural works. Looking at his abilities and progress, the government named this village after him.

In time, our second, third and fourth generation planters purchased more coffee plantations and improved the methods of cultivation, processing, and introduced pulping and irrigation. An R&D team was also set up and a variety of experiments are conducted to this day. The goal here is to enhance the quality of the crops, and advance the processing and post harvesting methods. Our coffee is featured in auctions, supplied for projects, sold locally and exported to wholesalers, cafes, and restaurants. We also ferment micro lots as per requirements from our roasters and young entrepreneurs who are venturing into the coffee industry.

What kind of processing is done on the farm?

Processing on our farm is done in three different ways along with few specialty processing methods, all of which change the sweetness, body and acidity of brewed coffee. These are natural/sun dried, washed, and honey processed.

  • Natural/sun dried process. A natural processed coffee, also referred to as dry processed, is a traditional yet common way to process coffee today. Originating in Ethiopia, it involves drying out freshly picked coffee cherries with the seed still inside. To do this, we place the cherries on drying beds in the sun. These beds are either patios or raised drying tables. The cherries have to be rotated and turned to prevent mold, and takes about seven to eight days to ferment. During this time, the sugars and mucilage (the sticky substance that coats the seed) will latch onto the seeds, develop flavours and make them sweeter. Once the coffee is dry, a machine separates the pulp from the seed. Natural coffees are heavy bodied, and have deep, complex tasting notes. This development comes from the way the cherry ferments differently. Natural processed coffees can be difficult to replicate because of the inconsistencies in fermentation. However when done right, these coffees can also be some of the sweetest you’ll taste. It is juicy, syrupy and well worth the extra effort.
  • Washed process. Unlike natural, washed processed coffees are called the opposite, i.e. wet processed. In this scenario, machines called pulpers remove the seeds from the cherries before drying them. However, it is not just any cherry that gets the seed removal treatment. These cherries must have the perfect amount of ripeness to make sure they are sweet enough. To accomplish this, they go through a sorter and are segregated according to density. Once these pulpers remove the skin and pulp from the seeds, they are placed in tanks full of water. The water separates the rest of the mucilage and fruit caked onto the seed. Finally, the seeds are dried on the beds in the sun. Washed processed coffees have cleaner, and more crisp tasting notes when compared to natural processed coffees. The body of a brewed washed coffee is lighter. There is typically more brightness as well, because of a cleaner acidity that balances out the sweetness of the coffee. They are just as fruity as natural coffees, but the flavor notes are easier to differentiate.
  • Honey processed. This method is a combination of both natural and washed. It is a rare and demanding method, and not as commonly practiced as the previous two. However, it produces a unique cup of coffee, with flavours similar to both of the previously described processing methods. During honey processing, a pulper removes the seed from the cherry before it undergoes a drying process. However, it does not go into washing tank to remove the mucilage. That mucilage, which is what the ‘honey’ refers to stays on the seed and is now dried in the sun. The amount of mucilage left behind determines the sweetness, and there are even machines to control the amount on the seed. Like natural process, the seeds are dried on beds. The flavor components of honey coffees are varied and complex. Like washed coffees, they have lighter body and are very syrupy and sweet. Acidity is present but more mellow when compared to washed coffees.
  • Specialty processing. This is an emerging field and we use unique methods like anaerobic, aerobic, natural fermented, and fruit fermented to name a few. We ferment our coffee in a temperature controlled environment, with or without oxygen, followed by controlled drying to bring out unique and funky flavors out of the coffee.

source: Rasulpur Coffee Estates

What is the current state of the specialty coffee industry in India?

The coffee culture in India has evolved over the past decades. The nostalgia-inducing coffee houses were popular meeting grounds until the 1980’s. In the 90’s, cafe culture took over the country and coffee became the trendy drink to try.

Cafes are becoming the primary hangouts for youngsters and coffee found an emerging and appreciative audience. In the past two decades, we have seen a surge of cafes all over the country. They have materialized as a central hub for meeting, whether casual or business, and also doubling up as co-working spaces.

The 2020 pandemic impacted the industry In multiple ways and its effects were manifold. Logistics of coffee exports are pretty bad even today. Traditional coffee plantation owners who supply heavily within India and export to Europe are left with excess stock of coffee that could no longer be shipped to international markets.

Coming to the Indian coffee space, in recent years, the spotlight is on specialty coffee. This movement is picking up speed with many brands and roasters setting up shop. Analysis gives us a deeper understanding on how speciality coffee has emerged as the current buzzword in coffee circles. Current generation and millennials have emerged as the major chunk of consumers of specialty coffee within India.

Increased awareness and interest about coffee augmented by growing exposure to worldwide trends due to rising international travel and social media saw many of them exploring specialty coffee and manual brewing techniques. Lockdowns put a halt to the possibility of exploring cafes and thus many coffee consumers in the country turned to home brewing.

Many retail specialty coffee brands saw skyrocketing sales in 2020 as consumers invested in manual brewing equipment ranging from French Press, Moka Pots, Chemex and Aeropress. The new generation of coffee consumers respect the people behind the product, want to better understand the ‘farm to cup’ journey and are willing to invest in educating themselves on all nuances of coffee.

A few years back, this was largely unheard of. Farmers were just one aspect of the coffee supply chain, but hardly ever found the spotlight on them. Now plantation owners are keen on sharing their stories and experiences, information on their crops and the work they put in to make that perfect cup of coffee.

One can safely say that specialty coffee will not just be a passing trend, but en route to becoming one of the mainstays of the Indian coffee space in the coming decade.

I think there is a lack of communication between the consumers and farmers. I know some of the consumers, including me, have started to pay attention to where exactly the coffee is coming and from which farm. What do you think can be done to fill this gap?

The missing ingredient is awareness. People need to be educated about Indian coffee. The new-generation farmers need to collaborate with the Coffee Board of India and conduct events to promote coffees originating from India within the country and internationally.

Joint efforts need to be made by all coffee enthusiasts to encourage the consumption of coffee by making people understand the benefits of drinking coffee. The government has to support and help promote farmers to come forward and establish their own brands.

Being honest and transparent ensures the consumers and clients knows about the past, present and the way you are going to build a future. Bringing credibility to the table builds trust factor for the brand with the consumers.

I know some of the issues the farmers are facing currently are the increasing production costs, what steps are you employing to change that? Have you increased the price of your coffee to reflect that?

Whether we like it or not, coffee is getting more expensive. It’s important to look at some of the reasons why this is happening, before you potentially do one of the following:

  • Buy less sustainable and ethical coffee because it’s cheaper or
  • Lay blame on the wrong people for higher prices.

There are many factors influencing the cost of coffee from climate change, disruptions to global shipping, consumer demand, and packaging cost. While the need to use more environmentally-friendly packaging for coffee cups and bags is real, so too is the cost for shops switching to compostable or recyclable materials. We have also witnessed fluctuating shortages of packaging stock forcing some companies to find more costly short term solutions to packaging which comes at a higher cost.

Lastly, coming to the cost of quality, producing coffee of higher quality simply costs more. Coffee must be cared, harvesting and processing is hard work. It requires time and physical effort if you want to achieve the highest quality standards. You can’t have it both ways.

source: Rasulpur Coffee Estates

What are your thoughts on transparency? Has it benefitted you in any way?

Yes, by ten-fold. Transparency has improved our overall trust factor in this industry. It solves many problems and even stops disasters before they happen. It expands relationships, increases productivity, strengthens innovation, and improved our revenue.

What is the future of specialty coffee?

By far, the most interesting and exciting coffee segment of the moment is specialty coffee. It is rapidly expanding in India and across the globe as consumers continue to seek out the best cup of coffee to enjoy.

When it comes to coffee quality, specialty coffee is the ‘cream of the crop’ and is likened to fine wines due to its distinctive characteristics and delicious flavour that can only be achieved under certain growing conditions.

In today’s market, specialty coffee has become an intricate science and a global phenomenon that is seeing rapid growth across all sectors. More estates are coming into this specialty game, that will give ‘Indian specialty coffee a lot of mileage.’

What do you do in terms of R&D on Rasulpur Estate

We are currently doing research on developing a hybrid plant which is resistant to white stem borer and leaf rust. These are the two biggest pests and diseases faced by all Arabica growers throughout the world. International Coffee Organization (ICO) is working with different countries to find a solution for this.

This R&D program has been ongoing for the past four years on a 40 year old, 30 ft tall, Arabica plant labelled by us as Rasulpur Arabica. So far, the results look promising and it is resistant to these diseases. We have propagated progenies of this plant by clonal cutting, seed and tissue culture, and cross-bred this plant with other varieties of Arabica.

source: Rasulpur Coffee Estates

About Rasulpur Coffee Estate

Rasulpur Coffee Estates & Roasters is based out of Rasulpur village in Coorg district in the hot spots of the Western Ghats, India. The Estate is run by Syeda Sumaira, a fifth generation coffee planter and entrepreneur.

Fun fact: Coffee farms are the best place to get first hand knowledge about the beverage, how it is grown, harvested and processed. Rasulpur Coffee Estates organizes coffee tours, get in touch with them to find out more.

source: http://www.fltrmagazine.com / FLTR / Home> Insight> People / by Naveed Syed / August 11th, 2022

Carrom world champion gets Rs 1 cr from Tamil Nadu government

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Chennai, TAMIL NADU :

Khazima practised 12 hours daily for months to prepare for the championship.

Deputy CM Udhayanidhi Stalin awarding Rs1 crore cash to M Khazima (Photo | Express)

Chennai :

Three TN women dominated the Women’s Carrom World Championship. M Khazima (18), the youngest world champion, who competed in doubles and team events, received Rs 1 crore from the state government. Mithra (17) and Nagajothi (26), who won the doubles and team events, received Rs 50 lakh each from Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin in a felicitation conducted by Sports Development Authority of Tamil Nadu (SDAT).

Khazima practised 12 hours daily for months to prepare for the championship. Mehaboob Basha (her father), an autorickshaw driver, runs the Cherian Nagar Carrom Coaching Club with 45 members. “This is a huge recognition,” Khazima said.

“My brother, Abdul Rahman (26), a Junior National Champion, quit playing due to our financial condition. We live in a rented house, and my father’s club is also in a rented space.” She added that the government has promised to improve the club and revealed that she plans to buy a house with the money.

Mithra’s father also drives an autorickshaw. She learned carrom when she was in Class 5. She said her father bought her a carrom board since none of the people playing carrom in her compound included her. She expressed her dream of buying a house and supporting other players.

Nagajothi was part of the winning team in the Asian Cup. She works as an Income Tax Inspector, selected through the sports quota.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Tamil Nadu / by Subhashini Vijayakumar / December 19th, 2024

World Cup carrom champions return from USA

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Chennai, TAMIL NADU :

Indian carrom team returns triumphant from World Cup in San Francisco, with Rashmi Kumari praising champions Srinivas and Khazima.

Some members of the World Cup-winning Indian carrom team on return in Delhi on Wednesday (November 21, 2024). From left, K Nagajothi, M Khazima, V Mithra, VD Narayan, Bharti Narayan, Rashmi Kumari, K Srinivas, and Aakanksha Kadam. | Photo Credit: Kamesh Srinivasan

It was a happy homecoming for the champion Indian carrom team from the World Cup in San Francisco, USA, on Wednesday (November 20, 2024).

Even though it was K. Srinivas and M. Khazima who won the individual men’s and women’s titles in a thrilling fashion, it was the World Champion Rashmi Kumari who was singing their praise, appreciating their high-quality game, in a chat with The Hindu.

The evergreen women’s champion Rashmi, who has won the national title 12 times, apart from three World titles, expressed admiration for Srinivas finishing brilliantly with a white slam, to emerge champion after trailing 16-20.

“It was a great finish,” said Rashmi.

On his part, Srinivas said that Mohd. Arif had executed nine slams through the World Cup with his brilliant play, and that he derived great satisfaction in winning in such great style with a slam, not giving the opponent any chance.

The 17-year-old Khazima, a first year student of Justice Basheer Ahmed Sayeed College in Chennai, had won a thriller 25-23, 22-25, 25-24 agaiinst Rashmi in the final for the women’s crown.

“I have great respect for Rashmi. I practised 12 hours a day to prepare for this World Cup. My father Mehboob Basha and former World Champion Maria Irudayam have guided me”, said Khazima, who won the doubles title with V. Mithra.

For one so young, Khazima was quite unselfish and was thinking more about improving the structure of the Chennai Nagar Carrom Coaching centre as and when she gets to meet the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister.

The small structure that gets flooded during the rains, has already produced many national champions, including Khazima’s brother.

It was a triple crown for both Srinivas and Khazima, as they not only won the singles but also the doubles and the team championships. Srinivas won the doubles title with Mohd. Arif.

The secretary of the All India Carrom Federation (AICF), Bharti Narayan, was delighted with the high quality performance of the Indian players, in sweeping every possible medal except one.

“Preeti Jakhotia of the USA played a superb game right through and beat two of our players, V Mithra in the third place match and K Nagajothi in the quarterfinals”, said Bharti.

The secretary general of the International carrom federation, VD Narayan said that the standard of the game was going up globally, and that the USA had done a great job of hosting the World Cup, acquiring 80 boards from India, and changing the frame to blue for a more impressive screen presence.

“We are planning to have the Asian championship every year, like the way Europeans conduct their championship. We have many plans to develop the game”, said Narayan.

“Khazima played a very aggressive game, pulling off many impressive shots. The loss in the final gives me the motivation to train better in the next four years,”, said Rashmi.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> Sport / by Kamesh Srinivasan / November 21st, 2024

National Athletics Championship Silver Medalist Ayesha Khan Felicitated in Kota

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Kota, RAJASTHAN :

Kota:

The Kota Railway Station witnessed a jubilant scene as city residents came together to honour Ayesha Khan, a local athlete who recently clinched a silver medal in the 200-meter race at the 39th National Junior Athletics Championship.

Adorned with flower garlands, Ayesha was welcomed like a star and paraded through the city in an open jeep from the railway station to the cantonment area.

The streets came alive as large crowds gathered along the procession route, which passed through Nayapura and Kotri before concluding at Ayesha’s home. The grand celebration symbolised the unity and pride of Kota’s people in nurturing and supporting exceptional talent.

The event drew dignitaries and prominent figures, including Farooq Rana, National Secretary of Pehal Foundation, former District Sports Officer Abdul Aziz, Councilor Salina Sherry, and social worker Wazid Mansuri, among others, underscoring the community’s commitment to fostering and celebrating athletic achievement.

Ayesha’s victory carries a story of resilience and determination. A resident of Chhawni, she fulfilled the dream of her late father, Abdul Rahim, by winning the silver medal. Her father, who ran a tire repair shop on the Kota-Baran highway, aspired to see his children excel as national-level athletes. Tragically, he passed away on November 27 in a tire burst accident while at work.

Amid this heart-breaking loss, Ayesha displayed remarkable strength, persevering in her training and competition with the unwavering support of her family and community.

In the wake of her father’s sudden death, Ayesha’s family faced emotional and financial hardships. However, the Kota community stepped in, offering both moral and financial assistance to help them navigate this challenging time.

Competing in both the 100-meter and 200-meter races, Ayesha secured the silver medal in the 200 meters. Her achievement not only honours her father’s memory but also inspires countless others by proving that courage and determination can overcome even the greatest challenges.

source: http://www.radiancenews.com / Radiance News / Home> News> Sports / by Raheem Khan, Radiance News Bureau (headline edited) / December 16th, 2024

AMU Professor Dr Nishat Afroz gets International Award as ‘Distinguished Researcher in Histopatholgy’ for Research and Innovation in Medical Sciences

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Aligarh, UTTAR PRADESH :

Dr Nishat Afroz receives the international award for research and innovation in medical sciences

Aligarh:

Dr Nishat Afroz, Professor, Department of Pathology, JN Medical College, Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) has been honoured with the award of “Distinguished Researcher in Histopathology” for her contribution and achievement in the discipline of Health and Medical Sciences by the Venus International Foundation.

The award was bestowed upon her at the 10th Annual Research Meet – ARM 2024 on the theme “Diverse Approach to Address Societal Challenges and Deliver Novel Solutions”, organised by the Centre for Research and Innovation – Venus International Foundation at Chennai.

Earlier, Dr Nishat Afroz attended the Pathology Conferences at Subharti Medical College Meerut, Narayana hospital & RN Tagore Medical College, Kolkata and SMS Medical College, Jaipur as guest speaker and workshop convener.

source: http://www.radiancenews.com / Radiance News / Home> Pride of the Nation. Awards> Focus / by Radiance News Bureau / December 12th, 2024

Khan Bahadur Khan & Battle at Bareilly

Amazing Feats, First War of Independence 1857 / Naval Mutiny 1946 / Others PreIndependece (wef. July 27th, 2022), Freedom Fighters (under research project), Leaders, Martyrs of the Nation, Uniquely Indian - Inter Faith (wef. February 08th, 2023), , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Bareilly, UTTAR PRADESH :

One of the most significant features of the rebellion of 1857-58 was that many scions of the former ruling houses took part in it. One such man was Khan Bahadur Khan (1860), a descendent of Hafiz Rehmat Khan (d. 1774). In this very blog of the Independence Week series, we will be throwing some light on Khan Bahadur Khan and his rebellion. How almost an eighty year old man kept the torch of rebellion against the Company in Bareilly burning.

Source: https://images.app.goo.gl/kLJF62BfAdgBSyRu5

Very little is known about the early life of Khan Bahadur Khan. It seems that having acquired traditional education in Arabic and Persian and Islamic learning; he joined the Company’s service, rising to the position of Sadar Amin (arbitrator or a native civil judge).

Upon retirement he continued to live at Bareilly where he enjoyed considerable status as grandson of the widely venerated Ruhela chief, Hafiz Rahmat Khan. In 1857 when the rebellion began, Khan Bahadur Khan was well over 82 years of age. During the rebellion, Bareilly became one of the important centers of the rebels under Khan Bahadur Khan’s leadership. In course of time, many rebel leaders came to Khan with a view to continue the struggle against the Company’s Government. A communal harmony was maintained in Bareilly despite the constant efforts of the Company to ignite the flame of hatred amongst the people through Bribery and inciting the Rajputs against Khan. This maintenance of harmony amongst the different classes of people in Bareilly is considered one of the major achievements of Khan despite the constant attack by the Company.


The old farmers of the region were affected badly because of the forceful sale of their lands by the British to suit a “capitalist” concept of property. This constant suppression led the uprising of 1816 when the company imposed the Chowkidari taxes. This uprising was soon crushed but it had led to a widespread range and discontent and people from all other regions came to Bareilly to join the uprising. The Rebellion of Bareilly was not just a religious war against the Company, it was due to the bitterness of those who had lost their lands and the anxiety of those who would be forced to lose them.


The rumors of trouble had started circulating in the region a couple of months before the actual revolt took place. The 18th Infantry Regiments and the 8th Irregular Cavalry were stationed at Bareilly. Of these the 8th Irregular Cavalry consisted almost entirely of Pathans. No European troops were stationed at Bareilly. The artillery branch which had in its ranks, as a subedar, Bakhat Khan, a disciple of Moulvi Sarfaraz Ali, the latter took a leading part in the Rebellion of 1857 and brought numerous Ulema of Delhi to call the struggle against the British as Jihad (holy war). It seems that the rebel sepoys were keen to raise Khan Bahadur Khan the Nawab of Bareilly as their leader but in the beginning he did not respond favourably to their overtures.

Ultimately on May 31, 1857. i.e. twenty-one days after the outbreak of the revolt in Meerut, Bareilly joined the rebellion. On 1 June under the guidance of Bakht Khan, concerted efforts were made by the rebels to persuade Khan Bahadur Khan to assume leadership. How Khan came to be persuaded by the rebels is evident from his own letter to the Governor General dated 14th February 1860 where he states that upon the deterioration in law and order, a deputation of the citizens of Bareilly headed by Syed Miyan Jan, Syed Faizullah, Miran Khan from Nau Mahla Mohalla, accompanied by several other persons and traders of the city approached him to take step to restore order. Syed Miran Jan at last prevailed upon him to move out of his residence.


Khan, now assuming leadership visited the city to restore order once again. He held a Darbar were prominent Hindu and Muslims were present. Like other rebel leaders, Khan Bahadur Khan also issued a proclamation addressed to all the Rajas and others, appealing to their zeal in defending religion. The main thrust of his proclamation was that the Indians’ religions (Hinduism and Islam) were in danger owing to the Company’s pro-Christian policy and attempts at Christianizing Indians. The proclamation also criticized some of the progressive measures taken by the Company’s Government such as the prohibition of Sati and widow- remarriage. The Bareilly proclamation was clearly an attempt to win the support of the Rajputs, a social group which practiced Sati and adoption, and so resented their suppression. The Bareilly proclamation also added that the Muslim leaders had to ban cow slaughter — a step considered of vital importance to maintain communal harmony. This was specially so when the majority of the rebel sepoys consisted of Hindus.


Khan Bahadur Khan was so keen to raise an efficient army that he did not burden the Rebel treasury with the pensions he had been receiving earlier from the Company.


The end of March 1858, Bareilly remained in the able control of Khan Bahadur. Despite a clear state resolution, the British policy, just to incite a division of the rebels assumed a new proportion on the cow slaughter issue. This time some Muslims mongers became active and insisted on slaughter on public places which was unacceptable to the Hindu sepoys. This led Khan hold a meeting of both the prominent Hindus and Muslims. It was attended by 12 Hindus and 20 Muslims. It was a tense atmosphere for obvious reasons and an axious and sad Khan Bahadur intervened saying “O Allah, why is so? Why is there so many squabble and blood-shed among the brothers, Hindus and Musalmans? The Hindus are my right hand and my right ear, because of their support and strength; I am able to sit on this seat. From today I declare that if any Muslim oppresses any Hindu or kills a cow at a forbidden place, he would be punished severely. Hindus and Muslims are the same. This ought to be the slogan of the two communities from this day”. In order to further strengthen the communal harmony, Muhammad flags by Hindus and Mahabiri flags by Muslims were hoisted in Bareilly and people were requested to gather under the respective flags to unite against the British. Khan himself visited different parts of the city to unite people and raised the slogans “Hindu and Muslims are one”, “Ram and Rahim are one”, and the people pledged to oust the British from this country.


One of the reasons for the long duration of the rebel regime at Bareilly was the British pre-occupation with the rebellion at other places. During this period Bareilly became a refuge for rebel leaders from far and near.


The movements of the rebel to and from Bareilly were very closely monitored by the British. The rebels lacked an efficient system of communication and the British on the other hand started communicating with Delhi, Agra, Nainital and Ambala and couriers with areas where they had no complete control. The rebels were fully aware of the danger that they had from the British Army and they made elaborate arrangements for guarding various ferry crossings. They also attempted to dislodge the Company officials from Nainital and other places, capturing Haldwani and Bhamauri (October 1857), and then Bundia on the high road between Haldwani and Bareilly. Their advance was checked by Colonel Mclausland at Baheri. The reverse was enough to persuade Khan Bahadur Khan to change the strategy. He instructed the rebel forces: “Don’t attempt to meet the regular column of the infidels, because they are superior to you in discipline and bandubast. and have big guns, but watch their movements. guard all the ghauts on the rivers, intercept their communication, stop their supplies, cut up their daks and posts, and keep constantly hanging about their camps; give them no rest”.

Though the company’s attempt to put the Rajputs against Khan in Bareilly had failed, they had succeeded in pitting the Rajputs of Dhatiganj in Bafaun against Khan, and Khan on the other hand had to take care of the Shia’s and the Sunni’s at this juncture.

The British in Bareilly had caused an explosion with the help of their agents on 24th March 1858, killing 63 people. At the same time, the strength of the rebels were fast deteriorating due to the constant pressing forward of the company forces. They had recovered areas around Bareilly by the company troops, and the rebels were surrounded from all the sides. The company troops led by Brigadier General Jones surrounded Bareilly on 6th May. Khan Bahadur Khan had no option but to fight a pitched battle. He divided his troops into two lines. The first line was supported by the artillery commanding the bridge. The second comprising the Ghazis, defended the suburbs of the city. The British forces speedily broke the first line. They, however, had to face stiff resistance from the second line which displayed remarkable courage and determination against the enemy’s trained and organized forces. They resisted with such energy and boldness that Sir Colin Campbell was taken by surprise. To quote Russell “…a lot of Gazees got in pass the left of their right wing, attacked Walpole and Cameron, and wounded them……Sir Colin (Campbell) had a narrow escape… The Gazees were fine fellows, grizzly bearded elderly men for the most part, with green turbans and cummerbunds, and every one of them had a silver signet-ring, a long text of Koran engraved on it. They came on with their heads down below their shields, and their tulwars flashing as they whirled them over their heads, shouting, Deen! Deen! And dancing like mad men (6 May 1858)”. Sheer chivalry was, however, futile. The rebels lost the battle. Bareilly was occupied by the British forces on 7 May 1858.

“Conflict with the Ghazees before Bareilly, scence from the Indian Mutiny. Engraving from 1858, Engraver Unkown Photo by D Walker” / Source : https://www.istockphoto.com/vector/battle-at-bareilly-gm172740161-5022003

Having lost the battle, Khan Bahadur Khan took to flight. At this critical moment, the Kurmis around Bareilly provided shelter to the fugitives. From Bareilly, Khan Bahadur Khan moved towards Shahjahanpur with the intention of joining Ahmadullah Shah. Khan kept on moving and attacked the out skirts of Shahjahanpur on 12 June driving in all the pickets posted there.

He, however, could not join Ahmadullah Shah as the latter was treacherously killed by the Raja of Pawayan on 15th June. Ahmadullah Shah’s death left Khan Bahadur Khan alone. The British forces were at their heels. He took shelter in the Terai forest bordering Nepal. He wandered from place to place until Rana Jung Bahadur captured him, in December 1859, near Butwal. For some time he remained a prisoner of the Rana. Subsequently he was brought to Bareilly and confined in the Bareilly fort. He was charged with rebellion and inciting others to rebel and tried by a special Commission of enquiry. He was sentenced to death. He was hanged and laid to rest at the Bareilly Jail on 24 March 1860.

Reference/s :

Bareilly in 1857, Indian History Congress

source: http://www.sanelywritten.com / Sanely Written / Home> Freedom Fighters / by Sanely Written / August 10th, 2020

Khan Bahadur Abdul Karim Babukhan: A prominent aristocrat of par excellence

Amazing Feats, Business & Economy, Community Involvement / Social Issues, Education, Leaders, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Hyderabad, TELANGANA :

In year 1945, he was conferred with the title of “Khan Bahadur” by British Viceroy

Hyderabad: 

In the 1920s after his father’s demise, Khan Bahadur Abdul Karim Babukhan took over the construction business and in later years attained remarkable credentials for his contribution towards the infrastructure and industrial development in the growth of erstwhile “Hyderabad State” during the rule of 7th Asaf Jah, Nizam Of Hyderabad, Mir Osman Ali Khan Bahadur.

He established “Hyderabad Construction Company” in the early 1930s under which, many architectural and engineering wonders were constructed under the rule and order of Nizam of Hyderabad as listed under.

  • Arts College – Osmania University, Hyderabad.
  • Hyderabad House – Nizam’s Palace, Delhi.
  • Gandhi Bhavan – Hyderabad, was his private property, later gifted to the Congress party for its headquarters.
  • Soan Bridge – Across the River Godavari , Adilabad.
  • Kadam Dam – Adilabad.
  • Tungabhadra Dam – Substantial part of it, presently in Karnataka State.
  • Ramagundam Power Station – First phase, Karimnagar.

A file photo of the Arts College building, which is considered to be the face of Osmania University.

Hyderabad House [Twitter]

Industries attributed and promoted by him

  • Nizam Sugar Factory – Nizamabad (He held a large portion of shareholding in it).
  • Sir Silk Mills
  • Sirpur Paper Mill
  • Hyderabad Vanaspati
  • Hyderabad Vegetable Oil Mill
  • Singerini collieries , etc.

In the year 1930, he was conferred with the title of “Khan Sahib” by British Viceroy “Lord Irwin” on behalf of King George V of England.

In the year 1930, he was conferred with the title of “KHAN SAHIB” by British Viceroy “Lord Irwin” on behalf of KING GEORGE THE V of England.

In the year 1945, he was conferred with the title of “KHAN BAHADUR” by British Viceroy “Viscount Wavell” on behalf of KING GEORGE THE VI of England.

“Khan Bahadur” title holds a higher rank and position and had superseded the earlier one “Khan Sahib”. It’s very rare to confer two titles to the same person.

Both titles were conferred for his recognition towards CIvil/Public services.

He attained high regard and respect, and maintained close relationships with prominent dignitaries, nobles, members of royal families, politicians, and businessmen.

He was appointed as Honorary Special Magistrate, Secunderabad.
He was appointed as a Member of the Governer’s Staff as Oregon’s Ambassador to Hyderabad.

source: http://www.siasat.com / The Siasat Daily / Home> News> Hyderabad / by Guest Contributor, posted by Sameer Khan / September 11th, 2022

Way in the world: how Muslim women travelled from 17th-20th centuries

Amazing Feats, Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Books (incl.Biographies - w.e.f.01 jan 2018 ), Women/Girls(since May26-2021), , , , , , , , ,

INDIA :

In 45 essays, three editors gather multiple travel accounts by Muslim women who, alone or chaperoned, veiled or unveiled, travelling for work or pleasure, bust every stereotype. Apart from records of the new and the unexpected, there are also observations about all aspects of life, including religious and social practices.

For representative purposes. | Photo Credit: AFP

I began reading Three Centuries of Travel Writing by Muslim Women (Zubaan Books) chronologically, hoping rather ambitiously to read it from cover to cover, one essay at a time. That was a mistake, I think. The book is better served, and savoured, if the reader were to dip into it in no particular order. Each essay is so precisely contextualised by the immaculate ‘Introduction’ prefacing each entry and followed by ‘Further Reading and ‘Notes’ that even a casual reader can dip into this richly documented, beautifully translated volume of disparate writings and partake of the spirit behind it.

For the more serious reader/researcher, there is of course the scholarly introduction by Siobhan Lambert-Hurley and Daniel Majchrowicz who edited the book (along with Sunil Sharma). They write: “On the face of it, the premise of this volume is simple: a comparative study of travel narratives by Muslim women who travelled the world before the ‘jet age’ transformed modern mobility. Yet in our contemporary moment, the very juxtaposition of these terms — Muslim, women, travel mobility — instantly raises a number of questions.”

Colonialism, gender, travel, religion, money come together in unexpected ways throughout this book. What is more, these accounts by educated and “privileged” Muslim women also contain descriptions — sometimes empathetic, occasionally derisive — of other Muslim women they meet during their travels who are poor and disadvantaged and, being illiterate, could not have recorded their experiences or left written records of their lives. So, apart from records of the new and the unexpected, there are also observations about the different practices of child-rearing, food, cooking habits, dress, religious and social practices.

Multiple voices

These first-hand accounts, originally written in Urdu, Persian, Arabic, Turkish, Chaghtaai Turki, Punjabi, Bengali, Indonesian, German and English, span the 17th to 20th centuries thus presenting an array of experiences and impressions. Written variously as conventional travelogues (Halide Edib, Zainab Cobbold), excerpts from autobiographies (Salamah Bint Said/Emily Ruete, Huda Shaarawi), diary entries (Muhammadi Begum, Begum Hasrat Mohani), written for limited circulation as magazine articles (Rokeya Sakhawat Hossain, Shams Pahlavi), recorded for family and friends (Begum Sarbuland Jung, Ummat al-Ghani Nur al-Nisa), or with a pronounced political overtone (Suharti Suwarto, Melek Hanim) quite naturally, therefore, present different voices and concerns. Chatty, informal, informed when the writing is for herself or her family members; or formal, structured, detailed, sometimes even didactic when she knows what she is writing is meant for public consumption.

Travel as life

There are 45 accounts in all, grouped under four headings: Travel as Pilgrimage, Travel as Emancipation and Politics, Travel as Education, and Travel as Obligation and Pleasure. While large numbers of Indian women have written haj accounts, there is only one Indian in the second section, Shareefah Hamid Ali, who represented India at the United Nations and travelled by air. Several Indian Muslim women chose to travel for education, sometimes their own, or their husband’s or sons’. There is Mehr-al-Nisa from Hyderabad who joined her doctor husband in Ohio to train as an x-ray nurse, and Zaib-un-Nisa from Karachi writing an account of her 60 days in America as a member of the U.S. Department of State-sponsored Foreign Leader Exchange Programme where she crosses the breadth of the United States in a hired car with her husband.

Safia Jabir Ali, daughter of the esteemed Tyabji clan, married Jabir Ali who travelled extensively for business from their home in Burma to Europe.

Her memoir, written in Urdu, is brimful with an easy confidence: “I had to travel by myself from Bombay to Marseilles, and that was the first time I had occasion to depend entirely on myself and spend more than three weeks among entire strangers. However, as probably some of you know by experience, on board the steamer, one gets to know people very soon. I was lucky in being able to travel on the Loyalty, the steamer of an Indian company where there were a good many Indian passengers, and some of us soon became great friends.”

Connecting the dots

The last part, ‘Travel as Obligation and Pleasure’, has by far the most interesting experiences: Mughal Princess Jahanara’s mystical meeting in Kashmir; Salamah Bint Said, a princess of Zanzibar, who flees her home to unite with her German lover in Hamburg, converts to Christianity and takes the name Emily Ruete; and Rokeya Sakhawat Hossain’s pleasure trip to the Himalayas, among others.

While most women travelled with a male (husband, father, son, brother), some travelled alone: “Safia Jabir Ali travelled alone from Bombay to meet her husband in post-First World War Britain, Sediqeh Dowlatabadi from Tehran in 1923 to study at the Sorbonne in Paris, Selma Ekram from ‘Stamboul’ to New York in 1924 on the promise of work, Muhammadi Begum with her infant child from Bonn to Oxford in the mid-1930s, and Herawati Diah en route to study at Barnard College in New York in 1937.”

Alone or chaperoned, veiled or unveiled, travelling for work or pleasure, these accounts by Muslim women bust every stereotype. In one voice, these women seem to be saying: “only connect”.

Rakhshanda Jalil is a translator and literary historian.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> Books / by Rakshanda Jalil / December 12th, 2024

Dr. Samiullah Bags Global Excellence Award

Amazing Feats, Business & Economy, Karnataka (under research project), Leaders, Science & Technology, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Bengaluru, KARNATAKA :

Prof. Dr. A.R. Samiullah (third from R) receives the Eminence Excellence Award

Bengaluru:

Prof. Dr. A.R. Samiullah, Director General, Holistic Medicine Research Foundation, Bengaluru has been honoured for his pioneering contributions in holistic medicine, advancing research and promoting integrative healthcare practices for the well-being of communities.

The World Record of Excellence, a globally recognised organisation from England, successfully hosted the Eminence Excellence Award at the Fairfield by Marriot in Mumbai.

The award ceremony saw a distinguished gathering of individuals from different fields who have made exceptional contributions to the society, innovators and changemakers from across the globe.

Representatives from seven countries attended the event. It was presided over by Prof. Dame Tatyana Maul, Chancellor and Director of Alternative Medicines at Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, Kazakhstan.

source: http://www.radiancenews.com / Radiance News / Home> Awards> Markers of Excellence> Focus / by Radiance News Bureau / December 09th, 2024

From Brick Kiln to Medical College: The Inspirational Journey of Sarfaraz

Amazing Feats, Education, Education - Gold Medallists, Toppers, Merits, Achievers (wef. June 12th, 2023), , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Purba Medinipur District, WEST BENGAL :

A labourer’s son in West Bengal defies all odds to achieve his dream of becoming a doctor

New Delhi :

In an era where mobile phones are often criticised for their harmful impact on society, the story of 21-year-old Sarfaraz from East Medinipur, West Bengal, shines as a beacon of hope. Once a labourer carrying bricks under the scorching sun, Sarfaraz’s remarkable journey to gaining admission into the prestigious Nil Ratan Sarkar Medical College for an MBBS degree showcases grit, determination, and the transformative power of education.

Born into a family with limited financial resources, Sarfaraz’s childhood was marked by hardships. His father, also a labourer, earned a meagre daily wage, barely enough to feed the family of six. Despite these challenges, Sarfaraz excelled in his studies, harbouring the dream of joining the National Defence Academy (NDA).

An unfortunate accident dashed his NDA aspirations, but Sarfaraz did not let despair consume him. “Life was never easy, but giving up was never an option,” he said.

The COVID-19 pandemic brought a glimmer of hope in Sarfaraz’s life. With financial assistance from the government, his family bought a smartphone. This device became Sarfaraz’s lifeline, as he used free YouTube tutorials and online ed-tech platforms to prepare for the NEET, India’s highly competitive medical entrance exam.

“I studied through free YouTube videos initially and then enrolled in an online course with a concession in fees. It changed everything for me,” Sarfaraz said.

For three years, Sarfaraz juggled gruelling physical labour and relentless academic preparation. His daily routine involved carrying 400 bricks under the blazing sun for a wage of Rs 300, followed by seven hours of uninterrupted study.

“My father and I would work from morning until afternoon. After that, I would come home and dive into my books. It was difficult, but I never lost sight of my dream,” Sarfaraz explained.

In 2023, Sarfaraz’s NEET score qualified him for a dental college, but the prohibitive costs forced him to forgo the opportunity. Undeterred, he decided to make a final attempt at NEET in 2024.

“I thought, I’ve worked so hard — let’s try one more time. This was my last chance. If I hadn’t succeeded, I would have given up,” he said.

Sarfaraz scored an impressive 677 out of 720 in NEET 2024, securing his place in Nil Ratan Sarkar Medical College.

Behind Sarfaraz’s unwavering determination was his mother’s dream of seeing her son become a doctor. Her sacrifices inspired him to push through every obstacle.

“My mother always wanted me to be a doctor. I promised myself that I would make her dream come true,” Sarfaraz said, his voice filled with emotion.

Now donning a white coat and stethoscope, Sarfaraz is a source of pride not only for his family but also for his entire village.

Sarfaraz’s success has brought hope to his village, where many children often abandon their studies due to financial difficulties. Determined to give back, he has started mentoring young students.

“When I become a doctor, I want to work among the poor. My village folks have supported me throughout this journey, and now it’s my turn to support them,” he said.

Sarfaraz’s story has inspired countless people. His former teacher, who guided him in his early years, remarked, “Sarfaraz always had a spark. Despite his circumstances, he was determined to learn and grow. His success is a testament to his perseverance.”

A fellow villager, moved by his journey, said, “He has proven that no obstacle is insurmountable. He is the pride of our village.”

Sarfaraz’s journey from a labourer at a brick kiln to a medical student serves as a reminder of the potential within every individual, regardless of the circumstances. His story resonates deeply, offering hope to those who dream big despite the odds stacked against them.

“Dreams do come true if you work hard enough,” Sarfaraz said with a smile.

As Sarfaraz begins his medical education, his journey is not just a personal victory but a source of inspiration for countless others. It proves that with determination, resilience, and the right opportunities, even the toughest challenges can be overcome.

source: http://www.clarionindia.com / Clarion India / Home> Editors Pick> Indian Muslim / by Mohammad Alamullah, Clarion India / November 26th, 2024