Tag Archives: Liaqat Ali Khan-Chronicler of Bidar

This footballer has a special place in Bidar’s history

Sports, , , , , ,

Bidar, KARNATAKA :

Soccer became popular in Bidar after the memorable tournament in Hyderabad 65 years ago

People of Bidar have special love for the game of football.

This sport became popular in the region after the memorable tournament organised 65 years ago in Hyderabad.

A team of local lads defeated the British officers serving in the Hyderabad Nizam’s army in that hard-fought match.

The player who scored the match winning goal was a 17-year-old lad from Bidar.

NazeerMPOs26jan2017

Nazeer Ahmed Khan of Siddi Taleem in Bidar was a self-taught footballer. He used to watch soldiers play football and serve as their assistant during the game.

He soon developed a passion for the game and joined Bidar Sporting Club.

His club used to participate in the matches across the Nizam’s Kingdom and organise tournaments in Bidar.

The erstwhile Nizam’s State spread across parts of today’s Hyderabad-Karnataka, Marathwada and Telangana.

British officers in the Nizam’s infantry used to play football with teams of youths from across the Nizam’s State.

Khan became a hero in one such tournament. The all-important tournament in Hyderabad was held in 1946 in which a team of British officers played the local lads who had grouped themselves under City Club.

“The Diwan, who was watching the match, came down the pavilion and hugged Khan, who instantly developed a fan following in Hyderabad. When Khan returned to Bidar, the District Collector gave a rousing welcome and organised a civic reception in his honour near the old mosque,” says Liaqat Ali Khan, chronicler of Bidar’s history.

“Khan continued to play for Bidri Sporting Club. He also played some matches for Mohammaden Sporting Club of Kolkata.

“He died in 2007. As long as he lived, he inspired footballers in Bidar and Hyderabad,” he said.

source:  http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> National> Karnataka / by Rishikesh Bahadur Desai / Bidar – August 04th, 2010

Antique pieces are his only asset

Amazing Feats, Arts, Culture & Entertainment, , ,

Bidar, KARNATAKA :

Rare: Liaquat Ali Khan and his son showing his collection of stamps in Bidar.
Rare: Liaquat Ali Khan and his son showing his collection of stamps in Bidar.

Liaquat Ali Khan’s house in Bidar is an informal museum

Bidar:

What would be the value of a Koran that has words written in liquid gold? Amateur antique collector Liaquat Ali Khan of Bidar has such a rare piece.

This is one of his prize possessions. He has many such invaluable things in his collection. His house is an informal museum of artefacts, coins, stamps, documents, rare cutlery, currency notes, paintings, books, matchbox covers, leaflets about stamp and coin collection, pens, historical tools, knives and many other things.

Mr. Khan’s early life was hard. He could not complete his studies and took up odd jobs. He started a petty shop and ran it for nearly 25 years. He had to close it down owing to some problems. He now lives with his son in a small rented house in Bidar. He keeps the valuables in trunks under the cot and spreads the collection on the bed whenever there are visitors.

“These antique pieces are my only asset. I have spent all my resources to collect them,” he says.

“Whenever I used to hear that somebody had a rare collectible, I would go and look at it. I would buy it if I liked it. I would request the owner to give it to me and bid for it,” Mr. Khan says.

His obsession with collecting rare things was such that his family grew weary of it.

“They would despise my hobby. My wife would complain that I gave more thought to collecting coins than bringing up my children,” he says.

His collection includes a “miracle coin” from the British mint. It is concealed in a cover that looks exactly like the coin inside. One can find out that there is a coin inside only by dropping it on the floor.

There is also a set of gold coins brought out by the Vijayanagara king Sri Krishnadevaraya.

He has a copy of a letter written in Urdu by Mahatma Gandhi to one of his friends.

Mr. Khan also has government orders signed by the Nizam of Hyderabad.

He has rare stamps such as the 3D stamp of Germany and a scented one of Saudi Arabia. Mr. Khan has currency notes of nearly 100 countries.

His son is helping him in preserving the collection.

Mr. Khan has requested the Government to provide him a room to set up a permanent museum. “I have repeatedly made this request. But it has not been considered,” he says.

“Many VIPs have seen my collection. All of them have appreciated it and promised help. But none of them have kept their promise,” he says.

source:  http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> National> Karnataka / by Rishikesh Bahadur Desai / June 22nd, 2007