Liberté

BBC Timewatch: The Princess Spy
(2006; Documentary)

Her maternal great-great-great grandfather is Tipu Sultan, the Mysore Ruler who died defending his nation against the marauding British forces on his Motherland. But Tipu Sultan himself is listed by the Hindutva movement as one of the monarchs who was engaged in the systematic destruction of Hindu civilisation. (But that is another story for another day!) Her father, Hazrat Inayat Khan, is a Sufi Master, a musician and a pacifist. Her mother is an American, Ora Ray Baker @ Pirani Ameena Begum, was a poet and a musician. She, Noor-un-Nisa Inayat Khan, was born in Russian, grew up in France and had to flee the Nazi invasion.


If her great ancestors fought the tyranny of the British, Nisa Inayat Khan @ Nora Baker @Madeline @ Nurse @ Jeanne-Marie Renier, worked on the side of the British against another savaging army of the time, the Nazis. She was an established writer, musician and a child psychologist. During the war, she served as an undercover British secret agent, masquerading as a wireless operator. She was parachuted into France to send in invaluable coded messages back to the UK. She was, however, captured by the Germans and executed in a concentration camp with a shot at the back of her head. She maintained her silence throughout the enemy interrogations, and her last spoken word was 'Liberté' (freedom). After the war, she was honoured posthumously with the George Cross, the highest award for bravery displayed away from a battlefield.

The story of Nisa Inayat Khan @Nora Baker is the story of a Muslim fighting on the side of the Allied Forces. She is also one amongst the millions of victims, like many Jews, who perished in the Holocaust that some people still deny having existed.

Time after time...

Gyanvapi Mosque at Varanasi was originally Kasi Viswanath Temple

Gyanvapi mosque is located in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India. It was constructed by the Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb after he demolished the original Kashi Vishwanath temple at the site.

One can clearly notice the old Hindu temple wall mixed into the mosque.

There is a small well in the temple called the Jnana Vapi also spelt as Gyaan vapi (the wisdom well). The Jnana Vapi well sites to the north of the main temple and it is believed that the Jyotirlinga was hidden in the well to protect it at the time of the invasion. It is said that the main priest of the temple jumped into the well with the Siva Linga in order to protect it from invaders.

This mosque was built by Aurangzeb in 1669 CE, after destroying the Kasi Viswanath temple located on the site.

The mosque is named after Gyanvapi (“the well of knowledge“), which is situated between the temple and the mosque.

Kasi Viswanath temple existed since many thousands of years and has been reconstructed every few hundreds of years.

The temple structure that existed prior to the construction of the mosque was built by Raja Man Singh during Akbar’s reign.

The temple’s demolition was intended as a warning to the anti-Mughal factions and Hindu religious leaders in the city after few helped Maratha King Sivaji to escape from Agra.

Maratha ruler Malhar Rao Holkar (1693-1766) wanted to demolish the mosque and reconstruct Vishweshwar Temple at the site.

However, he never actually did that. Later, in 1780, his daughter-in-law Ahilyabai Holkar constructed the present Kasi Viswanath Temple adjacent to the mosque.

The original Kasi Temple is mentioned in Siva, Skanda Puranas and original Viswanath temple was destroyed by the army of Qutb-ud-din Aibak in 1194 CE when he defeated the Raja of Kannauj as a commander of Mohammad Ghori.

Its temple was rebuilt by a Gujarati merchant during the reign of Shamsuddin Iltumish (1211-1266 CE).

It was demolished again during the rule of either Hussain Shah Sharqi (1447-1458) or Sikandar Lodhi (1489-1517).

Raja Man Singh built the temple during Akbar’s rule, but orthodox Hindus boycotted it as he had let the Mughal emperors marry within his family. Raja Todar Mal further re-built the temple with Akbar’s funding at its original site in 1585.

Even after Aurangazeb demolishing the original temple and constructing a mosque over it, the remains of the former temple can be seen in the foundation, the columns and at the rear part of the mosque.

During 1833-1840 CE, the boundary of Gyanvapi Well, the ghats and other nearby temples were constructed.

The Journey!

The Chulia in Penang

Patronage and Place-Making around The Kapitan Kling Mosque 1786-1957

Author- Khoo Salma Nasution

With a year like 1786, they knew they could not go wrong. Muslims from South Asia are known to use the numerals 786, a calculation in a traditional numerology system of the Abbasid Caliphate, as a short form for the salutations b-ismi-llāhi r-raḥmāni r-raḥīm.

It was that year that the British decided to make 'Pulo Pinang' as their trading post and Tamil Muslims choose to place their future in this land of fortune. The British never 'discovered' Penang as it was already inhabited by fishermen and villagers. Only the British saw their potential for big things. The Tamil Muslim traders and talented sea-faring merchants had earlier established their own trade routes along the Straits of Malacca all the way to North Sumatra and beyond with the help of the monsoon winds. They had marked their presence into the Malacca Sultanate and other Malay courts. 

The term 'Chulias' mainly refers to Tamil Muslims from the Coromandel coast (east) of South India who sojourned our shores when seafaring vessels and businesses got sidelined by the burgeoning might the European might and influence. The word 'Chulia' must be a corruption from the mighty Cholas. Even, shipbuilders from the Malabar coast, Muslims who were descendants of Arab traders, got displaced to the east by the European fleet. They, the Marrikars, were also in the influx to this new found land. 

Cauder Mahuddeen, the Captain of the Tamil Muslim community, is said to have acquired a piece of land from the East India Company for the establishment of a 'Mohamedan Church' in the place they use to call Tanjong Penagrie @ Tanjung Pudukarai. Generations of immigration followed suit. Slowly with integration with the local populace, slowly appeared a group of people who called themselves 'Jawi Peranakan'.

Nagore Durgha Sheriff, George Town

The Marakkayars, fighting against the forces of Nature, moved around putting their trusts in patron saint, Saint Nagore. They built a shrine in appreciation with the donation from wealthy Sufi donors.

Slowly and steadily, through the book, one can see how the Chulias made this country great through their engagements with the ruling British. When the rule of British Law came into effect, they exerted their influences within the confines of the law, dancing to and sometimes skirting it. They also brought in the concept of waqf land to ensure that the property they possess continued in their family for generations to come, immune against unscrupulous leaders. 

The book guides through many names that still ring a bell to pure-bred Penangites. Names like Noordin of Noordin Street and Noordin Flats are known to many but know that Mahomad Merican Noordin was a famous and influential shipowner and international merchant.

Dato Koya was a Malabari convict who was banished to Penang. He later found revelation and became a Sufi saint with healing powers. His shrine is located in Transfer Road in town.

Kapitan Kling Mosque, the first principal mosque, catered for the Tamil speaking Muslim population. Later a mosque was built in Acheen Street to cater for the Malay speaking congregation. Over time they were a serious cleavage within the Muslim community. The elders decided that, in order to mend fences, the Friday sermons would alternate between the two mosques.

There was a time in the late 1850s when the Red Flag and White Flag secret societies reared their ugly faces. The activities usually flared up during Muharram celebrations and boria performances which became eponym with Penang. At one time, boria was blacklisted as bad, promoting promiscuity and polluting the minds of the young. It was the domain of the Jawi Peranakan. Bangsawan theatre is another product from Penang which made its origin from the Farsi theatre and was a hit amongst all layers of Penang society.

In 1905, the British enacted the Mohamedan and Hindu Endowment Boards to allow locals to administer their own affairs. The Kapitan Kling mosque, with their loyal worshippers, contributed vastly to their upkeep. The Mosque council went on to renovate its premises and acquired land around it to build quarters and shophouses to collect rent.

As steamships rolled along the Malayan shores, the Tamil Muslim sea-faring days seem over. They ventured into various businesses locally and internationally.

The Muslim society in Penang was also instrumental in developing the printing press.

Penang, in the early 20th century, was a changed place. With deteriorating living conditions in India and migration of Indians into Malayan, the landscape changed again. Tamil Muslim migrants started filling up the harbour workforce. Migrants from different parts of Tamil Nadu came with their own expertise to offer. Jewellers and precious stones moved in. To feed the empty stomachs of the workforce, cooks and eateries sprung up. Their foods and taste soon the natural flavour of the country. Recreational clubs gave a lot of support to the development of football in the state.

Many things happened after the two world wars. The nationalistic spirit in Malayans finally earned them independence and the right to choose their political path.

Penang pix - Indian Muslim diaspora

Thanks Malaysian Heritage and History Club and Buruhanudeen Abubakar for sharing.

Even though these photos may be look old, I remember seeing these scenarios during my walks from Hutchings School to the City Council in Victoria Street from the early 1970s all through to 1975. Those were the daily sightings in my life as my young eyes ponder and imprinted all those everlasting memories in my grey matter. These laborious people in the pictures may have passed on, setting a foundation for their dependants to have a cushier life than theirs. Well, that must be the foundation of human existence - to do things easier, to go further, to smoothen things, to provide, to survive, to move up a notch in their social strata, to enjoy, to savour life and wither away living in the joyous memory of the past wishing that if only the present and the future could be as uncomplicated as the past.

Human Cart for transportation of goods

Fruits, anyone?

Tailor made undergarments?

Bengkang, Kueh lempeng, Kueh Koci, etc.

Renault TL in background, the hat used to be famous in 1920s. In Penang, the sanitation workers of the night-soil division had it as part of their uniform.

Slow business

Beverage still the same, Milo, Horlicks, Nescafe. Buns, the china Ming dynasty motifs cups and the glass look familiar.

Laksa panas-panas and kueh Talam to soothe it down.

Prized chained possessions

Kedai Ceremin dan Buat Friem 

In reflection

No touch drinking, straight from source

Onions in jut sack

Roti! Roti! to your doorstep on wheels.

Mammoth cooking with gargantuan utensil to whet giant appetite

Green Kueh Talam and Laksa

Pagoda singlet!

Wait, let me button up!

Many facets of malnourishment

I used to be fascinated by the folded banana leaf stopper at the the end of milk funnel/cover.

Transportation - new and old.

Cheers - where everybody knows your name!

Roti Bengali ada, Roti Ban ada, Kaya ada, Planta ada...

Sweet milk straight from the udder (almost)

Beedi - mini cheroot!

The exterior of a bachelor's pad

I want you...Show me the Way! 

Fresh organic farm produce

Fresh from bakery to your doorstep, personalised service.

Working for the Man

No, not my face you don't!

Before Walls and Magnum, the Ice Cream Man

Mutton Briyani anyone?

This ain't no IKEA.

Meet me at Merdeka Restaurant at the junction of Market Street and Queen Street.

Primal needs like an afternoon siesta need to continue, fanned by the breeze of moving vehicle.

I love you too, Abahdula!

Indian Onions - for flavour and oomph!

Certainly no Seville Row and no Kingsman but quality, yes! At your service, sire!

Use no hooks!

Unlike what Pink Floyd said, we need education. The writings are on the wall.

Carrom, game made in India!

I tell you, mark my word. A time in the future when people will be more interested in posing than working.

I am all set in my boogie shoes. Will join you after my favourite sherbet near Kapitan Kling mosque.

Food for the mind

We all live in a yellow submarine under the patronage of the King and his consort.

அல்லாவின் பெயரை சொல்லி, எல்லோரும் கொண்டாடுவோம் (Qawalli) In Allah's name , we rejoice!

It ain't heavy, it's for my family!

Gandum, gandum!

Pound the spices, I will back with the mutton after my shift.

I can see clearly now, the rain is gone. Gonna be bright sunshiny day!

A man got to do what a man got to do, like work for his family!

Teh Tarik satu, One foamy milked tea.

You calling me?

Calling it for the day

Yeah, sure. Politician, politicians!

Apam Manis - Sweetened coconut milk rice flour pancake

Filtered, unfiltered, beedi, 555?

Working 16 hours in 3by3 feet work area but you don't hear me complaining!

Joint venture. Putting the wheel before the cart!

Lazing around on a Sunday afternoon.

Whatever you say. You got me by the jugular!

Better be yummy!

Another spoke in the wheel

Green Energy?

Fanta, Coke, F&N?

Tonsorial artist at work, close shave!

Not getting any younger, are we?

A quick cuppa on the run.

The accounts do not balance. No, no donations received or given.

Man and wheels

We make, we sell but they call it 'Nyonya Kuih'!

A mandatory puff after the main course 

Who needs 7-11?

Any more Gandum? Second helping?

Another day another trip.

Loyalty unquestioned!

Honda kap-chai meant to be a two-seater!

Caught unawares!

I am alright!

The writer, of letters!

Life, on tenterhooks?

Get a S-NAP here! from Kandos!

A melting pot of cultures - Malaysia

Fab Fowl Four!

http://asok22.wix.com/rifle-range-boy