Category Archives: Historical Links, Pre-Independence

Prehistoric site found near Srikakulam

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Historical Links, Pre-Independence, Nature

Archaeologist K. Venkateswara Rao who found the prehistoric rock shelter on the top of the Saidala Hill near Srikakulam.

Several rock shelters found on Sailada hill-top and Chittivalsa are significant, says archaeologists

Did the prehistoric man straddle the hillocks near Srikakulam town in Andhra Pradesh much like the Bhimbetka in Madhya Pradesh, UNESCO’s World Heritage Site ?

The rocky landscape near Srikakulam may not boast of the richness and the depth of the rock paintings of Bhimbetka that fetched it international recognition but several prehistoric rock shelters found on Sailada hill-top and Chittivalsa area in the recent past are equally significant, contend archaeologists here.

They are excited by the finding of a set of four 3.8 metre high rocks leaning inwards and forming a polygonal chamber on Saidala hill-top as it comes close on the heels of discovery of a cluster of druidical rocks at Chittivalsa and of dolmen and menhirs resembling those in Europe and Africa. Both these findings that indicate existence of a reasonably big habitation of prehistoric people in the area, were by free-lance archaeologist, K. Venkateswara Rao.

The recently found round-shaped dolmen like formation with a stone roof, stands on a circular rock bed of 13 metre radius on the top of the Saidala hill. Like others, this rock shelter too has post holes around it in two rows meant for installing wooden posts that served as props to supported a canopy. “The place appears to have been used for performing some rituals and ceremonies by the prehistoric people”, Mr. Rao said.

There are many caves, caverns and shelters of different shapes in the hillocks in the region but not as huge as this one that too with a rock bed inside.

Even now the place continues to be known as “Pandiri Rallu” a shelter made of rocks. The rock shelter has enough place to accommodate 10 to 15 people inside. A petroglyph of serpent was found on the western side of the shelter, a common feature on prehistoric dolmens in Europe.

Another name given by the locals to this unique rock formation is “Bunti Vanda”, virtually a den of bears. Burrows formed by flow of rain water from the top of the hill to the foot, have turned them into safe sanctuary for the bears. “Even now villagers dread to tread the bushy path to the top of the hill scared of the bears and feel the sacred place is visited by Gods and Goddesses. This in a way is blessing in disguise as the rock formation remains protected with no major damage”, Mr. Rao says.

Further evidence of the man living on the hills was the finding of a 6 x 4 ft depression in the rock perhaps used as a water storage pit. Mr. Rao says the prehistoric rock shelters on sacred hills of Sailada and Sangamaya and the nearby Pandavulametta at Chittivalsa and the later period’s historic fort of early Kalingas could be projected as unique site with continuous history for UNESCO”s recognition.

source: http://www.TheHindu.com / Home> News> States> Andhra Pradesh / by K. Venkateshwarlu / Hyderabad, November 12th, 2012

10 lakh sanctioned for Ashoor Khana restoration

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Historical Links, Pre-Independence, Records, All

Hyderabad:

Funds for restoration and renovation of the Badeshahi Ashoor Khana have been going back and forth between the Department of Archeology and Museums (DAM) and the government with precious little work being done. It was in early September that Dam was sanctioned Rs 21 lakh for restoring the Shiite place of worship to former glory but only Rs 6 lakh was used and the rest returned. With the month of Muharram round the corner, the Dam has now been sanctioned another Rs 10 lakh for restoration work of the structure.

It was during the Conference of Parties in September that the state government had sanctioned Rs 21 lakh for sprucing up the place in view of visits by delegates. Describing the sanctioning of funds as a result of ‘urgency’, Dam officials said that they had acted on orders from the government and hadn’t called tenders due to unavailability of time and awarded contacts only on nomination basis. “Around Rs 1.29 crore was sanctioned for Paigah Tombs, Saidanima’s Tomb and the State Museum a chunk of which has been returned. We were asked to submit bills and return the remainder of the sanctioned amount,” said a Dam official requesting anonymity. With Muharram scheduled to be observed from November 16, around Rs 10 lakh has been sanctioned for renovation of the Ashoor Khana Khurd, popularly known as the mini-Ashoor khana, where the alam (standard) will be kept. The wooden roof is being restored with teak wood beams. A team of four carpenters and four masons has already started work.

“The roof is being restored to what it was when the Ashoor Khana was built more than 400 years ago. Work will be completed before Muharram,” said GV Rama Krishna Rao, director, Dam.However, Ashoor khana officials were quick to point out that Icomos team member Chehryar Adil had expressed displeasure at the decaying place of worship and questioned why the structure wasn’t renovated. They said that around 2 lakh devotees cutting across faiths and sects visit the Ashoor Khana in the first ten 10 days of Muharram.

source: http://www.articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / Home> City> Hyderabad / TNN / November 09th, 2012

The sound of music

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Historical Links, Pre-Independence

Commodore TMJ Champion is single-handedly responsible for restoring pipe organs in the country

Enthroned on a wooden bench in St Johns, Secunderabad, tapping pedals and tabbing on keys, Ex-Naval Commodore TMJ Champion does his rendition of Toccata and Fugue by JS Bach on an 104 year-old pipe organ. The instrument is completely mechanical with no external speakers or electronics, he explains. The hundreds of pipes that form its anatomy produce when air is released, like whistles. Behind its piano like facade of the instrument lies its body. He turns a key into a small wooden door and directs me to climb narrow wooden steps that lead inside the instrument. While one can walk inside the St John’s Organ, there are organs that are as big as three stories, he explains. I wait in the isle surrounded by sets of countless pipes that varying in size from tiny flutes to considerable tree trunks. He plays the instrument so I know exactly which pipe the air is released from.

It’s not very common for one to be passionate about such an instrument. He reminisces how in his hometown of Nagapattinam, the church congregation would have to wait for British musicians to come and play it each Sunday. No one knew how to play it, is what my father told me, he says. Not only did he learn to play it, he became an expert at its mechanics. With no one knowing anything on the subject in India, he wasn’t left with much of a choice. “When the British left India, there was not a single organisation in India that had any expertise in building or restoring organs,” he says. If you get on the Internet you’ll find sites of organ builders in Europe, the US and Australia, but there’s not a single one in India.

Self taught through experience, books and visits to organ makers in the UK, Commodore Champion over the years has helped breathe air into lifeless organs across the country. The first organ he repaired was in Wesley Church, Mumbai. Since then he’s been acting as a consultant and facilitator for restoring organs in India. The organ in St Johns Secunderabad, that was unused for two decades was restored by him in 2003 at the cost of `1.5 lakh.

Not only is lack of expertise a problem, but restoration is an expensive affair. The quotation for restoration work can span from a few lakhs to even over a crore. Some work on the bellows and woodwork is done by Tapan Das from Kolkata under Champion’s guidance, who is the only such remaining craftsman in India. But repairing and re-tuning old pipes can only be done by experts from the UK and many parts are just not available here.

Of the five pipe organs in and around Hyderabad only one is in working condition (St Johns). The city is cold about western classical music compared to Chennai and Bangalore, where music lovers have made efforts to raise money for repair works, he says. But, historically the Nizam VIII of Hyderabad is known to have been passionate about western music. He brought down Tamil musicians from Chennai for his symphony orchestra and cavalry bands, the land denoted to these musicians is the area of Bandlines in the City.

While reviving western music in the City might take many more years, Commodore Champion continues to play the pipe organ each Sunday making sure its sound is alive.

source: http://www/.postnoon.com / Home> Arts & Entertainment> Music / by Elizabeth Soumya / November 09th, 2012

Finally, Icomos team lands in Hyderabad

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Historical Links, Pre-Independence, World Opinion

Hyderabad:

The International Council on Monuments and Sites (Icomos) finally arrive in the city on Wednesday and will carry out its inspection of Charminar, Golconda Fort and Quli Qutub Shahi Tombs starting today. The city has been pushing for World Heritage tag for these structures for many years now and has pinned its hopes on the visiting team for it to come through.

GV Ramakrishna Rao, director, department of archeology and museums, said the team will start its survey with a visit to the Quli Qutub Shah Tombs on Wednesday morning followed by the Golconda Fort in the evening where they will also attend the sound and light show. On November 2, the team will inspect Charminar followed by a separate visit to Chowmohalla Palace on November 3.

While officials of the Archaeological Survey of India and the department of archeology and museums remained tight-lipped about the Icomos visit, they were optimistic that all three monuments would make the prestigious World Heritage Monument tag. An archeology department official said, “Work has been moving at a fast pace so that the inspection goes well. All three monuments are being spruced up. We are confident of getting the heritage tag.” Clearly, officials believe that their months and years of indifference to the city’s crumbling heritage will not show with quick sprucing up efforts.

While the Bhagyalakshmi Temple and the Chilla in Charminar will continue to remain untouched,  ASI officials said that the overhead water tanks used by the temple have been permanently removed after consulting temple officials. They however added that temple officials are yet to heed to their repeated requests of removing saffron flags and buntings put up during Dasara. Heritage activists noted that the authorities had failed to utilise the window of opportunity provided to them after the Icomos visit was delayed.

It was earlier reported in these columns that the series of inspections were scheduled to take place from September 25 onwards, but was delayed due to passport issues of one of the expert committee members. “Charminar continues to have lichen on its walls and the Qutub Shah tombs are surrounded by encroachments. The GHMC had hastily taken up demolition of these encroachments near the tomb complex but made little progress. We were informed that smaller encroachments will be removed for just one day,” said an activist.

Meanwhile, a group of noted heritage activists said that the government has kept them isolated from the Icomos developments.

They said that despite making several requests with the government for a meeting with experts, they have received no reply. An activist requesting anonymity said, “They are afraid that we will speak about the Naya Qila issue where the government is clearly at fault. We want to appraise our concerns with the Icomos team but the government has completely shut us out.”

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / Home> City> Hyderabad / TNN / November 01st, 2012

Subhani depicts spirit of Hyderabad in book

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Historical Links, Pre-Independence, Records, All

Adaab Hyderabad, a book by Deccan Chronicle’s cartoon editor Sheik Subhani, was released at the cartoon festival in the city on Sunday.

The book which has cartoons, caricatures and sketches depicting the history, culture, monuments, people and the Dakhni language of Hyderabad has been written and illustrated by Mr Subhani.

The book was released by V.G. Narendra of the Indian Institute of Cartoonists, Bengaluru, former IAS officer Dr K.V. Ramana Chary, and senior cartoonist Jayadev from Chennai.

Narendra Luther, in his foreword to the book, writes that Subhani’s art has matured in Hyderabad, which is considered the humour capital of India. The local lingo Dakhni, by itself, is a device of humour for outsiders and films have exploited it for that reason.

The book is a mix of history and caricatures of the founder of Hyderabad, his beloved Bhagmati, and the seven Nizams. Subhani also gives life to the amusing rock structure of Hyderabad in his book. There are free-hand sketches of famous monuments like the Charminar from different angles, the Mecca Masjid, the Chowmahalla Palace and the Qutubshahi tombs.

Subhani’s satire on traffic violations in the city like where a trader tells the heavily loaded auto driver Udar nakko police wala dal le ta, is tickling. Traffic mein attak gaya, Boss, Hallu Hallu, Subeh subeh dimagh kharab are some of the punchlines in the local Dakhni language used in the cartoons.

From Hitec City to St Mary’s Church in Secunderabad, his cartoons touch on all aspects of the Hyderabadi life.

Subhani won the Yudhvir Award in 2010 for his contribution to cartoon journalism.

source: http://www.DeccanChronicle.com / Home> Channels> Cities> Hyderabad / October 29th, 2012

4 T heroes’ statues on Tank Bund

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Historical Links, Pre-Independence, Leaders, Records, All

Hyderabad:

Apart from Komuram Bheem, statues of another four personalities from Telangana region may come up on Tank Bund soon.

Recently, the department of culture sent proposals to install statues of Chakali AiIlamma (Chityala Ailamma), Doddi Komaraiah, Shaik Bandagi Saheb Rahmatullah and journalist Shoebullah Khan.

Chakali Ailamma had revolted against feudal lords to save her four-acre land when they tried to occupy it. She became an inspiration for many during the Vetti Chakiri Udyamam against feudal lords of the Telangana region. Doddi Komaraiah, a landless agricultural worker, died fighting in the rebellion against the landed gentry in Warangal district.

Shaik Bandagi Saheb Rahmatullah, a revolutionary leader, had fought against Razakars. Journalist  Shoebullah Khan, who had set up his own paper ‘Imroze’ (a spark of fire) and won people’s hearts by waging a relentless battle against the Razakars, was brutally murdered.

“Though we did not receive any representations either from individuals or civil societies, based on articles in the media, a proposal and clippings have been sent to the youth advancement, tourism and culture (YAT&C) department, a few days ago to install the statues on Tank Bund,” department of culture director,  Kavitha Prasad told TOI.

The government has already permitted the installation of the statue of tribal leader Komuram Bheem Chief minister  N  Kiran Kumar Reddy may unveil Komuram Bheem’s statue on the occasion of his death anniversary on October 29.

Meanwhile, the department of culture is making efforts to unveil 12 reinstalled statues on November 1 on the occasion of the AP Formation Day. “Of the 12 statues, we have reinstalled the 10 statues of Krishnadevaraya, Tripuraneni Ramaswamy Chaudary, Kandukuri Veeresalingam Pantulu, Mutnuri Krishna Rao, Raghupathi Venkataratnam Naidu, Bellary Raghava, Gurajada Apparao, Annamaya, Annamayya, Sir Arthur Cotton and Erra Pragada on their respective pedestals. Statues of Brahma Nayudu and Siddhendra Yogi will be in place in a couple of days,” the official said.

Also, 10 other statues, which suffered minor damages during the Million March in 2011, were also being repaired. “By October 30, all statues will be ready for unveiling. However, the government is yet to take a decision whether to unveil them on November 1 or not,” the director said.

The  Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) has taken up remodeling of the 2.06 km walkway in front of the statues by spending Rs 1.05 crore.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / Home> City> Hyderabad / by Sunil Mungara, TNN / October 26th, 2012

Culinary secrets of Hyderabad’s 7th Nizam

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Historical Links, Pre-Independence, Leaders

The niece of the 7th Nizam of Hyderabad is sharing her family’s culinary secrets, and everyone is invited.

Past a heavy wooden door flanked by trellised walls, through an arched passage that runs under a ceiling embellished with intricate patterns, moonlight sneaks in through metal bars in windows on one side of the gallery to gently light up art that adorns a parallel wall. Even more beautiful is the gentle tinkle of laughter trickling from a room at the far end.

Inside, giggling children stand around a stern ancestor as she taps an attendant with the tip of her cane, diamond bangles jingling with each movement of the bony wrist. With the end of a rope tied to his big toe, the attendant who was to fan the dining family has dozed off, and although his programmed foot successfully operates the colonial ceiling fan, his snores are unacceptable.

This memory is one of several from Kunwar Rani Kulsum Begum’s past, one that was dominated by her grandmother Buggo Begum, the force behind Reza Yar Jung Haveli in Darushafa in Hyderabad. Neither Kulsum, niece of Nawab Mir Yousuf Ali Khan Salar Jung III (former prime minister of the seventh Nizam of Hyderabad), nor her sister were allowed into the kitchen. The family’s culinary secrets would only be passed down to the dulhan ranis — women who married into their family — not those who’d secede to another.

Kulsum Begum is a shade more generous with sharing secrets, though. The food consultant with ITC hotels has opened up a treasure of royal Hyderabadi recipes for a special menu that’s being served at the hotel’s Parel property until today.

“The recipes I’ve shared are my nani’s (maternal grandmother). My dadi was tight-lipped, although I did manage to eek them out of my sister-in-law,” she smiles.

It was the same with every royal family, says Begum. “Guests would compare preparations at parties, each one trying to outdo the other. Keeping secrets fuelled healthy competition between the ladies.”

In fact, Begum reveals, young girls weren’t taught cooking. It was assumed they’d have khansamas. “Even when we travelled, our kitchen staff would accompany us, preparing a spread of safari food — pathar ke kebab prepared on heated, unpolished granite,” she says. A girl was meant to cook, keeping her husband’s preferences in mind. “She may as well learn that at her sasural then.”

Married at 16 into a Lucknow family, Begum wrote copious letters to her nani, moping about missing her food, eventually convincing her to share recipe through detailed letters. “Lucknowi food is sweeter,” she explains with a warm smile, “while in Hyderabad, we like khattan — tartness — in our food.” The ghosht ka shikampur that’s available on the menu she has designed, supports her observation. A layer of curd and chutney are ensconced in the aromatic, melt-in-the-mouth meat patty that dwarfs American portions.

“You youngsters don’t eat enough nowadays,” she says, reminded of how her family pampered her when she lost weight around her teens. “They insisted that I do nothing but sleep and eat, and my mother brought me food in bed.”

Back then, Begum recalls, people assumed that a young girl was thin only because she was ill. Or that the family had met a misfortune. And so, food was rich. “Dry phulkas only made it to the dastarkhan (dining place) when a family member was unwell.”

Naturally, a job, even as a five-star food consultant, was never on the cards. The first time Begum cooked, she put salt in the kheer and made five kilos of biryani for four guests. But her husband was supportive, and with 300 recipes now perfected over decades, she has no qualms inviting the whole city to test her culinary skills.

Kachche Gosht Ki Biriyani

Ingredients
Mutton (a mix of chops, marrow bones and cubes from the shoulder) – 1 kg
Rice – 500 gms
Inions finely sliced – 200 gms
Ginger paste – 10 tbsp
Garlic paste – 6.5 tbsp
Red chilli powder – 3.5 tbsp
Chopped coriander – 6.5 tbsp
Chopped fresh green mint – 5 tbsp
Yoghurt – 10 tbsp
Lemon juice – 1.5 tbsp
Milk – 3.5 tbsp
Pinch of saffron
Oil – 7 tbsp
Ghee – 7 tbsp
Green chillies – 4
Cardamom – 4
Cloves – 2
Cinnamon stick – 4
Caraway seeds – 3 tsp
Peppercorn – 2 tsp
Nutmeg – 1/2 tsp
Few flakes of mace
Salt to taste

Method
– Grind the chillies, cardamom, clove, cinnamon stick, caraway seeds, peppercorn, nutmeg and mace to a fine powder. Heat oil in a pan. Fry onions till golden brown. Crush in a pestle mortar when cool. Marinate the meat in ginger and garlic paste. Add yoghurt, salt, red chilli powder, coriander, mint, green chillies, ground spices, lemon juice, crushed onions and the oil in which the onions were fried. Mix well and marinate for about four hours.

– Wash the rice and mix with a cup of well-beaten yoghurt. Add saffron and half cup milk. Set aside.

– Take a heavy bottom pan with a tight lid. Transfer the marinated meat with the marinade to the pan. Spread the rice over the meat. Sprinkle the saffron milk over the rice. Dot it with a dollop of ghee. Cover and cook, first over high flame, then over medium-low heat till the meat is tender, the liquids are absorbed and the rice is cooked.

– Scoop out portions carefully so that the layering remains intact, and serve steaming hot.

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source: http://www.articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / Home> Life & Style> Food / by Anjana Vaswani, Mumbai Mirror / October 07th, 2012

Clock, Rebecca and Salarjung

Amazing Feats, Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Historical Links, Pre-Independence, Records, All

My first visit to the Salarjung Museum (SJM) was an educational tour from school. I was in Class VI and my classmates and I were seated expectantly at 12 noon in front of the famous clock to watch a figure within the clock come out and strike a bell 12 times. We were excited!

Years later, when I stood before the clock once again, this time with my daughter, Suha, there was the same feeling of complete fascination. Some of the objets d’art here — the statue of Rebecca, chandeliers, swords, paintings, porcelain and carpets — are amazing so is the children’s gallery.

The Museum consists of the largest collection of artifacts owned by a single family anywhere in the world — 47,500 artifacts displayed in 50 galleries, with 8,500 manuscripts and 60,000 books in the library. It receives 6,000 visitors a day, the largest footfall for any museum in India. Only 20 per cent of artifacts are on rotational display, the remainder being stored away for better preservation.

To stay relevant, its spaces have always laid emphasis on world-class display, and in the last three years, 1 lakh sq feet of interiors have been renovated. A gallery of Islamic art, spread over 26,000 sq feet is under construction where the world’s smallest Quran will be on display. The Museum, which is soon to be the subject of a coffee-table book, is now also becoming a cultural hub, with about 100 events staged here last year — plays, ghazal concerts and mushairas.

Reaching out to people is vital for its continued popularity, and its bus, “Culture on Wheels”, visit schools. They have also digitised the manuscripts and books, and soon, its virtual tour may be possible.

(The writer is a philanthropist, educationist and member of the board of Salarjung Museum)

source: http://www.DeccanChronicle.com / Home> Tabloid> Others / by Zakir Hussain / October 07th, 2012

Brahman Cows Thrive in USA and Brazil

Historical Links, Pre-Independence, Nature, Science & Technology, World Opinion

Brahman cattle after a rain near Perch Creek Road near College Station, TX

By Krishan Gupta

History of Brahman cattle between India and America is more than 140 years old. During British Raj Indian cattle were imported to USA and Brazil for milk and other products and according to their needs. Texas became the main hub to import cattle during that time. City of Hungerford, TX has one of the ten largest purebred producers in USA.

A Brahman cow is an extremely good mother, offering protection and an abundance of milk for her calves. Brahman calves tend to measure high weights at weaning because of the outstanding milk given by Brahman cows. They are known for their extreme tolerance to heat conditions, and resistance to insects due to their thick layer of skin. They live longer than many other breeds, often still producing calves at ages 15 and older. These cows have a greater ability to withstand heat than European cattle, and have more sweat glands, big hump, also an oily skin, thought to help repel pest insects along with a smooth coat and a short hair coat. They are also more resistant to parasites and disease in some countries, especially in South America. In South America, Brahman cattles are also used for milk, and other products.

The Brahma is a breed of Zebu cattle (Bos indicus), later exported from India to the rest of the world. The main breeds used were Kankrej, Gujarat, Nellore or Ongole and the Gir cattle. It is named for the Sacred Cow of Hindus.

Nellore cattle originated from Ongole (Bos Iindicus) cattle originally brought from India to Brazil. The Nellore has a distinct large hump over the top of the shoulder, neck, and long legs, which help them to walk in water and when grazing. The Nellore can adapt to all except very cold climates. They are very resistant to high temperatures and have natural resistance to various parasites and diseases.

Ongole city is located in the state of Andhra Pradesh, India and famous for its Ongolu Gittacattle (Ongole breed of oxen).  This is one of the major Zebu cattle breeds in the world. Zebucattle was originally called as Bos Indicus, sometimes known as humped cattle, Indicus cattle, Cebu or Brahmin cattle originating in South Asia, particularly the Indian subcontinent. They are characterized by a fatty hump on their shoulders, drooping ears and a large dewlap. Zebu are used as draught oxen, as dairy cattle and as beef cattle, as well as for byproducts such as hides and dung for fuel and manure.

Gir cattle are famous milk cattle breed of India. The native tract of the breed is Gir hills and forests of Kathiawar including Junagadh, Bhavnagar, Rajkot and Amreli District of Gujarat.

Kankrej cattle are a breed of Zebu cattle from the district of Kankrej in the state of Gujarat, India, They are also known by the names Bannai, Nagar, Talabda, Vaghiyar, Waged, Wadhiar, Guzerat cattle are a breed developed in Brazil from Kankrej cattle imported from India. The name Gurezat is a Portuguese spelling of Gujarat. They are, of course, very similar, both being tall draft/beef  breeds with high horns. On the average, Guzerat are darker, bigger and have longer horns than Kankrej. The bulls usually are quite dark on the head and forequarters, lighter elsewhere. Guzerat and Kankrej are the principal breeds used in the formation of the American Brahman, along with the Gir and the Nellore.

However there has never existed in India a breed called Nellore. This name corresponds to a District of the old Presidency of Chennai, now belonging to the new State of Andhra Pradesh by the Bengal Sea. It was in Brazil that some authors started to use the name Nellore as a synonym to Ongole, the Indian breed that contributed most to the creation of the Nellore.

The first importation of Indian cattle of any notoriety came in 1854, when sugar and cotton farmer, Richard Barrow of St. Franksville, Louisiana, was presented with two bulls by the Government of Great Britain, for his services in teaching cotton and sugar cane production to British officials establishing these crops in the deltas  of India.

In 1915, J.D. Hudgins and his son, Walter, began putting together all of the Indian cattles they could find and afford to purchase. In that year, they bought a group of females which were direct descendants of a 1906 importation from India. In 1924, they were able to purchase a group of bulls which had been imported from Brazil. These, and other humped cattle, formed the basis of the first breed to be developed in the United States “The American Brahman”. The registry for the American Brahman breed was organized in that same year. The J.D. Hudgins ranch is located at Hungerford, Texas, 50 miles southwest of Houston on U.S. Highway 59.   The Hudgins Ranch acquired the gray Brahman bull Monso in 1933. Manso’s descendants are the cornerstone stock from which the ranch’s American Gray Brahman herd was developed, now one of the largest registered American Gray Brahman herds in the world.

Originating from a nucleus of approximately 266 bulls and 22 females of several Bos indicus (cattle of India) types imported into the United States between 1854 and 1926. Today the Brahman breed has achieved acceptance for their environmental adaptively, longevity, mothering ability and efficient beef production

In 1933 the Hudgins Ranch purchased the gray Brahman bull Manso, a descendant of a pure blood Brazilian Brahma bred by the Sartwelle Brothers of Palacios, Texas. Manso proved to be an excellent sire and very prolific. His first calves were born in the fall of 1934. At the time of his death in 1943 at the age of 17 years, Manso had produced 316 offspring for the ranch. It has been estimated that over 75% of all cattle registered by the American Brahman Breeders Association carry Manso breeding. The Manso cattle breed have captured over 1500 championships including numerous National and International Champions

V8 Ranch was also established in 1944 by Howard Parker of Center, Texas and purchased by Sloan Williams in 1971. Because of these early roots he said that was proud to be one of the oldest continually operating Brahman herds in the United States.

The American Brahman Breeders Association was organized in 1924. J.W. Sartwelle of Houston was the first recording secretary of the Association and it was he who proposed the word “Brahman” and so it was adopted as the name of the new beef breed. American Brahman cattle, the first beef breed developed in the United States, are proven to be the top most rank in hybrid vigor, heat tolerance, and efficiency compared to all other beef breeds. With improved growth and performance, Brahman cattle increased profitability and play an important role in crossbreeding programs throughout the United States, Brazil, Australia and many other parts of the world.

source: http://www.indoamerican-news.com / September 27th, 2012

City’s floral connection with Africa faces threat

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Business & Economy, Historical Links, Pre-Independence

Hyderabad does not just boast of famous localities, African Cavalry (AC) Guards and Habsiguda (named after Abyssinia or Ethiopia), but also its rich biodiversity thanks to its “African connection”.
The Nizams had employed soldiers and servants from Africa and some of them had brought “flora mementos” with them to Hyderabad. The best-known flora or tree memento is the baobab tree, native of Madagascar. Popularly known as the elephant tree or Haati ka jhar, the baobab is now an endangered species in Andhra Pradesh. Outside Hyderabad, the tree is revered as “kalpavriksha” in parts of the State.

Two of these kalpavriksha trees were felled during the lane widening of the Vijayawada-Hyderabad National Highway and laying of the Outer Ring Road in Hyderabad. Now only four baobab trees remain in the State, one of them in the Golconda Fort. Baobab is scientifically called Adansonia digitata and many people in Andhra Pradesh believe it has magical or mystical powers. These trees are more than 150 years old.

Another African tree quite popular for its lovely reddish-orange flowers is Spathodea campanulata or the African tulip tree. Though it is an alien invasive species, it failed to spread much in the State. Its existence is also threatened. A number of bird species depend on this African tree. Says Dr Shaik Mahmood, head of department of botany, Nizam College, Osmania University, “These exotic plant species have made Hyderabad their home. They are of great environmental and taxonomical importance and add to the local biodiversity. We need to protect the remaining endangered trees from extinction.”

source: http://www.DeccanChronicle.com / Home> Channels> Cities> Hyderabad / DC,  Hyderabad / September 28th, 2012