The Bawla Murder: A Centurial Tale of Scandal and Abdication in Colonial India

IN
Published:

On January 12, 1925, a shocking murder in Bombay, colonial India, forever altered the socio-political landscape of the region. The victim, Abdul Kadir Bawla, a prominent textile businessman, was shot dead while driving with his companion, Mumtaz Begum, a courtesan fleeing from a princely state. The murder, described by media as one of "the most sensational crimes" in British India, garnered intense public interest and scrutiny.

The couple was attacked in the affluent area of Malabar Hill when their car was deliberately collided with by another vehicle. Eyewitnesses reported that the assailants shouted at Bawla and demanded the woman be extracted from the car before shooting him. British soldiers, who happened to be nearby, intervened but were met with gunfire from the fleeing attackers.

As investigators delved into the murder, links to the influential princely state of Indore emerged. Mumtaz Begum had previously lived under the control of Maharaja Tukoji Rao Holkar III, who had reportedly issued threats against Bawla for harboring her. The investigation implicated several associates of the Maharaja, raising suspicions over the state’s involvement.

The case mobilized public and governmental pressure, leading to a high-profile trial that featured notable figures, including Muhammad Ali Jinnah, who represented one of the accused. The trial concluded with multiple convictions, yet stopped short of holding the Maharaja accountable. Facing mounting pressure, the Maharaja chose to abdicate, averting a formal inquiry into his involvement in the murder.

In the aftermath, Mumtaz Begum received several offers from Hollywood but eventually faded from public view. The Bawla case remains a poignant example of how a murder intertwined with love, politics, and power could stir significant upheaval in colonial India.

Weekly Newsletter

News summary by melangenews

Loading...

More from India

Child Labor and Forced Labor Uncovered in India's Cotton Fields

An investigation reveals alarming instances of child exploitation and forced labor among cotton pickers in India, particularly in the Madhya Pradesh region. According to the NGO Transparentem, which surveyed 90 farms over ten months, nearly half of them employ forced labor, affecting many children. Workers, often indebted to their employers, earn approximately 2.4 USD per day, leading entire families, including children, to harvest cotton to repay loans. The report highlights connections between these farms and major cotton suppliers like Pratibha Syntex and Remei Group, prompting brands such as Inditex and H&M to sever ties and join the Fair Labor Association to monitor conditions. Inditex stated their commitment to improving worker conditions in the sector, highlighting ongoing collaborations with organizations like the International Labour Organization to enforce labor rights. This investigation follows longstanding concerns from the U.S. State Department regarding labor practices in India’s cotton industry, emphasizing that modern slavery persists despite international efforts.
IN

Innovative Watch Saves Over 100,000 Newborns from Hypothermia

An innovative temperature-tracking watch, developed by Ratul Narain, has reportedly saved over 100,000 premature newborns from the threat of hypothermia, a leading cause of neonatal mortality. According to data, India had the highest number of preterm births in 2020, highlighting the urgent need for effective neonatal care. The device, known as Bempu, signals caregivers when a baby's body temperature falls to dangerous levels, helping prevent serious complications. Narain, who was raised in the U.S., dedicated himself to this cause after witnessing the challenges faced by premature infants. His work has gained recognition, being named one of TIME Magazine’s 25 Best Inventions. In interviews, Narain explained that the watch has not only transformed individual cases of neonatal care but has also set a precedent for future healthcare innovations in India. The Bempu watch's impact extends beyond national borders, as its implementation is being explored in various countries to enhance the survival rates of vulnerable newborns.
IN

Scientists Discover 'Dark Oxygen' in Pacific Ocean, Challenging Long-Standing Theories

Researchers have identified a unique phenomenon known as "dark oxygen" produced by certain rocks in the Pacific Ocean, challenging the conventional belief that oxygen generation is solely dependent on photosynthesis. According to the study, these polymetallic nodules, resembling coal piles at ocean depths, can generate oxygen through electrochemical reactions without sunlight. Traditionally, oxygen in the ocean has been understood to arise from marine plankton, algae, and bacteria that require sunlight for photosynthetic processes. This discovery indicates that oxygen can also be produced in environments where sunlight is absent, potentially supporting aerobic life in deep, oxygen-poor regions. The oxygen production occurs through interactions between the rare metal deposits on the ocean floor and saltwater, facilitating the splitting of water molecules (H2O) into hydrogen and oxygen. Researchers believe that this revelation expands our understanding of oxygen generation, potentially reshaping scientific theories regarding deep-sea ecosystems. The findings present a significant breakthrough in marine science, illustrating the complex interactions of geological and biological processes that govern life in the ocean's dark depths.
IN
All India News ->