Hardly is any historical Indian Muslim figure of the 1 9th century as controversial as Sayyid Siddiq Hasan Khan al-Qannauji al-Bukhari (1832-1890). The reason for all the contrasting assessments of... Show moreHardly is any historical Indian Muslim figure of the 1 9th century as controversial as Sayyid Siddiq Hasan Khan al-Qannauji al-Bukhari (1832-1890). The reason for all the contrasting assessments of his personality was his astonishing career: he rose from an impoverished scholar to the son-in-law of the Prime Minister at the court of Bhopal. In 1871, the widowed ruler of this principality, Shah Jahan Begum (r. 1868-1901) chose him as her second husband. After his marriage, Siddiq Hasan Khan established the reformist movement Ahl-e Hadith (people of the prophetic traditions), which soon became a dominant Muslim group in Bhopal. But as soon as Siddiq Hasan's career had started, it came to a sudden end. Show less
As could be read in the Indian newspaper MP Chronicle in November 1999, the word 'Bollywood', sobriquet for the glamorous Indian film industry in Bombay, will be among several new entries of Indian... Show moreAs could be read in the Indian newspaper MP Chronicle in November 1999, the word 'Bollywood', sobriquet for the glamorous Indian film industry in Bombay, will be among several new entries of Indian origin (like bindi or mehndi) to be included into the millennium editions of famous British dictionaries. Bombay has been the centre of India's film industry since 1895, when the films of the Lumiere brothers were shown in the Watson's Hotel. Although there are studios in other Indian cities where films in various languages and dialects are produced (e.g. Telugu films in Hyderabad or Tamil films in Madras), Bollywood clearly remains the most important centre for the production of Hindi films. Many Bollywood actors are Muslim - as are important composers and lyricists - and it is therefore interesting to investigate the biographies of these stars. Show less
