Bhopal: It’s a virtual story of the ‘Arms’ and the man. The clan that stood upright in battles galore, their descendant, today, is awaiting a gun licence for self defence for more than six months. History is testimony that the clan which shook the foundations of the mighty Mughals and British aspirations. Their descendant Peshwa Baji Rao is struggling to get extra cover. The Peshwa descendant, Nawab Shadab Ali Bahadur Peshwa, who lives in the city, is today a scared person.
He has several property disputes. Down the memory lane, it may be recalled that Mastani and Bajirao’s son Shamsher Bahadur had fought in the third battle of Panipat along with his brothers Vishwas Rao and Sadashiv Rao, though they lost it against Abdali. Shamsher Bahadur (1734 –14 January 1761), also known as Krishna Rao, was a Maratha ruler of the dominion of Banda.
As Shamsher Bahadur embraced Islam, Nawab Shadab Ali, though is connected with the Peshwa dynasty, has maintained his Muslim name. Now, Shadab Ali lives near Fatehgarh in Bhopal and owns properties in Indore and other parts of the state. His wife Shabeen Bahadur lives with their son and they feel unsafe for various reasons.
He says he was even attacked in Indore for the same reason and he needs a gun license. His wife and son live in Bhopal and as Shadab travels frequently, he feels a gun with them will make them feel safe at home more so when if he is not there. He had applied for the gun license some six months ago.
Shadab says his forefathers had helped the Rani of Jhansi at the time of 1857 revolt against the British and they had to pay dearly for it as the then British empire pushed them to Mhow from Banda. “After, Independence our forefathers received pension from the government for two generations,” he says.
He says he does not need any privilege but is worried for the safety of his family and it is a valid reason for having a weapon with government’s permission, “but even after applying for over six months, I am yet to get a nod from the administration,” he adds. “I have sought help from DIG Bhopal Irshad Wali in this regard,” he concludes.
LOOKING BACK
Peshwa Bajirao 1 appointed prime ministers in Dhar and Dewas. In Dhar and Dewas they are known as Pawars now. Malharrao Holkar who was from Holgaon in Pune was appointed in Indore as well. Their forefather Nawab Ali Bahadur was put in house arrest in Mhow by East India Company and given a pension of Rs 36,000 per year. His crime was that he had sided with Rani of Jhansi.
