The Mannat Invasion

The Mannat Invasion

V GangadharUpdated: Saturday, June 01, 2019, 03:52 AM IST
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The Fall of Mannat was an event of great historical importance. V Gangadhar tells you why.

YArnala, Sindudurg, Raigad, Daulatabad, Murud Janjeera, Panhala, Pratapganj… mention these names, the hearts of every Maharashtrian swells with pride. Historians eagerly seek out more details to add to their chronicles on how local warriors fought bravely and brought down the fortresses of invaders.

Today one more fort is added to this list. Bollywood conqueror Shah Rukh Khan who had been claiming the title of ‘Badshah’ of the Sultanate of Bollywood had been shown the boot by brave Mumbaikars who, after a long, brave struggle, brought down the illegal fort ramp constructed outside his fortress Mannat, located strategically alongside the Arabian Sea. The destruction of Mannat is yet another major victory for the local Indians who showed invader Khan where he belonged.

Invader Khan was no mean antagonist. Coming down the hills and plains of Northern India he invaded the national capital, Delhi targeting the university and theatre regions. He fought vigorous battles to conquer the stage and was seized with the burning ambition to reach and plunder the ultimate Fort Knox of Indian entertainment, Bollywood in Mumbai. After several historic battles against local chieftains, King Khan won the hard fought empire in the Bollywood region where be built the impregnable fortress at Mannat, which was well protected on all sides by the sea, hills and so on. King Khan had arrived.

The Mannat fortress was a distant, difficult dream. King Khan had to battle local powerful leaders who were well entrenched at strategic spots like Mantralaya and the Mumbai municipal Corporation. He had to pay huge amounts as ransom to make inch by inch progress. The brave local citizens in an around Mannat appealed to many agencies but King Khan took no notice and the breaking point was reached with the building of a ramp. It was powerful, 75 metres long and of six inches thickness.

The ramp was meant to house the cavalry forces of King Khan which were sheltered inside his specially designed Make up Van which was rumoured to be made of pure platinum and tungsten! Before King Khan went to battle on his many roles, he got himself battle ready in his makeup van which was full of sophisticated weapons like creams, lotions and skin whiteners from all over the world. The king appeared in public in his many roles from Badshah to Badmash after spending many hours in the van, his intention was to create fear (‘Darr’) in the minds of people. To add to the Khan legend, he developed huge muscles calling them ‘six, eight and ten packs’ which terrified audiences wherever they went.

Forces from the Municipal Corporation which included crack units from the Special Demolition squad, attacked the make-up van which stood imperiously on the ramp. For months, it defied attempts to destroy it but of no use. The monstrosity which was a cumbersome barrier for local people particularly during the 10 day long Mount Mary Fair would not budge. The demolition was not completed in one day and was continued on day two.

Cheered by local citizens who had fought hard for this memorable day, the event was compared to the fall on the hated Berlin Wall in Europe which brought about freedom to the Germans. The Mount Mary Church was now freely accessible. The fall of Mannat ramp was truly a people’s victory and the siege was a strategic triumph. The next Mount Mary Fair would be dedicated to the brave soldiers who took part in the Battle of the Ramp.

(V Gangadhar writes satire, a special form of humour. Incidents and anecdotes in his column are purely imaginary)

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