'Ghosha jhatka gaadi'- How an illustrious Hindu King of Mysore helped educate Muslim girls
As told by Hajee Muneer Ahmed Saheb to Ameen Ahmed Tumakuru, in October 2016. A portrait of His Royal Highness Nalvadi Krishnaraja Wodeyar, Maharaja of Mysore at Government Empress Higher Primary School, Tumakuru, Karnataka. Pic.: Ameen Ahmed Tumakuru, 2016. "In 1930s, under Nalvadi Krishnaraja Wodeyar's rule the Ghosha jhatka gaadi (or horse cart) was introduced in Tumakuru town, then a part of Mysore Province in British India. A beneficiary of that was my Phuppu jaan (paternal aunt). She passed Grade 7 in that decade. Nearing a 100-years old, she is the oldest living member of our extended family now. As sharp ever, a conversation with her even today will reveals the quality of the education she received. She was a beneficiary of the many Urdu schools that flourished under this benevolent Maharaja's rule." Steps leading to the Government Empress Higher Primary School located at the Old Market Square, Tumakuru City, as seen in October 2016. Pic.: Ameen Ahmed