NEW DELHI: Hamida Banu, a name that stands out in the realm of Indian wrestling, is celebrated as the first woman wrestler in the country.
Her trailblazing career during the 1940s and 1950s defied the notion that wrestling was solely a male domain. Google Doodle pays tribute to this remarkable figure on May 4 (Saturday), inviting us to explore her rise to fame.
Hailing from Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh, Hamida Banu gained notoriety as the "Amazon of Aligarh," commanding a fan following that rivalled her male counterparts.
She boldly challenged men to wrestle her, declaring, "Beat me in a bout and I'll marry you." Banu's prowess in the ring was unmatched, as she defeated renowned wrestlers such as the champion of Patiala and Chhote Gama Pahalwan, who had close ties to the Maharajah of Baroda.
Banu's physical stature and dietary habits were the subject of much fascination during her heyday. Weighing approximately 108 kg and standing at 1.6 m tall, she had a penchant for milk, consuming 5-6 litres daily. As her career progressed, she also developed a taste for fruit juice. Her diet was rich in biryani, mutton, almonds, and butter.
Tragically, reports indicate that Banu faced poverty in her later years, resorting to selling milk and homemade cookies as a roadside vendor to support herself. Despite the challenges she faced, Hamida Banu's legacy as a pioneering female wrestler in India remains an inspiration to aspiring athletes and a testament to her indomitable spirit.
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