Mirza Ghalib's Death Anniversary

Mirza Ghalib was a classical Urdu and Persian poet from the Indian subcontinent during British colonial rule. Today marks his 142nd death anniversary.

Here, I have assembled some genealogical information about him:

4 Mirza Qoqan Baig Khan (Mirza Ghalib's paternal grandfather)

2 Mirza Abdullah Baig Khan (father) m. 3 Izzat-ut-Nisa Begum. He d. 1803 in Alwar and he is buried at Rajgarh (Alwar, Rajasthan)

1 Mirza Asadullah Baig Khan (aka Mirza Ghalib) b. 27 December 1797 m. Umarao Begum (d/o Nawab Ilahi Bakhsh). He had 7 children, none of whom survived beyond infancy. He died in Delhi on February 15, 1869

Additional details:

• Mirza Qoqan Baig Khan had 4 sons and 3 daughters. One of them was called Mirza Nasrullah Baig Khan (uncle) d. 1806
• Mirza Ghalib had a brother called Mirza Yousuf Khan d. 1857
  

Read more about Mirza Ghalib, here.

Tomb of Mirza Ghalib, Delhi

'The prison of life and the bondage of grief are one and the same

Before the onset of death, how can man expect to be free of grief?'

One year on .. (8)

Twelve unnamed soldiers
embraced martydom during the ongoing operation Rah-e-Nijat in South Waziristan Agency (SWA)
on 8th February 2010

Burial: Unknown

An unnamed soldier
was killed in Tirah valley
on 10th February 2010

Burial: Unknown

SNGF - The Date You Were Born

Although this was meant to have been posted on Saturday, I didn't get round to it so it's a tad late (yes, I know it's nearly Saturday again). So here's my contribution to this week's Randy Seaver SNGF:

1) What day of the week were you born? Tell us how you found out.

I was born on a Saturday. June 1st.

I found this out via the link provided by Randy: ProGenealogist Tool

2) What has happened in recorded history on your birth date (day and month)? Tell us how you found out, and list five events.

On the day I was born..

2010 The transcript of the flight data recorders from the 2010 Polish Air Force Tu-154 crash that killed 96 Polish officials and intellectuals is published
2001 The heir to the Nepalese throne killed his parents and eight other family members before shooting himself, after an argument over his choice of a bride
1980 1st transmission of CNN, Cable News Network
1978 Cricket Test debut of David Gower, vs. Pakistan, Edgbaston, scores 58
1941 British troops occupy Bagdad Iraq

3) What famous people have been born on your birth date? Tell us how you found out, and list five of them.

These lucky people share the same birthday as me..

1978 Karen Kwan, Torrance California, figure skater, 1995 Pac Coast Sr champ
1970 Joshua Compston, born in the United Kingdom, art impressario, gallerist, Factual Nonsense art gallery, associated with the emergence of the Young British Artists, YBAs
1968 Jason Donovan, rocker/actor, Neighbors
1964 Rashid Patel, cricketer, Indian pace bowler, Lamba incident
1503 Wilhelm von Grumbach, German Lieutenant Colonel

I found out all this from Brainyhistory

My 100th post! Hurray!

It's taken 2 nearly 3 years to get to my 100th post. Wow.

Here are the most visited pages as stated my statcounter:

Descendants of Mohammed Ali Jinnah
It seems many people wanted to know more about the nation's founder.

How many Pakistanis live in the UK?
This one suprised me a tad as I honestly didn't think this would be popular. So, there is a sense that visitors to this post wanted to know about their roots.

Graves in Karachi
Not much to say about this one, as I was only able to provide a list of cemeteries (not complete). I wonder if any Karachites would be willing to share more information about cemeteries in their city.

I would just like to say, it's not been easy getting to the 100th post certainly because I felt I was a little lost for direction in terms of content. What should I write about? What should I include? All in all, I'm glad to have reached this milestone. It means I've stuck with this blog for some time so I'm pleased. I hope to go on for another 100 posts! So, wish me luck :)

Thanks to all the readers out there (even the quiet ones that don't comment or email).

Remembering our shaheed .. 15

I'm posting more announcements of our shaheed (martyred) who are fighting for our country, our people and our freedom.

Friday December 25th 2010

'Taliban militants attacked five checkpoints in the troubled Mohmand Agency after Thursday midnight, sparking a clash which left 11 paramilitary soldiers and 24 attackers dead.
They said that 11 soldiers of the Frontier Corps had lost their lives and 12 others suffered injuries in the attacks.' (Dawn)

Note: I can only provide you with names if I find them in the news articles I browse. If you think something needs correcting, please do leave me a message. I try my best.

We should all pray for these men and their families and recognise their courage and sacrifice for their country.

Are you related to a soldier? Do you have memories of a loved one dying in a war? Do you have a message for the soldiers fighting? Leave me a comment.

Tombstone Tuesday - Aziz Fatma (1914-1993)

For Tombstone Tuesday, I am posting this photograph I came across of a Muslim tombstone on Flickr. It was taken by CM Fish at Mt. Pleasant Cemetery in Seattle, Washington so thanks to him/her for letting me share it with you.

'[Arabic script]
AZIZ FATMA
(FROM PAKISTAN)
BORN IN INDIA - 1914
DIED IN SEATTLE - 1993
WIFE OF
ABDUL HAMEED KHAN - LAWYER'

Translation of the Arabic script:
"In the name of God, most Gracious, most Compassionate"
"To God we belong and unto Him is our return"

One year on .. (7)

An unnamed soldier
lost his life in military operations in South Waziristan
on 8th January 2010


Burial: Unknown