Google Doodle Honors India's Pioneer Female Wrestler Hamida Banu

Hamida Banu may not be a familiar name to many, but in the world of sports, she holds a significant place as India's first female wrestler. Recently, Google paid tribute to her with a doodle created by artist Divya Negi from Bangalore.

The Google doodle portrays Banu in a pink outfit, ready for a fight, surrounded by nature.

On this day in 1954, Hamida Banu made wrestling history by defeating the renowned wrestler Baba Pahalwan in just one minute and 34 seconds. This event marked a pivotal moment as it showcased a woman excelling in a sport dominated by men during the 1940s and 50s.

Born near Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh, in the early 1900s, Banu earned the nickname "Amazon of Aligarh." Despite societal discouragement towards women in sports, she pursued wrestling passionately. She openly challenged male wrestlers and even offered marriage to anyone who could defeat her. Banu's resilience and determination make her one of the most inspirational figures in sports history.

Banu's sporting achievements garnered widespread attention, with newspapers covering her feats, physique, and diet habits. She even competed internationally, defeating a Russian wrestler named Vera Chistilin in less than two minutes.

Google's tribute notes Banu as a trailblazer of her time, admired for her fearlessness and authenticity. However, despite her successes, Banu faced financial struggles in her later years. She tried to support herself by selling milk, dairy products, and homemade cookies.

Although Banu passed away in 1986, her legacy lives on, inspiring countless individuals with her courage and determination.