Long before the first slave ships started supplying labour to cotton plantations of the American-south, and many centuries before the first Africans were brought ashore to the sugar estates of Brazil and the Caribbean, Africans were being sold as slave-soldiers for India's princely states. They are known as SIDDIS. Although they came at first as slaves, they were so successful as fighters that they at times usurped power from the rulers they were supposed to be serving. Most have lost touch with their roots, yet they are now struggling at the margins of Indian society. Some Siddis are keenly aware of their past, and a few remain in touch with relatives in Africa.
The project was aimed to create visuals about two very famous Siddis in India. Learning about them should help the children of the community to learn about their roots and inspire them. These visuals were finally used as school notebook covers along with a write up about the personality. It was aimed to be freely distributed at the government school located at the Siddi settlements.
MALIK AMBAR
Malik Ambar was an Ethiopian born in Harar, sold as a child by his parents due to poverty. He was eventually brought to India and remained enslaved by the people that bought him. Nevertheless in time he created an independent army that had up to 1500 men.
He later became the regent of the Nizamshahi dynasty of Ahmednagar from 1607 to 1626. During this period he increased the strength and power of Murtaza Nizam Shah and raised a large army. He changed the capital from Paranda to Junnar and founded a new city, Khadki which was later on changed to Aurangabad. Malik Ambar is especially famous for the Nahr, the canal water supply system of Aurangabad.
The cultural heritage of Siddis dates back to almost 300 years. Their dance and music are quite exquisite. Dhamal is one such dance form that reflects the Siddis’ passion for hunting.
The colours and the texture of the illustrations are inspired from the dhamal costumes and props.
notebook jacket back notebook jacket front
