“Google Doodle Honors India’s First Female Wrestler, Hamida Banu”

Google commemorated India’s first female wrestler, Hamida Banu, with a doodle on May 4. Banu made history in 1954 by defeating renowned wrestler Baba Pahalwan in just 1 minute and 34 seconds. Born in the early 1900s near Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh, Banu hailed from a family of wrestlers and earned the moniker ‘Amazon of Aligarh.’ Despite societal norms discouraging women’s participation in athletics, Banu’s dedication led her to victory in over 300 competitions during the 1940s and 1950s. She openly challenged male wrestlers and even wagered her hand in marriage to the first to defeat her. Banu’s international titles included a win against Russian wrestler Vera Chistilin in less than two minutes. Her fearlessness and achievements continue to be celebrated, marking her as a trailblazer of her time. Illustrated by Bengaluru-based artist Divya Negi, the Google Doodle pays homage to Banu, depicting her against a backdrop of local flora and fauna, symbolizing her enduring legacy in Indian sports history.