Great Personalities - B

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Babur, Zahir-ud-din : was a Chaghatai Turk who, in 1494, inherited from his father, at the age of 11, a small principality of Farghana, now a province of Chinese Turkistan. Babur occupied Kabul in 1504. He had ambition to conquer Hindustan. An opportunity came his way when he was invited by Daulat Khan Lodi and Alam Khan to invade India. He conquered the throne of Delhi after the first battle of Panipat in 1526 and thus founded the Mughal Empire in India.

Bahadur Shah II : was the last king of Mughal Empire who took part in the First War of Indian Independence (so-called Indian Mutiny) in 1857. He was sent as a State prisoner to Rangoon (Burma) where he died in 1862.

Bairam Khan : was the tutor and guardian of Akbar, the Great. Akbar acquired the throne of Delhi mainly through his efforts. He was known as Khan-i-Khana.

Baji Rao-II : was recognised as Peshwa on December 4, 1769. He was defeated by Holkar rulers of Marathas at Poona. He consented to accept the Subsidiary Alliance and signed the Treaty of Bassein on December 31, 1802. (The Treaty of Bassein forms an important landmark in the history of British supremacy in India).

Balaji Vishwanath : was the first Peshwa appointed on Nov. 16, 1713.

Balban, Ghiyas-ud-din : He belonged to the famous band of Turkish slaves of Iltumish, known as ‘The Forty’. His period as king was 1265-86. He introduced the Turkish methods and customs of Sajada and Paibos. He introduced the famous Persian festival of Nauroj in India. The ‘College of Forty’ or the ‘Group of Forty Nobles’, formed during the reign of Iltumish, was broken by Balban.

Banabhatta : was the most celebrated of the learned men and court poet of Harshavardhana; author of Harshacharita and Kadambari. He was the greatest master of Sanskrit prose in his time.

Bedi, Kiran : First woman to enter the Indian Police Service.

Beethoven : One of the world’s greatest musicians and composers. He became deaf at the age of 40 and despite this handicap, he wrote many memorable symphonies, songs, sonatas and concertos. Died at the age of 56.

Bentinck, Lord William : was Governor of Madras during Vellore Mutiny (1806) and came out as Governor-General of India (1828-1835). He is known for many reforms viz., suppression of thugger; prohibition of sati ; female infanticide and human sacrifices ; financial, administrative and educational reforms. He introduced English education in India.

Besant, Annie (1846-1933) : An Irish Woman who was a staunch supporter of India’s freedom. She has been President of the Theosophical Society and President of the Indian National Congress in 1917. She was the first woman President of the Congress. She started the magazine New India.

Bhaba, Dr. H. J. (1909-66) : was an Indian scientist of repute. He was the first Chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission, India.

Bhagat Singh : Indian revolutionary who was tried in the Lahore conspiracy case.

Bhasin, Dr. Nivedita : Devoted over a dozen years working for upliftment of women in India as a disciple of Swami Vivekananda. She was Irish and her original name was Margaret Nobel.

Bhave, Vinoba : Father of the Sarvodaya and Bhoodan movement. A sait and stalwart from the generation of freedom fighters and a true Gandhian.

Bindusara : was the Mauryan ruler who was also known by the name Amitraghata. He succeeded Chandragupta Maurya.

Bismarck (1815-1898) : was the most capable and prominent of the German statesman of the 19th century popularly known for his blood and iron policy. Founded the German Empire.

Bannerji, W.C. : was the first president of the Indian National Congress in 1885.

Bose, Nand Lal : famous Indian artist ; Director, Kala Bhavan, Shantiniketan; died in May, 1966. He had been invited to draw sketches on the theme of national integration in the first copy of the Constitution of India.

Bose, J.C. (1858-1937) : Eminent Indian physicist and Botanist; founder of Bose Research Institute, Calcutta. Inventor of Crescograph.

Bose, Subhash Chandra : better known as Netaji of Azad Hind Fauj (Indian National Army). He was a powerful national leader and was also once elected president of the Indian National Congress. He gained much prominence for organising I.N.A. during the World War II. The call ‘Delhi Challo’ was given by him.

Buddha, Gautama (623 B.C to 453 B.C.) : born in Lumbini village in the Nepalese terai, he was son of Suddhodana, the king of Kapilavastu in Nepal. He renounced the world and became a great religious teacher. He founded Buddhism.