Colonel James Tod Award
The Colonel James Tod award is an International Award that has been instituted to
honour a foreign national who, like Tod, has contributed through his works of permanent
value an understanding of the spirit and values of Mewar. During his assignment
in Rajasthan, Colonel Tod spent a great deal of time and personal resources in the
collection of historical documents, inscriptions, bardic accounts and genealogies
of the Rajput houses and paintings from Rajasthan. When he returned to England Colonel
Tod continued his research, culminating in the publication of Annals and Antiquities
of Rajasthan (2 vols, 1829, 1832).
This year's awardee, William Dalrymple was presented with a ceremonial shawl, a
silver “Toran” plaque of honour, a felicitation certificate and a cash
award of Rs 51001.
Mr William Dalrymple wrote his first highly acclaimed best seller 'In Xanadu at
the age of twenty two. He has received several awards including the Wolfson Prize
for history in 2003 for The White Mughals. He is a Fellow of the Royal Society of
Literature and of the Royal Asiatic Society. He wrote and presented the television
series Stones of the Raj and Indian Journeys, which won the Grierson Award for Best
Documentary Series at BAFTA in 2002. He received an Honorary Doctorate of Letters,
Honoris Causa, from the University of Lucknow 2007 for his outstanding contribution
in literature and history.
Haldi Ghati Award
In the valley of Haldi Ghati in 1576 A.D. Kunwar Man Singh of Amber led the Mughal
armies against Rana Pratap who on his incomparable white stallion Chetak carried
the crimson banner of Mewar into the thrust of the battle. For the first time in
fifty years the Mughals suffered a setback and Haldi Ghati shattered the myth of
their invincibility.
Rana Pratap is a national hero on account of his commitment to preserve the independence
of Mewar, at any cost, despite heavy odds stacked against him. Even now his life
inspires those who revere the values of living with self respect and self reliance.
The Haldi Ghati award is a National Award. It is awarded to an individual for work
of permanent value in awakening society through the medium of journalism, in particular,
or through any other media in general. It is in this spirit that the National Award
was instituted in 1982. Tavleen Singh was presented with a ceremonial shawl, a silver
“Toran” plaque of honour, a felicitation certificate and a cash award
of Rs 25001.
Ms. Tavleen Singh is a noted columnist and political reporter writing on topical
issues of public interest. Her articles give an insight into events and issues of
social, economic and political importance.
In 1987 she became the first woman political columnist with the Indian Express.
She is also associated with a television show, Indianama for NDTV-India.
Hakim Khan Sur Award
Hakim Khan Sur was a Pathan who came to Mewar from the Deccan. He became a general
in Rana Pratap's army and fought to uphold the freedom and beliefs of his adopted
home in the epic battle of Haldi Ghati (1576 A.D.) against the invading Mughal army
of Emperor Akbar. Despite being a follower of
Mr. William Dalrymple receiving The Col. James Tod Award
from Shriji Arvind Singh Mewar of Udaipur
Ms. Tavleen Singh receiving The Haldi Ghati Award
from Shriji Arvind Singh Mewar of Udaipur
Shri Shyam Benegal receiving The Hakim Khan Sur Award
from Shriji Arvind Singh Mewar of Udaipur