India’s First Female Wrestler Hamida Banu Celebrated Through Google Doodle

Google honored India‘s first female wrestler, Hamida Banu, with a dedicated doodle on May 4. Banu is renowned as India’s pioneer woman wrestler and hails from Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh.

The Google Doodle showcased Bengaluru-based guest artist Divya Negi’s illustration, capturing Banu’s fearless spirit. Banu’s significant victories over wrestlers like Vera Chistilin and Baba Pahalwan highlighted her historic professional wrestling career.

Born in the early 1900s, Hamida Banu grew up in a family deeply rooted in wrestling traditions. She emerged as the «Amazon of Aligarh» and successfully won over 300 competitions during the 1940s and 1950s.

Before Banu’s prominence, social norms discouraged women from participating in athletic endeavors. However, Banu’s sheer dedication led her to challenge male wrestlers openly, even challenging them to a bout with marriage stakes.

Hamida Banu’s wrestling prowess extended internationally with victories against famed wrestler Vera Chistilin, a Russian wrestler whom Banu defeated in under two minutes, showcasing her global impact.