A TRUE STORY OF LION CAGE MAN, WHO BROUGHT LION BACK TO HIS CAGE / ZOO LIKE A PET DOG, WHEN HE WANDERED OUT OF CAGE, AND WHOLE CITY WAS IN A MENTAL STATE OF PANIC:
Brief about My Grand Pa:
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| Lahore Railway Station Early 1900's |
My grandfather, Late Lala Ishwar Dass Talwar, after his retirement from Railways, where he worked as Lahore Station Master, he opened a Cloth Merchant shop in Lahore main market, to keep lively hood and to support himself and his extended family. He kept daily chores of the family on-going, even though he had lost his beloved wife, mother to my dad in the year 1917, when my father was just 2 yrs old. He (Grand Pa) was a great mover with great family traditions and values and supported his children as mother (would cook food for children, and never allowed his children that there mother is no more) and father both, so dearly and that Talwar Family moves on, which by then was running 2 to 2 hand half decades behind his brother 's & sister 's families.
His love for children was immense, and he used to tell his eldest son (Late Ram Parkash Talwar & Late Kishore Lal Talwar), that I am happy that you and Kishoree are settled and also your sister who is happily married. But youngest, Late Roshan Lal Talwar (my father), has just started his work, but my health is failing, so I won’t know whether I will be able to see his first wage, more so whether I will be able to marry him, in the days to come? You better take care and look after Talwar Family, in the days to come, if I leave this world. His premonition that he would leave before his youngest son's wage/marriage became true. My grandfather left for heavenly abode in the year 1933, when my father was just 17 days in his first assignment/job and got married on his return from second world war in the year 1947.
This is the last story, which I have placed on my blog, as narrated to me, of my Grand Pa times:
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| April 2011 |
I was young, (possibly between 8 to 10 years old), when every child will ask his or her parents bed time stories before a child goes to sleep, no wonder I also used to ask my parents and since my Uncle has also stayed at our home on many occasions, in my bed room, that I used to keep my ears glued while massaging my Dad's or Uncle feet and heard telling me stories of there times. Today, (at +62 yrs), I am writing out of my memory for my children. I am privileged to jot it down & for the coming generations to know, My Grand Pa stories, which I fondly recollect. I have tried to add photos relating to this story, which I have been lucky to get while surfing net, to add extra flavor to the story:
I believe, it will be interesting for know a bit of history of Lahore Zoo, as my Grand father had also spoken about a very vast tree, with very big tree trunk, and is believed to be couple of centuries old. I tried to find out this tree, and was astonished while surfing net, that there is a mention about such a huge tree.
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| Centuries old Banyan Tree |
I quote:
“The human civilizations have come and gone but this more than four centuries Old Banyan tree had stood test of times at Lahore Zoo. It had not only been providing shade for human beings but has been a continuous source of shelter to different birds’ species for hundreds of years.”History of Lahore Zoo:
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| Lahore Zoo |
Lahore Zoo is situated on the Mall Road, Lahore and is spread over 25 acres (10 Hectares) of land. It was established way back in 1872, and is believed to be one the oldest zoos in the world. It started as a small aviary which was donated by Late Lala Mela Ram, and later became home for animals, birds, reptiles etc.
- From 1872 to 1923 it was under Lahore Municipal Corporation.
- Later from 1924 to 1962 its control was given to Deputy Commissioner, Lahore.
- Finally to Wildlife & Parks in 1982.
It remained a very small entity until 1982 a span of more 100 years, but to its credit have some of the trees which are more than few centuries old. It currently boasts of having its greens, its gardens with very old and young trees, and people come and enjoy its flora and fauna along with animals, birds etc.
However, it is a great attraction to children to know more about wild inhabitants in the zoo, when parents would love to take there children to know and show wild life/animals etc.
This it how the story goes, which happened in Lahore Zoo:
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| Lion Basking in Sun, quite relaxed |
One fine afternoon in Lahore, some where in early part of 20th century, there was a great hue and cry, and drums were being beaten, people were being alarmed that a Lion has escaped from its cage from Lahore Zoo. As we all know, Lion being an animal with great ferocity, big claws, would kill any one in his prey line especially when he is hungry.
The news of Lion escape, late in the afternoon went like a wild fire, and local population around Lahore Zoo to surrounding areas, watched Lion heading towards a high mud mound, call it a Hill TOP, while looking for there own safety. The ferocious Lion did not attack on its path any one and reached Hill Top in a matter of few hours. After reaching the top of the hill, this Lion just watched the curious crowd below.
In the mean while, the Lion cage man Sham Singh (not a real name), had gone home after is daily rituals of cleaning cages, bathing, feeding Lions and other animals under his control. Sham Singh had a track record of more than 20 to 30 years looking after Lions and other animals under his supervision and control. Some how that afternoon he forgot to lock Lion’s cage, which resulted into Lion’s escape.
The Lahore Zoo & local municipal authorities, sooner they came to know, Sham Singh was summoned to office, while the whole city was in state of panic, people running away or are watching Lion movements from safe distances. Sham Singh on questioning was asked why he did not lock the door and that all the people are at bigger risk, as lion may attack any human being any time.
The gravity of situation was explained to Lion cage man and after much deliberation he was handed in two choices:
1. We will shoot you and place your body in front of Lion to have his feed of the day, and subsequently shoot Lion, in case any one is killed / eaten away by escaped Lion.
2. Or, if you can bring back the Lion safely back to cage, you will be pardoned for your life and also have his job back and also live life in peace.
Sham Singh accepted second option, whilst his heart was beating very fast and so many things good, bad & ugly were going in the back of his mind. He was also thinking that he has served the Lion faithfully all these years, so I will better beg from him mercy than humans, who are bound to kill him, even if a report comes through that Loose Lion has killed one human being:
1. He would prefer to be eaten, away by lion, instead of human beings (possibly against all odds against him), who will shoot him and place his body meat to Lion.
2. Further, since he had been looking after the Lion for past two / three decades, why not, ask Lion to pardon him >>>.
3. May be his life is spared by Lion or else if he eats him, he won’t have any grudge. In case his contention or is luck goes through, Lion may forgive as he has never left his Lion ever hungry etc>>>, but did not believe or trust human beings that they will spare him & his life otherwise.
When Sham Singh was brought to office for questioning from home, he was taking his bath and without eating his food, municipal authorities caught him and were taken to come to office and explain his negligence. At this stage, he was wearing his dhoti 10 to 12 feet long, wrapped around his waist and was holding red long handkerchief approximately 4 to 5 feet long (‘gamcha’) around his neck, also used as towel.
Sham Singh accepts to bring Lion back to Cage:
Sham Singh accepted, to bring Lion back to cage, rather than being killed by killer squad by gun shots in front of crowd in open lawns.
With heavy heart, Sham Singh, started his journey slowly and steadily, to bring back Lion from the hill top. Next few hours were daunting, full of fear of now being eaten away by Lion, and lots many other things were passing through his mind about his family and children etc, (with his family who are awaiting below and doing all prayers that there father brings back the Lion to cage against all the odds>>.) Also a high stage tense drama for all who were witnessing Sham Singh each step bringing him closer to ferocious Lion what will be next>>>.
By this time as per the story, countless spectators (possibly more than 100,000 spectators) had gathered to witness this high tension drama in front of there eyes, whilst all eyes glued for seeing either Lion eating away his prey or Sham Singh will he be successful in bringing him back to cage?
Sham Singh in front of Lion:
Finally Sham Singh had reached his summit, being now in front of Lion, and with his folded hands, with eyes all wet, and was slowly talking to Lion, that I have fed you, bathed you, cleaned your cage all religiously as my own child, please forgive him, in case he could not fulfill or had failed in his duties towards him. At this stage, Lion started moving his tail, and brought his ferocious mouth to his feet as if he has listened to all his ordeals from his Captain / Keeper / Care Taker / Master has gone through.
For next few moments, Sham Singh was numbed and humbled, he then took his red long handkerchief approximately 4 to 5 feet long (‘gamcha’) from his neck, and tied on the neck of Lion and slowly but steadily brought Lion back to cage as a pet dog, with each step, he had a sigh of relief. This distance from hill top to cage for Lion he covered in approximately 1 to 2 hours, with great relief, patted lion many times, before being brought into his cage & cried before Lion was locked in his home, to a greater smiles of every body who cheered him, ‘Long Live Sham Singh’ - We all love you!
Sham Singh, did not accept to work again at Lahore Zoo and lived with his wife & children happily thereafter, at least not to see one more night mare again, in his life. They say, God always gives one chance, so he took that and thanked God and all crowd who were praying for his safe return.
This story touched the hearts of so many, and I was told this story became a talk of the town, people from far and wide would love to meet Sham Singh to tell them his story.
14th May' 2011
I also had an opportunity, to collect few more photos, one where a Lion Keeper is giving a shower and yet another Lion walking along a master as a pet dog, I have lost it, but sooner I get it will place here. Following picture courtesy was taken from-http://www.trekearth.com/
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| Lion having shower by Keeper |
A Talwar, Auckland, New Zealand
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