How C.K. Nayudu Saved A Pakistan Cricketer From An Angry Mob During Partition In 1947
Fazal Mahmood & C.K. Nayudu (Twitter)
In a heartwarming camaraderie shared among cricketers, legendary Indian cricketer C.K. Nayudu had once provided safe passage to promising Pakistan pacer, Fazal Mahmood during the chaotic period leading to the partition of India.
C.K. Nayudu's gesture to Fazal Mahmood became an iconic story of partition
The year 1947 witnessed political and communal tensions surging in India with the Boundary Commission chaired by Cyril Radcliffe delineating the division between what would soon become India and Pakistan.
In the midst of this upheaval, Lahore, Fazal Mahmood's hometown, was designated as part of Pakistan, putting the cricketer in a predicament over his national allegiance.
While the situation was complex with Mahmood ruminating over whether to represent India or Pakistan, a more immediate concern was his safety.
The cricketer was stranded in India, far from his family, after a camp he was due to attend was postponed due to bad weather. Letters sent to his family failed to reach them which further increased their anxieties over his wellbeing.
Deciding to brave the journey back to Pakistan, Mahmood boarded a train to Bombay. Joining him was the tall and influential figure of C.K. Nayudu. Nayudu, renowned for his six-hitting skills felt a sense of duty to ensure Mahmood's safe return. On the journey, Nayudu's stature and respect in the community were apparent as the two-faced no harm.
However, at one point, an aggressive mob intent on targeting Muslims confronted the duo. Nayudu, leveraging his commanding presence and not hesitating to use his cricket bat for defense, ensured their aggressors quickly retreated.
Ensuring Mahmood's safety didn't stop at Bombay. Nayudu accompanied him to the border, seeing to it that his fellow cricketer safely crossed into the newly formed Pakistan. Mahmood later emerged as Pakistan's captain and had a distinguished career.
After retiring from cricket, he served as a police officer, eventually attaining the rank of DIG. His good looks also led to film role offers, but Mahmood chose to decline and remained dedicated to his professional pursuits.
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