Karvaan India

16/09/2025

Anwar reviews Lost Canvas: Poetry of Resistance, Belonging, and Grief

At its core, Lost Canvas is about resilience. Rukhaya writes with both anger and tenderness, demanding that readers confront injustice while also holding space for grief and healing. Her poems do not allow us to look away. Instead they ask us to question what kind of society we are building and what...

11/09/2025

Something exciting is coming up at Karvaan! karvaan's Director Asma A. Rafat engages in a freewheeling conversation with Juhi Babbar and Farida Jalal about their lives, creative journeys, and upcoming projects.

23/08/2025

We are delighted to invite you to a discussion tomorrow with journalist and author Ziya us Salam and Anand Mishra on their recent book The Lion of Naushera: The Story of Brigadier Usman. The event is being jointly organised by Karvaan India and Nous Network.

To help us prepare adequately, we request you to kindly fill out the Google form shared in the comments section if you wish to join us. We look forward to welcoming you.

About Brigadier Usman

Brigadier Mohammad Usman (1912–1948) is remembered as one of the most inspiring figures of independent India’s armed forces. Popularly known as the “Lion of Naushera”, he earned his place in history for his remarkable leadership and bravery during the first India–Pakistan war of 1947–48 in Jammu & Kashmir.

At a time when many Muslim officers opted to join Pakistan after Partition, Brigadier Usman chose to stay with the Indian Army, driven by his deep sense of loyalty and patriotism. He commanded the 50 (Independent) Parachute Brigade and played a decisive role in defending Naushera in Jammu & Kashmir against heavy Pakistani attacks in early 1948. His leadership and courage boosted the morale of his troops and inspired many to fight with tenacity.

Brigadier Usman was martyred in July 1948, becoming the highest-ranking Indian Army officer to lay down his life in that war. He was posthumously awarded the Maha Vir Chakra, the second-highest gallantry award of the Indian Army.

His life continues to stand as a symbol of courage, integrity, and an unflinching commitment to India’s unity.

https://bit.ly/book_discussion_nous

15/08/2025

Wishing you all a very Happy Independence Day — Azadi Mubarak!

18/07/2025

We are delighted to welcome Tanzil Rahman as a new member of Karvaan India's advisory board.

09/07/2025

Our first batch of Karvaan India's tote bags is ready. Do let us know what you think before we put them up for sale on the website.

06/07/2025

Announcing Dr. Tanweer Fazal as the final member of the Karvaan India Advisory Board for now.

06/07/2025

Wonderful to have Ambarien back at Karvaan India

06/07/2025

It’s wonderful to have the talented Ambarien Alqadar back on Karvaan India's advisory board.

03/07/2025

Nearly five thousand innocent Indians were slaughtered, and the village of Mahua Dabar was wiped off the map. The story of Mahua Dabar is nothing short of shocking. Around 5,000 people were surrounded and killed, and a major conspiracy was carried out to erase the village’s identity by resettling another village with the same name nearly 50 kilometres away.

In July 1857, the British wiped out Mahua Dabar, killing nearly 5,000 people and burning the village to ashes. Declared ‘ghair chiragi’, its name was erased from history, and another village was built miles away to hide the truth. Even today, Mahua Dabar’s silent ruins await justice and nation...