View allAll Photos Tagged Surrender
I have visited this ruin for many years, and am sad to say that it is slowly crumbling away. Not helped by vandals, who, as it is near the roadside, have the opportunity to park nearby.
It is on the Monuments at Risk register.
A two-week firearms surrender has been hailed a success after 243 guns were handed in.
Between 13th and 26th November, people were given the opportunity to surrender their guns anonymously at police stations across Greater Manchester.
Among the haul of pistols, revolvers, shotguns and handguns handed in was a 1973 Colt Revolver, Black P.Beretta, Gardone Vt 1936-Xiv and 9MM Walther P38.
A large quantity of ammunition was also surrendered.
More guns were handed in during this surrender than the previous two carried out in 2016 (221) and 2014 (225).
The firearms surrender was supported by the father and friends of Halton McCollin who tragically lost his life in 2008 when he was shot in the back of the head in Stretford.
Halton’s loved ones should have been celebrating his 30th birthday but instead joined Greater Manchester Police in appealing for people to give up the gun in the hope it’ll stop any other family going through the same pain.
Detective Chief Superintendent Mary Doyle said: “The surrender has been a great success and has seen 243 weapons taken off the streets, which is 243 fewer weapons that can cause harm and devastation within our communities.
“Although our surrender has finished, our fight against gun crime is far from over and we continue to focus our activity against those that use guns in their criminal activities.
“If you know somebody who has a gun, or is involved in firearms criminality, please tell us about it before another family is torn apart by a bullet.”
To report gun crime, contact Greater Manchester Police on 101 or 999 if a crime is in progress. Alternatively call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Use the hashtag #GiveUpTheGun on social media to join in the conversation.
To find out more about Greater Manchester Police please visit
You should call 101, the national non-emergency number, to report crime and other concerns that do not require an emergency response.
Always call 999 in an emergency, such as when a crime is in progress, violence is being used or threatened or where there is danger to life.
You can also call anonymously with information about crime to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Crimestoppers is an independent charity who will not want your name, just your information. Your call will not be traced or recorded and you do not have to go to court or give a statement.
Yoko Ono
New York Times, 25th Dec 1982
John and I were part of the huge crowd of world youth who grew up believing in the American idealism and its claim for human rights. We lived in societies under lingering Victorian influence while sharing the American Dream in our hearts.
The dream still lives. This is evident in the letters I receive from the world in sharp contrast to the prevailing pessimism here in the States. The world has witnessed American Spirit rising with remarkable resilience when it’s most needed and often when it’s least expected. No doubt it will again. My concern is how. We don’t need another martyr. We have had one too many.
Compare the two last times when the American Spirit has surged to bring justice to and for the nation. One being the Vietnam Peace Movement and the other, the Watergate Incident. No blame intended to any individual and group heroes, there was much painful bloodshed connected with the Peace Movement whereas there was none with Watergate. Heroes involved there were either silent or masked, and the incongruity of it was directly responsible to the unfolding of the case. I observed this as strong evidence of our growing awareness, that emotional radicalism is power play with emphasis on play, and peace nurtures peace as justice seeds justice. Sanity is allowing dichotomy, unity is discovering empathy, and harmony is a celebration of polarity. Our purpose is not to exert power but to express our need for unity despite the seemingly unconquerable differences. We as the human race have a history of losing our emotional equilibrium when we discover different thought patterns in others. Many wars have been fought as a result. It’s about time to recognize that it is all right to be wearing different hats as our heartbeat is always one.
I would like to propose a Nationwide Peace Poll to vote for peace versus nuclear holocaust of any size. The Poll should be clearly independent from Nuclear Disarmament and/ or gun control issues for now, as many of us feel a strong need for nuclear defence while regarding gun control a non-priority cause. Combining either or both of these issued with the Peace Poll would immediately reduce the Poll to a minority venture. The Poll should be authorized and organized by the Congress as a national undertaking for the sake of expedience alone, with the balloting through the media to minimize administrative expense. What the Peace Poll will do is to 1) show us where we stand in terms of individual and collective commitment to World Peace and 2) inspire the rest of the world to follow.
There may come a time, sooner than we imagine, when the world would feel safe to curtail production of nuclear arms. The cost cutback alone would be a direct financial gain to every country. Already some of us are starting to feel suspicious of the old myth that war is more lucrative than peace, especially after observing that the world’s largest weapon merchant, U.S.A, has not been exempt from the world economic crisis.
One could say that because of the times the people of the United States and their government have been given an opportunity to initiate World Peace. To take this initiative is to leave a tremendous legacy to our offspring, a legacy of our true concern for the future race and our planet. How can we ask our children to be caring when we ourselves show indifference to their fate? Smile to the future and it will smile back to us.
I pray that in the end gun control will cease to be an issue, as today’s misuse of guns may be due to the world tension for fear calls fear. A day may come when we will see governments offering to buy private guns for recycling, to, say, make domestic robots. A few guns perhaps would remain in museums next to the Early American spears for example as reminders of days when we used to kill each other to put stop to our lives before our natural deaths. Would they ever understand how much sorrow was caused by this instrument and its ritual I wonder? The true motivations for murdering one’s fellow human is and will be and eternal mystery to us.
In the beginning there was the Word. If the Universe was initially created by a word and its air play of seven days, wouldn’t it be a comparatively modest effort on our part to work together through affirmation and reaffirmation of our unity, to ensure the survival of our already existing planet? If, as we know now, all of us are only using less than 20% of our brains, it is not an exaggeration to say that our awareness knows no boundary, and a miracle is what we make of it.
The Eighties has become the most unusually beautiful, enlightened period in the history of the human race. It is as though the very tension has forced us to wake up from the long embryonic period we held on to. We are witnessing a unique society where all our feelings and thoughts have been brought out t the surface to be shared and re-examined. Not only that we have become closer to each other and wiser, but the wiser have become meeker and the meeker have become wiser thus making us truly one world.
In the summer of ’73 in New York City, John and I invited the press to announce the founding of a conceptual country called NUTOPIA. Anybody could be a citizen of this country. Citizens were automatically the country’s ambassadors. The country’s body was the airfield of our joint thoughts. Its constitution was our love, and its spirit, our dreams. Its flag was the white flag of surrender. A surrender to peace. We wished that one day we would take the flag to the United Nations and place it alongside the other flags as Nutopia was just another concept, as were concepts such as France, United States, and the Soviet Union. It was not a concept founded to threaten any other. At the time, the idea of “surrender” did not go down too well. A radical friend of ours expressed that he, too, disliked the term. “Surrender sounds like defeat,” he said. “Well, don’t you surrender to love, for instance?”, I looked at him. “No, he wouldn’t” I thought. “Are women the only people who know the pride and joy of surrender?” I wondered. “It’s a waste of time to explain to a macho radical, didn’t I tell you?” said John, a man who surrendered to the world, life and finally to Universe. “Anyway, don’t worry, Yoko. One day we’ll put it up there. You and I. I promise.” I still believe we will.
It is time for you to rise. It is you who will raise the flag. I feel that John and I, as a unit, have done our share. The rest of my life belongs to our son, Sean. It is your effort. Your flag. So remember, We Are Family. You and I are unity. In the Joy of Harmony, the World is One to Infinity. Speak out. Speak out of love and you need not fear. We will hear. America The Beautiful.
Surrender to Peace.
I love you.
Yoko Ono Lennon
December 25 ,1982
New York City.
P.S. Just now I received a call that a friend, Jamie Lubarr, was shot to death Christmas Eve. He was walking on the streets of New York to go to a party. Two people came from behind and shot him with no apparent reason.
I’m sorry Jamie. It was too late for you, ad for the approximately 24,000 sisters and brothers who were shot to death this year in U.S.A just with handguns alone (F.B.I Unified Reported Crime Statistics, Washington, D.C from January to October ’82). This means one every thirty minutes. The rising violence is a world phenomenon in varying shades of cruelty. Closing our eyes to it will not make it disappear.
I have not slept well since John died. One beside light is always lit through the night. It is as though I have no right to sleep in the comfort of darkness. I have my moments of joy and laughter. Night is when I face myself, John, and the dreams we dreamt together. There is anger and sorrow. Still, gun for gun is not the way. If we took that route, pretty soon, you would be hearing me say, “Well, thank God, we’re alive. That’s ‘cause my son is such a good marksman.” I don’t want to live that way. Forget the moral implication for a moment. How do we sleep? There is always a better marksman somewhere.
So I say it again. Speak out. Speak out of the wisdom of love- through love we have the power to create Heaven on Earth as Love is heaven and heaven is love. The Man said, “Half of what I say is meaningless, but I say it just to reach you.”
Love,
Yoko
Studio One
1 W, 72nd Street
New York City 10023
Footnote: 19th October 2007
Dear Friends
This was my statement in the 80's.
I am amazed and saddened that the situation is incredibly similar now.
But we overcame in the 80's.
We can overcome again.
We are larger in numbers now.
So, I'll say it again.
Remember: We Are Family.
Think PEACE, Act PEACE and Spread PEACE.
Together, we will shift the axis of the world to PEACE.
I love you!
yoko
The wild boys are calling
On their way back from the fire
In august moon's surrender to
A dust cloud on the rise
Wild boys fallen far from glory
Reckless and so hungered
On the razors edge you trail
Because there's murder by the roadside
In a sore afraid new world
They tried to break us,
Looks like they'll try again
Wild boys never lose it
Wild boys never chose this way
Wild boys never close your eyes
Wild boys always shine
You got sirens for a welcome
There's bloodstain for your pain
And your telephone been ringing while
You're dancing in the rain
Wild boys wonder where is glory
Where is all you angels
Now the figureheads have fell
And lovers war with arrows over
Secrets they could tell
They tried to tame you
Looks like they'll try again
Wild boys never lose it
Wild boys never chose this way
Wild boys never close your eyes
Wild boys always shine
Wild Boys Duran Duran
Description: Surrender of German troops at Cherbourg-Octeville in Normandy.
Date: 26th June 1944
Our Catalogue Reference: ADM 202/598
This image is from the collections of The National Archives. Feel free to share it within the spirit of the Commons.
For high quality reproductions of any item from our collection please contact our image library.
The final stages of the removal of "Unconditional Surrender" at Tuna Harbor Park. (Photos courtesy Dale Frost/Port of San Diego).
A two-week firearms surrender has been hailed a success after 243 guns were handed in.
Between 13th and 26th November, people were given the opportunity to surrender their guns anonymously at police stations across Greater Manchester.
Among the haul of pistols, revolvers, shotguns and handguns handed in was a 1973 Colt Revolver, Black P.Beretta, Gardone Vt 1936-Xiv and 9MM Walther P38.
A large quantity of ammunition was also surrendered.
More guns were handed in during this surrender than the previous two carried out in 2016 (221) and 2014 (225).
The firearms surrender was supported by the father and friends of Halton McCollin who tragically lost his life in 2008 when he was shot in the back of the head in Stretford.
Halton’s loved ones should have been celebrating his 30th birthday but instead joined Greater Manchester Police in appealing for people to give up the gun in the hope it’ll stop any other family going through the same pain.
Detective Chief Superintendent Mary Doyle said: “The surrender has been a great success and has seen 243 weapons taken off the streets, which is 243 fewer weapons that can cause harm and devastation within our communities.
“Although our surrender has finished, our fight against gun crime is far from over and we continue to focus our activity against those that use guns in their criminal activities.
“If you know somebody who has a gun, or is involved in firearms criminality, please tell us about it before another family is torn apart by a bullet.”
To report gun crime, contact Greater Manchester Police on 101 or 999 if a crime is in progress. Alternatively call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Use the hashtag #GiveUpTheGun on social media to join in the conversation.
To find out more about Greater Manchester Police please visit
You should call 101, the national non-emergency number, to report crime and other concerns that do not require an emergency response.
Always call 999 in an emergency, such as when a crime is in progress, violence is being used or threatened or where there is danger to life.
You can also call anonymously with information about crime to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Crimestoppers is an independent charity who will not want your name, just your information. Your call will not be traced or recorded and you do not have to go to court or give a statement.
Catalog #: 10_0018848
Title: Le Shima Surrender
Date: 1939-1945
Additional Information: Ie Shima Surrender
Tags: Ie Shima Surrender , Ie Shima Surrender , 1939-1945
Repository: San Diego Air and Space Museum Archive
I surrender all to You. Let my heart trust in You let my fear fall. Let Your love carry me through it all. I will hold onto You even through pain. Wont You take me away with You!
All credit goes to..
taken by Jeremy Johnson.(my youth pastor)
edited by me
photoshop
In February 1972 some 30,000 Birmingham engineers walked out on strike in solidarity with striking miners who were fighting against austerity pay deals. Up to 15,000 then marched to join miners who were picketing Saltley coke depot. The blockade forced the police, who had kept the depot open all week, to surrender and close the gates.
Militant picketing involving tens of thousands of miners had shut down power stations, docks and coal depots. But the victory at Saltley, won through solidarity strikes, was the turning point for the miners. Within seven weeks the government was defeated.
The rally today, 40 years later, was addressed by Arthur Scargill, legendary leader of Miners union NUM, Ken Capstick former vice president of Yorkshire NUM and former editor of the NUM journal, Bob Crow RMT General Secretary, Tony Burke UNITE Deputy General Secretary, strikers and eyewitnesses from the time. They not only reflected on their experiences 40 years ago but drew attention to how today, working people face a similar assault on their living conditions. November 2011 saw millions of workers strike in Britain in the biggest show of united action in generations and that forty years on, the Battle of Saltley Gate carries powerful lessons for a working class that is once again stirring.
The speakers were also joined by the Shrewsbury pickets, Pete Jackson author of a new pamphlet on the events “Close the Gates.” Local trade union theatre group Banner and participants enjoyed performances from local choirs and poets.
How the gates were closed
In 1971 the NUM submitted a pay claim of between £5 and £9 per week depending on grade. The NCB replied offering £1.60.
A national ballot voted for strike action and the NUM declared a strike from 9 January 1972. This was their first national strike in over 40 years.
From the beginning the NUR blacked the pits and power stations, dramatically reducing the movement of coal. ASLEF told their members not to move anything unusual. The docks were solid, refusing to move imported coal. The TGWU lorry drivers were solid, refusing to cross picket lines. The TUC agreed that all trade union members should respect picket lines.
It was decided that ‘flying pickets’ should be sent out around the country to stop coal movements to power stations and other key industrial targets.
Mass picketing was shutting down the energy supplies to power stations around the country. The police were becoming desperate to get the supplies through.
Saltley Coking works in Birmingham became a flashpoint in the dispute. The NUM and the government had agreed that coking works should only supply priority customers like hospitals during the dispute.
Saltley was owned by the West Midlands Gas Board and they decided that the guidelines didn’t apply to them. As a result hundreds of trucks headed to Saltley, causing a mile long queue waiting to get into the depot.
On Friday 4th February, after negotiations with the Gas Board had failed, picketing started. Most lorries defied the 200 pickets.
The Midlands NUM, which had been picketing Saltley, called for reinforcements.
By Monday 7th February there were 2,000 pickets from Yorkshire, South Wales and the Midlands.
It was becoming clear that many more pickets were needed to close Saltley, and other miners were busy picketing elsewhere.
On Tuesday 8th February a meeting was called of the AUEW East District shop stewards. Arthur Scargill addressed the meeting and asked for a one day strike and mass picket.
Arthur Scargill reported “I told them if they wanted to give us a quid to ease their conscience, then stuff it, we didn’t want it. We wanted physical support, we wanted strike action.”
The following afternoon 200 AUEW stewards and convenors voted to support the call.
From early in the morning of Thursday 10th February workers were walking out of work and heading to Saltley.
The Birmingham Evening Mail ran the front page banner headline “The Gates Close” followed by “Siege by 10,000 halts lorries, then police step in”
The main article on the front page of the Evening Mail on 10 February 1972 included -
“Saltley Coke depot was closed today as 10,000 demonstrators surged towards the gates.
“A sea of faces stretched for as far as the eye could see, below trade union banners and there was a great roar as the gates shut for the first time since picketing began last week.
“Scores of factories were closed or totally disrupted as workers responded to the strike call from the AUEW and the National Union of Vehicle Builders.
“From early morning the contingents, hundreds strong, began arriving at the depot.
“Finally Nechells Place, scene of earlier violence, St Clement’s Road, which runs past the depot gates, and the main Saltley Road, were completely thronged with singing, chanting crowds waving banners and placards.
“Others came from the Valor factory, the GEC, the Rover car works and several other British Leyland factories. Others marched under the red banner of the East District of the AUEW. Crowds of women from the SU Carburettor factory, the GEC and Valor swelled the ranks.
“An hour after the huge crowds had massed outside the depot the gates were closed and locked by Gas Board security men.
“Tumultuous cheering broke out as Mr Scargill climbed onto the roof of a nearby building and told the crowd through a loud hailer “if working people are united they can achieve anything.”
Workers’ solidarity closed the gates. Even 700 police were unable to cope with a crowd of 15,000 strikers.
Arthur Scargill recalled
“And then over this hill came a banner and I’ve never seen in my life as many people following a banner. As far as the eye could see it was just a mass of people marching towards Saltley. There was a huge roar and from the other side of the hill they were coming the other way. They were coming from five directions, there were five approaches to Saltley; it was in a hollow, they were arriving from every direction. And our lads were just jumping up in the air with emotion—a fantastic situation.”
“The Chief Constable said: ‘That’s it, I’m not risking any more here, those gates stay closed.’ He then turned to me—this is absolutely factual—and said: ‘Will you please do us a favour? Will you please disperse the crowd?’ And I said on two conditions:
firstly that I can make a speech to the crowd. He said, ‘Agreed.’ And secondly that I can use your equipment, because mine’s knackered. He said: ‘Agreed.’ Then I spoke from the urinal in Birmingham, with this police equipment.”
To attempt to settle the dispute the Wilberforce enquiry was set up on 15 February. It reported after three days proposing pay rises of £4.50 to £6 per week.
The strike was a victory. It had broken the government pay restraint. It had improved miners’ wages. It had seen incredible solidarity action. It had restored the miners’ confidence, not seen since 1926. And the method of winning had been militant action – flying pickets, mass pickets and solidarity strikes.
The strike broke the morale of the Tory government. They had been badly defeated.
The Tory home secretary at the time, Reginald Maudling, described the government as "wandering around the battlefield looking for someone to surrender to".
I really like this picture. I don't know what it is, but I love it! (SOOC)
Comment Please!!
P.S. I put the new improved crop version in the comments. Go see!
Chittorgarh Fort (Hindi/Rajasthani: चित्तौड दुर्ग Chittorgarh Durg) is the largest fort in India and the grandest in the state of Rajasthan. It is a World Heritage Site. The fort, plainly known as Chittor, was the capital of Mewar and is today situated several kilometres south of Bhilwara. It was initially ruled by Guhilot and later by Sisodias, the Suryavanshi clans of Chattari Rajputs, from the 7th century, until it was finally abandoned in 1568 after the siege by Emperor Akbar in 1567. It sprawls majestically over a hill 180 m in height spread over an area of 280 ha above the plains of the valley drained by the Berach River. The fort precinct with an evocative history is studded with a series of historical palaces, gates, temples and two prominent commemoration towers. These monumental ruins have inspired the imagination of tourists and writers for centuries.
The fort was sacked three times between the 15th and 16th centuries; in 1303 Allauddin Khilji defeated Rana Ratan Singh, in 1535 Bahadur Shah, the Sultan of Gujarat defeated Bikramjeet Singh and in 1567 Emperor Akbar defeated Maharana Udai Singh II who left the fort and founded Udaipur. Each time the men fought bravely rushing out of the fort walls charging the enemy but lost every time. Following these defeats, Jauhar was committed thrice by more than 13,000 ladies and children of the Rajput heroes who laid their lives in battles at Chittorgarh Fort, first led by Rani Padmini wife of Rana Rattan Singh who was killed in the battle in 1303, and later by Rani Karnavati in 1537 AD.
Thus, the fort represents the quintessence of tribute to the nationalism, courage, medieval chivalry and sacrifice exhibited by the Mewar rulers of Sisodia and their kinsmen and women and children, between the 7th and 16th centuries. The rulers, their soldiers, the women folk of royalty and the commoners considered death as a better option than dishonor in the face of surrender to the foreign invading armies.
GEOGRAPHY
Chittorgarh, located in the southern part of the state of Rajasthan, 233 km from Ajmer, midway between Delhi and Mumbai on the National Highway 8 (India) in the road network of Golden Quadrilateral. Chittorgarh is situated where National Highways No. 76 & 79 intersect.
The fort rises abruptly above the surrounding plains and is spread over an area of 2.8 km2. The highest elevation at the fort is 1,075 m. It is situated on the left bank of the Berach river (a tributary of the Banas River) and is linked to the new town of Chittorgarh (known as the 'Lower Town') developed in the plains after 1568 AD when the fort was deserted in light of introduction of artillery in the 16th century, and therefore the capital was shifted to more secure Udaipur, located on the eastern flank of Aravalli hill range. Mughal Emperor Akbar attacked and sacked this fort which was but one of the 84 forts of Mewar,but the capital was shifted to Aravalli hills where heavy artillery & cavalry were not effective. A winding hill road of more than 1 km length from the new town leads to the west end main gate, called Ram Pol, of the fort. Within the fort, a circular road provides access to all the gates and monuments located within the fort walls.
The fort that once boasted of 84 water bodies has only 22 of them now. These water bodies are fed by natural catchment and rainfall, and have a combined storage of 4 billion litres that could meet the water needs of an army of 50,000. The supply could last for four years. These water bodies are in the form of ponds, wells and step wells.
HISTORY
Chittorgarh Fort is considered to be the largest fort of India in terms of area. It is stated that the fort was constructed by the Mauryans during the 7th century AD and hence derives its name after the Mauryan ruler, Chitrangada Mori, as inscribed on coins of the period. Historical records show Chittorgarh fort as the capital of Mewar for 834 years. It was established in 734 AD by Bappa Rawal, founder ruler in the hierarchy of the Sisodia rulers of Mewar. It is also said that the fort was gifted to Bappa Rawal as part of Solanki princess’s dowry in the 8th century. The fort was looted and destroyed at the hands of Emperor Akbar in 1568 AD and subsequently never resettled but only refurbished in 1905 AD. Three important battles were fought for control of the fort; in 1303, Ala-ud-din Khilji besieged the fort; in 1535, Sultan of Gujarat Bahadur Shah besieged the fort; and in 1568, Mughal Emperor Akbar attacked the fort. Not that there were only defeats at the fort. Excluding the periods of siege, the fort had always remained in possession of the Sisodias of the Guhilot (or Gehlot/Guhila) clan of Rajputs, who descended from Bappa Rawal. There were also success stories of establishment of the fort and its reconstruction after every siege, before it was finally abandoned in 1568, all of which are narrated.
Chittor is cited in the Mahabharat epic. It is said that Bhima, the second of the Pandava brothers of Epic Mahabaharata fame, known for his mighty strength gave a powerful hit with his fist to the ground that resulted in water springing up to form a large reservoir. It is called Bhimlat kund, an artificial tank named after Bhima. Folk legend also mentions that Bhima started building the fort.
BAPPA RAWAL
The earliest history linked to the Bappa Rawal's fort is that of the Huna Kingdom of Sialkot (of Mihir Kula 515-540 AD) that was destroyed by Yashodharman. This was subsequently seized by a new dynasty of kshatriyas called Tak or Taxaka. According to historians, the Taxak Mori were the lords of Chittor from a very early period. After a few generations, the Guhilots supplanted them. From 725 to 735 AD, there were numerous defenders who appear to have considered the cause of Chittor their own, the Tak from Asirgarh. This race appears to have retained possession of Asirgarh for at least two centuries after this event and one of its chieftain Bappa Rawal was the most conspicuous leader in the lineage of Prithvi Raj. In the poems of Chandar he is called the "Standard, bearer, Tak of Asir."
SIEGE OF 1303
Ala ud din Khilji, Sultan of Delhi, rallied his forces against Mewar, in 1303 AD. The Chittorgarh fort was till then considered impregnable and grand, atop a natural hill. But his immediate reason for invading the fort was his obsessive desire to capture Rani Padmini, the unrivalled beautiful queen of Rana Ratan Singh and take her into his harem. The Rana, out of politeness, allowed the Khilji to view Padmini through a set of mirrors. But this viewing of Padmini further fired Khilji’s desire to possess her. After the viewing, as a gesture of courtesy, when the Rana accompanied the Sultan to the outer gate, he was treacherously captured. Khilji conveyed to the queen that the Rana would be released only if she agreed to join his harem. But the queen had other plans. She agreed to go to his camp if permitted to go in a Royal style with an entourage, in strict secrecy. Instead of her going, she sent 700 well armed soldiers disguised in litters and they rescued the Rana and took him to the fort. But Khilji chased them to the fort where a fierce battle ensued at the outer gate of the fort in which the Rajput soldiers were overpowered and the Rana was killed. Khilji won the battle on August 26, 1303. Soon thereafter, instead of surrendering to the Sultan, the royal Rajput ladies led by Rani Padmini preferred to die through the Rajput’s ultimate tragic rite of Jauhar (self immolation on a pyre). In revenge, Khilji killed thirty thousand Hindus. He entrusted the fort to his son Khizr Khan to rule and renamed the fort as 'Khizrabad'. He also showered gifts on his son by way of
a red canopy, a robe embroidered with gold and two standards one green and the other black and threw upon him rubies and emeralds.
He returned to Delhi after the fierce battle at the fort.
RANA HAMMIR & SUCCESSORS
Khizr Khan’s rule at the fort lasted till 1311 AD and due to the pressure of Rajputs he was forced to entrust power to the Sonigra chief Maldeva who held the fort for 7 years. Hammir Singh, usurped control of the fort from Maldeva by “treachery and intrigue” and Chittor once again regained its past glory. Hammir, before his death in 1364 AD, had converted Mewar into a fairly large and prosperous kingdom. The dynasty (and clan) fathered by him came to be known by the name Sisodia after the village where he was born. His son Ketra Singh succeeded him and ruled with honour and power. Ketra Singh’s son Lakha who ascended the throne in 1382 AD also won several wars. His famous grandson Rana Kumbha came to the throne in 1433 AD and by that time the Muslim rulers of Malwa and Gujarat had acquired considerable clout and were keen to usurp the powerful Mewar state.
RANA KUMBHA & CLAN
There was resurgence during the reign of Rana Kumbha in the 15th century. Rana Kumbha, also known as Maharana Kumbhakarna, son of Rana Mokal, ruled Mewar between 1433 AD and 1468 AD. He is credited with building up the Mewar kingdom assiduously as a force to reckon with. He built 32 forts (84 fortresses formed the defense of Mewar) including one in his own name, called Kumbalgarh. But his end came in 1468 AD at the hands of his own son Rana Udaysimha (Uday Singh I) who assassinated him to gain the throne of Mewar. This patricide was not appreciated by the people of Mewar and consequently his brother Rana Raimal assumed the reins of power in 1473. After his death in May 1509, Sangram Singh (also known as Rana Sanga), his youngest son, became the ruler of Mewar, which brought in a new phase in the history of Mewar. Rana Sanga, with support from Medini Rai (a Rajput chief of Alwar), fought a valiant battle against Mughal emperor Babar at Khanwa in 1527. He ushered in a period of prestige to Chittor by defeating the rulers of Gujarat and also effectively interfered in the matters of Idar. He also won small areas of the Delhi territory. In the ensuing battle with Ibrahim Lodi, Rana won and acquired some districts of Malwa. He also defeated the combined might of Sultan Muzaffar of Gujarat and the Sultan of Malwa. By 1525 AD, Rana Sanga had developed Chittor and Mewar, by virtue of great intellect, valour and his sword, into a formidable military state. But in a decisive battle that was fought against Babar on March 16, 1527, the Rajput army of Rana Sanga suffered a terrible defeat and Sanga escaped to one of his fortresses. But soon thereafter in another attack on the Chanderi fort the valiant Rana Sanga died and with his death the Rajput confederacy collapsed.
SIEGE OF 1534
Bahadur Shah who came to the throne in 1526 AD as the Sultan of Gujarat besieged the Chittorgarh fort in 1534. The fort was sacked and, once again the medieval dictates of chivalry determined the outcome. Following the defeat of the Rana, it is said 13,000 Rajput women committed jauhar (self immolation on the funeral pyre) and 3,200 Rajput warriors rushed out of the fort to fight and die.
SIEGE OF 1567
The final Siege of Chittorgarh came 33 years later, in 1567, when the Mughal Emperor Akbar invaded the fort. Akbar wanted to conquer Mewar, which was being ably ruled by Rana Uday Singh II, a fine prince of Mewar. To establish himself as the supreme lord of Northern India, he wanted to capture the renowned fortress of Chittor, as a precursor to conquering the whole of India. Shakti Singh, son of the Rana who had quarreled with his father, had run away and approached Akbar when the later had camped at Dholpur preparing to attack Malwa. During one of these meetings, in August 1567, Shakti Singh came to know from a remark made in jest by emperor Akbar that he was intending to wage war against Chittor. Akbar had told Shakti Singh in jest that since his father had not submitted himself before him like other princes and chieftains of the region he would attack him. Startled by this revelation, Shakti Singh quietly rushed back to Chittor and informed his father of the impending invasion by Akbar. Akbar was furious with the departure of Shakti Singh and decided to attack Mewar to humble the arrogance of the Ranas. In September 1567, the emperor left for Chittor, and on October 20, 1567, camped in the vast plains outside the fort. In the meantime, Rana Udai Singh, on the advice of his council of advisors, decided to go away from Chittor to the hills of Udaipur. Jaimal and Patta, two brave army chieftains of Mewar, were left behind to defend the fort along with 8,000 Rajput warriors under their command. Akbar laid siege to the fortress. The Rajput army fought valiantly and Akbar himself had narrowly escaped death. In this grave situation, Akbar had prayed for divine help for achieving victory and vowed to visit the shrine of the sufi saint Khwaja at Ajmer. The battle continued till February 23, 1568. On that day Jaymal was seriously wounded but he continued to fight with support from Patta. Jayamal ordered jauhar to be performed when many beautiful princesses of Mewar and noble matrons committed self-immolation at the funeral pyre. Next day the gates of the fort were opened and Rajput soldiers rushed out bravely to fight the enemies. Jayamal and Patta who fought bravely were at last killed in action. One figure estimates that 30,000 soldiers were killed in action. Akbar immediately repaired himself to Ajmer to perform his religious vow.
RETURN OF THE FORT TO MEWAR
But in 1616, Jehangir returned Chittor fort to the Rajputs, when Maharana Amar Singh was the chief of Mewar. However, the fort was not resettled though it was refurbished several centuries later in 1905 during British Raj.
PRECINCTS
The fort which is roughly in the shape of a fish has a circumference of 13 km with a maximum width of 3 km and it covers an area of 700 acres. The fort is approached through a zig zag and difficult ascent of more than 1 km from the plains, after crossing over a bridge made in limestone. The bridge spans the Gambhiri River and is supported by ten arches (one has a curved shape while the balance have pointed arches). Apart from the two tall towers, which dominate the majestic fortifications, the sprawling fort has a plethora of palaces and temples (many of them in ruins) within its precincts.
The 305 hectares component site, with a buffer zone of 427 hectares, encompasses the fortified stronghold of Chittorgarh, a spacious fort located on an isolated rocky plateau of approximately 2 km length and 155m width.
It is surrounded by a perimeter wall 4.5 kilometres long, beyond which a 45° hill slope makes it almost inaccessible to enemies. The ascent to the fort passes through seven gateways built by the Mewar ruler Rana Kumbha (1433- 1468) of the Sisodia clan. These gates are called, from the base to the hill top, the Paidal Pol, Bhairon Pol, Hanuman Pol, Ganesh Pol, Jorla Pol, Laxman Pol, and Ram Pol, the final and main gate.
The fort complex comprises 65 historic built structures, among them 4 palace complexes, 19 main temples, 4 memorials and 20 functional water bodies. These can be divided into two major construction phases. The first hill fort with one main entrance was established in the 5th century and successively fortified until the 12th century. Its remains are mostly visible on the western edges of the plateau. The second, more significant defence structure was constructed in the 15th century during the reign of the Sisodia Rajputs, when the royal entrance was relocated and fortified with seven gates, and the medieval fortification wall was built on an earlier wall construction from the 13th century.
Besides the palace complex, located on the highest and most secure terrain in the west of the fort, many of the other significant structures, such as the Kumbha Shyam Temple, the Mira Bai Temple, the Adi Varah Temple, the Shringar Chauri Temple, and the Vijay Stambh memorial were constructed in this second phase. Compared to the later additions of Sisodian rulers during the 19th and 20th centuries, the predominant construction phase illustrates a comparatively pure Rajput style combined with minimal eclecticism, such as the vaulted substructures which were borrowed from Sultanate architecture. The 4.5 km walls with integrated circular enforcements are constructed from dressed stone masonry in lime mortar and rise 500m above the plain. With the help of the seven massive stone gates, partly flanked by hexagonal or octagonal towers, the access to the fort is restricted to a narrow pathway which climbs up the steep hill through successive, ever narrower defence passages. The seventh and final gate leads directly into the palace area, which integrates a variety of residential and official structures. Rana Kumbha Mahal, the palace of Rana Kumbha, is a large Rajput domestic structure and now incorporates the Kanwar Pade Ka Mahal (the palace of the heir) and the later palace of the poetess Mira Bai (1498-1546). The palace area was further expanded in later centuries, when additional structures, such as the Ratan Singh Palace (1528–31) or the Fateh Prakash, also named Badal Mahal (1885-1930), were added. Although the majority of temple structures represent the Hindu faith, most prominently the Kalikamata Temple (8th century), the Kshemankari Temple (825-850) the Kumbha Shyam Temple (1448) or the Adbuthnath Temple (15th- 16th century), the hill fort also contains Jain temples, such as Shringar Chauri (1448) and Sat Bis Devri (mid-15th century) Also the two tower memorials, Kirti Stambh (13th-14th century) and Vijay Stambha (1433-1468), are Jain monuments. They stand out with their respective heights of 24m and 37m, which ensure their visibility from most locations of the fort complex. Finally, the fort compound is home to a contemporary municipal ward of approximately 3,000 inhabitants, which is located near Ratan Singh Tank at the northern end of the property.
GATES
The fort has total seven gates (in local language, gate is called Pol), namely the Padan Pol, Bhairon Pol, Hanuman Pol, Ganesh Pol, Jodla Pol, Laxman Pol and the main gate named the Ram Pol (Lord Rama's Gate). All the gateways to the fort have been built as massive stone structures with secure fortifications for military defense. The doors of the gates with pointed arches are reinforced to fend off elephants and cannon shots. The top of the gates have notched parapets for archers to shoot at the enemy army. A circular road within the fort links all the gates and provides access to the numerous monuments (ruined palaces and 130 temples) in the fort.
During the second siege, Prince Bagh Singh died at the Padan Pol in 1535 AD. Prince Jaimal of Badnore and his clansman Kalla were killed by Akbar at a location between the Bhairon Pol and Hanuman Pol in the last siege of the fort in 1567 (Kalla carried the wounded Jaimal out to fight). Chhatris, with the roof supported by corbeled arches, have been built to commemorate the spots of their sacrifice. Their statues have also been erected, at the orders of Emperor Akbar, to commemorate their valiant deaths. At each gate, cenotaphs of Jaimal (in the form of a statue of a Rajput warrior on horseback) and Patta have also been constructed. At Ram Pol, the entrance gate to the fort, a Chaatri was built in memory of the 15 year old Patta of Kelwa, who had lost his father in battle, and saw the sword yielding mother and wife on the battle field who fought valiantly and died at this gate. He led the saffron robed Rajput warriors, who all died fighting for Mewar’s honour. Suraj Pol (Sun Gate) provides entry to the eastern wall of the fort. On the right of Suraj Pol is the Darikhana or Sabha (council chamber) behind which lie a Ganesha temple and the zenana (living quarters for women). A massive water reservoir is located towards the left of Suraj Pol. There is also a peculiar gate, called the Jorla Pol (Joined Gate), which consists of two gates joined together. The upper arch of Jorla Pol is connected to the base of Lakshman Pol. It is said that this feature has not been noticed anywhere else in India. The Lokota Bari is the gate at the fort’s northern tip, while a small opening that was used to hurl criminals into the abyss is seen at the southern end.
VIJAY STAMBHA
The Vijay Stambha (Tower of Victory) or Jaya Stambha, called the symbol of Chittor and a particularly bold expression of triumph, was erected by Rana Kumbha between 1458 and 1468 to commemorate his victory over Mahmud Shah I Khalji, the Sultan of Malwa, in 1440 AD. Built over a period of ten years, it raises 37.2 metres over a 4.4 m2 base in nine stories accessed through a narrow circular staircase of 157 steps (the interior is also carved) up to the 8th floor, from where there is good view of the plains and the new town of Chittor. The dome, which was a later addition, was damaged by lightning and repaired during the 19th century. The Stamba is now illuminated during the evenings and gives a beautiful view of Chittor from the top.
KIRTI STAMBHA
Kirti Stambha (Tower of Fame) is a 22 metres high tower built on a 9.1 m base with 4.6 m at the top, is adorned with Jain sculptures on the outside and is older (probably 12th century) and smaller than the Victory Tower. Built by a Bagherwal Jain merchant Jijaji Rathod, it is dedicated to Adinath, the first Jain tirthankar (revered Jain teacher). In the lowest floor of the tower, figures of the various tirthankars of the Jain pantheon are seen in special niches formed to house them. These are digambara monuments. A narrow stairway with 54 steps leads through the six storeys to the top. The top pavilion that was added in the 15th century has 12 columns.
RANA KUMBHA PALACE
At the entrance gate near the Vijaya Stamba, Rana Kumbha's palace (in ruins), the oldest monument, is located. The palace included elephant and horse stables and a temple to Lord Shiva. Maharana Udai Singh, the founder of Udaipur, was born here; the popular folk lore linked to his birth is that his maid Panna DaiPanna Dhai saved him by substituting her son in his place as a decoy, which resulted in her son getting killed by Banbir. The prince was spirited away in a fruit basket. The palace is built with plastered stone. The remarkable feature of the palace is its splendid series of canopied balconies. Entry to the palace is through Suraj Pol that leads into a courtyard. Rani Meera, the famous poetess saint, also lived in this palace. This is also the palace where Rani Padmini, consigned herself to the funeral pyre in one of the underground cellars, as an act of jauhar along with many other women. The Nau Lakha Bandar (literal meaning: nine lakh treasury) building, the royal treasury of Chittor was also located close by. Now, across from the palace is a museum and archeological office. The Singa Chowri temple is also nearby.
FATEH PRAKASH PALACE
Located near Rana Khumba palace, built by Rana Fateh Singh, the precincts have modern houses and a small museum. A school for local children (about 5,000 villagers live within the fort) is also nearby.
GAUMUKH RESERVOIR
A spring feeds the tank from a carved cow’s mouth in the cliff. This pool was the main source of water at the fort during the numerous sieges.
PADMINI´S PALACE
Padmini's Palace or Rani Padmini's Palace is a white building and a three storied structure (a 19th-century reconstruction of the original). It is located in the southern part of the fort. Chhatris (pavilions) crown the palace roofs and a water moat surrounds the palace. This style of palace became the forerunner of other palaces built in the state with the concept of Jal Mahal (palace surrounded by water). It is at this Palace where Alauddin was permitted to glimpse the mirror image of Rani Padmini, wife of Maharana Rattan Singh. It is widely believed that this glimpse of Padmini's beauty besotted him and convinced him to destroy Chittor in order to possess her. Maharana Rattan Singh was killed and Rani Padmini committed Jauhar. Rani Padmini's beauty has been compared to that of Cleopatra and her life story is an eternal legend in the history of Chittor. The bronze gates to this pavilion were removed and transported to Agra by Akbar.
OTHER SIGHTS
Close to Kirti Sthamba is the Meera Temple, or the Meerabai Temple. Rana Khumba built it in an ornate Indo–Aryan architectural style. It is associated with the mystic saint-poet Mirabai who was an ardent devotee of Lord Krishna and dedicated her entire life to His worship. She composed and sang lyrical bhajans called Meera Bhajans. The popular legend associated with her is that with blessings of Krishna, she survived after consuming poison sent to her by her evil brother-in-law. The larger temple in the same compound is the Kumbha Shyam Temple (Varaha Temple). The pinnacle of the temple is in pyramid shape. A picture of Meerabai praying before Krishna has now been installed in the temple.
Across from Padmini’s Palace is the Kalika Mata Temple. Originally, a Sun Temple dated to the 8th century dedicated to Surya (the Sun God) was destroyed in the 14th century. It was rebuilt as a Kali temple.
Another temple on the west side of the fort is the ancient Goddess Tulja Bhavani Temple built to worship Goddess Tulja Bhavani is considered sacred. The Tope Khana (cannon foundry) is located next to this temple in a courtyard, where a few old cannons are still seen.
JAUHAR MELA
The fort and the city of Chittorgarh host the biggest Rajput festival called the "Jauhar Mela". It takes place annually on the anniversary of one of the jauhars, but no specific name has been given to it. It is generally believed that it commemorates Padmini’s jauhar, which is most famous. This festival is held primarily to commemorate the bravery of Rajput ancestors and all three jauhars which happened at Chittorgarh Fort. A huge number of Rajputs, which include the descendants of most of the princely families, hold a procession to celebrate the Jauhar. It has also become a forum to air one's views on the current political situation in the country.
That was my opinion, after walking through knee deep snow two days after the latest blizzard to get this shot. I'll revisit in the spring.
Suddenly everything halts to a full stop
(in a screeching railroads kind of way)
And all I can do now
is listen to the whispering wisdom
in the wind and the water
patiently telling us to lower the pace
and surrender to nature.
Lumix FZ2000 pre-production.
In this photo you see Japanese represeentatives on board the USS Missouri on Sept. 2, 1945 in preperation to sign the Surrender of Japan to the US.
"Standing in front are:
Foreign Minister Mamoru Shigemitsu (wearing top hat) and General Yoshijiro Umezu, Chief of the Army General Staff.
Behind them are three representatives each of the Foreign Ministry, the Army and the Navy. They include, in middle row, left to right:
Major General Yatsuji Nagai, Army;
Katsuo Okazaki, Foreign Ministry;
Rear Admiral Tadatoshi Tomioka, Navy;
Toshikazu Kase, Foreign Ministry, and
Lieutenant General Suichi Miyakazi, Army.
In the the back row, left to right (not all are visible):
Rear Admiral Ichiro Yokoyama, Navy;
Saburo Ota, Foreign Ministry;
Captain Katsuo Shiba, Navy, and
Colonel Kaziyi Sugita, Army."
Names taken from the Naval Historical Center website.
"Surrender"
Tweaked it a little. Finished and signed. We all have to surrender at some point. Physically, emotionally, mentally. One can't hide. You have to let go. To hand over. Get of our bike. Slow down. Better sooner rather then later. For sure. You tumble down if you surrender only to fly to unknown
Finding the original photo by John Arther Carr offered the association with "The Wizard of Oz" but before searching it out I thought it was about the logo for "Les Misérables."
- matt maher
the man in this picture (his name is roy) is one of the most amazing, inspiring, and passionate people i've ever met. sometimes we have this image of "religiously passionate" people being all stiff or in-your-face, but roy is, well, "ordinary." his testimony is truly one of how God uses you as you are to accomplish great things.
psst. i'm graduating from high school in about a month. D:
A final snapshot of the urethane version of "Unconditional Surrender" at Tuna Harbor Park. (Photos courtesy Dale Frost/Port of San Diego).
Natasha Dark singing at the Bournemouth Food & Drink Festival: ABBA medley - Waterloo, Dancing Queen, Take A Chance On Me.
22nd June, 2017.
Waterloo
My, my, at Waterloo Napoleon did surrender
Oh yeah, and I have met my destiny in quite a similar way
The history book on the shelf
Is always repeating itself
Waterloo - I was defeated, you won the war
Waterloo - Promise to love you for ever more
Waterloo - Couldn't escape if I wanted to
Waterloo - Knowing my fate is to be with you
Waterloo - Finally facing my Waterloo
My, my, I tried to hold you back but you were stronger
Oh yeah, and now it seems my only chance is giving up the fight
And how could I ever refuse
I feel like I win when I lose
Waterloo - I was defeated, you won the war
Waterloo - Promise to love you for ever more
Waterloo - Couldn't escape if I wanted to
Waterloo - Knowing my fate is to be with you
Waterloo - Finally facing my Waterloo
So how could I ever refuse
I feel like I win when I lose -
Waterloo - Couldn't escape if I wanted to
Waterloo - Knowing my fate is to be with you
Waterloo - Finally facing my Waterloo
Dancing Queen
You can dance, you can jive, having the time of your life
See that girl, watch that scene, digging the Dancing Queen
Friday night and the lights are low
Looking out for the place to go
Where they play the right music, getting in the swing
You come in to look for a king
Anybody could be that guy
Night is young and the music's high
With a bit of rock music, everything is fine
You're in the mood for a dance
And when you get the chance...
You are the Dancing Queen, young and sweet, only seventeen
Dancing Queen, feel the beat from the tambourine
You can dance, you can jive, having the time of your life
See that girl, watch that scene, digging the Dancing Queen
You're a teaser, you turn 'em on
Leave them burning and then you're gone
Looking out for another, anyone will do
You're in the mood for a dance
And when you get the chance...
You are the Dancing Queen, young and sweet, only seventeen
Dancing Queen, feel the beat from the tambourine
You can dance, you can jive, having the time of your life
See that girl, watch that scene, digging the Dancing Queen
Take A Chance On Me
If you change your mind, I'm the first in line
Honey I'm still free
Take a chance on me
If you need me, let me know, gonna be around
If you've got no place to go, if you're feeling down
If you're all alone when the pretty birds have flown
Honey I'm still free
Take a chance on me
Gonna do my very best and it ain't no lie
If you put me to the test, if you let me try
Take a chance on me
(That's all I ask of you honey)
Take a chance on me
We can go dancing, we can go walking, as long as we're together
Listen to some music, maybe just talking, get to know you better
'Cause you know I've got
So much that I wanna do, when I dream I'm alone with you
It's magic
You want me to leave it there, afraid of a love affair
But I think you know
That I can't let go
If you change your mind, I'm the first in line
Honey I'm still free
Take a chance on me
If you need me, let me know, gonna be around
If you've got no place to go, if you're feeling down
If you're all alone when the pretty birds have flown
Honey I'm still free
Take a chance on me
Gonna do my very best and it ain't no lie
If you put me to the test, if you let me try
Take a chance on me
(Come on, give me a break will you?)
Take a chance on me
Oh you can take your time baby, I'm in no hurry, know I'm gonna get you
You don't wanna hurt me, baby don't worry, I ain't gonna let you
Let me tell you now
My love is strong enough to last when things are rough
It's magic
You say that I waste my time but I can't get you off my mind
No I can't let go
'Cause I love you so
If you change your mind, I'm the first in line
Honey I'm still free
Take a chance on me
If you need me, let me know, gonna be around
If you've got no place to go, if you're feeling down
If you're all alone when the pretty birds have flown
Honey I'm still free
Take a chance on me
Gonna do my very best, baby can't you see
Gotta put me to the test, take a chance on me
(Take a chance, take a chance, take a chance on me)
Ba ba ba ba baa, ba ba ba ba baa
Honey I'm still free
Take a chance on me
Gonna do my very best, baby can't you see
Gotta put me to the test, take a chance on me
(Take a chance, take a chance, take a chance on me)
Ba ba ba ba baa, ba ba ba ba baa ba-ba
Honey I'm still free
Take a chance on me
Gonna do my very best, baby can't you see
Gotta put me to the test, take a chance on me.
Japanese officers surrendered their swords as a public humiliation. These two swords (on mount) were surrendered by the Japanese generals commanding the Air Army in Malaya and the Air Division in Burma to New Zealander Air Chief Marshall Sir Keith Park, Commander-in-Chief Allied Air Forces South East Asia, at the formal surrender ceremony in Singapore on 12 September 1945.
[museum label]
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unconditional_Surrender_(sculpture)
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