Allahabad’s Ekka Daud races with tradition

ALLAHABAD: This may be similar to the famous bull run of Spain, large crowds of onlookers coming on the roads, risking themselves but the only difference being that in place of bulls, one witnesses horse-carts, running in full speed towards them. It is the famous ‘Ghehre Bazi’ (ghehre means steps and bazi means bet) or Ekka Daud (horse-cart race) which takes place in the city on every Monday of Shrawan month.
Having a history of around 200 years, the race was traditionally started by panda’s of the city who continued to patronize the practice for years. If was only around 1940s that the zamindars of Allahabad and neighbouring areas also started participating in this unique race.
Although, there is no cash prize but the applauds of the spectators and the appreciation for saais (horse’s keeper) comes as unexplainable satisfaction. However, this ‘showcase race’ gives a platform for practicing to horse cart owners to prepare for two important competitive races, each of 14 kilometres held in October-November and attended by horse owners from Lucknow, Kanpur, Mirzapur, Pratapgarh etc. One of these races is held from Hanumanganj to Alopidevi Chungi and second from Sahason crossing to Phaphamau market. Throwing light on ‘ekka daud’ of Allahabad, which has all the potential of being a major tourist attraction, Badre Alam informed that this race is unique in many ways, prominent being the norm that only those horses can participate which are not been used for any commercial activity. The racing horses can only canter (movement of horse wherein it moves in fast steps and not gallop).
“For the purpose, Sindhi horses (those belonging to Sindh province of Pakistan) are best as they have the inborn talent of moving fast on sand and not gallop,” said Alam, who has participated in over 30 races and has won 10 of these. We get these horses from the famous animal fair of Barmer, he added.
The cart of this unique race is equally special as it is specially manufactured in Delhi. The huge wooden wheel and the riding platform is made of shisham wood and best ball bearings are used to give it needed speed.
“Two persons sits on a cart, one handling the horse through strings and the one in rear part, navigates the cart by informing about the location of other competitors,” explains Alam, a zamindar of Katra. The race is unique in a way that it gives an example of Ganga-Jamuni tehzeeb as it is held to stress the importance of Monday of the holy month of Shrawan in which Hindus and Muslims participate enthusiastically. “Shiva signifies sakti (power) and horse too denotes power, thus this race is held during this month,” said Alam.