The Cannon Girl

Mughal Emperor Akbar donated a cannon to the Ajmer Sharif dargah of Moinuddin Chishti; since the emperor’s time, the cannon has been put to use during the month of Ramzan to mark Sehri (the start of the day’s fast) and Iftaar (the break of the fast). Until 2008, the act of firing the cannon was performed by men. But that year, Fauzia Khan became the first woman to be assigned the task.

Mughal Emperor Akbar donated a cannon to the Ajmer Sharif dargah of Moinuddin Chishti; since the emperor’s time, the cannon has been put to use during the month of Ramzan to mark Sehri (the start of the day’s fast) and Iftaar (the break of the fast). Until 2008, the act of firing the cannon was performed by men. But that year, Fauzia Khan became the first woman to be assigned the task.

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