bagaglio

Bairagarh (Bhophal ), WPC (War Prisoner Camp) - Sessa Aurunca, via S.Leo 22
solo ritorno n.60443 15/3/1946

A little known fact about Bairagarh is that a very big prisoner of war camp was established at Bairagarh by the British during the Second World War. The details of those days is described as follows by Abida Sultan, daughter of Hamidullah Khan, the last Nawab of Bhopal Princely state

An interesting side effect of the (Second World) War was the location of an Italian prisoner of war camp in Bairagarh, a specially built camp a few miles out of Bhopal, overlooked by Noor-us-Sabah (the residence of Abida Sultan, presently turned to a heritage hotel). Twenty thousand Italian prisoners were confined at Bairagarh barracks and in the early days we doubled our security guard at Noor-us-Sabah in case escaped prisoners made for the nearest house they could see. After a few months, it was evident that the Italian PoWs were not inclined to attempt daring escapes and were content to while their time away peacefully in their barracks.

In fact, so benign and friendly were the Italians that they soon began making a remarkable impact on Bhopal’s social life. There were a number of artists among the Italian prisoners of war who began painting exquisite portraits and landscapes of Bhopal. They formed a splendid orchestra that gave concerts and served as a live dance-band for my father’s dancing soirees.

One of the PoWs was a delightful Signor Rizzo who was employed to become the boxing coach for my son and his two companions.

The Italians enriched Bhopal life and some were even sad to leave their confinement at the end of the war.

http://bhopale.blogspot.com/2007/11/bairagarh-near-bhopal.html