Inspired, no doubt, by our pioneer-in-everything prime minister, Aban Mukherji had speculated that Nanabhai Davar’s dhanyani (wife) could have been the first Indian woman, accompanied, of course, by her dhani (husband), to have travelled to Ladakh and the Shyok glacier ("Daring, dauntless duo — I,” Parsiana, October 21-November 6, 2023).
That may be true. But there were other women, including single travellers who beat Ms Davar to it. Aynsley Harriet Murray travelled to Ladakh also accompanied by her husband in 1879 (Our Visit to Hindostan, Kashmir and Ladakh), A. M. Hervey (Adventures of a Lady in China, Ladakh and Kashmir) who travelled alone in 1850, Isabella Bird (Among the Tibetans) also a solo traveller in 1889. If we must admire intrepidity, it is to these women that we must tip our bhanvani topis (prayer caps).
NAWSHIR MIRZA
nhm@nawshirmirza.com
The editors reply:
At least the first Parsi woman!
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