Palwankar Shivram
Encyclopedia
Babaji Palwankar Shivram (March 6, 1878 – December 28, 1941) was an India
n cricketer
who was one of the most successful Dalit
players for the Hindu
s cricket team in the Bombay Quadrangular
competition. He was the brother of cricketer and social leader Palwankar Baloo
and Palwankar Vithal
, who became the first Dalit to captain the Hindus team.
, in the modern Indian state of Gujarat. His family belonged to the Chamar
caste, suffering from the stigma of "untouchability
" and caste discrimination. Completing his schooling in Mumbai
(then Bombay), Shivram obtained employment with the Greater Indian Peninsular Railways.
in 1911.
After his elder brother's retirement, Shivram and his younger brother Vithal became the most senior players in the Hindus team. In 1920, Shivram, Vithal and several other players protested the appointment of a Brahmin
, D. B. Deodhar
, as captain following the illness of the incumbent, M. D. Pai; with Baloo being dropped, most considered Shivram and Vithal to be the most senior players and leading candidates for the job. Critics attributed Deodhar's appointment to caste discrimination, and both Palwankar brothers, along with other rank-and-file cricketers withdrew from the team after publishing a letter making their protest public and criticising the selection committee for the "unsportsmanlike" decision.
Supporters, rallied by the on-going campaign against untouchability led by Mahatma Gandhi
and other political leaders, raised money for the Palwankar brothers and petitioned for their inclusion in the team. When the recovered Pai returned to captaincy, both brothers were reinstated and Baloo selected to join the team as well. The brothers protested again when they were by-passed for the captaincy for the 1922 competition that was held in Pune
.
Despite advancing age, Shivram continued to play for the Hindus under his younger brother Vithal, who had made history in 1923 by becoming the first Dalit to captain the Hindus. Shivram finally retired at the end of the 1924-25 season. He died in Mumbai on December 28, 1941.
- Matches: 39
- Innings: 67
- Not Out: 7
- Runs: 1130
- Highest Score: 113*
- Batting Average: 18.83
- 100s: 1
- 50s: 4
- Catches: 18
- Balls: 2687
- Maiden overs: 85
- Runs: 1090
- Wickets: 53
- Best Bowling Figures: 4-31
- Bowling Average: 20.56
- Strike Rate: 50.69
- Economy rate: 2.43
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
n cricketer
Cricketer
A cricketer is a person who plays the sport of cricket. Official and long-established cricket publications prefer the traditional word "cricketer" over the rarely used term "cricket player"....
who was one of the most successful Dalit
Dalit
Dalit is a designation for a group of people traditionally regarded as Untouchable. Dalits are a mixed population, consisting of numerous castes from all over South Asia; they speak a variety of languages and practice a multitude of religions...
players for the Hindu
Hindu
Hindu refers to an identity associated with the philosophical, religious and cultural systems that are indigenous to the Indian subcontinent. As used in the Constitution of India, the word "Hindu" is also attributed to all persons professing any Indian religion...
s cricket team in the Bombay Quadrangular
Bombay Quadrangular
The Bombay Quadrangular was an influential cricket tournament held in Bombay, India from 1912 to 1936. At other times it was known variously as the Presidency Match, Bombay Triangular, and the Bombay Pentangular....
competition. He was the brother of cricketer and social leader Palwankar Baloo
Palwankar Baloo
Babaji Palwankar Baloo, , commonly known as Palwankar Baloo, was an Indian cricketer. He bowled left-arm orthodox spin with great accuracy and the ability to turn the ball both ways...
and Palwankar Vithal
Palwankar Vithal
Palwankar Vithal was an Indian cricketer, credited with being the first Dalit captain of the Hindus cricket team in the Bombay Quadrangular cricket competition...
, who became the first Dalit to captain the Hindus team.
Early years
Babaji Palwankar Shivram was born on March 6, 1878 in the city of BhujBhuj
Bhuj is a city and a municipality in Kachchh district in the state of Gujarat, India.-History:It was established by Rao Hamirji in 1510 and was made the state capital by Rao Khengarji I in 1549. Its foundation stone as state capital laid formally on Vikram Samvat 1604 Maagha 5th...
, in the modern Indian state of Gujarat. His family belonged to the Chamar
Chamar
Chamar |tanner]]"; from the Sanskrit Charmakara) is a prominent occupational caste in India, Pakistan and Nepal. Chamar is a Dalit sub-caste mainly found in the northern states, such as Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Delhi and in Nepal at least north to the Himalayas...
caste, suffering from the stigma of "untouchability
Untouchability
Untouchability is the social practice of ostracizing a minority group by segregating them from the mainstream by social custom or legal mandate. The excluded group could be one that did not accept the norms of the excluding group and historically included foreigners, nomadic tribes, law-breakers...
" and caste discrimination. Completing his schooling in Mumbai
Mumbai
Mumbai , formerly known as Bombay in English, is the capital of the Indian state of Maharashtra. It is the most populous city in India, and the fourth most populous city in the world, with a total metropolitan area population of approximately 20.5 million...
(then Bombay), Shivram obtained employment with the Greater Indian Peninsular Railways.
Cricket career
Shivram joined his elder brother Palwankar Baloo in playing first-class cricket in 1905, soon becoming one of the most famous Dalit sportsmen of the time, breaking caste barriers to excel in what was considered a sport of the upper classes and the British. He became one of the few Dalits ever chosen to play for the Hindus team in the Bombay Quadrangular competition, the most prominent and popular cricket contest in India at the time. Mainly an off-break spin bowler, Shivram also developed as a valuable batsman, becoming an all rounder. and was chosen along with Baloo to play for the All-India cricket team slated to tour EnglandEngland
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
in 1911.
After his elder brother's retirement, Shivram and his younger brother Vithal became the most senior players in the Hindus team. In 1920, Shivram, Vithal and several other players protested the appointment of a Brahmin
Brahmin
Brahmin Brahman, Brahma and Brahmin.Brahman, Brahmin and Brahma have different meanings. Brahman refers to the Supreme Self...
, D. B. Deodhar
D. B. Deodhar
Dinkar Balwant Deodhar was an Indian cricketer, who played in first class cricket matches during 1911 – 1948.Deodhar was born in Poona , India. He was, by profession, a professor at S. P. College in Pune....
, as captain following the illness of the incumbent, M. D. Pai; with Baloo being dropped, most considered Shivram and Vithal to be the most senior players and leading candidates for the job. Critics attributed Deodhar's appointment to caste discrimination, and both Palwankar brothers, along with other rank-and-file cricketers withdrew from the team after publishing a letter making their protest public and criticising the selection committee for the "unsportsmanlike" decision.
Supporters, rallied by the on-going campaign against untouchability led by Mahatma Gandhi
Mahatma Gandhi
Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi , pronounced . 2 October 1869 – 30 January 1948) was the pre-eminent political and ideological leader of India during the Indian independence movement...
and other political leaders, raised money for the Palwankar brothers and petitioned for their inclusion in the team. When the recovered Pai returned to captaincy, both brothers were reinstated and Baloo selected to join the team as well. The brothers protested again when they were by-passed for the captaincy for the 1922 competition that was held in Pune
Pune
Pune , is the eighth largest metropolis in India, the second largest in the state of Maharashtra after Mumbai, and the largest city in the Western Ghats. Once the centre of power of the Maratha Empire, it is situated 560 metres above sea level on the Deccan plateau at the confluence of the Mula ...
.
Despite advancing age, Shivram continued to play for the Hindus under his younger brother Vithal, who had made history in 1923 by becoming the first Dalit to captain the Hindus. Shivram finally retired at the end of the 1924-25 season. He died in Mumbai on December 28, 1941.
Statistics
- First-Class Career Batting and Fielding (1904/05-1924/25)
- Matches: 39
- Innings: 67
- Not Out: 7
- Runs: 1130
- Highest Score: 113*
- Batting Average: 18.83
- 100s: 1
- 50s: 4
- Catches: 18
- First-Class Career Bowling (1908/09-1924/25)
- Balls: 2687
- Maiden overs: 85
- Runs: 1090
- Wickets: 53
- Best Bowling Figures: 4-31
- Bowling Average: 20.56
- Strike Rate: 50.69
- Economy rate: 2.43