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Indians begin worshipping dead British soldier as ‘god’
Hundreds of people in northern India have begun worshipping a British soldier who died 145 years ago.
They believe he has divine powers and has helped people get off court cases and solve their sexual problems.
Devotees are offering fruit, flowers, meat, cigarettes and liquor at the grave of Captain F Wale, at the palace garden ruins of Moosa Bagh in Lucknow.
Captain Wale of the 1st Sikh Cavalry was killed in action during the Mutiny of 1857.
Locals have even composed hymns and prayers to the soldier and taken to describing him variously as “Captain Baba” (Captain Sage), “Gora Baba” (White Sage) or “Gora Bhagwan” (White God).
The grave, normally deserted, began attracting visitors following rumours of the captain’s powers.
It was believed people involved in serious criminal cases were acquitted by the courts after prayers were offered at the grave, or ‘mazaar’.
Young men looking for solutions to their sexual problems and barren women hoping to have children are also among those who regularly visit the grave.
Sify.com reports one local man, Krishna Prasad, is reported to have offered beer at the grave in the hope Gora Baba would help him fulfil a wish to have sexual relations with a neighbour.
The self-appointed caretaker of the grave, who is known only by her first name, Sakina, said: “Devotees took to the practice of offering alcohol and cigarettes at the grave because the captain was thought to be fond of drinking, smoking and sex.”
Story filed: 14:43 Friday 19th July 2002
