20 injured during traditional Hingot war near Indore

An official from the health department informed that 20 people were injured during the traditional 'Hingot war' on Monday evening in the Indore district of Madhya Pradesh. According to information provided to PTI by Block Medical Officer (BMO) Dr. Vibha Nagar, 20 'warriors' were injured during this Hingot war in Gautampura town, located approximately 55 km from Indore.

As per Dr. Vibha Nagar, 6 of the injured persons have been admitted to the primary health centre, while the other 14 were given primary treatment on the spot for injuries caused by minor burns and sent home. A large number of spectators had gathered at a ground in Gautampura on the day after Diwali to witness this traditional Hingot war.

As part of security measures, high fences and barricades were installed at the battleground. Additionally, drones and CCTV cameras were deployed to monitor the situation. According to officials, more than 250 personnel, including police officers and members of the city's security committee, were deployed at the scene. Furthermore, a sufficient number of fire engines and ambulances were kept on standby.

In this tradition, a wild fruit called 'Hingot' is used, which is of a size similar to an amla. This fruit is hollowed out, its pulp is removed, and it is then specially dried and filled with gunpowder. When ignited, it flies very rapidly and over long distances, much like rocket-style firecrackers. In this war, the group of warriors from Gautampura is called "Tura", while the fighters from Runji village lead the rival "Kalangi" group. Warriors from both groups hurl burning Hingot projectiles at each other.

Local residents say that this tradition has been ongoing for the last 300 years since the time of Indore's former Holkar dynasty. It is believed that the local administration cannot impose a ban on this tradition as it is linked to people's religious beliefs. Every year, people get injured in this war, and in the past, some people have also died due to severe burns.

According to legend, the use of gunpowder-filled Hingot as a weapon was started by local guerrilla warriors. They used to secretly hurl Hingot at Mughal invaders' cavalry units to prevent them from entering the borders of the Holkar Empire.