I found this iron horseshoe in the house of a Parsi gentleman who passed away in 2024 at the age of 93. It lay on his dining table, ingeniously repurposed as a paperweight by his grandniece, my friend. It was ancient. Rusted with age. Perhaps dating back to the years between 1874 and 1907, when horses pulled trams and victorias through Bombay. Or even earlier, to 1802, when racing first thundered to life at the Bombay Turf Club.
Horses served everywhere then, pulling carriages, patrolling streets, carrying men into battle. The Bombay Light Horse cavalry unit of the British Indian Army rode them. So did the Poona Horse armoured regiment of the Indian Army. I cannot say if this shoe fell from one of those chargers. But it bears all the marks of having once belonged to something alive, restless, and strong.
I do not know what it was doing on the old Bawaji’s dining table. He was not a superstitious man. Yet, since the 8th century, horseshoes have been believed to carry luck, iron warding off evil, the crescent shape invoking a protective moon. Across cultures, a horseshoe above the door is said to invite fortune. Ends pointing upward, it gathers luck; turned downward, it pours luck upon those who pass beneath. But it must be worn, they say — seasoned by the journey of a horse — not cast anew by a machine.
I have not seen a horse in the city since 2015, when the Bombay High Court banned their use for carriages under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act. Only horseracing, the Sport of Kings, remains at Mahalaxmi. I do not go. I am neither king nor bettor. This rusted horseshoe is the closest I have come to a horse in years. And now it rests with me. What, then, does one do with a piece of luck that has already lived a life?
About Mark Manuel
The above thoughts/content has been proudly copied from the wall of Sir Mark Manuel. Being interviewing almost every role model of this country and going stronger each day. Mark Manuel is a respected Mumbai editor, writer, and columnist.
With over three decades of journalism in leading publications. This includes the Free Press Journal, Times, Dainik Bhaskar, Mid-Day, and Afternoon. He is famous for his brilliant pen interviews. He himself is a TEDx speaker.
Further
His interviews have featured in several leading media houses. They include the Hindustan Times, Huffington Post, BBC, and Network 18. Almost every famous person has been interviewed by him in the country from Mother Teresa to Muhammad Ali. His first book is just out. It’s titled Moryaa Re! It is a crime thriller that is perhaps the country’s first police procedural. He began his career covering crime. And in a tribute to his experience and knowledge of this beat.
Several distinguished officers of the Mumbai Police and its Crime Branch collaborated with him to make this book possible. Amitabh Bachchan wrote the forward in a statement of friendship for Mark Manuel and admiration for his work.
About Story of Souls
Leave your comments on how you like this story. If you love it, share it to bring that change we wish to see in the world.
You can also share your inspiring story with us at submitstories.storyofsouls@gmail.com. Story of Souls is an initiative where we invite people to bring their stories to us. We want people to “write to heal.” The idea of Storyofsouls is appreciated by ALL INDIA RADIO. An Online Platform where you can share your real-life stories. The impact of our stories has reached the UN and Harvard University. For some real-life stories, web series are also planned. You can also visit our YouTube channel. You can follow us on Facebook LinkedIn Instagram.
Storyofsouls is glad to inform you that we are now a Google News-verified platform.
We are proud to inform you all that storyofsouls.com is the official TEDx MotiJheel Kanpur Partner for their upcoming event.
