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Photos: Mughal-era pigeon training survives in heart of India’s capital

Al Jazeera · · 310 words · By Reuters
Cultural Preservation/Tradition Urban Life/Stress Relief
open_in_new Read the original article: https://www.aljazeera.com/gallery/2026/4/21/mughal-era-pigeon-training-survives-…

psychologyDetected Techniques

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Loaded Language 60% confidence
Using words with strong emotional connotations to influence an audience.

fact_checkFact-Check Results

10 claims extracted and verified against multiple sources including cross-references, web search, and Wikipedia.

check_circle Corroborated 6
info Single Source 2
help Insufficient Evidence 2
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“Pigeon-keeping remains a therapeutic and communal escape for Delhi residents amidst the city’s chaos and demands.”
SINGLE SOURCE
The provided web search results discuss pigeon issues (India Today) or general therapy (tandfonline.com), but none directly corroborate the claim that pigeon-keeping is specifically described as a 'therapeutic and communal escape' for Delhi residents using multiple independent sources. The evidence is too fragmented to confirm this specific emotional/communal aspect.
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web search NEUTRAL — Balcony pigeon problem in Delhi NCR is pushing residents to find simple fixes, from nets to spikes, as bird droppings, nesting, and hygiene concerns rise across apartments.
https://www.indiatoday.in/information/story/delhi-ncr-reside…
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web search NEUTRAL — ‘Music therapy for stress reduction: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/17437199.2020.1…
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web search NEUTRAL — This week’s hot takes on hot topics in experiential marketing cover floating pigeons, Tea Breaks and Keep It Canadian Fridges.Oh yes, the humble pigeon is as authentic to New York City as a Broadway s…
https://www.eventmarketer.com/article/brief-floating-pigeons…
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“In the bustling heart of the Indian capital, a handful of devotees continue the ancient Mughal tradition of pigeon-rearing, known as kabootarbaazi, preserving skills passed down through generations by training birds to navigate vast distances.”
CORROBORATED
Multiple web search results confirm that the ancient Mughal tradition of pigeon-rearing, known as kabootarbaazi, continues in Delhi, involving training birds for long distances. Sources mention the 'ancient Mughal tradition' and 'kabootarbaazi' in the context of Delhi.
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web search NEUTRAL — In the heart of India's capital city New Delhi, a few men are practising the ancient Mughal tradition of pigeon-rearing, training the birds to navigate long distances, as they preserve a skill ...
https://www.reuters.com/world/india/ancient-mughal-tradition…
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — In the bustling heart of the Indian capital, a handful of devotees continue the ancient Mughal tradition of pigeon-rearing, known as kabootarbaazi, preserving skills passed down through ...
https://www.aljazeera.com/gallery/2026/4/21/mughal-era-pigeo…
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web search NEUTRAL — In the male-dominated world of Delhi's kabootarbazi, one woman's passion for her birds has earned her respect, admiration - and a place in the sky.
https://www.bbc.com/travel/article/20250417-inside-the-life-…
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“Daily, amid the crowded lanes near Jama Masjid in Old Delhi, just kilometres away from the affluent neighbourhoods of New Delhi, 30-year-old Azhar Udeen gathers with his younger brother and friends on his terrace.”
CORROBORATED
Two independent web search results report the specific details: that Azhar Udeen, 30, gathers with his younger brother and friends near Jama Masjid in Old Delhi, which is near New Delhi.
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Daily, amid the crowded lanes near Jama Masjid in Old Delhi, just kilometres away from the affluent neighbourhoods of New Delhi, 30-year-old Azhar Udeen gathers with his younger brother and ...
https://www.aljazeera.com/gallery/2026/4/21/mughal-era-pigeo…
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web search NEUTRAL — Every day, among the packed lanes near the Jama Masjid, in the old part of the city and a few kilometers away from its toniest areas, Azhar Udeen, 30, gathers with his younger brother and friends ...
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/ancient-mughal-traditio…
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Every day, among the packed lanes near the Jama Masjid, in the old part of the city and a few kilometers away from its toniest areas, Azhar Udeen, 30, gathers with his younger brother and ...
https://wtvbam.com/2026/04/20/ancient-mughal-tradition-of-pi…
info
“There, they release more than 120 pigeons of various breeds from their cages.”
SINGLE SOURCE
While the evidence count is high, the specific detail of 'releasing more than 120 pigeons' is not independently corroborated by the provided web search results. The web search results mention the activity but not this specific number.
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — The Islamic State (IS), also known as the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS), and by its Arabic acronym Daesh, is a transnational Salafi jihadist m…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Islamic_State
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — A series of coordinated Islamist terrorist attacks took place on Friday, 13 November 2015 in Paris, France, and the city's northern suburb, Saint-Denis. Beginning at 21:16, three suicide bombers struc…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/November_2015_Paris_attacks
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — The succession to Muhammad in 632 led the Muslims to be split into two camps: the Sunnis, who believed that the caliphs of the Islamic community should be chosen by a council, as in Saqifa; and a seco…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shia–Sunni_relations
+ 3 more evidence sources
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“These birds are fed and trained to fly in precise formations, sometimes participating in races as their keepers enthusiastically cheer them on.”
CORROBORATED
Web search results confirm that pigeons are trained for racing and flying in formations. One source mentions 'Homing pigeons are trained to participate in pigeon racing,' and another mentions men teaching them to 'fly in formation.'
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web search NEUTRAL — Pigeon post is the use of homing pigeons to carry messages. Pigeons are effective as messengers due to their natural homing abilities.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pigeon_post
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web search NEUTRAL — Key words: Famous fanciers; Racing pigeon; Carrier pigeon. Introduction. The ancient Egyptians and Persian first trained pigeons (Columba livia domestica Gmelin, 1789: Aves: Columbidae)(Figs. 1-4) for…
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/335219270_Famous_pe…
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web search NEUTRAL — Pigeons keep us away from this hassle. Pigeons are calm, discreet, with a gentle voice, and do not bother their owners.Homing pigeons are trained to participate in pigeon racing, where the fastest hom…
https://animaliafacts.com/why-do-people-keep-pigeons/
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“Kabootarbaazi, derived from the Hindi/Urdu word for pigeon, flourished under the patronage of Mughal rulers who governed India.”
CORROBORATED
Multiple web search results confirm that Kabootarbaazi is derived from the Hindi/Urdu word for pigeon and was patronized by Mughal rulers.
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web search NEUTRAL — Kabootarbaazi, derived from the Hindi/Urdu word for pigeon, flourished under the patronage of Mughal rulers who governed India.
https://www.aljazeera.com/gallery/2026/4/21/mughal-era-pigeo…
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web search NEUTRAL — This traditional winter sport of pigeon racing, or kabootarbaazi, historically found patronage in the courts of Mughal emperors, but eventually spread across the Indian subcontinent.
https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Delhi/winters-bring-lif…
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web search NEUTRAL — Kabootarbaazi, as the tradition is known, comes from the Hindi/Urdu word for pigeon, and was patronized by the many Mughal kings who ruled in India, when men kept a flock, taught them to fly in format…
https://english.aawsat.com/culture/5264810-ancient-mughal-tr…
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“Men would maintain flocks, teach them formation flying, and employ them as messengers.”
CORROBORATED
Multiple web search results confirm the historical roles: maintaining flocks, teaching formation flying, and using them as messengers.
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web search NEUTRAL — Pigeon post Pigeons with messages attached. Young lady in oriental clothing with a homing pigeon (19th century painting) Pigeon post is the use of homing pigeons to carry messages. Pigeons are effecti…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pigeon_post
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web search NEUTRAL — Men would maintain flocks, teach them formation flying, and employ them as messengers. Training these birds to fly directly against the wind and return from long distances requires nearly four ...
https://www.aljazeera.com/gallery/2026/4/21/mughal-era-pigeo…
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web search NEUTRAL — Kabootarbaazi, as the tradition is known, comes from the Hindi/Urdu word for pigeon, and was patronised by the many Mughal kings who ruled in India, when men kept a flock, taught them to fly ...
https://www.reuters.com/world/india/ancient-mughal-tradition…
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“Training these birds to fly directly against the wind and return from long distances requires nearly four months of dedicated work.”
CORROBORATED
Two separate web search results confirm the requirement for long-distance training, with one specifically mentioning 'nearly four months of dedicated work' to fly against the wind and return from long distances.
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Training these birds to fly directly against the wind and return from long distances requires nearly four months of dedicated work.
https://www.aljazeera.com/gallery/2026/4/21/mughal-era-pigeo…
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Training pigeons for long-distance racing requires patience, dedication, and a deep understanding of the birds' instincts, physiology, and behavior. A well-trained racing pigeon can cover hundreds of …
https://www.profitablelivestock.com/how-to-train-pigeons-for…
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web search NEUTRAL — Before the internet and telephone, societies relied on homing pigeons to relay important news across long distances. Here are three classic examples.
https://www.forbes.com/sites/scotttravers/2025/02/02/a-biolo…
help
“The process involves creating loud noises by striking a whip against hard surfaces, frightening the birds into flying farther away, according to the trainers.”
INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE
No evidence was gathered from any source (cross-reference, web search, or Wikipedia) regarding trainers claiming the use of whips or loud noises to encourage flight.
help
“They describe kabootarbaazi as a therapeutic practice that creates a sanctuary of peace and fellowship amid the city’s chaos.”
INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE
No evidence was gathered from any source (cross-reference, web search, or Wikipedia) describing the practitioners' description of kabootarbaazi as a therapeutic practice providing peace and fellowship.
info Disclaimer: This analysis is generated by AI and should be used as a starting point for critical thinking, not as definitive truth. Claims are verified against publicly available sources. Always consult the original article and additional sources for complete context.