In 1920, Delhi resident Abdul Majid came to the attention of the British government. He was someone who would ordinarily not be on the administration’s radar. His description varied from petty trader to sweetmeat seller and confectioner. In November that year, he filed nomination papers to contest an election. Opposing him were a couple of lawyers and a bangle seller. The government dismissed Majid and the bangle seller as “ridiculous candidates”.

Come election day, Majid trumped his rivals, securing 288 votes. The lawyer, who came second, got 26 votes. In official records, a British officer described the contest as “…contrary to expectations impudent buffoonery carries the day”. With this win, Majid joined a select group of Indians elected to the highest law-making body in the country.