Begum Rokeya: Pioneer of South Asian feminism
Begum Rokeya was a pioneering Bengali feminist, writer, and educator who challenged patriarchal norms in late 19th-century South Asia. She founded the first school for Muslim girls in Calcutta and used her literary works to advocate for women's education and emancipation.
Why it matters
Her legacy remains a cornerstone of South Asian feminist history and the broader movement for women's rights and education in the region.
Imagine West Bengal and Bangladesh in the late 1800s. Calcutta was thriving as a cradle for the Bengal Renaissance, seeing revolutionary changes day by day. In the Rangpur district of present-day Bangladesh, Zahiruddin Muhammad Abu Ali Saber and Rahatunnessa had a beautiful young girl child. Nobody imagined that the young girl born into quite a traditional family would go on to become a major face of women’s empowerment in the coming years. This is the story of Rokeya Sakhawat Hossain, or Begum Rokeya.
The article provides a historical biographical account of a public figure.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in