Abadi Bano Begum, "Bi Amma": The Veiled Voice of India's Freedom Struggle

By Afroz Khan, New Age Islam 11 July 2025 Abadi Bano Begum, "Bi Amma," an uneducated yet visionary woman, inspired Muslim women in India's freedom struggle. Despite personal hardships, she ensured her children's education and actively participated in the Khilafat and Quit India Movements, advocating for independence and Hindu-Muslim unity. Main Point: 1. Bi Amma, though uneducated, prioritized her children's modern education. 2. Inspired Muslim women to join India's independence movement. 3. Mobilized women and funds for the cause. 4. Promoted Hindu-Muslim unity as India's "two eyes." 5. First Indian woman to deliver public speeches in purdah. ----- "Abadi Bano always continued to advocate for education, she was a progressive thinker and a visionary woman. Even though she never received any education, she was greatly influenced by people who received modern education." Abadi Bano Begum also known as "Bi Amma" was a strong voice of the freedom struggle who led the Muslim women and also inspired Muslim women to participate in the movement. Abadi Bano Begum was born in Amroha (Uttar Pradesh) in 1850. Her father's name was Syed Faizal-e-Haq. At that time, education for women was a dream, so Bi Amma could not get education but despite being uneducated, Bi Amma was an ambitious and courageous woman. Bi Amma's family was tortured by the British after the 1857 revolution. The mistreatment by the British created a passion for freedom in her mind and inspired her to participate in the freedom struggle in the coming times. Abadi Bano Begum was married to Abdul Ali Khan, a senior official of Rampur. They had five sons and a daughter. Their two sons Maulana Mohammad Ali Jauhar and Maulana Shaukat Ali became famous as "Ali Bandhu" and they also contributed actively in the freedom movement. When Bi Amma's children were small, her husband died and the responsibility of bringing up the children fell on her. Bi Amma herself was uneducated but she understood the importance of education very well. When her family members refused to bear the expenses of her children's education, Bi Amma got her children admitted in an English medium school in Bareilly by mortgaging her jewellery, and after that got them educated from prestigious institutions like Aligarh Muslim University and Oxford University. It was her passion for education that even despite facing so many difficulties, she did not compromise on the education of her children. Role in the Freedom Movement Bi Amma was a balanced example of progressivism and religious belief. Despite having modern thoughts, Bi Amma respected purdah. In 1917 when Ali brothers and Annie Besant were imprisoned by the British, Bi Amma joined the movement for their release. During the protest, Gandhi ji met her and sought Bi Amma's help in ensuring the participation of women in Indian freedom movement. Bi Amma became a part of the movement on Gandhi ji's request and started representing Muslim women with full dedication. She became the main face of motivating Muslim women to participate in the freedom movement. She inspired many Muslim women to join the movement. She used to inspire women by giving revolutionary speeches from big stages while staying behind the veil. Bi Amma is remembered for her impressive speeches, outspoken style and passionate statements. Bi Amma was the first Indian woman who used to deliver a speech from the stage wearing a veil. During the Khilafat Movement and the Non-cooperation Movement in 1919, Bi Amma, along with Sarojini Naidu, Sarala Devi, Basanti Devi and Begum Hasrat Mohani, played an important role in collecting funds for the movement. Bi Amma travelled across the country to connect common people and especially Muslim women with the movement, inspiring them for independence, and urging them to use swadeshi goods and boycott foreign goods. Bi Amma used to give passionate speeches from the stage during the movement and inspire people to protest. Bi Amma played an active role in the "Quit India Movement". Bi Amma was a proponent of Hindu Muslim unity. She used to call Hindus and Muslims the two eyes of India. Once a rumour spread that her son Mohammad Ali had apologised to the British to get released from jail. She had said on this rumour that her son cannot do such a thing. If he has done such a thing, even today these old hands have enough strength to strangle him. This statement shows her dedication to the country and her commitment to freedom. She had so much faith in her son and her upbringing that she knew that her son would never bow down to injustice. Bi Amma wanted that even the animals of her country should not be forced to be slaves of the British. She wanted to see her country independent but unfortunately she passed away in 1924. She could not see her country independent. Many great people associated with the movement praised the contribution of Bi Amma from time to time "a great daughter of India". Mahatma Gandhi "an inspirational woman of the freedom movement". Pt. Jawahar Lal Nehru "a brave and fearless woman", Sarojini Naidu Her son Maulana Mohammad Ali Johar wrote a poem to his mother. Amma said to Mohammad Ali Son, give your life for the Khilafat Shaukat Ali is also with you Son, give your life for the Khilafat You are the light of my house, It was for this reason that I brought you up There is no work greater than this Son, give your life for the Khilafat… (बोलीं अम्मा मोहम्मद अली से जान बेटा खिलाफत पे दे दो तेरे साथ है शौकत अली भी जान बेटा खिलाफत पे दे दो तुम ही हो मेरे घर का उजाला, था यही वास्ते तुम को पाला काम कोई नहीं इस से आला जान बेटा खिलाफत पे दे दो…) This poem shows that Bi Amma inspires her sons to participate in the Khilafat Movement and to sacrifice for their country. The woman, who was herself illiterate and widowed at a young age, was a supporter of modern education. She was dedicated to the independence of her country, she provided modern, religious education to her children and also played an important role in making her the leading face of India's freedom movement. She was a living example of courage. ----- Afroz Khan is a teacher by profession. She primarily writes about women and Islam. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Education URL: https://www.newageislam.com/islamic-personalities/abadi-begum-bi-amma-veiled-india-freedom/d/136141 New Age Islam, Islam Online, Islamic Website, African Muslim News, Arab World News, South Asia News, Indian Muslim News, World Muslim News, Women in Islam, Islamic Feminism, Arab Women, Women In Arab, Islamophobia in America, Muslim Women in West, Islam Women and Feminism