Asghari Begum, A Fearless Muslim Woman From Thana Bhawan: Unyielding Spirit Of The 1857 Rebellion

By Afroz Khan, New Age Islam 23 August 2025 In 1857, Asghari Begum, a fearless Muslim woman from Thana Bhawan, led women in the Indian rebellion against British rule. Defiant until the end, she was burned alive in 1858, inspiring further resistance despite brutal British suppression. Main Points: 1. Asghari Begum, born 1811, was a fearless leader in the 1857 Indian rebellion. 2. She led a women’s contingent against the British in Uttar Pradesh. 3. Defeated the British at Chinhat, killing Sir Henry Lawrence in 1857. 4. Arrested in 1858, sentenced to death by burning. 5. Her sacrifice inspired further rebellion despite British cruelty. ----- "1857" is an important year in Indian history, this was the year when the feeling of nationhood developed among the people of India, people showed amazing unity for the freedom of India. People of every class, religion, caste of India participated in this revolution, not only men but women also played a very important role in this revolution, in which many courageous women sacrificed their lives. In this sequence, Muslim women were also not far behind. The most important thing about this revolution was that people started joining it on their own; no call was given anywhere. Whoever heard that there was a rebellion against the British started joining it on his own level and participated in it in whatever way he could. In reality, this revolution was anger, it was their fury against the oppressive policies of the British which people had been suppressing in their hearts till now. The most terrifying thing about this revolution was its suppression. The British tried to suppress this revolution by using cruel and horrific methods. The purpose of the British behind these cruel punishments was not only to suppress the revolution but also to instill fear in the hearts of Indians so that no one could dare to revolt like this in the future. Asghari Begum Was The Victim Of Such Tyranny And Cruelty. Asghari Begum was born in 1811 in Thana Bhawan (presently Muzaffarnagar). Asghari Begum's father's name was Alim Shah Abdul Rahim. Asghari Begum was a brave and fearless personality since childhood. When the revolution of 1857 started, Asghari Begum also prepared herself to take part in this revolution. This was not an ordinary thing for women at that time, but Asghari Begum was an extraordinary woman. Asghari Begum openly helped the revolutionaries participating in the war and also prepared a contingent of women who could fight the British with weapons when the time came. Seeing the courage and passion of Asghari Begum, other people also got inspired and they seemed fully ready to support her. Asghari Begum fought against the British on many fronts in western Uttar Pradesh from 1857 to 1858. She posed a strong challenge to the British. Asghari Begum shot the British ruler Sir Henry Lawrence and defeated the British army in a decisive battle at Chinhat in 1857. After this defeat, the British became more enraged that an ordinary Muslim woman became the reason for their defeat. After giving a tough time to the British for a year, unfortunately in 1858, Asghari Begum was arrested by the British on the charge of revolution and a case of treason was filed against her. When the British judge sentenced Asghari Begum to death by cannonball, the British thought that they would scare Asghari Begum by hearing the death sentence, but she smiled on hearing the judge's decision and said to the judge, "You cannot give any more punishment than this". Then the judge announced the horrific punishment of burning Asghari Begum alive, but still could not create fear on their faces. In 1858, Asghari Begum Was Burnt Alive In Front Of Everyone. The British thought that after this horrific punishment, people would stop rebelling and an atmosphere of terror would be created among the people, but the result was contrary to what the British thought. After giving the death penalty to Asghari Begum, people's anger and rebellion increased further, to crush which the British killed about 225 women in a gruesome manner. When it comes to sacrificing one’s life for the country, Muslim women do not step back in any way. Neither fear of death nor fear of punishment. There is only one passion in the heart – to sacrifice one’s life for the country but not to even utter a word of complaint. Asghari Begum is indeed another name for courage and fearlessness. At the age of only 45, she sacrificed her life for the country. Even though the method of punishment was horrific, she accepted it smilingly. She neither apologized to the British nor showed any kind of deviation. Her passion is a unique example. More or less, she has not got a proper place in the pages of history or it can be said that she has been forgotten, but her sacrifice for her country is invaluable. She is the source of inspiration for many people. ------ Afroz Khan is a teacher by profession, focusing on writings about women and Islam. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Education URL: https://www.newageislam.com/islamic-personalities/asghari-begum-muslim-woman-spirit-1857-rebellion/d/136576 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