Nishatunnisa Mohani: Courageous Ally in India's Fight for Freedom

By Afroz Khan, New Age Islam 20 August 2025 Nishatunnisa Mohani, born in 1884, was a courageous supporter of her husband, freedom fighter Hasrat Mohani. She aided his newspaper, advocated for Swadeshi, fearlessly faced British authorities, and championed women's rights, remaining steadfast through his imprisonments until her death in 1937. Main Points: 1. Nishatunnisa Mohani supported husband Hasrat Mohani’s freedom struggle. 2. Helped run Urdu e Mualla newspaper and Swadeshi store. 3. Fearlessly faced British authorities during Hasrat’s imprisonment. 4. Advocated for women’s rights in 1917 delegation. 5. Died in 1937 after a long illness. ------ “Whatever trouble has befallen you, bear it like a man. Do not worry about me or the house at all. Be careful that you do not feel any kind of weakness." This letter was written by Nishatunnisa Mohani to her "freedom fighter husband Hasrat Mohani" when he was in jail for criticizing the British government. The text of this letter clearly reflects Nishatunnisa Mohani's passion for her country's independence. She is encouraging her husband to stand firmly on the path to freedom. Nishatunnisa Mohani herself was a courageous woman of strong convictions who participated in the freedom movements with and in her husband's absence. Nishatunnisa Mohani was born in 1884 in Unnao district of Uttar Pradesh. Her father's name was Shabib Hasan Mohani, he was a lawyer in Hyderabad High Court. Nishatunnisa Mohani received her education at home. She developed a good command over Urdu, Arabic, Persian and English languages. After educating herself, she started teaching the girls of her town. Nishatunnisa Mohani was married to the famous freedom fighter Hasrat Mohani. When Hasrat Mohani was studying law and was also participating in movements against the British government, Hasrat Mohani's studies were banned. So he started editing an Urdu newspaper named Urdu e Mualla in 1903. Hasrat Mohani called Nishatunnisa Mohani to Aligarh to help him with the newspaper. She used to help Hasrat Mohani in making lithography blocks and putting them on paper. The newspaper operated uninterrupted for five years, but in 1908, when Hasrat Mohani wrote an article criticizing the British education policy, he was arrested on charges of treason and the newspaper was banned. Hasrat Mohani was sentenced to 2 years in prison and fined Rs 500. Nishatunnisa faced many difficulties during Hasrat Mohani's captivity but she was a woman of immense self-respect who did not give up her self-respect even in this adversity. Recalling that time, the famous writer and critic Pandit Kishan Prasad, who was a well-wisher of Hasrat Mohani, once went to Nishatunnisa Mohani for a courtesy visit in his absence. He mentions his meeting in the "Nigar" special issue and writes that "After talking about this and that for a long time, I hesitantly said that if you agree, we can talk about some financial help. She replied, "I am not okay with the public collecting donations for me. I am happy with the situation I am in. Please don't take the trouble of doing this.” Nishatunnisa faced this calamity bravely and in her letter encouraging Hasrat Mohani she wrote, "Bear the trouble that has befallen you like a man. Do not worry about me or the house at all. Be careful, you should not feel any kind of weakness." Hasrat Mohani became very emotional after reading this letter. After coming back from jail, Hasrat Mohani became a part of the Swadeshi movement and Khilafat movement. Nishatunnisa Mohani also worked extensively in both movements. Hasrat Mohani and Nishatunnisa Mohani started the first Khadi clothing store named Aligarh Khilafat Store. She used to support Gandhiji's magazine Young India with the income from this. Nishatunnisa Mohani played an important role in running this shop. She not only visited the shop but also went to the streets and neighbourhoods to explain the importance of indigenous products to people and encouraged people to buy indigenous products. On 13 April 1916, he was arrested for the second time for participating in the Muslim University campaign. After his arrest, Nishatunnisa Mohani herself took the responsibility of pleading Hasrat Mohani's case. She came out of the house and stood courageously before the British officer and judge. During the trial, a British officer threatened her and threatened to arrest her. Nishatunisaa gave a befitting reply to that officer and said, "You can arrest me, but you cannot stop me." Seeing her fearless form, that British officer did not dare to threaten and intimidate her. When Nishatunnisa left the veil and started going out of the house to support her husband and participate in the freedom struggle, then Hasrat Mohani's friend Pandit Kishan Parshad Kaul wrote, “She (Nishat) took this courageous step at a time when the veil was a symbol of dignity not only among Muslim women but among Hindu women as well”. One Lord Matunga had asked Nishatunnisa to give up the path of revolution. Then she gave a befitting reply to Lord Matunga and said “why don't you release the freedom lovers when you are releasing the revolutionaries of Ireland”. Nishatunnisa Mohani Was Also Very Conscious About Women's Rights. In 1917, a delegation was formed to meet the Viceroy on the issue of women empowerment. Nishatunnisa Mohani was also a part of this delegation along with Sarojini Naidu, Mrs. Chandrashekhar Iyer, Mrs. Goswami etc. Hasrat Mohani went to jail many times due to various movements. Nishatunnisa Mohani herself used to plead Hasrat Mohani's cases while he was in jail. In 1925, when Hasrat Mohani started running Urdu e Mualla newspaper again, Nishatunnisa Mohani used to write articles on political events. Nishatunnisa Mohani supported Hasrat Mohani at every step, encouraged him to participate in movements and faced the British boldly when they tortured him. In an article of Mashahire Hind, Khwaja Hasan Nizami writes that "Hasrat's wife is the most loyal and devoted husband among the Muslim women of India. In the bad days, such loyalty was shown by this woman as Sita ji had shown to Ramchandra ji". Once Nishatunnisa Said “Those who are in favour of complete independence cannot even think of abandoning this movement. But those who want partial and weak independence can do so and get their independence in 'instalments'” From this statement of hers it becomes clear that she was in favour of complete independence and was not one of those who would stop without achieving freedom. Nishatunnisa Mohani died on 18 April 1937 after a long illness. She was a brave, fearless and courageous woman who supported Hasrat Mohani in every task throughout her life and made his fight for freedom easy. ----- 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/nishatunnisa-mohani-ally-freedom/d/136542 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