Zohra Begum Kazi: The Nightingale of Dhaka and Pioneer of Women's Healthcare

By Afroz Khan, New Age Islam 30 July 2025 Zohra Begum Kazi, born in 1912 in Rajnandgaon, was a pioneering Bengali Muslim doctor specialising in gynaecology. Educated at Aligarh and Lady Hardinge Medical College, she served as a surgeon in Dhaka, aiding women’s health and war victims. Honoured as the Nightingale of Dhaka, she died in 2007. Main Points: 1. First Bengali Muslim woman with top medical degree. 2. Specialized in gynaecology, improving women's health. 3. Served and taught as surgeon at Dhaka Medical College. 4. Treated students (1952) and soldiers (1971), earning Nightingale of Dhaka 5. Received major awards; died in 2007. ------ 15 October 1912 On this day, the woman was born who was honoured with the title of Nightingale of Dhaka, (Bangladesh). Her name was Zohra Begum Kazi, her father's name was Kazi Abdul Sattar. He himself was a doctor and a famous politician. He was a modern thinker and was in favour of modern education of women, so he did not let any shortage in the education of his daughters. She was born in Rajnandgaon of undivided India (presently Chhattisgarh) during British rule. She belonged to the Kazi family of Madaripur in Bengal. Zohra Begum Kazi was a sharp-witted and fearless woman. Her academic life was full of achievements. She always passed her early education in the first division. In 1928, she joined Aligarh Muslim Girls College and then obtained an Intermediate Science degree from Aligarh Muslim University. Zohra Begum insisted on in-depth study of the subject. Her aim was to acquire knowledge and not just pass exams. As a result, she always excelled. In 1932, she obtained a Bachelor of Medicine degree with first class from Lady Hardinge Medical College for Women, Delhi. She was the first Bengali Muslim to obtain the highest grade in this qualification. She was awarded the Viceroy's Medal for her achievement. She then obtained the degree of FCPS (Fellow of the College of Physicians and Surgeons). The death of an acquaintance in her neighbourhood during childbirth made her think and also gave her a new purpose in life. She understood the health problems of women. She realised that women did not feel comfortable seeking treatment from male doctors during childbirth and there was no special awareness about women's health in the society. Women's problems related to childbirth were too easily attributed to bad luck or spirits. She felt it was important to understand and raise awareness about the health issues of pregnant women in order to reduce the risks involved and improve the status of women. To improve the status of women, she decided to pursue further education and specialised in gynaecology. After receiving a scholarship from the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists in London, she developed a formal expertise in women's health. Zohra Begum Kazi and her siblings spent some time at Gandhiji's Sevagram Ashram, which was a community health resource for the treatment of ailing people. It later became the Mahatma Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences, the first medical college to be built in rural India. At the age of 32, Zohra Begum Kazi married politician Razzudddin Bhuiyan. Her husband died when Zohra was only 52. Zohra Begum had no children of her own, but she adopted several orphans from her area, raising them like her own children, providing them with a better life and education. When India was partitioned in 1947, she settled permanently in Gopalpur, a small town near Dhaka. It was her ancestral home where she spent the rest of her life in the company of her ancestors. Zohra Begum believed in simple living and she always stayed away from the fame and prestige established by her ancestors and dedicated her life to health care. When India was partitioned, there was a shortage of female doctors as most of the female doctors had migrated to India. Zohra Begum took up the post of resident surgeon at Dhaka Medical College. She is known as a disciplined but supportive teacher to her students. She worked towards building a separate entrance for pregnant women to the hospital to reduce the risks women face during childbirth. Inspired by Zohra Begum Kazi, many women came forward to make their future in the medical field. When students demonstrated in support of the Bengali language in 1952, Zohra Begum came forward to provide medical services to those students. Similarly, when the Bangladesh Liberation War took place in 1971, Zohra Begum Kazi started taking care of injured soldiers and fighters and providing them medical facilities. Not only this, she used to take the injured soldiers to a safe place without caring for her own life. She was working as an honorary colonel in Dhaka Joint Military College. Zohra Begum Kazi was not just a great doctor but she was a pioneer woman who truly brought about change in the society. After she retired in 1973, she used to visit local madrasas and encourage students to pursue higher education. She used to guide students to make their future in the medical field. She was so passionate about medicine that even after retirement she worked as a consultant at Holy Family Red Crescent Hospital in Dhaka. Zohra Begum Kazi was awarded the Tamgha-e-Pakistan in 1964, Begum Rokeya Medal in 2002 and Ekushey Medal in 2008. On 7 November 2007, Zohra Begum Kazi said goodbye to this world. The life of Zohra Begum Kazi is an example of the will to live, an amazing achievement of transforming the personal shortcomings of her life into the happiness of others. ----- 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/islam-women-feminism/zohra-kazi-nightingale-dhaka-women-healthcare/d/136348 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