Begum Sughra of Hyderabad: Trailblazing Voice for Women's Empowerment and Literary Excellence in Colonial India

By Afroz Khan, New Age Islam 22 September 2025 Begum Sughra Humayun Mirza (1884–1958), Hyderabad’s first female novelist, was a pioneering Urdu writer, feminist, and social reformer. She founded the Deccan Women’s Association and Safdariya Girls’ School, edited women’s magazines, and wrote novels and travelogues, advocating for women’s education, rights, and social integration. Main Points: 1. Hyderabad’s pioneer, wrote 14 novels on women’s issues. 2. Founded Deccan Women’s Association (1919) for social inclusion. 3. Started Safdariya Girls’ School (1934), now serving 1000+ girls. 4. Penned “Safarnama-e-Europe”, a Muslim woman’s perspective. 5. Led “Al Nisa” and *Zaib-un-Nisa”, promoting women’s voices. ---- “Kar De Mujh Ko Mere Kaamon Mein Khudaaya Kaamayaab Main Qadam Jis Mein Rakhoon Ho Azm Mera Kaamayaab Dekh Kar Dushman Mire Hairaan Hain Har Kaam Ko Rashk Un Ka Badh Gaya Mujh Ko Jo Dekha Kaamayaab Dekh Kar Iqabaal Mera Hans Ke Kahate Hain Ye Dost Dil Hamaara Kyon Na Khush Ho Jab Ho Sugara Kaamayaab” (O God, make me successful in my endeavours. Wherever I step, may my resolve be successful. My enemies are astonished to see my every endeavour. Their jealousy increased when they saw me succeed. Seeing my glory, these friends laugh and say, Why shouldn't our heart be happy when 'Sughra' succeeds?) Begum Sughra Humayun Mirza A renowned Urdu writer, social reformer, editor, traveller, and feminist of the 19th century, she wrote on every issue concerning women and made every possible effort to make them aware. Begum Sughra was born in Hyderabad in December 1884. Her father's name was Safdar Ali Mirza, who served as a surgeon in the Nizam's army. Her mother, Maria Begum, was a scholar of Arabic and Persian languages. Her grandfather hailed from Turkey, and her maternal grandparents were from Iran. Begum Sughra's education was arranged at home, and she became proficient in Urdu and Persian. At the age of 16, she was married to Humayun Mirza, a distinguished barrister from Patna. In 19th-century Indian society, the practice of purdah was observed equally in both Hindu and Muslim communities, resulting in a restricted social life for women. To ensure women's social presence, women's clubs began to be established at that time for social gatherings. These women's clubs provided a safe space for veiled women where they could interact with other women, discuss their problems, and participate in physical activities like sports. Begum Sughra founded one such women's club, the "Anjuman-e-Khawateen-e-Deccan" (Deccan Women's Association), in 1919. This club discussed issues related to girls' education, and elite women attended, including raising funds for girls' education. These clubs also provided women with opportunities to learn new skills and participate in various sports activities. In 1934, Begum Sughra established a Madrasa (Madrasa-e-Safdariya) in her father's name for the education of girls and donated a portion of her property to facilitate the running of the school. This Madrasa provided education exclusively to girls. This Madrasa continues to operate today under the name of "Safdariya Girls High School". Today, more than 1000 girls are receiving education in this school, which began with only 8 girls. Literary Contributions Begum Sughra wrote 14 novels in her lifetime. She is considered Hyderabad's first female novelist. Some of her well-known literary works include Sarguzisht-e-Hajra (1926), Mohini (1929), Musheer-e-Niswan ya Zohra, (1930), Raaz-o-Niyaaz (1933), Bibi Toori ka Khwaab (Toori's Dream – 1952), and Awaz-e-Ghaib. Through her novels, Begum Sughra highlighted numerous women's issues and sought to bring them to society's attention. In addition to novels, she also wrote short stories, travelogues, poetry, and essays. Begum Sughra travelled to many places and documented her experiences in travelogues. Until then, travelogues were dominated by male writers, with most accounts written from the perspective of male travellers. Begum Sughra was the first to present travelogues from the perspective of a Muslim woman, transforming the genre and sharing the experiences of a Muslim woman traveller. She wrote five travelogues, three of which describe her travels to different states of India, while in Safarnama-e-Europe, She shared her experiences of travelling to England, France, Germany, and Switzerland. From 1919 to 1927, Begum Sughra edited a women's magazine called “Al Nisa”. In this magazine, apart from addressing issues related to women, critical articles were written on women's health and hygiene, and traditional customs, and through these magazines, she provided opportunities for many women to write. It also had readers in cities like Hyderabad, Aligarh, Delhi, Lahore, and Lucknow. In 1934, Begum Sughra moved to Lahore and edited another women's magazine, “Zaib-un-Nisa”, until 1940. In Lahore, Begum Sughra had access to better publishing facilities. Compared to “Al-Nisa”, This magazine contained more political content and documented significant events such as the All India Women's Conference and the Women's Muslim League. Besides education and social reform, Begum Sughra promoted communal harmony and the use of indigenous goods. She maintained an autograph book filled with messages from her respected friends and acquaintances. In this book, on 11 April 1944, Vijaya Lakshmi Pandit wrote a message in Sughra's book – "India will progress in proportion to the progress of its women. Let us realise this and march forward boldly with faith in the future." Begum Sughra passed away in 1958. She is buried alongside her husband in a mausoleum next to Safdariya Girls' High School. Begum Sughra was a prominent writer and social reformer of her time. She dedicated her life to improving the status of women. Through her writings, she challenged customs that hindered women's development. She remained committed to girls' education and worked to integrate women into the mainstream of society. ----- 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/islam-women-feminism/begum-sughra-trailblazing-literary-excellence-colonial/d/136927 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