Mai Bakhtawar: A Symbol of Bravery and Sacrifice in the Sindh Farmers' Struggle

By Afroz Khan, New Age Islam 18 September 2025 Mai Bakhtawar, born in 1880 in Tando Bagho, was a fearless farmer's daughter who married Wali Muhammad Lashari. In 1947, she heroically confronted an armed landlord to protect farmers' crops, was martyred, and inspired the Sindh Tenancy Act, becoming a symbol of courage. Key Points: 1. Mai Bakhtawar, farmer's daughter, named "fortunate woman." 2. Grew up fearless, worked fields, married farmer. 3. Opposed zamindari exploitation, demanded fair crop share. 4. Shot confronting an armed landlord to save crops. 5. Inspired Sindh Tenancy Act, honored with airport, college. ---- In 1880, a daughter was born to Murad Khan Lashari in Dodo Khan Sarkani village, Tando Bagho. He affectionately named his daughter "Mai Bakhtawar." Murad Khan, a farmer by occupation, named his daughter Bakhtawar because it means "fortunate woman." He himself was poor, but hoping for his daughter's good fortune, he named her Bakhtawar. Bravery was deeply rooted in her from childhood; she grew up to be a fearless and self-respecting woman. Mai Bakhtawar's early life was not a joyful one. British rule and the Zamindari system had made life challenging for farmers. Mai Bakhtawar worked in the fields alongside her father. She began assisting him in farming from a very tender age. In 1898, Mai Bakhtawar married a farmer, Wali Muhammad Lashari. The couple had three sons and one daughter. Her husband, Muhammad Lashari, worked as a farmer on the land of a village landlord. In the 1940s, 80% of Sindh village land was controlled by the village elite, known as "Zamindars." In return for cultivating their fields, the landlords would give farmers a share of the produce, with the rest going to the landlord. Frequently, the landlords would arrive with armed men and take the remaining produce, leaving only a small share for the farmers. This exploitation of farmers persisted for decades. In 1946, conflicts arose between farmers and landlords in Sanghar, Nawabshah, and Tharparkar districts over crop division. The farmers demanded half of the produce, but the landlords were unwilling to grant them half. Consequently, the landlords evicted the farmers from their fields. The Sindh Hari Samiti reacted by organizing demonstrations, rallies, protests, conferences, and meetings throughout the province. Hyder Baksh Jatoi and other leaders launched a movement demanding that farmers be given half of their harvest. Jatoi organized a farmers' conference that lasted three days from June 20-22, 1947. On June 22, 1947, when most of the men and women of the village had gone out to attend a conference, a landlord of the village, Saeedullah, came to the village with his armed men and attempted to plunder the farmers' crops by force of arms. To thwart his attempt, Mai Bakhtawar stood alone in front of the armed men and the landlord and warned them, “You cannot take even a single grain of crop from here until the rightful owners of this harvest return from the conference and secure their fundamental rights.” She raised the slogan, “He who sows shall reap.” The landlord did not appreciate this bravery of a woman and her warning to him, so he shot Mai Bakhtawar and made her a "martyr". She sacrificed her life on the spot while protecting her crop. This incident drew people's attention to the suffering and exploitation of farmers. As a result of Mai Bakhtawar's sacrifice, the Sindh Tenancy Act was eventually passed. This Act sought to ensure farmers their rights. Mai Bakhtawar's murderer, landlord Saeedullah, and his accomplices were sentenced to twenty years in prison. Mai Bakhtawar was the first woman from Sindh province to be martyred in the farmers' movement. Her unwavering courage inspired many women to raise their voices for their rights. Mai Bakhtawar emerged as an inspiration. She was a courageous woman fighting for her rights in a patriarchal society. Without caring for her life, she stood up as a challenge to the oppressive landlord for the rights of herself and other farmers. In honor of Mai Bakhtawar's courageous act and martyrdom, the Islamkot International Airport was named after her. The first cadet college for girls opened in Shaheed Benazirabad was also named after Mai Bakhtawar. Schools and colleges have also been established in her name. The Sindh Commission on the Status of Women (SCSW) of the Sindh government organizes awards in Mai Bakhtawar's name. These awards are specifically given to women who have struggled, contributed to society or their households, and who have demonstrated strength through their contributions to society despite the challenges of rural life. Mai Bakhtawar's life is a symbol of struggle, bravery, and resilience. Her martyrdom gives us the courage to stand up for our rights. ----- 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/mai-bakhtawar-sacrifice-sindh-farmers/d/136884 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