Shamsunnahar Mahmud
Encyclopedia
Shamsunnahar Mahmud (1908–1964) was a writer
, politician
and educator in Bengal
during the early 20th century. She was a leader of Islamic feminism
in Bengal
after the death of Roquia Sakhawat Hussain.
, who was Mahmud's brother. She was born in 1908 in Feni District
.
Her childhood was spent in purdah
in Chittagong
. She had a male Hindu
tutor, but a cloth wall was set between them during teaching Shamsunnahar commenced her studies at Dr. Khastagir Government Girls' School
in Chittagong
, and matriculated in 1926 as an independent student. In 1927, she married Wahiuddin Mahmud, who pushed his wife to pursue further studies. She received her I.A. in 1928 and B.A. in 1932 at the Diocesan College of Calcutta. After receiving the B.A., her achievement was commemorated in a reception held for her at the Sakhawat Memorial High School. In this reception, Roquia Sakhawat Hussain herself extolled her achievements as both pioneering and honorable. In 1942 she completed her M.A.
in the Bengali language
. After her studies she joined a feminist movement pioneered by Roquia Sakhawat Hussain, a prominent social reformer.
at Lady Brabourne College. While domiciled in Kolkatta, she became acquainted with Kazi Nazrul Islam
, and the latter inspired to former to begin writing.
She worked as the secretary for the Nikhil Banga Muslim Mahila Samity ("All Bengal Muslim Women's Society"). She visited Turkey
and the Middle East
as a representative of East Pakistan
in 1952. She led a delegation to the International Council of Women
in Colombo
and joined the International Friendship Organization as Asia
's regional director and made visits to several Western countries, including the United States
, England
, France
, and Italy
. In 1961, she established a Center for Disabled children and was elected to the National Assembly in 1962.
Writer
A writer is a person who produces literature, such as novels, short stories, plays, screenplays, poetry, or other literary art. Skilled writers are able to use language to portray ideas and images....
, politician
Politician
A politician, political leader, or political figure is an individual who is involved in influencing public policy and decision making...
and educator in Bengal
Bengal
Bengal is a historical and geographical region in the northeast region of the Indian Subcontinent at the apex of the Bay of Bengal. Today, it is mainly divided between the sovereign land of People's Republic of Bangladesh and the Indian state of West Bengal, although some regions of the previous...
during the early 20th century. She was a leader of Islamic feminism
Islamic feminism
Islamic feminism is a form of feminism concerned with the role of women in Islam. It aims for the full equality of all Muslims, regardless of gender, in public and private life. Islamic feminists advocate women's rights, gender equality, and social justice grounded in an Islamic framework...
in Bengal
Bengal
Bengal is a historical and geographical region in the northeast region of the Indian Subcontinent at the apex of the Bay of Bengal. Today, it is mainly divided between the sovereign land of People's Republic of Bangladesh and the Indian state of West Bengal, although some regions of the previous...
after the death of Roquia Sakhawat Hussain.
Early life
Her father, Mohammad Nurullah, was a Munsiff the son of Khan Bahadur Abdul Aziz and the father of Habibullah Bahar ChowdhuryHabibullah Bahar Chowdhury
Mohammad Habibullah Bahar Chowdhury was a politician and writer from East Bengal, who served in the political spheres of India and Pakistan.Publisher along with his sister Shamsunnahar Mahmud of the literary journal Bulbul, his political offices included serving on the executive committee and as...
, who was Mahmud's brother. She was born in 1908 in Feni District
Feni District
Feni is a small southern district of Bangladesh, bordering Tripura in India, Chittagong district, the Bay of Bengal, Noakhali district and Comilla district...
.
Her childhood was spent in purdah
Purdah
Purdah or pardeh is the practice of concealing women from men. According to one definition:This takes two forms: physical segregation of the sexes, and the requirement for women to cover their bodies and conceal their form....
in Chittagong
Chittagong
Chittagong ) is a city in southeastern Bangladesh and the capital of an eponymous district and division. Built on the banks of the Karnaphuli River, the city is home to Bangladesh's busiest seaport and has a population of over 4.5 million, making it the second largest city in the country.A trading...
. She had a male Hindu
Hindu
Hindu refers to an identity associated with the philosophical, religious and cultural systems that are indigenous to the Indian subcontinent. As used in the Constitution of India, the word "Hindu" is also attributed to all persons professing any Indian religion...
tutor, but a cloth wall was set between them during teaching Shamsunnahar commenced her studies at Dr. Khastagir Government Girls' School
Dr. Khastagir Government Girls' School
Dr. Khastagir Government Girls' High School is a school in Chittagong city, Bangladesh. It is located near Jamal Khan in the central part of the city. It was established by Annadacharan Khastagir, a pioneer in women's education in Chittagong, in late 18th century CE.The school is one of the top...
in Chittagong
Chittagong
Chittagong ) is a city in southeastern Bangladesh and the capital of an eponymous district and division. Built on the banks of the Karnaphuli River, the city is home to Bangladesh's busiest seaport and has a population of over 4.5 million, making it the second largest city in the country.A trading...
, and matriculated in 1926 as an independent student. In 1927, she married Wahiuddin Mahmud, who pushed his wife to pursue further studies. She received her I.A. in 1928 and B.A. in 1932 at the Diocesan College of Calcutta. After receiving the B.A., her achievement was commemorated in a reception held for her at the Sakhawat Memorial High School. In this reception, Roquia Sakhawat Hussain herself extolled her achievements as both pioneering and honorable. In 1942 she completed her M.A.
Master of Arts (postgraduate)
A Master of Arts from the Latin Magister Artium, is a type of Master's degree awarded by universities in many countries. The M.A. is usually contrasted with the M.S. or M.Sc. degrees...
in the Bengali language
Bengali language
Bengali or Bangla is an eastern Indo-Aryan language. It is native to the region of eastern South Asia known as Bengal, which comprises present day Bangladesh, the Indian state of West Bengal, and parts of the Indian states of Tripura and Assam. It is written with the Bengali script...
. After her studies she joined a feminist movement pioneered by Roquia Sakhawat Hussain, a prominent social reformer.
Career
Her career began as she taught the Bengali languageBengali language
Bengali or Bangla is an eastern Indo-Aryan language. It is native to the region of eastern South Asia known as Bengal, which comprises present day Bangladesh, the Indian state of West Bengal, and parts of the Indian states of Tripura and Assam. It is written with the Bengali script...
at Lady Brabourne College. While domiciled in Kolkatta, she became acquainted with Kazi Nazrul Islam
Kazi Nazrul Islam
Kazi Nazrul Islam , sobriquet Bidrohi Kobi, was a Bengali poet, musician and revolutionary who pioneered poetic works espousing intense spiritual rebellion against fascism and oppression. His poetry and nationalist activism earned him the popular title of Bidrohi Kobi...
, and the latter inspired to former to begin writing.
She worked as the secretary for the Nikhil Banga Muslim Mahila Samity ("All Bengal Muslim Women's Society"). She visited Turkey
Turkey
Turkey , known officially as the Republic of Turkey , is a Eurasian country located in Western Asia and in East Thrace in Southeastern Europe...
and the Middle East
Middle East
The Middle East is a region that encompasses Western Asia and Northern Africa. It is often used as a synonym for Near East, in opposition to Far East...
as a representative of East Pakistan
East Pakistan
East Pakistan was a provincial state of Pakistan established in 14 August 1947. The provincial state existed until its declaration of independence on 26 March 1971 as the independent nation of Bangladesh. Pakistan recognized the new nation on 16 December 1971. East Pakistan was created from Bengal...
in 1952. She led a delegation to the International Council of Women
International Council of Women
The International Council of Women was the first women's organization to work across national boundaries for the common cause of advocating human rights for women. In March and April 1888, women leaders came together in Washington D.C...
in Colombo
Colombo
Colombo is the largest city of Sri Lanka. It is located on the west coast of the island and adjacent to Sri Jayawardenapura Kotte, the capital of Sri Lanka. Colombo is often referred to as the capital of the country, since Sri Jayawardenapura Kotte is a satellite city of Colombo...
and joined the International Friendship Organization as Asia
Asia
Asia is the world's largest and most populous continent, located primarily in the eastern and northern hemispheres. It covers 8.7% of the Earth's total surface area and with approximately 3.879 billion people, it hosts 60% of the world's current human population...
's regional director and made visits to several Western countries, including the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
, France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
, and Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
. In 1961, she established a Center for Disabled children and was elected to the National Assembly in 1962.
Magazines
- Angur (Grapes)
- Naoroz (New Dawn)
- Atmashakti(Self-strength)
- Bulbul, 1933
Other works
- Punyamayi, 1925
- Phulbagicha, 1935
- Begum Mahal, 1936
- Roquia Jibani (The first biographyBiographyA biography is a detailed description or account of someone's life. More than a list of basic facts , biography also portrays the subject's experience of those events...
of Roquia Sakhawat Hussain,Papanek 39 1937 - Shishur Shiksa, 1939
- Amar Dekha TuraskaTurkeyTurkey , known officially as the Republic of Turkey , is a Eurasian country located in Western Asia and in East Thrace in Southeastern Europe...
, 1956 - Nazrulke Yeman Dekhechhi , 1958