Sakina Begum, also spelt Sakeena Begum, was a prominent Hyderabadi intellectual and editor active in the late 1930s and early 1940s. A key figure in the Urdu literary scene, she made significant contributions to the magazine Sab Ras, both as an editor and as a contributor, and played a crucial role in promoting women’s writing. She was the daughter of Syeda Tayyaba Begum, a notable writer and reformist intellectual from Hyderabad.
Sab Ras was the official monthly journal of Idāra-e-Adabiyāt-e-Urdeditoeditoru, launched in January 1938. The magazine was a beacon of rigorous literary criticism, promoting translations of international masterpieces while deliberately avoiding contemporary politics and sectarian debates. From its inception, Sakina Begum was part of its initial editorial board alongside Khwaja Hameeduddin and Mahinder Raj Saxena, under the supervision of Dr. Syed Mohiuddin Qadri Zore.
By January 1939, her role had become more hands-on. She was credited as “Editor” on several issues, including the “Deccan Number,” alongside Moinuddin Ahmad Ansari, Meer Mohammad Ali, and Khwaja Hamiduddin Shahid. This indicates that she was a key co-editor during this period, directly involved in shaping the magazine’s content and direction. Her influence extended to the children’s section, Bachchon ka Sab Ras, which began as a part of the leading magazine in January 1938. By 1939, she was part of the editorial team for this children-focused publication as well.
One of Sakina Begum’s most notable impacts was her effort to bring women contributors into the pages of Sab Ras. Her active role is credited with helping to shape a special issue titled “Nazr-e-Dakkan” in 1939. This issue was specifically dedicated to women’s poetry and prose, featuring articles that highlighted their literary contributions. This initiative not only provided a platform for female writers but also celebrated their work within a mainstream literary publication, a significant achievement for the time.
Sakina Begum’s editorial work wasn’t limited to Sab Ras. In 1940, she compiled and edited Rasāʾil-e-Tayyaba, a volume of essays and works by her mother, Syeda Tayyaba Begum. This demonstrates her editorial skills and her commitment to preserving and promoting the literary legacy of her family. Her role as “Murattiba” (Compiler) on this volume further solidifies her position as a meticulous and dedicated literary figure. Her contributions to both her mother’s work and the pages of Sab Ras highlight her dual role as a literary curator and an active participant in the Hyderabad Urdu literary community.