Amjadi Begum (1885-1947), born Amjadi Bano Begum, was a formidable force in India’s struggle for independence. As the wife of Maulana Muhammad Ali Jauhar, a prominent leader of the Indian National Congress and the Khilafat Movement, she was not merely a supporter but a revolutionary, freedom fighter, politician, and journalist in her own right. Her life was a testament to her unwavering dedication to freedom and the empowerment of women.
Born in Rampur in 1885, Amjadi Begum was educated at home, as was common for Muslim girls of her time. Her marriage at seventeen to her cousin, Muhammad Ali Jauhar, immersed her in the heart of the Indian nationalist movement. Inspired by her husband and her mother-in-law, the activist Bi Amma, she quickly carved out her own significant role.
She rose to prominence during the Khilafat Movement, a pan-Islamic campaign to protect the Ottoman Caliphate following World War I. Amjadi Begum emerged as a powerful leader, travelling across India to rally support and raise substantial funds for the cause. Her passionate speeches captivated audiences and drew sharp rebukes against British rule. During the Non-Cooperation movement, her fundraising tours through Patna and Bhagalpur were highly successful. Her influence and courage were widely recognised, earning her praise from figures like Mahatma Gandhi, who lauded her as “a brave woman” in his newspaper, Young India.
A staunch advocate for women’s involvement in public life, Amjadi Begum worked tirelessly to break down the traditional barriers that confined women to their homes. In 1920, she became the secretary of the women’s wing of the Indian Khilafat Committee, encouraging women to join the freedom struggle. She championed the use of Khadi (homespun cloth) to promote self-reliance and was a firm believer in Hindu-Muslim unity as a cornerstone of the independence movement. She addressed numerous women’s conferences, urging them to become active participants in the fight for Swaraj (self-government).
Her political influence was solidified within the All-India Muslim League (AIML). In a remarkable achievement for her time, she was the only female member of the Muslim League’s first working committee. She presided over the first annual session of the AIML’s women’s central subcommittee in 1940. It is widely reported that she was the first to popularise the term ‘Pakistan Resolution’ for the Lahore Resolution, a pivotal moment in the movement for a separate Muslim state. Her political career culminated in her unopposed election to the Uttar Pradesh Legislative Council in 1946.
Beyond her political activism, Amjadi Begum was a pioneer in education and journalism. She was instrumental in establishing the Hameedia Girls School in Allahabad and co-founded Aligarh Women’s College, promoting education as a vital tool for empowering women. To spread the message of nationalism, she established the Urdu daily newspaper, Roznama Hind. Her commitment to justice was also evident when she joined demonstrations for the release of fellow activist Annie Besant.
Amjadi Begum passed away in 1947, just before the dawn of Indian independence. Her legacy endures as a fearless leader who championed women’s rights, social reform, and national freedom, leaving an indelible mark on India’s history.