The 19th and mid 20th century was a period of intense social, religious and educational activities throughout the Indian sub-continent. One of the significant areas that were taken up by the social reformers, both male and female, was regarding ameliorating the status of women. There was a gradual realisation that without improving the status of women there would be no social progress. Therefore, the reformers undertook various social and educational reforms. In the social spheres they succeeded in getting landmark legislations passed like sati pratha was abolished in 1829, Widow Remarriage Act was passed in 1856 and the Age of Consent Act was passed In 1891 Regarding education, the reformers opened educational institutions especially for girls, wrote motivational literature and in their own individual capacities educated their wives, sisters and daughters. The thread of their activities was also picked up by the women social reformers of the said period.
It was believed that an educated woman would be empowered and not easily succumb to customs and traditions that were derogatory. Further, education would help in promoting self esteem and self-confidence among giris and would enable them to improve the quality of life.
The need for girls education was also felt by enlightened Begums of Bhopal, who belonged to the Princely State of Bhopal in the 19th and 20th centuries. They took a number of steps to encourage girls' education -established schools for girls and provided grants to them, gave scholarships to the needy and established three printing press. These steps also ensured that a balance between the Islamic traditions and modernaisation was maintained, and that the women of the Bhopal State did not remain backward and deprived. Their success in this endeavour helped in promoting the enrolment of girls belonging to different communities in Bhopal. Some of the significant educational institutions opened by them like the Victoria and the Sultania Schools continue to exist in the city of Bhopal. In fact, the Begums of Bhopal have been role models for girls of their times and the modern era.
The present research work meticulously done by Dr. Gouri Srivastava is based on the analysis of primary and secondary sources that were consulted at the different libraries at Bhopal and Delhi.
I would like to express my sincere thanks to Prof. S.A. Azhar Rahi. Prof. Syad Haider Abbas Rizvi and Justice Mohammed Shamim, Chairman, National Commission for Minorities who have gone through the manuscript and have given valuable suggestions and comments.
The cultural heritage of India has very rich example of eminent women who have contributed very significantly in the area of education, social reform. freedom struggle and in the overall upliftment of the women folk. The present book entitled, The Role of Begums of Bhopal in Girls' Education is an interesting account of those few women who have left their imprint in different pages of Indian history. Under their able and benevolent rule, this state enjoyed peace and tranquillity. Their contributions towards promoting education of girls especially from the minority community stands out prominently. The strategies they adopted in encouraging girls' education is indeed commendable especially in an era when formal education of girls was considered as a taboo. The Impact of these strategies adopted by the Begums could be seen in the enrolment of girls belonging to different sections of society.
In this endeavour. I am grateful to Professor Poonam Agrawal, Head of the Department of Women's Studies for her constant support and guidance. I would also like to express my deep sense of gratitude to Professor Krishna Kumar, Director, NCERT whose kind support has made the publication of this manuscript possible.
I would also like to express my sincere thanks to Shri Haq. Director, National Archives, Bhopal and Ms. Geeta Sabherwal, Assistant Director of State Archives of Bhopal for their kind and generous support in helping me to locate the relevant English and Urdu records pertaining to my research work. I would also like to thank members and staff of Nehru Memorial Museum & Library, Central Secretariat Library and the Library at the All India Women's Conference and the National Archives at New Delhi, who generously allowed me to make use of their resources. The photographs and sketches of some Begums have been taken from pictures of An Account of My Life.
I shall be failing in my duties if I do not acknowledge the assistance provided by Shrt Syed Wast Imam for timely translating the Urdu sources and to all my colleagues at the Department of Women's Studies who constantly kept my spirits high through interaction and valuable suggestions.
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