Abadi Bano Begum Biography 
Abadi Bano Begum was a freedom fighter from India who lived during the period, 1850–1924. She hailed from Rampur of present day Uttar Pradesh. A prominent Muslim female freedom fighter towards the end of 19th century and early 20th century, she addressed a political rally behind a purdah and was the first one to do so. She was one of the first Muslim women to actively take part in politics. She was fondly called Bi Amman. Her sons - Maulana Mohammad Ali Jouhar and Maulana Shaukat Ali later went on to become activists and participated in freedom struggle movement.
She was born in 1850 in Uttar Pradesh. Her husband Abdul Ali Khan was a senior official in the Rampur State. Her struggle for freedom and active participation in freedom struggle movement and politics began only after marriage. She had one daughter and five sons, and lost her husband at a young age. With a little resource available she educated her children. But she was without any formal education. Later her sons Maulana Mohammad Ali Jouhar and Maulana Shaukat Ali went on to become leading figures of the Khilafat Movement, non-cooperation movement and thus freedom struggle movement. She also took active participation in politics and Indian independence movement.
She became a part of the Khilafat committee, and joined the agitation to release Annie Besant and her two sons from prison. Her efforts were encouraged by Mahatma Gandhi. In 1917, during the sessions of the All India Muslim League, she made a powerful speech which left an everlasting impression among the listeners. She also extensively travelled across the India, to encourage more women to join the freedom movement. She often addressed women-only gatherings and requested them to donate to the Tilak Swaraj Fund.
Published: October 16, 2018
Updated: October 16, 2018
