Muslim Women: Past and Present

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Throughout the ages, from the earliest days of Islam to contemporary times today, Muslim women have been and continue to be active leaders in their communities and countries across the world. This directory is a growing archive of leading Muslim women scholars, activists, writers, politicians, artists, religious and spiritual leaders, civil society leaders and more. Please contribute to this archive by suggesting Muslim women to be featured through our recommendation form.

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Sultan Kaikhusrau Jahan

photo of Sultan Kaikhusrau Jahan

Known For: Ruler of Bhopal State, 1901-1926 CE
Dates: 1858 – 1930 CE
Country: India

About

Sarkar Amman, also known as Nawab Sultan Kaikhusrau Jahan Begum, was ruler of Bhopal (now in India) from 1901 to 1926 CE. She was a forceful ruler who worked to reform the administration of state and she also travelled extensively during her tenure.  In 1911, she attended the coronation of British king George V, dressed in a burqa decorated with her awards.  Along her journey, she visited Paris, Bad Nauenheim in Germany, Geneva, and Istanbul where she met the Ottoman sultan Mehmet Reshad.  She also visited Hungary, Italy, and Egypt before returning to Bhopal.

In 1926, she returned to London to settle the rules of succession for Bhopal in a British court. She abdicated her position and, after further legal proceedings, her granddaughter, Abida was declared her successor.1 Sarkar Amman had two daughters who both died. Abida was the daughter of Sarkar Amman’s favorite son and was born when she was 70 years old. Sarkar Amman raised her as her own and insisted that she receive the highest quality of education. Abida attributes her open-minded outlook to her grandmother who always strove to strike a balance between the West and the East, Islam and Western freedoms.2

After her abdication, she became an advocate of women’s rights and in 1928 she stopped wearing the purdah, a long garment meant to cover a woman’s body when she is in public.3 

 

[1] Women Muslim Leaders Throughout the Times.
[2] Princess Abida Sultan.
[3] Women Muslim Leaders Throughout the Times.

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This search feature will enable you to find Muslim women chronologically by the Common Era century. We are actively building the archive of Muslim women leaders from the past, as well as from today, and we would welcome your recommendations of women to feature. Please complete our “Recommend Muslim Women” form and check the site again in the near future as we actively expand this section of the portal with your suggestions.
This search feature will enable you to find Muslim women by their Country. We are actively building the archive of Muslim women leaders from the past, as well as from today, and we would welcome your recommendations of women to feature. Please complete our “Recommend Muslim Women” form and check the site again in the near future as we actively expand this section of the portal with your suggestions.
This search feature will enable you to find Muslim women leaders by entering the keyword(s) of your choice. If you cannot find a particular woman that you are looking for, please let us know by completing our “Recommend Muslim Women” form and check the site again in the near future as we actively expand this section of the portal with your suggestions.