EDUCATION AS LIBERATION: BEGUM ROKEYA'S CONTRIBUTION TO WOMEN'S EMPOWERMENT IN COLONIAL INDIA
Nitu Khatun
Student, Department of Education, Kazi Nazrul University, Asansol, West Bengal
Abstract
Begum Rokeya (1880–1932) emerged as one of the most influential pioneers of women’s education and emancipation in colonial India. This study explores her philosophy of education as a tool of liberation and its impact on women’s empowerment, particularly among Muslim women in Bengal. Using qualitative and historical methods, the research examines Rokeya’s writings, institutional contributions, and socio-cultural interventions. The findings reveal that Rokeya conceptualized education not merely as literacy but as a transformative force enabling intellectual freedom, social participation, and resistance against patriarchy. Her initiatives, such as the establishment of girls’ schools and her literary works like Sultana’s Dream, significantly contributed to reshaping gender discourse in colonial India. The study concludes that Rokeya’s ideas remain relevant for contemporary gender equality and educational reforms.
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EPRA International Journal of Multidisciplinary Research (IJMR)
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Published on : 2026-04-29
| Vol | : | 12 |
| Issue | : | 4 |
| Month | : | April |
| Year | : | 2026 |