Begum Qudsia Rasul: A Memoir

Description

‘[Begum Qudsia Rasul’s] life and times, and her autobiographical self-fashioning... provide valuable insights into the challenges and possibilities of public life for women who had to negotiate the dual burden of gendered marginalisation and minoritisation in post-colonial India.’ South Asia: J...ournal of South Asian Studies

First published in 2001 as From Purdah to Parliament: The Memoirs of a Muslim Woman in Indian Politics, this revised edition chronicles Begum Qudsia Rasul’s (1909–2001) journey from a progressive upbringing to becoming a vocal advocate for Muslim women’s rights. She played a significant role in challenging purdah, encouraging education, and promoting political participation among women. As the first and only Muslim woman in the Constituent Assembly of India, she contributed to drafting the Indian Constitution to ensure that it reflected secular and egalitarian principles. Her life can be defined as a blend of privilege turned into purpose, marked by a commitment to breaking societal barriers and contributing to a modern, inclusive India.

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