Amir-un-Nisa [Lady Muhammad Shafi]

Amir-un-Nisa was born at Lahore in 1879. Her father, Mian Nizam-ud-Din, was one of the few Muslim session judges of those times. She received her education under the guidance of her father, who held progressive views about social and educational values.

In 1894, she was married to her cousin, Mian Muhammad Shafi. The marriage brought her into contact with the leading politicians of her time and very soon she began to realise the handicaps of the Muslim women. Her desire to work for the uplift of the Muslim women was encouraged by her husband as she herself admitted in the words that "in all my works and activities I am indebted to my late husband Mian Sir Muhammad Shafi who always came to my relief and support in my progressive schemes for the welfare of Indian womenhoond.".

She formed an anjuman of women in Baghbanpura, Lahore, in 1905, and Anjuman-i-Khawatin-i-Islam, in 1908.

She also helped in strengthening the All-India Muslim women's conference, which was founded by the Begum of Bhopal in 1913. In 1918, she organized the annual session of All-India Muslim Women's Conference which was held at Lahore. She also took part in the All-India Women's Conference and presided over some of its meetings but later resigned.

She supported the Sarda Bill and represented the women community before the Sarda Bill Commission. In 1939, she was elected a member of the Working Committee of the Punjab Provincial Muslim Women's sub-committee and remained a member throughout her life.

In 1947, during the civil disobedience movement, Lady Shafi actively participated in the agitation and later played a commendable role in helping the refugees after the partition. She died in December 1959.