Shaista Suhrawardy [Begum Ikramullah]

Begum Shaista Suhrawardy Ikramullah was born to Sir Hasan Suhrawardy in July 1915 at Calcutta. In 1927, she was admitted in the Loreto House, a Convent School at Calcutta. Later, she graduated from the University of Calcutta and became associated with the King's College, London, and the School of Oriental Studies, London. By this time she was married to M. Ikramullah of the Indian Civil Service.

Her interest in politics dates from the late twenties when she delivered her first public speech in a small gathering of women at Calcutta held in connection with the execution of two young men namely Amir Ali and Abdullah who "killed the Hindu author of a particularly revolting book called Rangila-Rasul."=' Her speech was highly emotional and " was tantamount to a criticism and condemnation of the Government." She soon earned popularity and began to take interest in the political affairs of the country. To this effect, she got ample opportunities to judge the pros and cons of the various political developments, as her house at Delhi "was one of the rendezvous of Muslim leaders" where she would listen to politicians belonging to various schools of thought.

In 1910, she joined the Muslim League and took utmost pains in popularising its aims and objects. Her work as a member of the Women's Sub-Committee received considerable appreciation in political circles. In 1941, she organised and founded the All-India Muslim Women's Students Federation at Delhi. In April 1943, the Begum was nominated to the Central Sub-Committee and worked as a member of the Council of the All-India Muslim League as well. During the elections of 1946, she worked tirelessly and was elected a member of the Legislative Assembly as a Muslim League candidate.

The Begum, besides her social, educational and cultural activities, is a highly scholarly person and a gifted story writer. Her articles entitled Behind the Veil are a remarkable exposition of the social life of Muslim women in the subcontinent. In spite of her many preoccupations and domestic responsibilities she submitted a comprehensive thesis on The Derelopment of the Urdu Novel and Short Story in 1940 and obtained the Doctorate Degree from the University of London.

Her recent literary achievement from Purdah to Parliament gives an idea of her highly sophisticated literary taste and an interesting account of her life.