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Fatima Sughra Begum

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Sugra Begum, also known as Begum Ghulam Hussain Hidayatullah, Begum Hidayatullah and Lady Hidayatullah, was born in 1904 in Shikarpur, Sindh. She belonged to Pathan family and girls were not sent to school in those days. She was home schooled, with her family members. Her father's name was Yaqoob Khan Popalzai Durrani. Begum Sughra was given a liberal education, especially in religion, Urdu, Sindhi and elementary English. In 1919, she married Sir Ghulam Hussain Hidayatullah, a prominent political leader of Sindh.

Sir Ghulam Hussain Hidayatullah, who came back from London after completing his studies. Sindh was then part of Bombay Presidency. Sir Ghulam Hussain Hidayatullah was appointed as Minister from Sindh when the Bombay Assembly was set up. He was attached to Bombay's Government Ministry for eight years. Whenever the election were held, he would be successful.

Lady Ghulam Hussain Hidayatullah aimed her life towards helping her husband in his social and political activities. She began her political life in 1938 as a worker of the All India Muslim League. The same year she was taken on by the Women’s Central Subcommittee formed on the orders of G.M. Syed formed.

It was due to her efforts that various branches of the Provincial Subcommittee were formed in different districts of Sindh such as Hyderabad, Nawabshah and Dadu. In December 1943, on the occasion of the annual session of the All India Muslim League held at Karachi, she was elected President of the Women’s Reception Committee. Her companions included Begum Shaban and Mrs Wali Muhammad Effendi.

In February 1947, Sughra Begum came to Lahore and took part in political processions, urging the Government to accept the League’s demands. She led a grand procession that marched towards the Civil Secretariat at the end of February 1947. This was the same day that Sughra Begum hoisted the Muslim League flag on the secretariat building. During the Partition riots, she actively worked with the refugees to relieve their sufferings. Her services in the Women’s Refugee Relief Committee were commendable.