The Shining Personality Behind Veil of Oblivion dr. Rashid Jahan

Delhi-based author Rakshanda Jalil has written a book, 'A Rebel and Her Cause' and brings to the fore a shining figure in Indian history, Dr. Rashid Jahan. Today, Rashid Jahan, who lived in various roles like a doctor, writer, and communist for five generations, seems to be a surprise today.

The golden age of the British Empire had begun at the beginning of the twentieth century and Indians were looking for independence. The Muslim community in North India was divided on the one hand by the wealthy Ashraf dynasty and on the other by the artisans nurtured by imperialism. Sir Syed Ahmed founded Aligarh Muslim University for Muslim children. However, there was apathy about girls' education. Sheikh Abdullah and Begum Wajid Jahan started the first girls' school in Aligarh. girls come to school in a closed bullock cart. Soon hostels were started as people were frightening them.

His daughter is Rashid Jahan. She studied in the same school. After completing her schooling, she went to Lucknow for a college education. Within two years in Lucknow, her self-confidence grew and she became self-reliant. She then got admission to Delhi Medical College. After becoming a doctor, Rashid Jahan worked as a gynecologist in several small towns. Then she understood the dire situation of women in India. She saw their sickness and sorrow. 

In her stories, she meets women of many classes. The higher the culture and language of the upper class, the more easily she reflects in her writing, and the more easily she writes in the language of the working class. Before Manto, Rashid Jahan had made prostitutes the heroines of his stories. Ex: In the 'Woh' story, two women, one of them a teacher and the other a syphilis-infected prostitute, meet each other and start chatting after the initial difficulty. In her play, two Beguma, and Sakhya sisters are seen chatting with each other. Husbands' never-ending lusts, constant pregnancies, difficult and painful childbirth, mutilated uteruses, and babies are all commented on. She did not agree that the life of upper-class women in the brothel was better behind the scenes. She turned this unseen truth into literature. Her play was published in the controversial collection 'Angare' in 1932. The book, published by four young writers, was well received. This, on the one hand, gave rise to intense socialist writings, while on the other hand, Urdu live, Kallol Majla, was criticized in the newspapers as obscene material. The book was banned. The British government accepted it.

Two associates of Angare later became great writers and founded the Tarkki Pasand Mussanafin a Hindu, the Progressive Writers' Association. Many great Indian writers like Faiz Ahmed Faiz, Mulkraj Anand, and Munshi Premchand were associated with this organization. Saadat Hassan Manto and Ismat Chugtai are also in the same stream.

The third author of 'Angare' was Sahibzada Mahmood Zafar. Being from a noble family, he lived in England since his school days. As a young man, his patriotism made him hate the British. When he returned to Lucknow after completing his education, he became restless as he could not write good Urdu. He wrote a very diligent story for Angare. During this time Rashid Jahan met him and he fell in love with her. They got married and supported each other for life. Love like Cypress and Chinar tree - walk with each other but don't get stuck in each other's shadow. Attracted by the principles of unity, equality, and brotherhood in communism, he took part in political struggles. Mahmud divided all his property and lands among the clans.

As the only woman among the writers of Angare, Rashid Jahan had to face intense anger. She came to be known as 'Angarevali'. Threats were made to cut off the nose. Her father's school was called 'Randi Khana'. But his parents ignored him and all went about their business quietly.

The funny part is that when Ismat Chugtai was studying in the school of Rashid Jahan's parents, Rashid Jahan used to live in Delhi. Suddenly she would grow up. Traveling alone by night train! Once upon a time, there was a cursed girl with her, whom she had brought to escape the sexual harassment of her relatives. In the morning, after leaving the girl with her parents in a closed room, Rashid Apa returned by night train. She was the hero of the girls in the hostel. When it comes to living, there are discussions and debates. 'Angare' became famous and received a lot of criticism. So all the women in the hostel decided that we should read for ourselves. One night they all sat together. He closed the window curtains and read a copy stolen in the lantern light. Everyone loved the book and found nothing 'obscene'.

Unlike Ismat Chugtai, Rashid Jahan was not a full-time writer. In her writing, she lacked cleanliness and writing skills. But the purpose of her writing was to present the true situation, and all her writings were disturbing. Her collection of short stories was published in 1936 under the name 'Aurat'. There was also a play called 'Aurat'. He was told that a woman who had contracted a sexually transmitted disease from her husband would eventually throw him out of the house. In the story 'Asif Jahanchi Soon', the childbirth of a young woman from a decent family takes place in the womb of a relative's wife and in a tragic manner and the newborn girl is immediately confirmed as the bride of her cousin.

Later, Rashid Jahan became a playwright and an integral part of the Indian People's Theater Association (IPTA). She wrote several plays for Ipta. Wait for the story to be written and published, then expect people to read. The play could be performed on stage immediately. She also wrote radio shows. During the Partition, she also wrote about religious exploitation. Once upon a time, she went to the play 'Ipta' and saw the artist's torn clothes on the stage and asked the director, 'What is this?' He replied, 'We have these clothes. Where's the money to buy a new one? 'She said,' Come with me. ' Even the sherwani at the husband's wedding. These clothes were then the property of Ipta for the next several years. He acted in many plays.

Rashid Jahan lived his life on his own will, on his own courage. She had to endure the wrath of society, and also gained a lot of love. Parents and sisters fell in love, husbands supported and friends and fan clubs are immense! Ismat Chugtai says, 'I wanted Rashid to be like you. She was very outspoken and assertive. '

I asked Shabana Azmi if I knew Rashid Jahan. His parents Kaifi Azmi and Shaukat Begum were also communist thinkers. She said, 'Of course! Her personality was very exciting. Once she came to our house and saw Abba's quartet kurta and said, it looks good. I will wear this. He immediately changed his clothes, put on his kurta, and left for the next meeting. Don't always be anxious .. '

Mahmood's smooth, calm nature and Rashid Jahan's brilliant personality were constantly filling his house with writers, artists, and revolutionaries. Both were members of the Communist Party of India and had a commune-like way of life.

Rashid Jahan died at the age of 46. She was stricken with cancer and she realized that she would not survive. But she received letters from Russia. 'Comrade, come to us for treatment. Admit to a reputed hospital in Moscow. We will heal you, 'she thought,' let's go on a world tour. And Mahmoud will get to see Russia. The Soviet Union, the Mecca of Communists! The two then traveled through several European countries. Her health was deteriorating and her condition was getting worse. But the mind was happy. Treatment began upon arrival in Moscow. Then she said to the doctor, 'I am your comrade and doctor. Treat me like that Talk to me about your treatment. 'He agreed. Despite many struggles, the cancer was not brought under control. She died in July 1952. Mahmoud stayed in Russia for the next three years. During this time he studied the local society and politics.

This is a life that should surprise the next generation. We have not been able to change that we blame society, and time. But we can also make small revolutions if we keep in mind that it is the individual who creates the society and the times change.