Abadi Bano Begum (Bi Amma) was one the most famous mothers participated in Indian Freedom movement. She didn’t receive formal education. However she knew the value of modern English education. So she tried her best to give her children English education.
On one occasion she pawned her personal jewelry to educate her children. Later her two sons, Mohammad Ali and Shaukat Ali were instrumental in establishing one of the primer institutes of India, famous Jamia Millia Islamia of Delhi. Both brothers actively participated in Indian Freedom movement, Khilafat movement and went to prison for their political activism.
Bi Amma was one the very first famous Muslim figure in India who delivered speeches in public meetings and gatherings to galvanise freedom movement. And she was the very first famous Muslim woman who abandoned full face cover during the public meetings.
In this rare image, which is from our personal collection; you can see Mohammad Ali is standing, while his elder brother Shaukat Ali is sitting with Bi Amma. Image date is approximately 1915
