From Razia Sultana and Haji Begum to Kiran Bedi and Sheila Dikshit, there is an extensive list of women who have bestowed the city of Delhi with splendor and glory. In fact the tales behind several of Delhi’s monuments as well as important political decisions are attributed to these influential women.
On the occasion International Women’s Day 2021, let us talk about some of these superwomen who made a mark during their times and contributed in shaping Delhi.
Sultan Raziyyat-Ud-Dunya Wa Ud-Din or Razia Sultana of Delhi Sultanate was the daughter of Shamsuddin Iltutmish and has been the only female Muslim ruler of Delhi ever. She ruled Delhi from 1236-1240. Her coins carried the titles like “Pillar of Women” and “Queen of the Times”.
She mastered both warfare and administration. Along with the founding of schools, public libraries and research centres, she also promoted the learning of Quran and other works of science and literature. Razia was assassinated in 1240 and is buried in Chandni Chowk, near Turkman Gate.
Haji Begum, also known as Bega Begum, is known to commission the mausoleum of her late husband, Emperor Humayun, near Nizamuddin Dargah. She was the first Mughal woman to become a builder and presented India a Persian style mausoleum. According to Gulbadan Begum, she was a strong headed woman who did not fear anyone, not even her husband. She spent her entire widowhood in Delhi and is buried near her husband in the Humayun’s tomb complex.
While Shah Jahan is accredited with the establishment of the imperial city of Shahjahanabad, Jahanara is known to have designed the most famous bazaar of all times, Chandni Chowk. She got it built from her own income and resources. The eldest daughter of Shah Jahan, Jahanara commanded great supremacy, was highly educated and was a follower of Sufism.
Another influential woman from Mughal times was Maham Anga, who was a Turkish nurse of Emperor Akbar. She gradually became Akbar’s political advisor during his teenage years and served as the regent of the
Mughal Empire. In 1561 CE, she also got a mosque built opposite the Purana Qila, called Khair ul Manzil.
The constructions of Qudsia Bagh in 1748 and Sunehri Masjid in 1751, were patronised by Qudsia Begum, who was the third wife of Mughal emperor Muhammad Shah Rangeela. The garden complex consisted of high walls, a palace and a Shahi masjid which were all massively damaged during the revolt of 1857. The Begum also served as a regent during the reign of his son Ahmad Shah Bahadur.
Initially a nautch girl, Begum Samru eventually became the ruler of a small principality of Sardhana. She was an ardent and short tempered woman who was the commander of her own army of mercenaries. Samru’s haveli at Chandni Chowk served as Lloyd’s Bank during the British Raj and has now been converted into a branch of Central Bank of India.
When remembering more recent names, we realize that Delhi is among the sole three states with Uttar Pradesh and Tamil Nadu, which have had two female Chief Ministers. The former Minister of External Affairs of India, Sushma Swaraj, for a very short time period in 1998 served as the first female Chief Minister of Delhi.
Serving for three terms, Sheila Dikshit has been the second female Chief Minister of Delhi. It was Dikshit who kept a close eye on the growth of Delhi Metro. She is also known for taking bold decisions like converting all public transport vehicles to run on CNG, banishment of high polluting industries and factories and even the Commonwealth Games were held under her guidance.
Kiran Bedi holds the title of first woman IPS of India. During her career as ASP in Delhi, she worked to reduce crimes against women. She oversaw the traffic management during the Asian Games of 1982, held in Delhi. As DCP of North Delhi, she worked against drug abuse and launched a campaign for the same. Bedi also brought several reforms at Tihar Jail. She resigned from all her positions in 2007 to focus on social activism.
This 8th of March, let’s come forward and celebrate every woman that has contributed to our lives, our surroundings and the little blessings we take for granted today.
Happy Women’s Day!
