Begum Rokeya (1880-1932) was a famous writer and a social worker. She lived in undivided Bengal in the early 20 century. She believed that women should have the same rights and opportunities as men have in the society. So she fought for their cause throughout her life.
Begum Rokeya was born in a village called Pairabondh, Rangpur in 1880. Her father Jahiruddin Muhammad Abu Ali Haider Saber was an educated landlord. Rokeya was married to Syed Sakhawat Hussain in 1897. Her husband was the Deputy Magistrate of Bhagalpur, now a district in the Indian state of Bihar. He was very cooperative, and always encouraged Rokeya to go on with her activities.
Many upper-class Muslims of Bengal at that time learnt Arabic and Persian as a medium of education and communication. But Rokeya had great love for her mother tongue. She learnt Bangla and English from her eldest brother Ibrahim.Top of Form
বেগম রোকেয়া (১৮৮০–১৯৩২) একজন বিখ্যাত লেখিকা ও সমাজসেবক ছিলেন। তিনি ২০শ শতকের শুরুতে অবিভক্ত বাংলায় বাস করতেন। তিনি বিশ্বাস করতেন যে মহিলাদের সমাজে পুরুষদের মতোই সমান অধিকার ও সুযোগ থাকা উচিত। তাই তিনি সারাজীবন তাদের অধিকারের জন্য লড়াই করেছেন।
বেগম রোকেয়া ১৮৮০ সালে রংপুরের পৈরাবন্ধ নামে একটি গ্রামে জন্মগ্রহণ করেন। তার পিতা জাহিরউদ্দিন মুহম্মদ আবু আলী হায়দার সাহেব একজন শিক্ষিত জমিদার ছিলেন। রোকেয়ার বিয়ে হয়েছিল সৈয়দ সাখাওয়াত হোসেনের সঙ্গে ১৮৯৭ সালে। তার স্বামী ভাগলপুরের (বর্তমানে ভারতের বিহার রাজ্যের একটি জেলা) ডেপুটি ম্যাজিস্ট্রেট ছিলেন। তিনি খুবই সহযোগী ছিলেন এবং সবসময় রোকেয়াকে তার কর্মকাণ্ড চালিয়ে যেতে উৎসাহিত করতেন।
সেই সময়ের অনেক উচ্চবর্গীয় মুসলিমরা শিক্ষার মাধ্যম ও যোগাযোগের জন্য আরবি ও পার্সি ভাষা শিখতেন। কিন্তু রোকেয়ার তার মাতৃভাষার প্রতি গভীর ভালোবাসা ছিল। তিনি তার বড় ভাই ইব্রাহিম থেকে বাংলা ও ইংরেজি শিখেছিলেন।
Vocabulary Box: Begum Rokeya
Words/Phrases | Meaning | Synonyms | Antonym |
Famous (adjective) | বিখ্যাত | renowned, well-known | unknown, obscure |
Social worker (noun) | সমাজসেবী | philanthropist, activist | |
Undivided (adjective) | অ–বিভক্ত | unified, whole | divided, partitioned |
Rights (noun) | অধিকার | entitlements, privileges | duties, responsibilities |
Opportunities (noun) | সুযোগ | chances, prospects | obstacles, hindrances |
Fought for (verb) | জন্য লড়াই করেছেন | campaigned for, advocated for | opposed, hindered |
Cause (noun) | উদ্দেশ্য | mission, principle | effect, result |
Landlord (noun) | জমিদার | landowner, zamindar | tenant, renter |
Married (verb) | বিবাহিত | wedded | single, divorced |
Deputy Magistrate (noun) | ডেপুটি ম্যাজিস্ট্রেট | a judicial officer, civil servant | |
Cooperative (adjective) | সহযোগিতাপূর্ণ | helpful, supportive | uncooperative, obstructive |
Encouraged (verb) | উত্সাহিত করতেন | inspired, motivated | discouraged, deterred |
Activities (noun) | কর্মকাণ্ড | work, endeavors | inaction, idleness |
Upper-class (adjective) | উচ্চ–বর্গীয় | aristocratic, elite | lower-class, common |
Medium (noun) | মাধ্যম | means, channel | |
Communication (noun) | যোগাযোগ | interaction, discourse | miscommunication |
Mother tongue (noun) | মাতৃভাষা | native language, first language | foreign language |
Here are 50 MCQ questions based on the passage about Begum Rokeya:
- Who was Begum Rokeya?
A) Scientist
B) Writer and social worker
C) Politician
D) Teacher - When was Begum Rokeya born?
A) 1880
B) 1885
C) 1890
D) 1895 - When did Begum Rokeya die?
A) 1920
B) 1932
C) 1940
D) 1950 - Where did Begum Rokeya live?
A) Undivided Bengal
B) Delhi
C) London
D) Calcutta - In which century did she live?
A) 18th century
B) 19th century
C) Early 20th century
D) Mid 20th century - What did Begum Rokeya believe about women?
A) They should stay at home
B) They should have the same rights as men
C) They should not study
D) They should work only in households - What was her life mission?
A) To write novels
B) To fight for women’s rights
C) To travel abroad
D) To become a teacher - Where was Begum Rokeya born?
A) Dhaka
B) Pairabondh, Rangpur
C) Calcutta
D) Chittagong - Who was her father?
A) Jahiruddin Muhammad Abu Ali Haider Saber
B) Syed Sakhawat Hussain
C) Ibrahim
D) Arthur Keller - What was her father’s profession?
A) Doctor
B) Teacher
C) Educated landlord
D) Merchant - When did Begum Rokeya get married?
A) 1890
B) 1895
C) 1897
D) 1900 - Who was her husband?
A) Ibrahim
B) Syed Sakhawat Hussain
C) Jahiruddin Saber
D) Arthur Keller - What was her husband’s profession?
A) Teacher
B) Deputy Magistrate
C) Lawyer
D) Doctor - Where was Bhagalpur located?
A) Bangladesh
B) Bihar, India
C) West Bengal
D) Delhi - How was her husband supportive?
A) He ignored her
B) He encouraged her activities
C) He stopped her work
D) He was indifferent - Which languages did upper-class Muslims in Bengal learn at that time?
A) Bangla and English
B) Arabic and Persian
C) French and English
D) Hindi and Urdu - Which language did Rokeya love the most?
A) English
B) Arabic
C) Persian
D) Her mother tongue, Bangla - From whom did Rokeya learn Bangla and English?
A) Her mother
B) Her eldest brother Ibrahim
C) Her father
D) Her husband - What was the main focus of her social work?
A) Education for women
B) Building hospitals
C) Writing novels
D) Agriculture - Begum Rokeya was a champion for which cause?
A) Animal rights
B) Women’s rights
C) Environmental protection
D) Political reforms - Which village was her birthplace?
A) Pairabondh
B) Rangpur town
C) Dhaka
D) Calcutta - What was Rokeya’s father’s educational background?
A) Illiterate
B) Educated
C) Partially educated
D) Unknown - How did Rokeya’s husband influence her work?
A) Discouraged
B) Supported and encouraged
C) Ignored
D) Criticized - What year did Begum Rokeya get married?
A) 1880
B) 1897
C) 1900
D) 1905 - What was the social status of her family?
A) Poor
B) Middle-class
C) Upper-class
D) Unknown - Why was Begum Rokeya famous?
A) For writing and social work
B) For sports achievements
C) For political leadership
D) For business - What was the primary reason for her fight in society?
A) Education reform
B) Women’s rights and opportunities
C) Political reforms
D) Environmental issues - Which century was her main work done?
A) 19th century
B) Early 20th century
C) Mid 20th century
D) 21st century - What was the profession of most upper-class Muslims in learning languages?
A) Learned Arabic and Persian
B) Learned Bangla only
C) Learned English only
D) Learned French - Which educational medium did Rokeya prefer?
A) Persian
B) Arabic
C) Bangla and English
D) French - Was her husband supportive of her education efforts?
A) Yes
B) No
C) Partially
D) Unknown - What region is Rangpur part of today?
A) India
B) Bangladesh
C) Pakistan
D) Nepal - Did Rokeya focus on male education?
A) Yes
B) No
C) Both
D) Unknown - Which year was Rokeya born in?
A) 1875
B) 1880
C) 1885
D) 1890 - How did she learn English?
A) From her school
B) From her eldest brother
C) From her husband
D) From a tutor - How did Rokeya learn Bangla?
A) From a teacher
B) From her eldest brother Ibrahim
C) From her mother
D) From her husband - What was the main theme of Rokeya’s work?
A) Agriculture
B) Women’s empowerment
C) Business
D) Health care - In which country was Bhagalpur located during her husband’s service?
A) Pakistan
B) India
C) Bangladesh
D) Nepal - What was the profession of Rokeya’s husband in Bhagalpur?
A) Teacher
B) Deputy Magistrate
C) Doctor
D) Businessman - How did Rokeya view the education of women?
A) Not necessary
B) Equal rights and opportunities as men
C) Only for upper-class girls
D) Only religious education - What was Rokeya’s father’s full name?
A) Jahiruddin Muhammad Abu Ali Haider Saber
B) Syed Sakhawat Hussain
C) Ibrahim
D) Unknown - Did Rokeya belong to an educated family?
A) Yes
B) No
C) Partially
D) Unknown - What kind of work did Rokeya do for society?
A) Social work
B) Political work
C) Business
D) Military service - Who encouraged Rokeya to continue her activities?
A) Her father
B) Her husband
C) Her teacher
D) Her friend - Which languages did upper-class Muslims usually learn?
A) Arabic and Persian
B) Bangla and English
C) French and English
D) Hindi and Urdu - Did Rokeya prefer her mother tongue or foreign languages?
A) Foreign languages
B) Mother tongue, Bangla
C) Persian
D) Arabic - Who was her eldest brother?
A) Jahiruddin
B) Syed Sakhawat Hussain
C) Ibrahim
D) Arthur Keller - How did Rokeya acquire her language skills?
A) From school only
B) From her eldest brother
C) From traveling abroad
D) From her husband - When did Begum Rokeya get married?
A) 1890
B) 1897
C) 1900
D) 1905 - What was the main contribution of Begum Rokeya?
A) Politics
B) Writing and social work for women’s rights
C) Science
D) Business
Here are the answers to the 50 MCQs based on the Begum Rokeya passage:
- B) Writer and social worker
- A) 1880
- B) 1932
- A) Undivided Bengal
- C) Early 20th century
- B) They should have the same rights as men
- B) To fight for women’s rights
- B) Pairabondh, Rangpur
- A) Jahiruddin Muhammad Abu Ali Haider Saber
- C) Educated landlord
- C) 1897
- B) Syed Sakhawat Hussain
- B) Deputy Magistrate
- B) Bihar, India
- B) He encouraged her activities
- B) Arabic and Persian
- D) Her mother tongue, Bangla
- B) Her eldest brother Ibrahim
- A) Education for women
- B) Women’s rights
- A) Pairabondh
- B) Educated
- B) Supported and encouraged
- B) 1897
- C) Upper-class
- A) For writing and social work
- B) Women’s rights and opportunities
- B) Early 20th century
- A) Learned Arabic and Persian
- C) Bangla and English
- A) Yes
- B) Bangladesh
- B) No
- B) 1880
- B) From her eldest brother
- B) From her eldest brother Ibrahim
- B) Women’s empowerment
- B) India
- B) Deputy Magistrate
- B) Equal rights and opportunities as men
- A) Jahiruddin Muhammad Abu Ali Haider Saber
- A) Yes
- A) Social work
- B) Her husband
- A) Arabic and Persian
- B) Mother tongue, Bangla
- C) Ibrahim
- B) From her eldest brother
- B) 1897
- B) Writing and social work for women’s rights
Here are 30 WH questions based on the Begum Rokeya passage:
- Who was Begum Rokeya?
- When was Begum Rokeya born?
- When did Begum Rokeya die?
- Where did Begum Rokeya live?
- In which century did Begum Rokeya live?
- What was Begum Rokeya famous for?
- What cause did Begum Rokeya fight for?
- Why did Begum Rokeya fight for women’s rights?
- Where was Begum Rokeya born?
- Who was Begum Rokeya’s father?
- What was Jahiruddin Muhammad Abu Ali Haider Saber’s profession?
- When did Rokeya get married?
- Who was Rokeya married to?
- What position did Syed Sakhawat Hussain hold?
- Where is Bhagalpur located now?
- How did Rokeya’s husband support her?
- What languages did many upper-class Muslims of Bengal learn at that time?
- Why did they learn Arabic and Persian?
- Which language did Rokeya love the most?
- From whom did Rokeya learn Bangla and English?
- Who encouraged Rokeya to continue her activities?
- What social issue was Rokeya most concerned with?
- In which village of Rangpur was Rokeya born?
- How did Rokeya’s family background influence her education?
- Why was Rokeya considered a social worker?
- What was Rokeya’s main contribution to society?
- How did Rokeya balance her personal life and social work?
- What challenges did Rokeya face in her fight for women’s rights?
- Which culture influenced Rokeya’s early education?
- How did Rokeya’s eldest brother help her in learning languages?
Here are answers to the 30 WH questions based on the Begum Rokeya passage:
- Begum Rokeya was a famous writer and social worker. She worked for women’s education and rights in Bengal.
- Begum Rokeya was born in 1880.
- She died in 1932.
- Begum Rokeya lived in undivided Bengal. She spent her early life and carried out her social work there.
- She lived in the early 20th century. This was a time when women’s education was limited.
- Begum Rokeya was famous as a writer and social worker. She advocated for women’s rights and education.
- She fought for women to have the same rights and opportunities as men. She promoted education and social reforms for women.
- She believed women should not be deprived of education and freedom. This motivated her lifelong struggle.
- Begum Rokeya was born in a village called Pairabondh in Rangpur.
- Her father was Jahiruddin Muhammad Abu Ali Haider Saber. He was an educated landlord.
- He was a landlord and well-educated. He managed his estate and supported education.
- Rokeya got married in 1897.
- She was married to Syed Sakhawat Hussain. He was very supportive of her work.
- Syed Sakhawat Hussain was the Deputy Magistrate of Bhagalpur. He held an important administrative position.
- Bhagalpur is now a district in the Indian state of Bihar.
- Her husband encouraged her social work. He always supported her activities and reforms.
- Many upper-class Muslims of Bengal learned Arabic and Persian.
- They learned these languages as a medium of education and communication.
- Rokeya loved her mother tongue, Bangla, the most. She wanted to preserve and promote it.
- She learnt Bangla and English from her eldest brother, Ibrahim. He guided her in language learning.
- Her husband encouraged her to continue her activities. He was very cooperative in her mission.
- Rokeya was most concerned with women’s education and social equality.
- She was born in Pairabondh village in Rangpur.
- Her family background provided her with education and support. Her father was educated and encouraged learning.
- She was considered a social worker because she worked for women’s rights and education. She also promoted social reforms.
- Her main contribution was fighting for women’s rights and spreading education. She inspired many women to pursue learning.
- She balanced her personal life with social work with her husband’s support. She continued her activities while managing family life.
- Rokeya faced social and cultural resistance against women’s education. Despite these challenges, she persisted in her mission.
- The Arabic and Persian culture influenced her early education indirectly. She learnt Bangla and English to complement this knowledge.
- Her eldest brother Ibrahim taught her Bangla and English. He played an important role in her early education.