Born: 1834, Bangladesh
Died: 1903
Country most active: Bangladesh
Also known as: নওয়াব বেগম ফয়জুন্নেসা চৌধুরানী
Bangladeshi ruler, advocate for female education, philanthropist and social worker Nawab Begum Faizunnesa Choudhurani was Zamindar of Homnabad-Pashchimgaon Estate in present-day Comilla District. Queen Victoria awarded her the title of “Nawab” in 1889, making her the first female Nawab in South Asia.
Coming of age in the post-Indian Rebellion of 1857 era when Muslims in India were facing particularly harsh treatment by British colonial powers, she began establishing schools for women.
Amid the deprivation and discrimination her people faced, Choudhurani published the semi-autobiographical allegory Rupjalal in 1876, depicting a Muslim protagonists in the prince Jalal and two heroines, Rupbanu and Hurbanu. She also published other works, including Sangeet Saar, Sangeet Lahari and Tattwa O Jatiya Sangeet.
Choudhurani became a zamindar after her mother’s death in 1883 and continued to be involved in social, educational and charitable work, including establishing schools, madrasas and hospitals.