Class 9 - English - Chapter 8

The Role of Women in the Pakistan Movement

Q.1: Who was Bi Aman? Why is she remembered till today?

Ans: Bi Aman was the mother of Maulana Mohammad Ali and Maulana Shaukat Ali. Her greatness lies in the fact that she had taught her sons to be willing to sacrifice their lives in the cause of Muslim independence and later encouraged them to accomplish their goals.

Q.2: Why is Miss. Fatima Jinnah called Mother-e-Millat?

Ans: Miss. Fatima Jinnah was the sister of Quaid-e-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah. She helped her brother in the struggle for the establishment of Pakistan. The nation called her "Mother-e-Millat" (Mother of Nation)

Q.3: In Sind, where did the first meeting of the women take place?

Ans: The first public meeting of women in Sind was held in Karachi's Zoological Garden.

Q.4: What do you know about Lady Haroon?

Ans: Lady Haroon was a spirited woman of upright character and a kind hostess. Here house in Karachi became the centre of women's political activity and it was a place of welcome to the Muslim League workers when they came to Karachi to attend meetings. Classes were also held in her house to educate Muslims girls.

Q.5: Who was Begum Rana? What do you know about her?

Ans: Begum Rana was the wife of Liaquat Ali Khan. She worked as an honorary secretary and typist to Liaquat Ali Khan at a time, when the Muslim League could not afford the salary of a secretary. She arranged parties, where Muslim women could meet the wife and the daughter of the viceroy, so as to explain to them their side of the matter and expresses their protest. She also organized the women' Voluntary Services and later the women’s National Guard's consisting of three battalions with 2400 girls, in which she herself held the rank of Brigadier.

Q.6: What do you know about Begum Jahan-Ara-Shahnawaz?

Ans: Begum Jahan-Ara-Shahnawaz from the Punjab represented the Muslim women at the Three Round Table Conference held in London and was the first women ever to make a speech at London's Guild Hall. She also traveled widely and explained to the people of other countries, why the Muslims in India wanted a separate state.

Q.7: How did the Muslim women work for independence?

Ans: Though the Muslim women were in street "purdah" and were less and less politically aware, they played an active part in the independence movement. They formed the women’s branch of the Muslim League to organize women and inform them about the politics of the country. They organized public meetings for women and addressed large gathering. They had opened classes in their Honour to educate Muslims girls. Thee brave ladies encouraged their brothers, husbands and sons not to give up the struggle for Pakistan until their goal was achieved.

Q.8: What role did Begum Mohammad Ali play in the freedom movement?

Ans: Begum Mohammad Ali was a admirable and remarkable lady. Dressed in Burqah she not only attended men's public meeting but was called the first women to address them. She also wrote for the press in simple but effective words and awakened the Muslim women by her inspiring speeches.

Q.9: What was the Indian National Congress? Why many Muslim leaders did left it?

Ans: The Indian National Congress was the political party formed by the Hindus and the Muslims in order to drive British out of India. The Muslims soon realized that the Hindus wee in majority and the Congress would never ever treat the Muslims equally and give them their due share in the government, so many Muslim leaders left it.