Shamsunnahar Mahmud

Shamsunnahar Mahmud (c. 1908 — April 10, 1964) was a writer, politician and educator in Bengal during the early 20th century. She was a leader of the women's rights movement in Bengal pioneered by Begum Rokeya. Shamsunnahar Hall of the University of Dhaka and University of Chittagong was named after her.

Mahmud started her studies at Dr. Khastagir Government Girls' School in Chittagong, and matriculated in 1926 as a private candidate. She received her I.A. in 1928 and B.A. in 1932 at the Diocesan College of Calcutta. In 1942, she completed her M.A. in Bengali literature. After her studies she joined the women's rights movement led by Begum Rokeya. He was the Surgeon General of then East Pakistan. Together they had two sons, Mamun Mahmud, a martyred freedom fighter during the 1971 Liberation war of Bangladesh, and Mainuddin Mahmud, a cricketer, and sports enthusiast.

Works Mahmud's first poem was published in a juvenile monthly magazine, Angur. She edited the women's sections of the magazines, Nauroj and Atmashakti. Together with her brother, Habibullah, she edited the magazine Bulbul (1933) which was published from Kolkata.

Books

Punyamayi (1925) Phulbagicha (1935) Begum Mahal (1936) Roquia Jibani (1937; the first biography of Begum Rokeya) Shishur Shiksa (1939) Amar Dekha Turaska (1956) Nazrulke Jeman Dekhechhi (1958)

Legacy After Mahmud's death, the women's hall of the University of Dhaka, University of Chittagong were named Shamsunnahar Hall. She was awarded Independence Day Award in 1981 by the Government of Bangladesh for her contribution to social work.