Sughra Humayun Mirza

Mrs. Sughra Humayun Mirza was born in December 1882 in Hyderabad, India. Her father, Dr. Safdar Ali Mirza, was a Captain-Surgeon in the Nizam’s Army and of Turkish nationality. Dr. Safdar Ali Mirza’s father migrated to Hyderabad during the reign of Nizam Ali Khan, Asaf Jah II.

Mrs. Sugra Humayun Mirza received her early education at home and was married to Syed Humayun Mirza, Bar-at-Law, in December 1900. Starting in 1902, she took an interest in national work. In 1912, along with Begum Khedive Jung, she formed an association called “Anjuman-i-Khavatin Deccan,” where she served as the Secretary for three years. Under the aforesaid association, she also started two schools for girls. In the same year, educated Hindu ladies formed a Ladies Union, where she was the only non-Hindu member.

She contributed many articles to various newspapers and magazines advocating for social reforms. She authored several books on women’s education and received a gold medal from high officials and nobles of Hyderabad in appreciation of her work and literary efforts.

In 1920, she was made an honorary member of the Hyderabad Textbook Committee and also became a member of the Indian branch of the International Congress of Moral Education (London). In 1923, she became a member of the Royal Asiatic Society of London. She travelled extensively in Arabia, Persia, and Europe to widen her knowledge and even had the opportunity to attend a royal garden party in London.

The subjects of her lectures and writing were varied, such as Hindu-Muslim unity, evils of the Purdah system, encouragement of the use of Swadeshi goods, prevention of cow slaughter, need for national universities, and vernacular medium of instruction. She also assisted in collecting funds for Aligarh College and relief for the sufferers of the Musi floods of 1908 and an earthquake in Persia.

She donated land and started a school at Masab Tank, now known as Safdaria Girls School, which currently has nearly 1,000 students. The Humayun Nagar locality is named after her husband.