Karimunnesa Khatun

Who was Karimunnesa Khatun?

Karimunnesa Khatun was a poet and social worker, was the eldest daughter of Zahiruddin Muhammad Abu Ali Saber and Rahatunnesa Sabera Chaudhurani. Karimunnesa came of a zamindar family of Pairaband Pargana under Rangpur. Begum Rokeya was her younger sister.

Following the traditions of conservative Muslim families of her time, Karimunnesa had to observe purda and was not allowed any education excepting recitation of the holy Quran. But this could not satisfy her thirst for knowledge. Her younger brothers used to learn Persian verses from their teachers. Karimunnesa memorised those only by hearing their recitations. By dint of effort and attention she learnt a bit of Bangla and English as well. To know the meaning of the holy Quran she started learning Arabic at the old age of 67.