Amina Bibi Begum

19th-century Indian ruler and education advocate who pioneered girls' schooling in Awadh

Amina Bibi Begum (1810-1874) was a prominent noblewoman and regent of Oudh (Awadh) who made groundbreaking contributions to education during British colonial rule. As the mother of Nawab Wajid Ali Shah, she acted as regent from 1847-1849 and used her political influence to establish one of India's first girls' schools in Lucknow in 1849. This educational initiative challenged prevailing gender norms and laid foundations for modern female education in northern India. She also sponsored the establishment of Dar ul-Uloom Deoband's precursor institutions through her patronage of Islamic scholars. Her efforts were particularly notable during a time when less than 5% of Indian women were literate. Amina's legacy is commemorated through the Amina Bibi Girls' College in Lucknow, which continues her vision of empowering women through education.