Teacher with grace

Time makes stories fade like the evening mist over the Dal Lake. Begum Humdum belongs to an era when education was a rare privilege for women in Kashmir. Before Partition, she was among the few matriculate lady teachers in the Valley—a woman of knowledge and resilience who shaped young minds at a time when formal education for girls was still finding its place in society.

Simple yet Profound

Education in those days was vastly different from what it is today. Subjects were not syllabised, nor were students burdened with bagful of textbooks. Everything was taught together, in a way that made learning a natural process rather than a forced one. Mathematics, language, history, and moral teachings blended seamlessly under the guidance of dedicated teachers like Begum Humdum, who taught with passion.

Women’s education was a delicate subject in pre-Partition Kashmir. Many conservative families hesitated to send their daughters to school, fearing that too much learning might make them “unsuitable” for marriage. But there were also those who believed that knowledge was an adornment, a tool that could empower a woman to be a better mother, a wiser homemaker, and a more enlightened individual. Begum Humdum belonged to this progressive wave of thought.

Modest Schoolrooms

Unlike today’s fancy classrooms with modern teaching aids, the schools of yesteryears were humble yet filled with warmth. A simple wooden desk, a chalkboard, and a group of eager children sitting on mats—this was the setting where Begum Humdum imparted her knowledge. Education was not stressful. Girls were taught the essentials—reading, writing, basic arithmetic, and the art of letter writing, which was an important skill in those days. Moral stories from Persian and Kashmiri folklore were woven into lessons, instilling values alongside knowledge.

A Lady Teacher

For a woman to be a teacher in that era was no ordinary feat. Begum Humdum was more than just an educator; she was a role model. Her presence in the classroom was itself a silent revolution, a statement that women could be intellectual guides, shaping society through education. She was respected not just for her knowledge but for the grace she carried with her in a time when female teachers were rare.

Unlike today, where degrees and certifications define a teacher, in those days, it was the depth of understanding and the ability to connect with students that truly mattered. Begum Humdum’s teaching was not restricted to books—she instilled in her students the ability to question, to think critically, and to appreciate the world around them.

Legacy Echoes

Today, when we look at the advancements in women’s education, we must remember pioneers like Begum Humdum who, in their quiet way, paved the path for future generations. The schools may have changed, the syllabi may have expanded, but the essence of true learning—compassion, wisdom, and the pursuit of knowledge—remains the same.

As we remember Begum Humdum, we remember an era where education was not a race but a cherished experience. We remember a time when women, despite societal constraints, carved out spaces for themselves in the world of learning. And above all, we remember that the foundations of today’s progress were laid by the quiet perseverance of women like her.