Sayyida (Syeda) Begum Khwishgi was a distinguished figure in early 20th-century Hyderabad, best known as the editor of Humjoli (A Woman Friend), a pioneering women’s magazine that played a crucial role in advancing women’s education and social reform in the Deccan region. Her contributions to literary and social fields mark her as an important but often overlooked figure in the history of women’s journalism and social activism in princely India.
Sayyida Begum Khwishgi served as the editor of Humjoli, which was published in Hyderabad from 1931 to 1940. The magazine’s name, meaning “A Woman Friend” or “Companion”, reflected its mission to serve as a companion and guide for women in the Deccan region. According to historical records, Humjoli was described as a “high-quality literary magazine” that distinguished itself in the landscape of Urdu women’s periodicals of the time.
The magazine was published by various presses, including the Taj Press, Hyderabad, Shamsul Matabe, and Hyderabad Printing Works. Issues from 1932 indicate that Khwishgi maintained editorial consistency and quality, with the magazine appearing regularly in both monthly and combined issues.
Humjoli emerged during a critical period when women’s education and social reform were gaining momentum in Hyderabad State. The magazine became the official organ of the Deccan Women’s Association, positioning it at the centre of women’s rights advocacy in the region. Through her editorial work, Sayyida Begum Khwishgi published news to create consciousness among Deccani women, addressing issues of education, social reform, and women’s empowerment.
A typical Humjoli issue would comprise articles on Women’s education and uplift, household skills and handicrafts, child-rearing and “tarbiyat”, essays on history/culture (e.g., Ottoman sultans; Awadh’s queens), occasional poetry and congratulatory/tribute items.
The magazine was part of a broader movement of Urdu women’s periodicals that emerged in the early 20th century, following the success of publications like An-Nisa (1919-1927), edited by Sughra Humayun Mirza. These publications served as platforms for discussing women’s education, household management, health, and social issues within the framework of Islamic values and cultural sensibilities. The publication was part of a rich tradition of women’s magazines in Hyderabad that included other notable periodicals such as Khadeema (1922), Safina-e-Niswan (1932), Naheed (1938), and Iram (1940). These magazines collectively created a vibrant literary culture that encouraged women’s participation in intellectual discourse.
Her editorial work contributed to what scholars have identified as a crucial period for women’s writing in Hyderabad, when female authors and journalists began to gain recognition and influence in literary circles. The magazine served as both a platform for women’s voices and a tool for social change, addressing issues ranging from education and health to cultural and religious matters.