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Johar with whom we too are related. My
grandfather was not only a landlord, he
was also a famous lawyer of the dehli
darbar and I am told ‘attorney general’
of undivided India but he gave up all his
titles and dedicated his life and assets to
the Khilafah movement and struggle for
independence. Education and sacrifice
was his legacy. My father too went to
Aligarh university along with having a
religious ‘dastar’, but fate had him die in
his quest to help victims of the famous
cholera epidemic. As I mentioned, I was
raised by my maternal grand parents and
mother, who dedicated her life to my
upbringing. My mother was one of the
most kind hearted, patient and generous
women I have known. She was a woman
of great wisdom and intellect. She insisted
on my education despite all odds and
I remember my first speech which she
prepared for me “education is better than
the sword” and her pride when I bagged
first prize. My maternal grandfather was
a landlord and grandmother was the
daughter of the wazir of Udaipur UP
India, and was famous for her generosity
and compassion. So you can imagine
how my childhood was one filled with of
luxury and wealth.
Payam-e-Haya:
You mentioned the
struggle for independence , can you tell us
some of the contributions of your family
in the struggle for independence?
Ismat Siddiqui
:
Our family had made
many contributions in this long struggle
for independence. My grandfather gave
up all his titles, position and wealth for
the struggle. History is witness of the
struggle of the Aligarh for independence.
My husband made many sacrifices in the
aligarh movement, and his family lost a
lot of lives. I was very young at that time
but I am told my family donated massive
assets to Qaid-e-Azam after independence
and took no claim. My grandmother I
remember would motivate women and
provide them with transport to vote for
Muslim leagues and stand side by side in
the struggle.
Payam-e-Haya:
Tell us something
about Aafia’s childhood
Ismat Siddiqui
:
Aafia stood out as a