Zohra Ansari (, , 1915–1988) was an Indian activist and freedom fighter.

Mahatma Gandhi Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi (2October 186930January 1948) was an Indian lawyer, anti-colonial nationalism, anti-colonial nationalist, and political ethics, political ethicist who employed nonviolent resistance to lead the successful Indian ...

affectionately called her Vasthad Bi.

Early life

Born in

Delhi Delhi, officially the National Capital Territory (NCT) of Delhi, is a city and a union territory of India containing New Delhi, the capital of India. Straddling the Yamuna river, but spread chiefly to the west, or beyond its Bank (geography ...

, originally form

Yusufpur Yusufpur (युसुफपुर یوسف پور) and Mohammadabad is a Twin Town/Qasba in Mohammadabad Tahsil of the Ghazipur district of Uttar Pradesh, India.It belongs to Varanasi Division. Coordinates: 25°37′22″N 83°45′27″E It ...

Ghazipur Ghazipur, is a city in the state of Uttar Pradesh, India. Ghazipur city is the administrative headquarters of the Ghazipur district, one of the four districts that form the Varanasi division of Uttar Pradesh. It is located on the Ganges (Ganga) ...

, to Mohammad Asghar Ansari and Ayesha Bibi but, was raised by her uncle and aunt, freedom fighters Dr. Mukhtar Ahmed Ansari and Begum Shamsunnisa Ansari.

Life

She was a key figure in the National Movement, with her parents hosting leaders, activists, and scholars at their residence 'Dar-us-Salam'. The spaciousness of their home resembled that of a royal palace. She dedicated herself to Wardha Ashram for an extended period, where

recognized her proficiency in Urdu and sought to learn from her. Referring to her as 'Vastad Bi' and 'Beti' in his letters, Gandhi valued her insights. The correspondence between her and Mahatma Gandhi covered a range of topics. In a letter dated 22 December 1932, Gandhi expressed his anticipation of Zohra's weekly letters. When Zohra expressed her eagerness to join the National Movement by going to jail like her parents, Gandhi advised her to be patient and assured her of the opportunity to do so.

Personal life

She married Dr. Shaukatulla Shah Ansari, who was both her relative and a prominent figure in the

Indian National Movement The Indian independence movement was a series of historic events in South Asia with the ultimate aim of ending British Raj, British colonial rule. It lasted until 1947, when the Indian Independence Act 1947 was passed. The first nationalistic ...

. She experienced the loss of her father in 1936 and her mother in 1938.

Death

She died on 28 July 1988 in England.

References

Indian independence activists from Delhi Rebels from British India Indian women in war Women Indian independence activists 1988 deaths 1915 births {{Authority control