Begum is a Bengali-language monthly magazine founded on July 20, 1947, by Mohammad Nasiruddin in Calcutta (now Kolkata), India. It is recognized as Bengal’s first illustrated women’s weekly, dedicated to addressing women’s issues and promoting literary activities among Bengali women. The inaugural issue featured women’s rights activist Begum Rokeya on the cover and had a print run of 500 copies, each priced at four annas. The founding editor was poet and activist Begum Sufia Kamal.
In 1950, the magazine’s operations moved to Dhaka, where Nasiruddin’s daughter, Nurjahan Begum, joined as a journalist and later became the editor, making her the first female journalist in Bangladesh. Under her leadership, Begum provided a platform for early women writers such as Razia Khatun, Shamsunnahar Mahmud, Selina Panni, and Protibha Ganguly. The magazine played a pivotal role in advocating for women’s rights and education, fostering a sense of community and empowerment among Bengali women.
Initially published weekly, Begum eventually transitioned to a monthly publication. As of May 2016, following Nurjahan Begum’s passing, her elder daughter, Flora Nasrin Khan, took charge of the magazine’s operations, continuing its legacy of promoting women’s issues and literary contributions in Bangladesh.
Photo Source: Begum Magazine Facebook Page
Bangladesh Feminist Archives 