Rampur / UTTAR PRADESH / NEW DELHI  :

The name Bi Amma is given to new hostel on the name of Abadi Bano Begum who was born in 1850 in Rampur, (U.P.) in 1857.

Abadi Bano Begum , popularly known as Bi Amma was an ardent nationalist whose family members had suffered the trauma of 1857 revolt and she had a strong desire to see the country free from British rule.

Despite having no formal education, Bi Amma was an exceptionally devout, courageous and intelligent lady.

Widowed at young age, she shouldered her responsibility of raising her sons with utmost sincerity and dignity. She sold off her property and jewelry to educate her sons at Aligarh and Oxford.

Her sons Shaukat Ali and Muhammad Ali popularly known as Ali brothers joined Khilafat and Non-Cooperation Movement. After the arrest of nationalist leaders,  including Ali brothers, Bi Amma threw off her veil to play frontal part during the freedom struggle.

She collected funds, organized meetings and asked the Indian women to use khadi and boycott foreign goods. She addressed huge gathering and inspired women to play to greater participatory role in the freedom movement. She was a protagonist of Hindu-Muslim unity and campaigned hard for communal harmony and unity, which were imperative to win freedom.

She passed away on 13th November 1924.

The Foundation stone of the Bi Amma Girls hostel was laid on 18th February 2010 by late Mrs. Uma Khanna wife of Shri Tejender Khanna Honourable’ Lieutenant General of India. It took almost two years to complete.

It was inaugurated on 28 September 2012 by a woman of great eminence and protagonist of women’s education lok sabha speaker Mira Kumar on 28th September 2012. In her inaugural addresse and interaction with the hostel residents she has emphasized on women education.

source: http://www.jmi.ac.in / Jamia Millia Islamia Hostel Manual 2013-14 / Girls’ Residence, New Delhi