WAZEER UN NISA BEGUM (AMA DODEE),
THE FIRST WIFE OF M.A. RAHMAN CHUGHTAI

A Saint of a person under any terms

By tradition mothers insisted on getting their sons married at an early age. Those were those times an their lesson was that timely marriages prevented social wrongs of any kind. Young children would not at that time even know any aspect of marriage. It was really like a GUDDI GUDDA affair. Chiragh Bibi, mother of Abdur Rahman Chughtai, sought the hand of Wazeer un nisa, a relative from the Chughtai clan itself. Mian Kareem Baksh had a talk with Mian Ji, father of Wazeer un nisa. Chiragh Bibi went and met Babey Ji, mother of Wazeer un nisa. The whole function was arranged, but with a condition. All three sisters, Fazal un nisa, Wazeer un nisa, as well as Aziz un nisa would be married at an interval one week each. Three marriages took place and in 1911, the three Dullas arranged for a group photograph. The record is in front of us.

Months passed and miracles were expected, but the cousin of the artist found out, that both man and wife, had no concept of marriage at all. The couple hardly even talked to each other. Today’s common knowledge was scarce at that time. In any case development took place and years later, there was a pregnancy. A son was born to Abdur Rahman Chughtai, but some things had gone wrong. Cousins marriages led to genetic defects and the son carried some issues, unknown to us, and died some time later. A painting of M.A. Rahman Chughtai of that period depicts a strange topic that is entitled as HER BLIND SON. Speculation can be that son was blind too, but that is unknown. With the death, came another issue. Wazeer un nisa had developed womb cancer, and could never have a child again. A broken family was the result of this, but both man and wife held onto each other all their lives.

Wazeer un nisa could do all things possible. Taking care of an entire family (three brothers family), cooking, washing, teaching, what not? The lady was famous for teaching the QURAN to all those who came to her, which include Mohalla girls as well as girls from far away. She performed Haj twice, and before her death, had gifted away all her belongings, and had even a coffin ready for her own death. She even had allocated money for the Quran to be read every thursday after her death, and money for the Chelum too. She was really thorough in her planning.

The Saintly person was the Judge of the family, far and wide. She would settle all disputes, arrange marriages, parties, what not? She remembered birthdays, wedding days, with appropriate gifts for everyone. And when nothing else was there, she flew kites with her husband and children (she was like a mother to many). She as a born story-teller and her favourite stories were from the Quran. I would sit in her lap and she would tell me one story after another. She gave me all the love in the world, but most important SHE GAVE ME IDEOLOGY. But that is another blog.