Imagine a South Asian Woman Being The First Science Fiction Writer

Did you know that Begum Rokeya Shakhawat Hossain was the first science fiction writer in the world?

Begum Rokeya Shakhawat Hossain, also known as Rokeya Sakhawat Hossain, was a pioneering feminist and science fiction writer from what is now Bangladesh. She was born in 1880 and lived through the early 20th century, a time when women’s education and rights were severely limited in many parts of the world.

Despite these challenges, Begum Rokeya was a fierce advocate for women’s education and equality. She founded the first school for girls in what is now Bangladesh and wrote extensively about the importance of educating and empowering women.

In addition to her activism, Begum Rokeya was also a prolific writer, publishing numerous novels, essays, and stories during her lifetime. One of her most famous works is the science fiction story “Sultana’s Dream,” which was published in 1905.

“Sultana’s Dream” tells the story of a woman named Sultana who travels to a utopian society where women are the dominant gender and men are confined to the role of domestic servants. The story was groundbreaking in its portrayal of a world in which gender roles are reversed and women are able to achieve great scientific and technological advancements.

Today, Begum Rokeya is remembered as a pioneering feminist and science fiction writer who paved the way for generations of women to come. Her writing and activism helped to…