What do you think?
Rate this book
O Sonho de Sultana
Em “O Sonho de Sultana”, com tradução de Sybylla, iremos vaguear por uma cidade de sonho que evita a guerra e a violência. Neste mundo utópico liderado por mulheres, descobriremos como elas conquistaram e mantiveram a paz.
22 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1905
88 people are currently reading
5437 people want to read
About the author
Rokeya Sakhawat Hossain
46 books112 followersBegum Roquia Sakhawat Hussain, popularly known as Begum Rokeya, was born in 1880 in the village of Pairabondh, Mithapukur, Rangpur, in what was then the British Indian Empire and is now Bangladesh.
Begum Rokeya was an inspiring figure who contributed much to the struggle to liberate women from the bondage of social malaises. Her life can be seen in the context of other social reformers within what was then India. To raise popular consciousness, especially among women, she wrote a number of articles, stories and novels, mostly in Bengali.
Rokeya used humor, irony, and satire to focus attention on the injustices faced by Bengali-speaking Muslim women. She criticized oppressive social customs forced upon women that were based upon a corrupted version of Islam, asserting that women fulfilling their potential as human beings could best display the glory of Lord. She wrote courageously against restrictions on women in order to promote their emancipation, which, she believed, would come about by breaking the gender division of labor. She rejected discrimination for women in the public arena and believed that discrimination would cease only when women were able to undertake whatever profession they chose. In 1926, Begum strongly condemned men for withholding education from women in name of religion as she addressed the bengal women's education conference:
"The opponents of the female education say that women will be unruly...fie !they call themselves muslims and yet go against the basic tenet of islam which gives equal right to education. If men are not led astray once educated, why should women?"
Begum Rokeya was an inspiring figure who contributed much to the struggle to liberate women from the bondage of social malaises. Her life can be seen in the context of other social reformers within what was then India. To raise popular consciousness, especially among women, she wrote a number of articles, stories and novels, mostly in Bengali.
Rokeya used humor, irony, and satire to focus attention on the injustices faced by Bengali-speaking Muslim women. She criticized oppressive social customs forced upon women that were based upon a corrupted version of Islam, asserting that women fulfilling their potential as human beings could best display the glory of Lord. She wrote courageously against restrictions on women in order to promote their emancipation, which, she believed, would come about by breaking the gender division of labor. She rejected discrimination for women in the public arena and believed that discrimination would cease only when women were able to undertake whatever profession they chose. In 1926, Begum strongly condemned men for withholding education from women in name of religion as she addressed the bengal women's education conference:
"The opponents of the female education say that women will be unruly...fie !they call themselves muslims and yet go against the basic tenet of islam which gives equal right to education. If men are not led astray once educated, why should women?"
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 378 reviews
June 25, 2023
Ladyland Wonderland
What if women take over power – in both the public and the private sphere?
Written in one afternoon in 1905 (!) by the Bengali feminist and social reformer Rokeya Sakhawat Hossain (1880-1932), Sultana’s dream is a colourful, sweet and funny utopian feminist science fiction story with a fairylike feel.
Observing the seclusion brought upon her by purdah, Sultana drifts into a reverie of reversal of gender roles that gives birth to a heart-shaped paradise in which violence, war, sins and prisons vanish, fuelled by female ingenuity and solar energy. Like lions in a cage, it are the men that are kept indoors while women rule, which brings quite a few changes in society, no longer dependent on physical strength but thriving on wisdom and brain power and eco-friendly technology.
We do not covet other people's land, we do not fight for a piece of diamond though it may be a thousand-fold brighter than the Koh-i-Noor, nor do we grudge a ruler his Peacock Throne. We dive deep into the ocean of knowledge and try to find out the precious gems, which nature has kept in store for us. We enjoy nature's gifts as much as we can.
Your dexterous little piece brought it to them gently but clearly, Begum Rokeya – social and religious customs that restrict intellectual freedom and development benefit nor the individual nor society.
The story can be read here. More of Chitra Ganesh’s 27 linocut prints inspired by this remarkable story can be found here.
What if women take over power – in both the public and the private sphere?
Written in one afternoon in 1905 (!) by the Bengali feminist and social reformer Rokeya Sakhawat Hossain (1880-1932), Sultana’s dream is a colourful, sweet and funny utopian feminist science fiction story with a fairylike feel.
Observing the seclusion brought upon her by purdah, Sultana drifts into a reverie of reversal of gender roles that gives birth to a heart-shaped paradise in which violence, war, sins and prisons vanish, fuelled by female ingenuity and solar energy. Like lions in a cage, it are the men that are kept indoors while women rule, which brings quite a few changes in society, no longer dependent on physical strength but thriving on wisdom and brain power and eco-friendly technology.
We do not covet other people's land, we do not fight for a piece of diamond though it may be a thousand-fold brighter than the Koh-i-Noor, nor do we grudge a ruler his Peacock Throne. We dive deep into the ocean of knowledge and try to find out the precious gems, which nature has kept in store for us. We enjoy nature's gifts as much as we can.
Your dexterous little piece brought it to them gently but clearly, Begum Rokeya – social and religious customs that restrict intellectual freedom and development benefit nor the individual nor society.
The story can be read here. More of Chitra Ganesh’s 27 linocut prints inspired by this remarkable story can be found here.
December 21, 2023
Rokeya Sakhawat Hossain was born in 1880, in what is now Bangladesh and at the time was part of the British Empire. She was an active supporter of women rights through articles, stories, novels and speeches. She used humor and satire to draw attention to the injustice faced by Bengali-speaking Muslim women. She fought for the equal education of women and to break the inequal gender division of work.
"The opponents of the female education say that women will be unruly...fie !they call themselves muslims and yet go against the basic tenet of islam which gives equal right to education. If men are not led astray once educated, why should women?"
Sultana’s dream presents an utopia, an imaginary world where women rule over man thanks to their brain power. Based on this short story, women can be truly free when men are not around but confined in a “zenana”. Basically, she imagines the opposite of what was the situation back then (or now).
'A lion is stronger than a man, but it does not enable him to dominate the human race. You have neglected the duty you owe to yourselves and you have lost your natural rights by shutting your eyes to your own interests.'
I’ve read this story in The Big Book of SF curated by the VanderMeers.
"The opponents of the female education say that women will be unruly...fie !they call themselves muslims and yet go against the basic tenet of islam which gives equal right to education. If men are not led astray once educated, why should women?"
Sultana’s dream presents an utopia, an imaginary world where women rule over man thanks to their brain power. Based on this short story, women can be truly free when men are not around but confined in a “zenana”. Basically, she imagines the opposite of what was the situation back then (or now).
'A lion is stronger than a man, but it does not enable him to dominate the human race. You have neglected the duty you owe to yourselves and you have lost your natural rights by shutting your eyes to your own interests.'
I’ve read this story in The Big Book of SF curated by the VanderMeers.
August 8, 2023
This engaging and witty short story from Rokeya Sakhawat Hossain defies patriarchy. It tells about a utopian society where gender roles are completely reversed.
Women are now in charge of organizing everything and making all the decisions. They are resourceful and full of optimism. They study nature and educate themselves. But nothing comes easy. Women have literally won their right to govern this fascinating Ladyland. Men are confined to what is called a “zenana” area.
Interestingly, women in this feminist utopian society can be free and independent only when men are kind of taken out of the equation. Risks should be avoided if you will.
I will leave you with a few quotes.
'A lion is stronger than a man, but it does not enable him to dominate the human race. You have neglected the duty you owe to yourselves and you have lost your natural rights by shutting your eyes to your own interests.'
'Even their [men's] brains are bigger and heavier than women's. Are they not?'
'Yes, but what of that? An elephant also has got a bigger and heavier brain than a man has. Yet man can enchain elephants and employ them, according to their own wishes.'
'Our religion is based on Love and Truth. It is our religious duty to love one another and to be absolutely truthful. If any person lies, she or he is....'
'Punished with death?'
'No, not with death. We do not take pleasure in killing a creature of God, especially a human being. The liar is asked to leave this land for good and never to come to it again.'
'Is an offender never forgiven?'
'Yes, if that person repents sincerely.'
To sum up, this is a brave and inventful tale, especially for the time period. It was originally published in 1905 in Indian Ladies’ Magazine and republished in a book format a few years later.
The story can be read here.
Women are now in charge of organizing everything and making all the decisions. They are resourceful and full of optimism. They study nature and educate themselves. But nothing comes easy. Women have literally won their right to govern this fascinating Ladyland. Men are confined to what is called a “zenana” area.
Interestingly, women in this feminist utopian society can be free and independent only when men are kind of taken out of the equation. Risks should be avoided if you will.
I will leave you with a few quotes.
'A lion is stronger than a man, but it does not enable him to dominate the human race. You have neglected the duty you owe to yourselves and you have lost your natural rights by shutting your eyes to your own interests.'
'Even their [men's] brains are bigger and heavier than women's. Are they not?'
'Yes, but what of that? An elephant also has got a bigger and heavier brain than a man has. Yet man can enchain elephants and employ them, according to their own wishes.'
'Our religion is based on Love and Truth. It is our religious duty to love one another and to be absolutely truthful. If any person lies, she or he is....'
'Punished with death?'
'No, not with death. We do not take pleasure in killing a creature of God, especially a human being. The liar is asked to leave this land for good and never to come to it again.'
'Is an offender never forgiven?'
'Yes, if that person repents sincerely.'
To sum up, this is a brave and inventful tale, especially for the time period. It was originally published in 1905 in Indian Ladies’ Magazine and republished in a book format a few years later.
The story can be read here.
Read
February 3, 2016How come this is not as famous as it should be? A 1905 science fiction short story written by a Bangladeshi Muslim feminist at the time when most women had no access to education! And it was written in English not the writer's mother tongue!
Despite being an extremely short story, it still succeeds in making a strong point. Injustice is terrible and religion, in this case Islam, is no excuse! Women have the right to walk the streets with no fears. They have the right for the best education opportunities because they are as much capable of invinting as men are. They can rule countries and defend themselves and their lands. They can even drive flying cars!
Rokeya Sakhawat Hossain you deserve to be well-known. I will translate your story into Arabic!
Despite being an extremely short story, it still succeeds in making a strong point. Injustice is terrible and religion, in this case Islam, is no excuse! Women have the right to walk the streets with no fears. They have the right for the best education opportunities because they are as much capable of invinting as men are. They can rule countries and defend themselves and their lands. They can even drive flying cars!
Rokeya Sakhawat Hossain you deserve to be well-known. I will translate your story into Arabic!
April 6, 2021
Rokeya Sakhawat Hossain, commonly known as Begum Rokeya, was a Bengali feminist thinker, writer, educator and political activist from British India (present day Bangladesh). I am ashamed to say that I had never heard of her until I saw this book appear on a friend’s GoodReads feed. I honestly wonder why this work isn’t more celebrated. This is one heck of a story if you consider when it was written. The ideas are decades ahead of that time. I still can't believe that this short story was written in 1905! It is said to be one of the earliest science fiction stories written by a woman.
The protagonist, Sultana, seems to be an upper-class Muslim lady. She wakes up in her dream to find herself in a utopian feminist society named “Ladyland”. As the name suggests, this society is dominated by women. They walk freely, they invent freely, they live freely. There are no wars with the neighbouring countries, so there’s basically peace and prosperity everywhere. The men meanwhile are declared to be “fit for nothing” and hence locked up in “mardana” (the supposed male equivalent of “zenana”) I wish there had been more about how these women got around the problem of needing men for pregnancy, but then, a short story can cover only so much. :P
Sultana’s dream is mind-blowing not just for its feminist stance but also for its scientific details. There is mention of various inventions such as solar ovens, flying cars, and cloud condensers that offer abundant clean water. The author seems to be flipping her finger at the patriarchy in science (which, unfortunately, is true even today.) Another question raised by the author that merits thinking - Must technology be created for social progress or military prowess?
Sister Sara, the leader of Ladyland and also Sultana’s tour host, seems to be providing a voice for the author’s opinions while Sultana herself represents the traditional thinking of the women of that era. Begum Rokeya seems to charge no holds barred at every dominant patriarchal social structure, including the British empire. I love her barb aimed at the Britishers: “We do not covet other people's land. We do not fight for a piece of diamond, even if it is the Kohinoor, nor do we envy others their peacock thrones. We dive deep into the ocean of knowledge and try to find the precious gems which Nature has kept in store for us.”
The story talks not just of feministic ideals but also of scientific thinking, progress on equalitarian grounds rather than patriarchal. It is satirical and witty. It stresses on pursuing “knowledge and peace rather than wealth and power”. Need I say more?
Some parts of the story haven’t aged as well, the language is quite simple, and some of the male bashing is a tad extreme from a 21st century perspective (though I must confess, I enjoyed it wholeheartedly :D ). But for a story written in 1905 to have even conceived of such futuristic elements (some of which aren’t reality even 116 years later!) and declare a revolt against patriarchy, it gets a hearty 4 stars from me.
Archive.org has the textual version of this story. But if you want a different and more visual experience, you could go for the edition that has illustrations by Durga Bai, an artist from the Gond tribe of central India.
***********************
Join me on the Facebook group, Readers Forever! , for more reviews, book-related discussions and fun.
Follow me on Instagram: RoshReviews
The protagonist, Sultana, seems to be an upper-class Muslim lady. She wakes up in her dream to find herself in a utopian feminist society named “Ladyland”. As the name suggests, this society is dominated by women. They walk freely, they invent freely, they live freely. There are no wars with the neighbouring countries, so there’s basically peace and prosperity everywhere. The men meanwhile are declared to be “fit for nothing” and hence locked up in “mardana” (the supposed male equivalent of “zenana”) I wish there had been more about how these women got around the problem of needing men for pregnancy, but then, a short story can cover only so much. :P
Sultana’s dream is mind-blowing not just for its feminist stance but also for its scientific details. There is mention of various inventions such as solar ovens, flying cars, and cloud condensers that offer abundant clean water. The author seems to be flipping her finger at the patriarchy in science (which, unfortunately, is true even today.) Another question raised by the author that merits thinking - Must technology be created for social progress or military prowess?
Sister Sara, the leader of Ladyland and also Sultana’s tour host, seems to be providing a voice for the author’s opinions while Sultana herself represents the traditional thinking of the women of that era. Begum Rokeya seems to charge no holds barred at every dominant patriarchal social structure, including the British empire. I love her barb aimed at the Britishers: “We do not covet other people's land. We do not fight for a piece of diamond, even if it is the Kohinoor, nor do we envy others their peacock thrones. We dive deep into the ocean of knowledge and try to find the precious gems which Nature has kept in store for us.”
The story talks not just of feministic ideals but also of scientific thinking, progress on equalitarian grounds rather than patriarchal. It is satirical and witty. It stresses on pursuing “knowledge and peace rather than wealth and power”. Need I say more?
Some parts of the story haven’t aged as well, the language is quite simple, and some of the male bashing is a tad extreme from a 21st century perspective (though I must confess, I enjoyed it wholeheartedly :D ). But for a story written in 1905 to have even conceived of such futuristic elements (some of which aren’t reality even 116 years later!) and declare a revolt against patriarchy, it gets a hearty 4 stars from me.
Archive.org has the textual version of this story. But if you want a different and more visual experience, you could go for the edition that has illustrations by Durga Bai, an artist from the Gond tribe of central India.
***********************
Join me on the Facebook group, Readers Forever! , for more reviews, book-related discussions and fun.
Follow me on Instagram: RoshReviews
May 28, 2020
How come this book not famous? This was written in 1905 by a Bangladeshi feminist Author, not even in the native language but in English, in a time where women didn't have any right for education.
This book deserves more recognition.
This book deserves more recognition.
April 12, 2018
Interesting, in that the author was writing about women's rights at a time when women were still not seen as people legally in many societies. I guess her purpose in describing men in purdah in Ladyland was to highlight how ridiculous it is to control, contain and diminish half the population.
I did find the energy generation methods of Ladyland a little amusing.
The author doesn't take a nuanced view on power, instead stating that containing and controlling the men of Ladyland results in wonderful things (no crime, etc.), unlike Naomi Alderman's The Power.
I did find the energy generation methods of Ladyland a little amusing.
The author doesn't take a nuanced view on power, instead stating that containing and controlling the men of Ladyland results in wonderful things (no crime, etc.), unlike Naomi Alderman's The Power.
June 3, 2016
Really bold subject considering when and where it was written. The blurb says pretty much all, so I won’t get into details; it’s a 10 minutes reading anyway.
I’ll just say that it’s pretty amazing what this woman did achieve in a conservative society like that one. And nowadays, most of us, having all the freedom we need, do nothing but complain of everything…
I’ll just say that it’s pretty amazing what this woman did achieve in a conservative society like that one. And nowadays, most of us, having all the freedom we need, do nothing but complain of everything…
March 12, 2020
একটু বেশি বেশি হয়ে গেল না? হ্যাঁ এটা ঠিক যে ঐ সময়ে নারীদের অবস্থা শোচনীয় ছিল তাই বলে এই!!! আমার তো মনে হয় নারী পুরুষ উভয়েরই সমান প্রয়োজন একটা সমাজকে সামনে এগিয়ে নিয়ে যেতে। যাইহোক ফ্যান্টাসি ক্যাটাগরিতে ফেলে মনে শান্তি নি। মূলত ‘সুলতানার স্বপ্ন’ একটি ব্যঙ্গ–রসাত্মক সৃষ্টি। বৈজ্ঞানিক কল্পকাহিনীও বলা চলে যেটা সম্পূর্ণ নিজস্ব নারীবাদী চিন্তার ফসল।
Sultana's Dream-এর সুলতানার স্বপ্নল��ক বিদেশ। গৃহরুদ্ধ ভারত ললনা সুলতানা স্বপ্নে অবলোকন করছেন নারীস্থানে এ যেন এক রাণীর কল্পলোককে নিয়ন্ত্রণ। যেখানে ভগিনী সারা বলছেন-“এ রাজ্যে অমন পুরুষপনা চলবেনা, মেয়েরা এখানে স্বাচ্ছন্দ্যে চলে।” বেগম রোকেয়ার স্বামী ছোট্ট এ উপন্যাসটি এক নিঃশ্বাসে পড়ে বলেছিলেন। “এ একটি ভয়ঙ্কর প্রতিশোধ।” যদিও প্রতিশোধটি ছিল সামষ্টিক।
এ রাজ্যের শাসক নারী–অতএব “নারীস্থান দারিদ্রমুক্ত–অকাল মৃত্যু বা দুর্ভিক্ষ নেই।” বাল্য বিবাহ নেইণ্ডএকুশ বছরের আগে (??) আইনত বিয়ে হয়না– নারী স্থান বিজ্ঞান চর্চায় শক্তিশালী। সরকারি উদ্যমে পল্লীবাসী ও উচ্চ শিক্ষায় শিক্ষিত। মেয়েদের জন্য আছে বিশ্ববিদ্যালয়–বিমান পথে (বায়ু স্কট) যাতায়াত এবার বৈজ্ঞানিক উপায়ে চাষাবাদ চলে– জল সংরক্ষণের ব্যবস্থা আছে বলে অনাবৃষ্টি নেই– এবং প্রধান খাদ্য ফল।
যুক্তিবাদী তিনি–তাই রান্নাকে অস্বীকার না করে রন্ধন গৃহকে বানালেন নন্দন বাগান। চারিদিকে সবজি বাগান, খোলা জানালায় ফুল, সাদা ধবধবে পাথরের মেঝে, রান্নাঘর ধোয়া ও আগুনহীন কারণ সৌর চুল্লীতে তথা বৈজ্ঞানিক পদ্ধতিতে রান্না হয়।
নারীরা এখানে নিরাপদ পর্দারও প্রয়োজন নেই– কারণ নারী শাসকের বুদ্ধির যুদ্ধে (??) পরাজিত পুরুষেরা। শর্তানুযায়ী গৃহবাসী তাদের দায়িত্ব–খাতাপত্র হিসেব রাখা–শিশুদের রক্ষণাবেক্ষণ এবং গৃহস্থালি কাজ অতএব রাজ্যে পাপ নেই–পুলিশ আদালত ও নেইণ্ডএখানে ধর্ম হচ্ছে সত্য এবং পারস্পরিক সৌহার্দ্যপূর্ণ অবস্থান।
এ উপন্যাসে চমৎকারভাবে বিজ্ঞানকে নিয়ে এলেন তিনি–পুরুষকে জব্দ করার এক মোক্ষম অস্ত্র !!
Sultana's Dream-এর সুলতানার স্বপ্নল��ক বিদেশ। গৃহরুদ্ধ ভারত ললনা সুলতানা স্বপ্নে অবলোকন করছেন নারীস্থানে এ যেন এক রাণীর কল্পলোককে নিয়ন্ত্রণ। যেখানে ভগিনী সারা বলছেন-“এ রাজ্যে অমন পুরুষপনা চলবেনা, মেয়েরা এখানে স্বাচ্ছন্দ্যে চলে।” বেগম রোকেয়ার স্বামী ছোট্ট এ উপন্যাসটি এক নিঃশ্বাসে পড়ে বলেছিলেন। “এ একটি ভয়ঙ্কর প্রতিশোধ।” যদিও প্রতিশোধটি ছিল সামষ্টিক।
এ রাজ্যের শাসক নারী–অতএব “নারীস্থান দারিদ্রমুক্ত–অকাল মৃত্যু বা দুর্ভিক্ষ নেই।” বাল্য বিবাহ নেইণ্ডএকুশ বছরের আগে (??) আইনত বিয়ে হয়না– নারী স্থান বিজ্ঞান চর্চায় শক্তিশালী। সরকারি উদ্যমে পল্লীবাসী ও উচ্চ শিক্ষায় শিক্ষিত। মেয়েদের জন্য আছে বিশ্ববিদ্যালয়–বিমান পথে (বায়ু স্কট) যাতায়াত এবার বৈজ্ঞানিক উপায়ে চাষাবাদ চলে– জল সংরক্ষণের ব্যবস্থা আছে বলে অনাবৃষ্টি নেই– এবং প্রধান খাদ্য ফল।
যুক্তিবাদী তিনি–তাই রান্নাকে অস্বীকার না করে রন্ধন গৃহকে বানালেন নন্দন বাগান। চারিদিকে সবজি বাগান, খোলা জানালায় ফুল, সাদা ধবধবে পাথরের মেঝে, রান্নাঘর ধোয়া ও আগুনহীন কারণ সৌর চুল্লীতে তথা বৈজ্ঞানিক পদ্ধতিতে রান্না হয়।
নারীরা এখানে নিরাপদ পর্দারও প্রয়োজন নেই– কারণ নারী শাসকের বুদ্ধির যুদ্ধে (??) পরাজিত পুরুষেরা। শর্তানুযায়ী গৃহবাসী তাদের দায়িত্ব–খাতাপত্র হিসেব রাখা–শিশুদের রক্ষণাবেক্ষণ এবং গৃহস্থালি কাজ অতএব রাজ্যে পাপ নেই–পুলিশ আদালত ও নেইণ্ডএখানে ধর্ম হচ্ছে সত্য এবং পারস্পরিক সৌহার্দ্যপূর্ণ অবস্থান।
এ উপন্যাসে চমৎকারভাবে বিজ্ঞানকে নিয়ে এলেন তিনি–পুরুষকে জব্দ করার এক মোক্ষম অস্ত্র !!
March 10, 2018
বিশেষ অনুরোধ: বইটার বাংলা অনুবাদ পইড়েন না ।
নাম: সুলতানার স্বপ্ন
লেখক: বেগম রোকেয়া
বিভাগ: সায়েন্স ফিকশন
প্রথম প্রকাশ: ১৯০৫ ( ইংরেজীতে )
পৃষ্ঠা সংখ্যা: ১২ ( মূল বইয়ে ৬৮ )
রেটিং: ৫/৫
.
সায়েন্স ফিকশন ?
জগদীশ চন্দ্রের লিখা পলাতক তুফান‘কে বাংলা ভাষার প্রথম সায়েন্স ফিকশন বলা হয় । ওটা প্রকাশিত হয়েছিলো ১৯২১ সালে । এদিকে Sultana’s Dream প্রথম প্রকাশিত হয় ১৯০৫ সালে ।বাংলাভাষায় অনুদিত হয় ১৯৯৫ সালে । বাংলাতেই যদি গল্পটা লেখা হতো , এটা নির্ঘাৎ প্রথম সায়েন্স ফিকশন হিসেবে পরিচিতি পাইতো ।
কিন্তু, সায়েন্স ফিকশন হিসেবে পরিচিতি না পেয়ে বইটা নারীবাদী বই হিসেবে পরিচিতি পাইলো । কেন পরিচিতি পাইলো ? কারন , বইতে পুরুষ’রা ঘরের কাজে করে, আর নারীরা বাইরের কাজ ; এরকম একটা সমাজের কথা বলা আছে ।
(যদিও এতে কিছু সুবিধা আছে । কি রকম সুবিধা ? ...জানতে হলে বইটা পড়ে দেখতে হবে । )
পুরুষরা কী এমনে এমনেই ঘরে এসে পড়লো, আর নারীরা ফুরুৎ করে বাইরে চলে গেলো ?
চলুন গল্পে ফিরে যাই…..
রাতের বেলা চেয়ারে বসে ঝিমুচ্ছিলেন সুলতানা । হঠাৎ সিস্টার সারা’র “গুড মর্নিং” ডাক শুনে ঝিমুনি ভাব কেটে যায় ।রাতের বেলা গুড মর্নিং !! মনে মনে অবাক হলেও প্রকাশ করলেন না । বাইরে অন্ধকার …..পুরুষরা ঘুমুচ্ছে ; তাই কোনো দ্বিধা না করেই সিস্টার সারার সাথে ঘুরতে বেরিয়ে যান বেগম রোকেয়া ….ওখানেই অপেক্ষা করছিলো রাজ্যের সব বিস্ময় !
তিনি দেখেন যে তিনি আর কলকাতায় নাই ! চলে এসেছেন নতুন এক দেশে যেখানে নারীরা শিক্ষায় দীক্ষায় এগিয়ে , গড়ে তুলেছে ধুলো-কাদাবিহীন সবুজ সমারোহ ভরপুর ‘লেডিল্যান্ড ‘ , বিজ্ঞান’কে কাজে লাগিয়ে।
কাদাবিহীন কিভাবে ?
কারন মেয়েরা আবিষ্কার করেছে এমন যন্ত্র, যা মেঘের পানিকে শোষন করে নিতে পারে !
আছে সূর্যের তাপকে বাক্সবন্দি করার কাহিনী ! এটার মাধ্যমেইতো শত্রুদেরকে হারিয়ে দিলো লেডীল্যান্ডের মেয়েরা , যখন কিনা পুরুষরা ঢাল তলোয়ার দিয়ে শত্রুদেরকে আটকাতেই পারছিলোনা ।
লেডিল্যান্ডে আছে অদ্ভুত গাড়ি , যা কিনা রাস্তা ছাড়াই চলতে পারে ! তাই তাদের দেশে কোনো এক্সিডেন্ট-ই হয় না ।
আর কী কী আছে লেডিল্যান্ডে ?
জানতে হলে পড়তে হবে …….. আশা করি উপভোগ করবেন ১২ পৃষ্ঠার ছোট্ট এ বইটি ।
[ কিছুদূর পড়ার পর যখন দেখলাম এটা সায়েন্স ফিকশন , তখন সত্যিই অবাক হইছি ]
নাম: সুলতানার স্বপ্ন
লেখক: বেগম রোকেয়া
বিভাগ: সায়েন্স ফিকশন
প্রথম প্রকাশ: ১৯০৫ ( ইংরেজীতে )
পৃষ্ঠা সংখ্যা: ১২ ( মূল বইয়ে ৬৮ )
রেটিং: ৫/৫
.
সায়েন্স ফিকশন ?
জগদীশ চন্দ্রের লিখা পলাতক তুফান‘কে বাংলা ভাষার প্রথম সায়েন্স ফিকশন বলা হয় । ওটা প্রকাশিত হয়েছিলো ১৯২১ সালে । এদিকে Sultana’s Dream প্রথম প্রকাশিত হয় ১৯০৫ সালে ।বাংলাভাষায় অনুদিত হয় ১৯৯৫ সালে । বাংলাতেই যদি গল্পটা লেখা হতো , এটা নির্ঘাৎ প্রথম সায়েন্স ফিকশন হিসেবে পরিচিতি পাইতো ।
কিন্তু, সায়েন্স ফিকশন হিসেবে পরিচিতি না পেয়ে বইটা নারীবাদী বই হিসেবে পরিচিতি পাইলো । কেন পরিচিতি পাইলো ? কারন , বইতে পুরুষ’রা ঘরের কাজে করে, আর নারীরা বাইরের কাজ ; এরকম একটা সমাজের কথা বলা আছে ।
(যদিও এতে কিছু সুবিধা আছে । কি রকম সুবিধা ? ...জানতে হলে বইটা পড়ে দেখতে হবে । )
পুরুষরা কী এমনে এমনেই ঘরে এসে পড়লো, আর নারীরা ফুরুৎ করে বাইরে চলে গেলো ?
চলুন গল্পে ফিরে যাই…..
রাতের বেলা চেয়ারে বসে ঝিমুচ্ছিলেন সুলতানা । হঠাৎ সিস্টার সারা’র “গুড মর্নিং” ডাক শুনে ঝিমুনি ভাব কেটে যায় ।রাতের বেলা গুড মর্নিং !! মনে মনে অবাক হলেও প্রকাশ করলেন না । বাইরে অন্ধকার …..পুরুষরা ঘুমুচ্ছে ; তাই কোনো দ্বিধা না করেই সিস্টার সারার সাথে ঘুরতে বেরিয়ে যান বেগম রোকেয়া ….ওখানেই অপেক্ষা করছিলো রাজ্যের সব বিস্ময় !
তিনি দেখেন যে তিনি আর কলকাতায় নাই ! চলে এসেছেন নতুন এক দেশে যেখানে নারীরা শিক্ষায় দীক্ষায় এগিয়ে , গড়ে তুলেছে ধুলো-কাদাবিহীন সবুজ সমারোহ ভরপুর ‘লেডিল্যান্ড ‘ , বিজ্ঞান’কে কাজে লাগিয়ে।
কাদাবিহীন কিভাবে ?
কারন মেয়েরা আবিষ্কার করেছে এমন যন্ত্র, যা মেঘের পানিকে শোষন করে নিতে পারে !
আছে সূর্যের তাপকে বাক্সবন্দি করার কাহিনী ! এটার মাধ্যমেইতো শত্রুদেরকে হারিয়ে দিলো লেডীল্যান্ডের মেয়েরা , যখন কিনা পুরুষরা ঢাল তলোয়ার দিয়ে শত্রুদেরকে আটকাতেই পারছিলোনা ।
লেডিল্যান্ডে আছে অদ্ভুত গাড়ি , যা কিনা রাস্তা ছাড়াই চলতে পারে ! তাই তাদের দেশে কোনো এক্সিডেন্ট-ই হয় না ।
আর কী কী আছে লেডিল্যান্ডে ?
জানতে হলে পড়তে হবে …….. আশা করি উপভোগ করবেন ১২ পৃষ্ঠার ছোট্ট এ বইটি ।
[ কিছুদূর পড়ার পর যখন দেখলাম এটা সায়েন্স ফিকশন , তখন সত্যিই অবাক হইছি ]
September 2, 2017
An early feminist work from Asian sub-continent.
http://digital.library.upenn.edu/wome...
http://digital.library.upenn.edu/wome...
![Profile Image for ᑭᑌᑎƳᗩ [Punya Reviews...].](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fi.gr-assets.com%2Fimages%2FS%2Fcompressed.photo.goodreads.com%2Fusers%2F1572968006i%2F3840999._UX200_CR0%2C33%2C200%2C200_.jpg&w=128&q=75)
March 11, 2012
I've read this amazing book a few years ago and could hardly believe that a woman from 1905's Bangladesh, when women were rarely given education, wrote something in English and a really good piece too! But that is the specialty of Begum Rokeya, who was a very gifted personality on her own right... Who flourished with the support of a generous, open-minded family behind her. She was a feminist writer (both fiction and non-fiction), critic and renowned social worker, whose bibliography isn't very big in that sense but whatever she wrote, she wrote with remarkable grace, wit and style. We still remember her, we've grown up knowing her as a part of our culture, history, education but most of all, as a part of the woman we are today. This is by no means a review of Sultana's Dream but I'll do something later hopefully after I re-read the book. If you don't already know about her, you should BTW.
June 30, 2017
Sultana's Dream was originally published in The Indian Ladies' Magazine, Madras, 1905, in English. here is a link for drm free read.
Considering the time and place it was written, this short is a badass satire on traditional stereotypes and status quo of woman in Colonial India. In Begum's vision of a feminist utopia - Ladyland, roles are gender reversed, where females lead the future with technology while men are secluded away.
The premise and metaphors are rather impressive, for example the name Sultana by meaning is lady Sultan, King/Emperor. She playfully bashes the prevailing old school inclusiveness of then male dominated society - 'zenana's, and denigrate 'weaker species' logic. At one point of the story, in Ladyland, 'zenana's are said to be replaced by 'mardana's (mard- male in hindi/urdu), thereby making the land a crimeless eco friendly 'Amazon'. The things that looked like science fiction in her 'wonderland', when observed now, were actually prophecies and solutions for 21st century- Solar Energy, Hydrogen weather balloons, Commercial Aviation and even competitive academics.
And there is a special charm in her writing, a narrative cuteness that keeps men from being offended, be it then, be it now.
Considering the time and place it was written, this short is a badass satire on traditional stereotypes and status quo of woman in Colonial India. In Begum's vision of a feminist utopia - Ladyland, roles are gender reversed, where females lead the future with technology while men are secluded away.
The premise and metaphors are rather impressive, for example the name Sultana by meaning is lady Sultan, King/Emperor. She playfully bashes the prevailing old school inclusiveness of then male dominated society - 'zenana's, and denigrate 'weaker species' logic. At one point of the story, in Ladyland, 'zenana's are said to be replaced by 'mardana's (mard- male in hindi/urdu), thereby making the land a crimeless eco friendly 'Amazon'. The things that looked like science fiction in her 'wonderland', when observed now, were actually prophecies and solutions for 21st century- Solar Energy, Hydrogen weather balloons, Commercial Aviation and even competitive academics.
And there is a special charm in her writing, a narrative cuteness that keeps men from being offended, be it then, be it now.
July 12, 2022
Really liked Sultana's Dream if only for the portrayal of rather modern feminist ideas that show that people have been hating the patriarchy in the same way for at least a century. None of this 'things were different back then' nonsense or that society was more accepting of the bullshit.
Whilst there aren't any big ideas that are novel to people in the 21st century, Sultana's Dream helps to combat the sense of superiority people have today of being morally better than the generations that came before us. Reason enough to love it (and despair at the lack of progress).
Whilst there aren't any big ideas that are novel to people in the 21st century, Sultana's Dream helps to combat the sense of superiority people have today of being morally better than the generations that came before us. Reason enough to love it (and despair at the lack of progress).
September 21, 2020
By today's standards, this could be classified as proto-solarpunk. Mostly known as a feminist utopian short story, its very interesting within its historical and political context. Written in 1905 by Hossain, who advocated for Indian women's rights to education. More info here...
https://www.ladyscience.com/features/...
I believe the copyright is now in the public domain and can therefore be read online for free
https://www.ladyscience.com/features/...
I believe the copyright is now in the public domain and can therefore be read online for free
September 19, 2021
The narrator in this short story is a woman that falls asleep, and wakes up in a feminist utopia where there are no wars or violence. It follows much the same lines as other utopian works, a person, in this story a woman, goes to utopia, and meets a guide that shows her around, and explains the society. This was first published in 1905, and must have been very radical at the time. In fact it does still pack a punch. She takes her society, and turns it around. Women are in charge, and men are at home.
Utopian fiction doesn’t always make interesting read, but given the time when this was originally published I found this very interesting. The women in this society have clearly found a way to live in harmony with nature, they use solar power, and have electric air-cars. And just to remind you, this is published in 1905. It is very much a work related to the modern solarpunk, and I think it is a very interesting for many different reasons. Perhaps not great literature, but very interesting just the same. I’m glad I read it.
Utopian fiction doesn’t always make interesting read, but given the time when this was originally published I found this very interesting. The women in this society have clearly found a way to live in harmony with nature, they use solar power, and have electric air-cars. And just to remind you, this is published in 1905. It is very much a work related to the modern solarpunk, and I think it is a very interesting for many different reasons. Perhaps not great literature, but very interesting just the same. I’m glad I read it.
January 22, 2016
An all-too-brief little story, but packs a punch. Muslim feminist utopian science fiction, you say? That predicts solar power, you say?? Written in 1905, you say???
April 5, 2021
A feminist sci fi book written at a time when women weren't allowed to attain education. Well worded, and executed. It still remains important and relevant!
January 16, 2020
I just came across this very short book while reading an article on the Taj Mahal. I was interested enough in a story taking about men in the purdah and women running the State to check it out. What is impressive about this book is that it was written by a Muslim feminist woman in 1905. The author herself has done a lot of social work by spreading awareness on women's education and has fought for the right of women to choose a career of her choice. Note, not just the right to work, but the right to choose an actual profession on her own terms!
That said, the story itself lacked complexity and hence failed to retain interest. Some of the sentiments expressed were unworkable and some others made no sense. Crime would not just disappear if women were in charge, nor would accidents and death of youngsters vanish. The science fiction ideas were barely explored. The story is a rather naive look at a different kind of world. A lengthier story with more showing and less telling, complex male and female characters, and an actual tale of how the tables turned might have been so awesome!
This short story just whets your appetite for more, but unfortunately more is not forthcoming.
That said, the story itself lacked complexity and hence failed to retain interest. Some of the sentiments expressed were unworkable and some others made no sense. Crime would not just disappear if women were in charge, nor would accidents and death of youngsters vanish. The science fiction ideas were barely explored. The story is a rather naive look at a different kind of world. A lengthier story with more showing and less telling, complex male and female characters, and an actual tale of how the tables turned might have been so awesome!
This short story just whets your appetite for more, but unfortunately more is not forthcoming.
September 20, 2016
It was really interesting reading this short feminist utopia from 1905 India. The story is understandably very simple as it is only a few pages long, but lays out various aspects of this role-reversed female-led society. Ladyland's resemblances to Herland were many (peace and no crime, vegetarianism/veganism, efficiency, freedom, highly prizing education, etc), though I'm not sure how much that is to do with the shared idea of what a specifically feminist utopia might look like verses common ideas of utopia in general.
February 13, 2018
'Why do you allow yourselves to be shut up?'
'Because it cannot be helped as they are stronger than women.'
'A lion is stronger than a man, but it does not enable him to dominate the human race. You have neglected the duty you owe to yourselves and you have lost your natural rights by shutting your eyes to your own interests.'
'Because it cannot be helped as they are stronger than women.'
'A lion is stronger than a man, but it does not enable him to dominate the human race. You have neglected the duty you owe to yourselves and you have lost your natural rights by shutting your eyes to your own interests.'
March 8, 2017
A feminist piece re-imagining the world as a matriarchal utopia, it is difficult to believe it was written in 1905 by an Indian author!
May 28, 2020
The only con: I found it very cliché for 21st-century readers. But it was written in 1905, for that era, this book can be considered bold and refreshing.
November 9, 2020
Short but sweet!
January 22, 2014
This is a very brief story based in great part upon the question that i suspect most women either hear or posit at some point in their lives: What would the world be like if it was ruled by women?
Sultana's Dream attempts to answer that question in a very fantastic idealistic way. Of course, she makes it seem as if the world would be a lovely place to be. In a place where men are locked away and women are left to rule the world, there would be no war, no crime, sincere devotion to God, and scientific advancement. Right?
We know that nothing is quite that simple but we have to bear in mind Hossain's cultural and religious understanding as well as the fact that this was writtenin the early 1900s where women are not only excluded from life outside of the home, but they are also secluded in purdah and appear to have absolutely no say in social or political life. I'd say that Hossain managed in many ways to create a fissure in that barrier through her writing.
All in all, it is necessary I think, to read this short story in the context of the place and time it was written in order to achieve full enjoyment and understanding. While I found Sultana's Dream simplistic and naive I did enjoy its quaint use of language, its vision, and its descriptions of the scientific advances made by women.
Sultana's Dream attempts to answer that question in a very fantastic idealistic way. Of course, she makes it seem as if the world would be a lovely place to be. In a place where men are locked away and women are left to rule the world, there would be no war, no crime, sincere devotion to God, and scientific advancement. Right?
We know that nothing is quite that simple but we have to bear in mind Hossain's cultural and religious understanding as well as the fact that this was writtenin the early 1900s where women are not only excluded from life outside of the home, but they are also secluded in purdah and appear to have absolutely no say in social or political life. I'd say that Hossain managed in many ways to create a fissure in that barrier through her writing.
All in all, it is necessary I think, to read this short story in the context of the place and time it was written in order to achieve full enjoyment and understanding. While I found Sultana's Dream simplistic and naive I did enjoy its quaint use of language, its vision, and its descriptions of the scientific advances made by women.
January 21, 2020
This was extremely enlightening. I liked the analysis of the story and the background information provided on conditions in the Middle East and India, specifically Bangladesh and West Bengal, during the time period. Seeing the British reaction to the circumstances put things into perspective as well. I used to share that ignorant misinformed Western outlook when it came to how women were treated in South Asia. It was foolish of me to make conclusions without first considering how South Asian women felt about the situation - which is something Rokeya and other writers mentioned here did well.
I think I enjoyed reading the analysis and background information more than I actually enjoyed Sultana's Dream. I think I would have enjoyed Sultana's story more if I read it 100 years ago....and if I was alive a 100 years ago and experienced the constraints on women firsthand. I understand how revolutionary Sultana's Dream is for the time period it was published in and for that I have a lot of respect for the story and Royeka. She must have been really brave to publish such a controversial tale, make comments on the males' restrictive interpretation of the Quran and start a school for women to help them while encountering adverse feedback and criticism. I admire Royeka's courage.
I think I enjoyed reading the analysis and background information more than I actually enjoyed Sultana's Dream. I think I would have enjoyed Sultana's story more if I read it 100 years ago....and if I was alive a 100 years ago and experienced the constraints on women firsthand. I understand how revolutionary Sultana's Dream is for the time period it was published in and for that I have a lot of respect for the story and Royeka. She must have been really brave to publish such a controversial tale, make comments on the males' restrictive interpretation of the Quran and start a school for women to help them while encountering adverse feedback and criticism. I admire Royeka's courage.
September 26, 2020
یک داستان کوتاه علمی تخیلی از یک فمنیست رادیکال؛ به دست آوردن آزادی و شکوفایی زنان با حذف کامل مردان. البته داستان در اوایل قرن بیستم نوشته شده و قطعاً زنانِ بنگلادش و بیشتر مناطق جهان بسیار محدود بودند.
January 29, 2022
Intriguing early 20th century story written by a Bengali who imagines a feminist utopia in which the men are kept in purdah.
November 20, 2025
“Sultana’s Dream” is an imaginative feminist story written in 1905 by a Bengali woman, Begum Rokeya Sakhawat Hossain and that fact alone makes it extraordinary. At a time when women had almost no social freedom, Rokeya boldly imagined a world where women lead with intelligence, education, and science.
The story follows Sultana, who dreams of entering Ladyland, a peaceful and technologically advanced country ruled completely by women. Here, women run the government, create scientific inventions, use solar energy, and keep society clean and crime-free. Men, on the other hand, stay inside their homes, which cleverly reverses traditional gender roles.
Review:
The story is short, but its message is powerful, if women are given freedom and education, they can build a smarter, kinder, and more progressive world. Considering it was written in 1905, the vision feels far ahead of its time.
Personal impression:
I never watched theatre before and was never really interested in it. My class was cancelled, so I unexpectedly got the chance to watch this and I was honestly amazed.
The story follows Sultana, who dreams of entering Ladyland, a peaceful and technologically advanced country ruled completely by women. Here, women run the government, create scientific inventions, use solar energy, and keep society clean and crime-free. Men, on the other hand, stay inside their homes, which cleverly reverses traditional gender roles.
Review:
The story is short, but its message is powerful, if women are given freedom and education, they can build a smarter, kinder, and more progressive world. Considering it was written in 1905, the vision feels far ahead of its time.
Personal impression:
I never watched theatre before and was never really interested in it. My class was cancelled, so I unexpectedly got the chance to watch this and I was honestly amazed.
December 28, 2020
Do I want to live in a completely solar powered (no coal at all) country where the Queen is extremely fond of botany and their religion is one of love and truth?
Yes, yes and yes.
"We do not covet other people's land, we do not fight for a piece of diamond though it may be a thousand-fold brighter than the Koh-i-Noor, nor do we grudge a ruler his Peacock Throne. We dive deep into the ocean of knowledge and try to find out the precious gems, which nature has kept in store for us."
What a beautiful thought.
Yes, yes and yes.
"We do not covet other people's land, we do not fight for a piece of diamond though it may be a thousand-fold brighter than the Koh-i-Noor, nor do we grudge a ruler his Peacock Throne. We dive deep into the ocean of knowledge and try to find out the precious gems, which nature has kept in store for us."
What a beautiful thought.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 378 reviews