Sultana's Dream by Roquia Sakhawat Hussain

"Sultana's Dream" (1905) by Bengali Muslim feminist Roquia Sakhawat Hussain is a groundbreaking work of feminist science fiction and utopian literature. Written in English, this short story imagines a futuristic, women-led society called Ladyland, where peace, education, and scientific innovation have flourished under the leadership of women. In this world, men are confined to the private sphere, while women manage all aspects of public life, reversing the gender roles typical of Roquia's own conservative society. Through this imaginative inversion, Hussain critiques the patriarchal norms and gender inequality prevalent in colonial India, especially among Muslim communities. Roquia uses the lens of speculative fiction to explore the power of female agency, education, and rational thinking. The narrative features solar power, advanced technology, and social harmony—all developed by women—demonstrating a vision of progress that contrasts starkly with the oppression women faced in her time. Sultana’s Dream is not only a literary achievement but also a bold feminist manifesto that continues to resonate in conversations about gender justice, Muslim women's rights, and postcolonial literature. It remains a pioneering text in the global feminist canon, illustrating how imagination can be a tool for resistance and transformation.