Subverting Patriarchy: A Feminist Reading of Muslim Women in the Selected Writings of Ismat Chugtai.

Abstract Ismat Chughtai is a renowned Urdu writer and member of the Progressive Writers’ Movement. This investigation critically examines at how Muslim women are represented in her written works. Chughtai’s writings, particularly Lihaf, Terhi Lakeer, and Ziddi, are renowned for their bold approach to prohibited issues. These works of literature provide a sophisticated depiction of the roles of gender, sexual orientation, identity, and the interplay of religion and culture. The article presents the argument that Chughtai challenges patriarchal standards by depicting Muslim women as powerful and resilient individuals who oppose societal oppression through this literature. The critical engagement of Chughtai with the lived realities of Muslim women is brought out in this work, which contributes to the ongoing feminist literary discourses. Keywords: Muslim Women, Patriarchy, Gender Roles, Sexuality, Identity, Subversion.