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Abstract

The Zebiniso Girls' Boarding School in Tashkent was one of the first educational institutions for orphaned girls in Uzbekistan. It was founded on the principles of harmonious and comprehensive development for the new generation of girls.Unique for its time, the school provided more than just standard tuition-it offered singing and dance lessons, taught musical instruments, poetry writing, painting, and even sewing and embroidery techniques.Physical education was also a mandatory part of the curriculum.Organizing such a "new method" (usul-i jadid) school for girls was no easy feat, especially given the socio-political climate of the time.Religious radicalism was rising alongside a vibrant reform movement.The Kadimists favored preserving traditional lifestyles and religious practices, resisting the Jadid movement's efforts to modernize Islamic education and society.This period was particularly challenging for young women in Central Asia, as religious fanatics strongly defended their views.Attending such a progressive school could expose girls to risk.

Interestingly, some of the girls who attended Zebiniso were from families persecuted by the Soviet authorities. These children, due to their "undesirable" social origins, would normally have been excluded from educational opportunities under the Soviet regime.One of the teachers at the Zebiniso school was Zarifa Saidnosirova (1908-1986), a future prominent Uzbek chemist, and the female artist. She was the daughter of the Jadid Saidnosir Mirjalilov, who was executed by the Soviets. In order to protect herself, Zarifa hid her origins and changed her surname.It is clear that the founders of Zebiniso School were aware of Zarifa's heritage, and her presence at the school was an act of their tremendous courage.

Another notable graduate of Zebiniso was Sharifa Abdullaeva (1914–1989). Her father, Abdulla-xon, and uncle, Muhammad-xon, were financial backers of the Jadid periodical Sadoi Turkiston (1914-17). This journal played a crucial role in intellectual circles, gathering leading Jadid figures such as Munawwar Qari, Abdulla Awloni, Ḥamza Ḥakimzoda Niozi, and Abdulhamid Cholpon. Abdulla-xon was tortured by the Soviet Cheka to death.Another student who attended the Zebiniso School was Sora Eshontoʻrayeva (1911–1998), a future People's Artist of the USSR. Sora began her acting career in the school’s drama club, led by Abdurauf Fitrat. Later, upon Fitrat’s recommendation, Cholpon sent her to study in Moscow.

The Zebiniso School nurtured an entire generation of prominent female figures in education, science, culture, and the arts. Zebiniso Maktabi was a beacon of progressive thought for women, leaving an indelible mark on the national educational and cultural landscape of Post-Jadid Uzbekistan.