A young Muslim woman, Muhammadi Begum, arrived on English shores from the princely state of Hyderabad in the early 1930s. Her sharp intellect had won her a scholarship to attend Oxford University, making her one of just a few Indian Muslim women to receive such an opportunity. A keen observer of the social scene and aware of new ideas regarding communism, fascism, and socialism, she joined the conversation on politics because the movement for freedom had already gained momentum in one of the colonies of the British Empire, namely India. Translated from Urdu into English, A Long Way from Hyderabad is a day-to-day account kept by Muhammadi Begum during her time in Oxford. It was a voyage of discovery for the diarist, whose efforts were encouraged by a far-sighted mother and a supportive husband. She describes these experiences here in vivid detail. Full of curiosity, there are new people to meet and changes to accept, such as the birth of her child or balancing household duties with academic work. Indeed, she is not short of opinion. Whether discussing Gandhian philosophy with fellow academics, reciting Iqbal's verses, or quizzing her tutor about women's participation in the Oxford Union, Muhammadi Begum is at ease in her new surroundings and welcomes discourse.