Sultana Zaman was born on 2 September, 1935 in Natore, East Bengal, British India (now in Bangladesh). Her father's name was Syed Abdur Razzaq, Zaminder of The Ruxini State of Natore and mother's name was Rahima Khatun. Her birth name was Syeda Hosne Ara Sharifa Begum. She married Kazi Mesbahuzzaman (popularly known as Q.M.