Muhammad Shahidullah

Muhammad Shahidullah Biography

Muhammad Shahidullah was a prominent educationist, linguist and researcher on Bengali language, who lived during 10 July 1885 – 13 July 1969. He was ranked number 16 in BBC's poll of the Greatest Bengali of all time, when a list was made in 2004. He was a historian and researcher who authored many books related to Bengali literature and history. Bangla Adab Ki Tarikh, Bangla Sahityer Itihas, Bangala Bhasar Itibrtta, Bangla Sahityer Katha etc are among his non-fiction works related to the History of Bangla Literature. He was the first Indian Muslim to receive doctorate degree. He was awarded Chevalier De L'Ordre des Arts et des Lettres by the French government in 1967, and Independence Award by Government of Bangladesh posthumously. His tomb is now situated in the campus of University of Dhaka.

Muhammad Shahidullah was born on 10 July 1885 in Peyara village, 24 Parganas, Bengal Presidency of British India. His father, Mafizuddin Ahmed, was a warden of a shrine. Shahidullah passed his FA exam from Presidency College in Kolkata in 1906. He completed Master of Arts in 1912 in comparative philology from the University of Calcutta, and also completed earned his PhD degree from Sorbonne University in 1928. He conducted research on the dialects of the Charyapada, to become the first Muslim from India to receive doctorate degree.

After completing his FA exam from Presidency College in Kolkata in 1906, he started his profession as a school teacher in 1908 in Jessore Zila School. He later served as headmaster of Sitakunda High School in 1914 for a brief period before he started practising law the following year. He had a brief stint in politics and worked as a lecturer at University of Dhaka, where he conducted his research works. His children - Muhammad Takiullah and Murtaja Baseer became prominent figures in Bangladesh later.

Published: September 29, 2018

Updated: September 29, 2018