| Abul Kashem Fazlul Huq | |
|---|---|
| Born | 26 October 1873 Saturia, Jhalokati District, British India |
| Died | 27 April 1962 Dhaka, (the then East Pakistan) |
| Other names | Sher-e-Bangla (Tiger of Bengal) |
| Organization | Indian National Congress Muslim League Krishak Praja Party Sramik-Krishak Dal |
| Political movement | Khilafat movement Non-cooperation movement Pakistan movement Bengali Language Movement |
| Religion | Islam |
| Spouse | Khadija Begum |
| Children | A. K. Faezul Huq |
Sher-e-Bangla (Urdu phrase meaning 'The Tiger of Bengal') Abul Kashem Fazlul Huq (Bangla:আবুল কাসেম ফজলুল হক) (26 October 1873—27 April 1962)[1] was a well-known Bengali statesman in the first half of the 20th century. He held different political posts including those of the Mayor of Calcutta (1935), Chief Minister of undivided Bengal (1937–1943) and East Bengal (1954), Home Minister of Pakistan (1955) and Governor of East Pakistan (1956–58).[2]
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Huq was born to Kazi Muhammad Wajed, from Chakhar, and his wife Saidunnissa Khatun, in his mother's town of Saturia in Jhalakathi district (present day Bangladesh). He passed the Entrance examination in 1890 and the FA Examination in 1892. He then obtained a BA degree (with triple Honours in Chemistry, Mathematics and Physics) from Presidency College and an MA on Mathematics from Calcutta University.[2] His formal education was completed with a BL degree in 1897 from the University Law College. He was the second Muslim in the Indian subcontinent to obtain a law degree.[1]
After alienation from the Congress party where he served as its General Secretary in 1916-1918, it was up to the Muslims to nominate a mayor in Calcutta. It was in 1935 that, with the Congress' support, he was chosen and elected first Muslim mayor of Calcutta. Afterward he became Chief Minister (also called Premier) of undivided Bengal (1937–1943) and of East Bengal (1954) with his political party, the Krishak Praja Party. In 1955, Home Minister of Pakistan and, from 1956 to 1958, Governor of East Pakistan. He drafted and moved the Lahore Resolution of 1940 that established Muslim League's demand for a homeland for Muslims, that ultimately resulted in the nation of Pakistan.[3] He was buried in Dhaka.
Sher-e-Bangla founded several educational and technical institutions for the Bengali Muslims, including: Kolkata Islamia College, Baker hostel, Carmichael hostel, Lady Braw Bourne College, Adina Fazlul Huq College in Rajshahi, Eliot hostel, Tyler Hostel, Medical College hostel, Engineering College hostel, Muslim Institute Building, Dhaka Eden Girls' College Building, Fazlul Huq College at Chakhar, Fazlul Huq Hall (Dhaka University),Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University (SAU)Dhaka-1207, Bulbul Music Academy and Central Women’s’ College. Sher-e-Bangla also had significant contribution for founding the leading university of Bangladesh- Dhaka University. During his premiership Bangla Academy was founded and Bnagla New Year’s Day (Pohela Baishakh) was declared public holiday.[4] Throughout Bangladesh, various educational institutions (e.g. Barisal Sher-e-Bangla Medical College), roads, neighborhoods (Sher-e-Bangla Nagor), and stadiums (Sher-e-Bangla Mirpur Stadium) have been named after him. This depicts the respect of the people for Sher-e-Bangla. Fazlul Huq's only son, A. K. Faezul Huq, was a Bangladeshi politician.