University of Dhaka

The University of Dhaka (ঢাকা বিশ্ববিদ্যালয়), also known as Dhaka University or simply DU, is the oldest university in modern Bangladesh. Established during the British Raj in 1921, it gained a reputation as the “Oxford of the East” during its early years and has been a significant contributor to the modern history of Bangladesh. After the partition of India, it became the focal point of progressive and democratic movements in Pakistan. Its students and teachers played a central role in the rise of Bengali nationalism and the independence of Bangladesh.

The university’s distinguished alumni include Satyendra Nath Bose (pioneer of Bose–Einstein statistics), Fazlur Rahman Khan (pioneer of modern structural engineering), Muhammad Yunus (winner of the 2006 Nobel Peace Prize), Vijayaraghavan (co-discoverer of the PV number), Rehman Sobhan (social democratic economist), Buddhadeb Bose (20th century Bengali poet) and Sheikh Mujibur Rahman (the founding father of Bangladesh). It also enjoyed associations with Kazi Nazrul Islam, Rabindranath Tagore and Faiz Ahmed Faiz.

Before Dhaka University was established, near its grounds were the former buildings of Dhaka College. But in 1873 the university was relocated to Bahadur Shah Park. Later it shifted to Curzon Hall, which would later become the first institute of the University of Dhaka.

The establishment of the university was a compensation of the annulment of the 1905 Partition of Bengal. The partition had established East Bengal and Assam as a separate province, with Dhaka as its capital. However, the partition was abolished in 1911.

In 1913, public opinion was invited before the university scheme was given its final shape. The secretary of state approved it in December 1913. The first vice-chancellor of the university, Dr. Philip Joseph Hartog, formerly academic registrar of the University of London for 17 years was appointed.

During the opening of the University, Joseph Hartog made this speech in honour of the university:
“A man may be an excellent teacher of elementary subjects without the power to add to knowledge. But in advanced work I maintain that no one can really teach well unless he has the combination of imagination with critical power which leads to the original production (of knowledge), and for that if for no other reason, a university to be a true university must see that its teachers are men who are also capable of advancing knowledge.”

Established in 1921 under the Dacca University Act 1920 of the Indian Legislative Council, it is modelled after British universities. Academic activities started on July 1, 1921 with 3 Faculties: Arts, Science and Law; 12 Departments: Sanskrit and Bengali, English, Education, History, Arabic and Islamic Studies, Persian and Urdu, Philosophy, Economics and Politics, Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, and Law; 3 Dormitories for students: Salimullah Muslim Hall, Dacca Hall and Jagannath Hall.

The university later played a significant role in the Bengali Language Movement, when Bengalis joined together to fight against Urdu being the official language in East Pakistan. Dhaka University was the main place where the movement started with the students joining together and protesting against the Pakistan government. Later countless students were massacred in where the Shaheed Minar stands today. After the incident, Bengali was restored as official language.

Type: School / College / University

Contributed By: Nayeem

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University of Dhaka