Lesson 1/44 min
How Dhaka University was founded
In 1905 Bengal was partitioned and a new province, East Bengal and Assam, was formed. When the partition was annulled in 1911, the Muslims of East Bengal were unhappy. To satisfy them, Viceroy Lord Hardinge came to Dhaka in 1912 and announced a university.
Steps to the founding
| When | What happened |
|---|---|
| 1912 | Lord Hardinge announces a university at Dhaka |
| 27 May 1912 | Nathan Commission formed; head Barrister Robert Nathan, 13 members |
| 1917 | Nawab Ali Chowdhury urges the government to pass the bill quickly; the Sadler Commission (head Michael Sadler; member P. J. Hartog) is formed |
| 13 March 1920 | The Dhaka University Act is passed |
| 1920 | P. J. Hartog is appointed the first Vice-Chancellor |
| 1 July 1921 | Formal start; Dhaka University Day |
Watch out: Khandokar's text names ‘Lord Curzon’ as the viceroy. According to historical sources and Zubair's exam answer, the viceroy who played the role was Lord Hardinge (in office in 1912).
Watch out: Many books give the Nathan Commission 14 members. Zubair's correction box says there were 13, of whom 4 were Muslims.
The Nathan Commission
- Member: Nawab Ali Chowdhury; Rabindranath Tagore declined the membership he was offered
- The First World War delayed the founding before the Act was passed (Zubair)
Dhaka University at its start
- 3 faculties: Arts, Science and Law
- 60 teachers; 877 students (876 male, 1 female)
- 3 halls, all of 1921: Salimullah Muslim Hall, Jagannath Hall and Dhaka Hall (now Shahidullah Hall)
- Land donated by Nawab Ali Chowdhury and Nawab Salimullah
- After Dr. Muhammad Shahidullah died in 1969, Dhaka Hall was renamed Shahidullah Hall (Zubair)
Opposition to the founding
- A group of educated people in Calcutta opposed it, among them Sir Ashutosh Mukherjee, Surendranath Banerjee and Dr. Rashbehari Ghosh
- The viceroy was sent memoranda 18 times, and Dhaka University was mockingly called the ‘Mecca University’
Did you know?: Rabindranath Tagore visited Dhaka University once, in 1926 (7 February). He came to Dhaka twice: 1898 and 1926. In 1936 he was absent through illness, and the honorary D.Litt was given at a special convocation. Zubair calls the idea that he visited the university twice a mistake.
Check yourself
Which viceroy announced the university in Dhaka, and in which year?
At a glance
- 1
In 1912 Lord Hardinge announced a university at Dhaka; the Nathan Commission was formed on 27 May 1912.
- 2
The Nathan Commission was headed by Barrister Robert Nathan; 13 members (4 Muslims).
- 3
The Dhaka University Act was passed on 13 March 1920; the university started on 1 July 1921.
- 4
At the start: 3 faculties (Arts, Science, Law), 60 teachers, 877 students and 3 halls.
- 5
Land was donated by Nawab Ali Chowdhury and Nawab Salimullah.
- 6
Tagore visited the university once, in 1926.