The New Nation - Internet Edition

Tayeb Husain

This write-up I write after reading an article on Salimullah Muslim Hall (S. M. Hall) by Mr. Siddique Mahmudur Rahman (Dec. 14, 2004).

I was a resident at S. M. Hall while I was a studying at Dhaka University. Like many other fellow boarders those were the sweet days of my life and I met at S. M. Hall many good friends whom I revere and always fondly remember while leaving at a distant land. I must thank Mr. Rahman for writing about my old abode in Dhaka and also reminding us that the year 2007 is also the 75th founding anniversary of S. M. Hall.

Students of S. M. Hall occupied a very special place in the hearts of the Muslim community of Bengal and especially of the then East Bengal. It was very much so until 1947. They were the forerunner of the freedom struggle of Bengali Muslim population at first and then the independence struggle of Bangladesh. Unfortunately, for lack of space and time I suppose, Mr. Rahman did not cover the full story of Dhaka University and the circumstances that led to the establishment of this great institution. In this write-up I wish to share the story of Dhaka University that I learnt and my days at S. M. Hall with the readers.

In January 1899 Lord Curzon was appointed Viceroy of India and went back to England after resigning the post on 18th Nov. 1905. He had two objectives in mind when he accepted the post; to teach the "Calcutta Babus" a good lesson and to make sure that the "Indian Congress Party is laid to rest for good" before his tenure was finished. Curzon, a top imperialist, had great contempt for Bengali Babus. The Bengali Babus, according to Curzon, "think as if they are a nation in themselves and dream of building a great nation in India with one of the Babus occupying the Viceroy's palace in Calcutta" after throwing the British out of the country. By "burying the Congress Party for good", Curzon thought, the British colonial rule in India for the future would be fully ensured and firmly cemented.

"Burying Congress" he had no time to try and we need not discuss it here. However, 'teaching the Bengali Babus a good lesson", he thought, would be simple. Thus, he initiated and convinced the Secretary of India to divide Bengal and got it as he wished (ref. government's a circulation from Simla on 7th July 1905 in this regard). The partition of Bengal was as such that the "Calcutta Babus" became minority even in their own territory whereas East Bengal became an absolute Muslim majority area. The government's explanation for this partition was "Better administration" but in reality it was a poly to bringing the majority Muslim population to their side. Divide and rule nobody knew better than the Brits. Hindu community were furious at this partition and considered it a serious blow to unity and solidarity of Bengali people. They waged a country-wise great uproar and almost a war against this partition. Some people of the Muslim community also joined the Hindus in this opposition. In short, it became a joint struggle to annul the partition which ultimately turned into a real anti-British activity by the Bengali Hindus. The result was not only the end of the great partition but also the beginning of a serious movement for the emancipation of India from the British rule. However, that is again another story.

The British manipulated the initial Hindu-Muslim opposition and then successfully got the East Bengali Muslims in their side through negotiation with Nawab Salimullah and other Muslims leaders by explaining to them the benefits and opportunities such a partition would bring to them in a Muslim majority province and Dhaka as its capital. The Muslims now saw a golden opportunity and whole heartedly supported the partition but alas, it did not last long. The British were forced to annul the partition under strong Hindu country-wide serious agitation and forced the British to re-united Bengal again by 1912. This action, however, was a great disappointment to Muslim community. To please them and to regain their confidence and also for gaining their support to the British side, the government now came forward to establishing a university at Dhaka. This university proposal was even in the British plan when Dhaka was made the capital of Assam and East Bengal. A report in this regard was also presented to the government considering favourably the necessity of setting up a university at Dhaka. But it could not be implemented as the partition of Bengal was annulated and all discussions in this regard were also temporarily suspended. The British now, to cool-down the Muslim displeasure for annulling the partition, came forward to establish the university at Dhaka. Lord Harding himself came to Dhaka in Jan 1912, received a strong delegation of high ranking Muslim leaders including Nawab Salimullah, Nawab Nawab Ali Chowdhury and A.K. Fazlul Huq and assured them that a university would be established in Dhaka as a compensation for the sad annulment of the partition. Lord Harding also told the delegation that education was the true salvation of the Muslims and that the government would recommend to the Secretary of State for constituting such a university. But the Hindu community of Bengal did not like it, strongly opposed the idea and they protested strongly against setting-up a university at Dhaka. Their reason was a vague and tantamount to nonsense when they expressed the view that establishment of a university at Dhaka would be once again dividing Bengali people culturally instead of politically. The Hindu leaders shamelessly declared that setting up a university at Dhaka would do harm to Calcutta University. They started serious propaganda all over the country and most interestingly, the highly intellectual Hindus in Calcutta took it as a case belli and wanted to stop it at any excuse. Sir Ashutosh Mukerjee, the Vice-Chancellor of Calcutta University and the most prominent leader of the Hindu community was the actual man behind all these activities but he remained in the background as a bogyman and continued leading the campaign against setting-up the university at Dhaka. Some say Rabindranath was also against establishing a university at Dhaka. Lord Harding knew about it all and particularly he was fully aware of Ashutosh's role and hidden leadership. One day he called Ashutosh and wanted to come to an understanding with him so that he would withdrew his opposition and let the government setup the university at Dhaka. He warned Ashutosh and firmly said that the government would establish the university anyway but he wished to keep a good relationship with him and his cooperation he would highly appreciate to avoid development of any bitterness with him or with the Hindu community at large. He also proposed and promised some carrot to Ashutosh so that he withdrew his opposition. "Please tell me and I want to know what would make you stop opposing the university plan at Dhaka", Lord Harding blindly but firmly and clearly told him. Ashutosh had no genuine reason and thus kept mum for a while and realising that the university would be established with or without Hindu support and they could do nothing about it. Nevertheless he used Lord Harding's generosity and took this opportunity to get something for Calcutta University as a trump card for withdrawing his opposition against setting up a university at Dhaka. Thus, he said, "Please create 4 professor posts for Calcutta University and please promise that the Indian government shall bear all expenses for them at all times". Lord Handing without any hesitation said, "Done, and please never oppose setting up of Dhaka University, okay?" Lord Harding kept his word, 4 professor posts were given to Calcutta University at central government's cost and since then there was no open opposition from Ashutosh or any other Hindu Leader against Dhaka. However, Hindus in general and even Hindus of Dhaka town had scornful eyes towards Dhaka University and used to call it contemptuously 'Mecca University'.

Dhaka University was established under the "Dacca University Act 1920" of the Indian Legislative Council and opened its doors to academic activities on 1 July 1921 with 3 faculties, 12 teaching departments, 60 teachers, 847 students and 3 residential halls. Due to Hindu opposition, again, it had to be a residential university and unlike Calcutta University there would be no college under its jurisdictions and no authority on education beyond 10 miles radius of Dhaka town. There would be no teaching of intermediate classes in this new university and the curriculum of this new university would be B.A., B.Sc., M.A., M.Sc. and Law only. The two colleges at Dhaka, Dhaka College and Jagannath College, would have intermediate teaching facilities and to administer it a separate administrative Board would be established. The same Educational Board would also administer the Madrasa and other Islamic institution.

The Governor General of India appointed Dr. P. J. Hartog as the first Vice-Chancellor of Dhaka University for a term of 5 years beginning Dec 01, 1920. He was Academic Registrar of London University and assumed Vice-Chancellor's office at Dhaka on Dec 10, 1920. He installed an excellent administration, framed brilliant rules and regulations and appointed highly qualified teachers for the new born university. With central government's approval the salary of a professor he fixed 1000-1800 rupees and for a Reader 600-1200 rupees. The glanderous houses that were built for the European top officials of newly annulated Assam and Bengal government at panoramic Ramna Green were given to the university by the central government now became residences for the professors and other university officials. No other university in India had such high salary for teachers or such cosy and pompous houses. But again invisible hand of a Hindu fanatic stood on the way and put a break on all these facilities of the university. As per Indian new administrative act 1919, Dhaka University immediately came under the authority of the Bengal government from the central administration. The education minister of Bengal in those days was one Probash Chandra Mitra. He had a very hostile attitude towards Dhaka University and made-up his mind, like other Hindus, to ground the university by cutting its wings. He announced that the government of Bengal would make yearly grant for the university rupees five hundred thousand only. Needless to say, the salary of the teachers of Dhaka University which were fixed and approved by the central government of India was not possible now to pay with that amount. Dr. Hartog appealed to the central government but of no fruitful result because education was now a matter of Bengal government and the central government could do nothing about it. Apart from that, Indian government made a fund, as soon as the proposal for establishment of Dhaka University came, by contributing yearly a sum of five hundred thousand rupees which became total fifty-five thousand by 1921. Indian government transferred that amount to Bengal government and when Dr. Hartog demanded that sum Mitra refused and said that the amount would be considered as payment for the houses and buildings of Assam and East Bengal government that the university was occupying now. Dr. Hartog had no way to finance the high salaries that was fixed for the teachers but to reduce it making a professor's salary to 1000 rupees only and other teachers' salary according to that proportion. Mitra's action and hostile attitude towards Dhaka University was not an isolated case. Almost all Hindus were against Dhaka University including the Hindu Members of Bengal legislative council and discussion of this council sometimes took communal colour. Dr. R. C. Majumder, a former Vice-Chancellor of Dhaka University and a renowned historian gave two examples in his book "History of Bengal" about these ugly debates in the Bengal Legislative Council. Late A. K. Fazlul Haq, one of the most non-communal member of that council, was furious at when Hindu Council members opposed Dhaka University grant in the budget and thundered, "I think that Dhaka University has been an eyesore of the Pundits (of Calcutta) the day Lord Harding declared about the establishment of this long awaited and much desired institution. I do not like to say much but only want to warn our friends from West Bengal, be careful, please do not put objection whenever we propose any monetary grant to Dhaka University. If you continue doing so, communal harmony will be disturbed and smooth running of the administration would be severely in jeopardy. I do not speak here on behalf of the Muslims of East Bengal only, I appeal to you on behalf of the general mass of East Bengal, please do not raise objection to the budget amount that has been allocated to Dhaka University".

Another Muslim member of the Council, Khaza Muhammad Azam from Nawab family of Dhaka said in the same Council debate,

"The most of earning of our government comes from East Bengal but major portion of it is spent in welfare and development of West Bengal. We raised no objection but I do not understand why the people of West Bengal so vehemently oppose and refuse to sanction the insignificant few hundred thousand rupees that were proposed and given to Dhaka University long time ago but were not used. I fail to understand again why the people of Calcutta University are so hostile to Dhaka University".

Dr. Majumder concluded, citing these incidences of Dhaka University as examples which ultimately let to Bengali Muslims' reasons for fighting for and supporting Pakistan.

Dhaka University had an excellent setup from the very beginning. There made a few councils for smoothly running the activities of Dhaka University. Like Calcutta University Senate Dhaka University had Court and Executive Council. In these Councils equal representation of Hindus and Muslims were maintained. Apart from that Dhaka University had Academic Council and Board of Studies.

Dhaka University was a fully residential university. All students had to reside at 3 hostels available in those days and they were called 'Halls' according to some English University tradition. However, some local students or anyone who preferred staying outside could do so but was obliged to be attached to any of those halls. The normal classes were like any other university but most important at Dhaka University were the 'tutorial' classes where 4/5 students used to be in a class room with one teacher. In the tutorial classes a student would write a paper on a topic given in advance and in the tutorial class the topic would be discussed and defended or get it corrected if there were any mistake. The objective was not only to learn the subject well but to learn how to write, present and defend a view. These tutorial classes were also a way to learn the art of be comradeship, studying together and have close contact with your fellow students and most importantly with the teacher. Apart from that, every teacher used to be attached to a hall and his duty was to look after the overall educational, social, cultural and other extra-curricular progress and problem of each and every student. They had to meet the teacher at least once in a month. Every hall had a 'Provost' and under him two 'House Tutors' to look after the affairs of the hall. The provost was like the CEO of the hall, generally a senior teacher and a professor at the university, and the 'House Tutors' were mostly junior teachers. Provost had his office within the hall but lived outside whereas 'House Tutors' lived mostly at a flat within the hall. Each hall had a 'Student Union' and the activities of the 'Union' was to organize games, drama, debate, literary discussion, social works and bring out a yearly magazine of the hall. All the posts of the Students' Union were elected by the students and the posts of Vice-President (VP) and the General Secretary were very important and contested seriously. President of the 'Students' Union' by tradition was reserved for the neutral 'Provost' at all times. Yearly magazine of the hall contained articles, poems, essays etc of the students and attached teachers of the hall. The yearly drama was a very interesting occasion where both students and teachers used to act. Soon there was a separate hall for the female students also and all like a male hall.

There used to be a yearly meeting of the old students of each hall where they acquainted themselves with the new, exchange ideas and mingle with old friends to remember the reminisces of their old days. The annual meeting used to be concluded with a grand feast.

Dhaka University established a great tradition of teaching and research almost equal or better in same ways to the oldest University of Asia, the Calcutta University. Many of the teachers and students of Dhaka University became world famous for their research and academic excellence. Three teachers of Dhaka University were elected 'Fellow of the British Royal Society" and no other university of India had such honour. However, one point we need to remember here. Even though the "Mecca University" was established for the Muslims of East Bengal, there were only 30% students of this university were Muslims and except Dr. Shahidulla and Dr. Motahar Hossain, most of the teachers were Hindus along with some non-Bengali Muslim teachers. I recognize that it is meanness to say so considering the great contribution the Hindu teachers made in making Dhaka University one of the very best universities of undivided India. The tradition continued until 1947 and after the division of India, most of the Hindu teachers left the University and with it the standard took a down-hill direction. The university experienced a real set back when in 1962 Monen Khan became Chancellor and M. O. Ghani was appointed Vice-Chancellor replacing Lt. Gen. Azam Khan and Dr. Mahmud Husain. These two Bengali gentlemen introduced very strong partisan politics in the university and admitted the maximum numbers of Muslim League supporting students (NSF) ignoring justice and fair play and some of these students became professional "rascals" and their jobs used to be creating reign of terror in the campus to subdue the student groups belonging to other parties. The writer, a non-political student residing at S. M. Hall vividly remembers even today how NSF goons ran in the campus with batons and knives beating up and humiliating the other students who dared to oppose their views or criticize them. We had a tradition respecting senior students as elder brothers and they took care of us as junior brothers. The respect shown and kindness offered were mutual. NSF goons implanted by Monen Khan and M. O. Ghani destroyed that tradition completely. After the creation of Bangladesh, student politics became worse and with it the educational standard and the social culture of the campus further deteriorated. That is a great pity and it seems the glory of this premier university of undivided India is lost.

I became a student at Dhaka University in July 1961 as a resident student at S. M. Hall. I studied Bengali and got my B.A. (Honours) in 1964 and M.A. in 1965. The system and administrative structure of the university until then was almost the same. I had the great privilege of being taught and learning many things from Prof. Abdul Hye, Prof. Ahmad Sharif, and Prof. Anisuzzaman, Prof. Rafiqul Islam, Prof. Munir Chowdhury and Prof. Moffazal Haider Chowdhury. They were great teachers and I remember with great reverence all of them who have already crossed the bar and those who are still alive. In my subsidiary subjects Prof. Ghiasuddin (History) and Prof. Noor Mohammad (Pol. Sc.) were my favourite teachers. In Sweden I have studied Business Administration and Economics at Lund University and learnt something that made me a little better equipped for making a living but in Dhaka I earned a little humanity, if any, I have in me.

I enjoyed every moment of my life at S. M. Hall. I had many friends including some seniors and a few juniors. Mr. Shafi Sami, Mr. Azizur Rahman, Group Captain Alamgir and many other my senior students at S. M. Hall always treated me as a younger brother and I benefited much from their company. I was living at Western wing and I got Mr. Bhuia, Mr. Emran Miah and Prof. Rashiuzzaman as my house tutors. All of them I respectfully remember. Mr. Bhuia and Mr. Emran Miah passed away long time ago and with Prof. Rashiduzzaman is living in USA now. I still have very close contact with him. I passed many evenings at his residence and I found a home in Dhaka where the professor became my elder brother and Mina Bhabi a very kind, affectionate and a wonderful hospitable sister. Prof. Rashiduzzaman's residence was for me an abode where kindness, help and hospitality were always in abundance and readily available. Names of my provosts at S. M. Hall I do not remember now so well. First one was from the dept. of Economics and the 2nd one was a professor of chemistry by name Dr. Mafiz Uddin Ahmed I suppose. I had no political interest then or now even though I always have my strong political views on everything. I never failed to vote in any election where I was supposed to cast a vote. Many of my hall mates in my batch such as Huzzatul Islam Latifee, Ismail Hossain, Abdul Mujeed Chowdhury, Akbar Ali Khan, Maj. Gen. Seraj and late Harun-ur-Rashid I fondly remember and except Akbar Ali and late Harun-ur-Rashid I met now and then all these friends whenever I visited Dhaka since 1966. I left Dhaka on 28th Feb 1996 without knowing that the departure was for good and would never return in Bangladesh to live once again. In my last visit in Feb this year I had the opportunity to drop for a while at S. M. Hall. I was sorry to see the terrible condition of the garden inside, gone were the tennis courts and living conditions in the rooms I found crowded and indeed very bad. The magnificent building needs renovation and proper care.

(Mr. Siddique Mahmudur Rahman has already written all about other aspects of S. M. Hall and I have no other information to add to it. Hope some day someone with better knowledge would write more and in full detail about our Alma Mater and our favourite S. M. Hall. And I finish my write-up thanking Mr. Rahman once again as he rightly deserve it writing on the subject that actually encouraged me to pen the story as I knew.)