Ahmed, Sheikh Reazuddin

Ahmed, Sheikh Reazuddin (1882-1972) litterateur and social worker. He was born in the village of Dalgram in Kaliganj, lalmonirhat (greater rangpur), son of Sheikh Jainullah and Ful Bibi. He initially studied at home, learning Arabic and Persian from Maulana Abdul Latif. He subsequently studied at Kakina Mahimaranjan Primary School and RANGPUR ZILA SCHOOL. He sat for the Matriculation Examination, but because of his illness he could not appear in all the papers.

In 1910 he started teaching at Tushbhander Middle English School. In 1918 he became a Marriage Registrar. He also devoted himself to social work at about this time. He became a Chairman of the Union Board for 12 years and a Member of the Local Board for 6 years. He established many educational institutions, charitable dispensaries etc. He was a trained lathi player as well.

He became famous for one book: A'rab J'a't'i'r Itih'a's (The History of the Arab Nation, 1913), published originally in three volumes. It was subsequently republished by bangla academy in 1964 in one volume. His other books include Mahatma Sir Syed, J'i'b Haty'a' O Korban'i (Animal Sacrifice), Isl'a'm Prach'a'rer Itih'a's (The History of the Preaching of Islam). He died on 25 June in 1972. [Badiuzzaman] [Badiuzzaman former Deputy Director, Bangla Academy, Dhaka]