Maniruzzaman, Talukder
Maniruzzaman, Talukder (1938-2019) eminent political scientist, noted author, National Professor. He was born on 1 July 1938 at village Tarakandi in Sirajganj district. His father’s name was Md. Abdul Majid Talukder and his mother was Fatematujjohora. Amongst 5 brothers and 2 sisters, his position was second. In his educational life, he was a brilliant student. In 1953, Talukder Maniruzzaman passed the Matriculation examination from Sirajganj HE School securing 6th position in First Division, while in 1956, he passed Intermediate from Jagannath College, Dhaka, this time securing 1st position in First Division.In both examinations, he obtained first grade merit scholarships. Thereafter he got himself admitted into Dhaka University in the Department of Political Science where from he obtained BA (Honours) degree in 1959, securing 1st position in First Class and Masters degree in 1960 with 2nd position in Second Class. Then he proceeded to Canada for higher study. In 1963, he obtained Ph.D. degree in Political Science from Queen’s University, Canada under the supervision of Professor Khalid Bin Sayeed, a distinguished political scientist widely known as KB Sayeed among the academics.
On his return from Canada with higher degree, Talukder Maniruzzaman joined the Department of Political Science, University of Rajshahi, as a Seniour Lecturer. He was upgraded to the post of Associate Professor (Reader) in 1968, while serving as the Head of the same Department during 1968-1974. He became Professor in 1974. In the same year, he was appointed Professor of Political Science, University of Dhaka. He was the Chairman of the Department during 1975-1978. He retired from Dhaka University in 2006 and in the same year, he was made National Professor by the Government.
For higher studies and research, he received many prestigious awards and fellowships, which included Nuffield Fellowship (1978-1979) in London University, Australian National University Fellowship (1981), Woodrow Wilson Center Fellowship (1983-1984), USA, and Japan Foundation Fellowship (1995-1996).
The political scientist Talukder Maniruzzaman had many books and articles published at home and abroad. His books included The Politics of Development: The Case of Pakistan, (Dhaka, 1971); The Bangladesh Revolution and Its Aftermath, (Dhaka, 1980); Group Interests and Political Changes: Studies of Pakistan and Bangladesh, (Delhi, 1982); The Security of the Small States in the Third World, (Australia); Military Withdrawal from Power: A Comparative Study, (USA 1982), etc. He contributed a number of articles in internationally reputed journals such as Pacific Affairs, The Journal of Conflict Resolution, The Journal of Political Science Review, The Journal of Commonwealth and Comparative Studies, Asian Survey, The Journal of Asian Studies, The Journal of Developing Areas, Public Administration, American Political Science Review, etc. He had also contributions to Encyclopedia of Government and Politics (London) and Cambridge Encyclopedia of India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan and Maldives.
Razia Akhter Banu, Professor of Political Science, University of Dhaka was his wife. She had her PhD degree from London University. While she died in 2011, Talukder Maniruzzaman survived some more years. He passed away on 29 December 2019. The couple left behind two sons and one daughter. [Harun-or-Rashid]
