Dhaka (Bangladesh)

Famous 'Dhakaiya' include:

  • Sheikh Mujibur Rahman

    (17 Mar 1920 - 15 Aug 1975)

    1st President and 2nd Prime Minister of independent Bangladesh. Leader of Awami League. Popularly referred to as 'Bangabandhu' (Friend of Bengal) and 'Jathir Jonok/Pitha' (Father of Nation). Participated in 1952 Bhasha Andolon. Gave the historic 'Ebarer sangram muktir sangram, ebarer sangram swadhinatar sangram' 7 March 1971 speech in Ramna Racecourse (now Suhrawardy Udyan) to inspire a nation to fight for their right. Imprisoned in (West) Pakistani jail for nine-and-half month during Mukhtijuddho. First Constitution of Bangladesh formulated under his leadership. Won Bangladesh's first general election. Creator of the controversial BAKSAL one-party ruling system. Assassinated along with most of his family by rebel officers on 15 August 1975 at family home in Dhanmondi, Dhaka. Daughter Hasina has become PM of Bangladesh on many occassions. Born and buried in Tangail, Dhaka bibhag.

  • Maulana Abdul Hamid Khan Bhashani

    (12 Dec 1880 - 17 Nov 1976)

    Eminent political leader and founder of Awami League (AL) and National Awami Party (NAP).

  • Tajuddin Ahmad

    (23 July 1925 - 3 Nov 1975)

    First Prime Minister of Bangladesh.

  • Fazlur Rahman Khan

    (3 Apr 1929 – 27 Mar 1982)

    Bangladeshi-American structural engineer and architect. Considered the Father of tubular designs for high-rises. Designed Willis Tower – the 2nd tallest building in the United States (and tallest in the world for many years) - John Hancock Centre (a 100-story tall building), and Hajj Terminal of King Abdulaziz International Airport, Saudi Arabia.

  • Golam Azam

    (Born 7 Nov 1922)

    Ameer of Jamaat-e-Islami Bangladesh until 2000. Bhasha Shoinik (Language Activist) during 1952 Bhasha Andolon. Found guilty in 2013 for alleged war crimes during 1971 Muktijuddho.

  • Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury

    (Born 6 Oct 1966)

    First female Speaker of Jatiyo Sangshad (National Parliament). Commenced April 2013, and at 46 years of age, she is the youngest to assume the office.

  • Shamsur Rahman

    (23 Oct 1929 - 17 Aug 2006)

    Bengali poet, columnist and journalist. Unofficial poet laureate of Bangladesh. Wrote more than 60 books of poetry.

  • Shahidul Alam

    (Born 1955)

    Renowned photographer. Founder of Drik picture library (1989), Pathshala: South Asian Institute of Photography (1998) and a director of Chobi Mela, the festival of photography in Asia.

  • A. A. M. S. Arefin Siddique

    (Born 26 Oct 1953)

    Vice Chancellor of Dhaka University since 15 January 2009. Former professor of Department of Mass Communication and Journalism at DU.

  • Abdul Malek Chunnu

    (1958 - 9 May 2013)

    Legendary hockey player, national coach and national award winning sportsperson.

  • Siddiqua Kabir

    (7 May 1931 - 31 Jan 2012)

    Bengali nutritionist, academic, cookbook author and cooking show television host. Famously starred in Siddiqua Kabir's Recipe on NTV Bangla.