What is the history of the University of Dhaka?

Established in 1921, the University of Dhaka is the oldest active public research university in Bangladesh. It has played a central role in the modern history of the country, serving as a focal point for progressive movements and Bengali nationalism. Modelled after British universities, it was founded under the Dacca University Act of 1920 and has grown to be the largest public research university in the nation, maintaining historical ties with affiliated institutions like Notre Dame College.

What we know

• The University of Dhaka was established in 1921 under the Dacca University Act 1920 of the Indian Legislative Council, utilizing land partially from the estate of Nawab Bahadur Sir Khwaja Salimullah. [1, 2]
• It is the oldest active university and the largest public research university in Bangladesh, featuring a large student body and faculty. [1, 2]
• Students and teachers from the university played a crucial role in the rise of Bengali nationalism and the independence of Bangladesh in 1971. [2]
• Notable alumni include Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus and the country's founding president, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. [2]

Where to go next

• whoWho are the notable alumni of Dhaka University?
• the bigger pictureWhat is the history of higher education institutions in Dhaka?
• what caused itHow did the Partition of India affect Dhaka?
• how we knowWhat role did Dhaka University play in the 1971 independence movement?
• compared withHow does the University of Dhaka compare to DUET in engineering studies?
• an unexpected connectionHow does a Catholic college in Dhaka connect to Dhaka University?Notre Dame College was previously affiliated with the University of Dhaka starting in 1950 before later gaining affiliation with the National University.

Sources

• [1]University of Dhaka (Wikidata Q1480421) · CC0 1.0
• [2]University of Dhaka · CC BY-SA 4.0
• [3]Dhaka University of Engineering & Technology, Gazipur · CC BY-SA 4.0
• [4]Notre Dame College, Dhaka · CC BY-SA 4.0
• [5]Islamic University of Technology · CC BY-SA 4.0