Syed Abdus Sultan (Bengali: সৈয়দ আব্দুস সুলতান; 1917 − 11 December 1991) was a Bangladeshi politician, lawyer, orator and author. He was a member of the 3rd National Assembly of Pakistan, and former High Commissioner of Bangladesh to the United Kingdom (1972−1976) and Libya.[1]

Syed Abdus Sultan
সৈয়দ আব্দুস সুলতান
Born1917
DiedDecember 11, 1991(1991-12-11) (aged 73–74)
Alma materUniversity of Dacca
Ripon College, Calcutta
Political partyPakistan Muslim League (1962−1970)
Awami League (from 1970)

Early life edit

Sultan was born in 1917 to a Bengali Muslim family of Syeds in the village of Rauha in Sherpur, Mymensingh district, Bengal Presidency.[2] He received his Bachelor of Arts from Ripon College, Calcutta in 1936 and Bachelor of Law from University of Dacca in 1938. He also holds a Master of Arts degree.[3]

Political career edit

He began his career as a cooperative officer for eleven years. He joined the Mymensingh District Court in 1945.[3] Sultan was elected to the Mymensingh-V constituency for the 3rd National Assembly of Pakistan in 1962.[4] He was renowned for his informative and logical speeches as the deputy Leader of the Opposition, representing the Muslim League.[5] He became a judge at the Dacca High Court in 1956.[6] In 1969, he was elected as a member of the Pakistan Bar Council and served there for three years.[3]

He joined the Awami League in 1970, and was elected to the Mymensingh Sadar constituency at the December elections of the same year. During the Bangladesh Liberation War, he represented the Provisional Government of Bangladesh at the United Nations and travelled to the United States, United Kingdom and Canada to garner support. He thanked Indian politician Swaran Singh for speaking on behalf of the Bangladeshi cause at the United Nations.[5] Sultan served as the first High Commissioner of Bangladesh to the United Kingdom following its independence.[7] On 22 July 1975, he was appointed the Ambassador of Bangladesh to Libya.[8]

Literary career edit

Sultan has written several works in Bengali such as:[6]

  • Sabuzer Kahini, novel (1951)
  • Taruner Jinnah, biography (1948)
  • Chhotader Bangabandhu, biography
  • Juge Juge Maanush
  • Maniraag
  • Ibne Sina, biography
  • Videshi Chhota Galpa
  • Panchanadeer Palimaati, travel diary
  • Smritichaaran, memoirs
  • Byatikramer Ek Adhyaay, political

Death edit

Sultan died in Dhaka, on 11 December 1991.[9]

References edit

  1. ^ Assembly, Pakistan National (1965). Debates: Official Report. Manager of Publications. p. 69.
  2. ^ Islami Bishwakosh (in Bengali). Vol. 16. Islamic Foundation Bangladesh. p. 160.
  3. ^ a b c মুক্তিযুদ্ধ কোষ (in Bengali). Vol. 1. p. 583.
  4. ^ "LIST OF MEMBERS OF THE 3RD NATIONAL ASSEMBLY OF PAKISTAN FROM 1962-1964" (PDF). na.gov.pk. Retrieved 6 April 2021.
  5. ^ a b Abu Sayeed Chowdhury. প্রবাসে মুক্তিযুদ্ধের দিনগুলি [Days of the liberation war from abroad] (in Bengali). University Press. pp. 171–177.
  6. ^ a b Bhattacharya, Hangsha Narayan (1987). বঙ্গসাহিত্যাভিধান [Literary dictionary of Bengal] (in Bengali). Vol. 3. Pharma Keelaema. p. 373.
  7. ^ "Successful operation on Bangabandhu". The Daily Star. 30 July 2020. Retrieved 6 April 2021.
  8. ^ Translations on South and East Asia. Joint Publications Research Service. p. 3.
  9. ^ Tofayell, Z. A. (1991). বাঙ্ময় বাঙ্গালি (in Bengali). Panchgaon Publishers. p. 36.