A.K. Fazlul Huq

Abul Kasem Fazlul Huq was a prominent Pakistani statesman, lawyer and politician who served as the first prime minister of Bengal during the British Raj. He is recognized as one of the Founding Fathers of Pakistan because he presented the Lahore Resolution. Known popularly as Sher-e-Bangla, he held numerous high offices throughout his extensive political career.

Early life and education

Huq was born on 26 October 1873 at the Mia Bari of Saturia in the Backergunge District. He belonged to a Bengali Muslim family of Qadis from Bilbilash in Bauphal, Patuakhali. His father, Qazi Muhammad Wajid, worked as a lawyer at the Barisal Bar. His grandfather, Qazi Akram Ali, served in the Barisal Court and was a scholar of both Arabic and Persian languages.

The subject received his initial schooling at home from Shamsul Ulama Khan Bahadur Hedayet Hossain and Allamah Abdur Rahman Kashgari. He later attended the Barisal Zilla School and passed the FA Examination in 1890. After moving to Calcutta for higher studies, he sat for his bachelor's degree exam in 1894. He achieved triple honours in physics, chemistry and mathematics from Presidency College. In 1896, he obtained a master's degree in mathematics from the University of Calcutta. He completed his legal education by earning a Bachelor in Law from the University Law College in 1897.

Career

Huq worked as the assistant registrar of co-operatives from 1908 to 1912. He eventually resigned from public service to pursue law and politics. Following advice from Sir Ashutosh Mukherjee, he joined the bar council of the Calcutta High Court. He maintained a legal practice in the Calcutta High Court for 40 years.

His political journey began when he became secretary of the Bengal Provincial Muslim League in 1913. He was elected to the Bengal Legislative Council from the Dacca Division that same year. In 1916, Huq was elected president of the All-India Muslim League. He held the unique distinction of serving as the president of the League and the general secretary of the Indian National Congress concurrently in 1919. During this period, he also served on a committee investigating the Amritsar massacre.

Huq served as the education minister of Bengal for six months in 1923. He founded the All Bengal Tenants Association in 1929 to support rural interests. Following the 1937 elections, his Krishak Praja Party won 35 seats in the Bengal Legislative Assembly. He formed a coalition with the Bengal Provincial Muslim League and became the first prime minister of Bengal. During his premiership, he used administrative measures to reduce the debt of millions of farmers. He also pushed for land reform to curb the influence of zamindars.

In 1940, he presented the Lahore Resolution which called for a sovereign state in the Muslim-majority eastern and northwestern parts of British India. He joined the Viceroy of India's Defence Council during the Second World War. After resigning from his post as premier in March 1943, he continued his service in the post-partition era. He served as the advocate general of East Bengal from 1947 to 1952. His later roles included serving as chief minister of East Bengal in 1954, home minister of Pakistan from 1955 to 1956 and Governor of East Pakistan from 1956 to 1958.

Personal life

Huq was known for his English oratory when speaking to the Bengali legislature. He actively courted the votes of rural communities and the Bengali middle classes. He chose to boycott any titles or knighthoods granted by the British government. His son, A. K. Faezul Huq, also became a politician in Bangladesh.

He died in Dacca, East Pakistan on 27 April 1962. He is buried in the Mausoleum of Three Leaders.

Awards and recognition

The statesman is popularly known by the title Sher-e-Bangla. Sher-e-Bangla Nagar, which serves as the location for the National Parliament, is named in his honour.