Acharya Dr. Dineshchandra Sen was a brilliant star in the realm of Bengali language and literature. He was a renowned educator, researcher, historian, and folklorist. His contribution to the history of Bengali literature and the study of folk literature is unparalleled. In 1921, the Government of India honored him with the title of ‘Rai Bahadur’.
Birth and Family:
Dr. Sen was born on November 3, 1866, in Bogajuri village of Manikganj district. His ancestral home was in Suapur village of Dhaka district. His father, Ishwarchandra Sen, was a lawyer at the Manikganj court, and his mother, Rupalata Devi, was a scholarly and education-loving woman.
Educational Life:
Dr. Dineshchandra Sen began his education at Jagannath School, from where he passed his Entrance examination in 1882. He later completed his FA from Dhaka College in 1885 and his BA in 1889. Even during his student life, he developed a deep interest in literature and history.
Career and Research:
Dr. Sen started his career in 1887 as a teacher at Hobiganj School in Sylhet. He later served as the headmaster of Shambhunath Institution (1889) in Comilla and Victoria School (1890). During this time, he traveled to rural Bengal to collect ancient manuscripts. Based on these materials, he published his famous book Bengali Language and Literature in 1896, which became a milestone in the writing of Bengali literary history.
Pinnacle of Literary Practice:
In 1911, he published his world-renowned work History of Bengali Literature, which established his reputation internationally. In 1913, the University of Calcutta awarded him the Ramatanu Lahiri Research Fellowship. Under this fellowship, he edited the priceless texts Mymensingh Gitika and Eastern Bengal Gitika.
Dr. Dineshchandra Sen was later honored with several prestigious awards:
1921: D.Litt. from the University of Calcutta
1931: Jagattarini Gold Medal
In 1926, the University of Calcutta published his edited version of Mymensingh Gitika. His monumental work Brihatbangla became an invaluable contribution to the study of Bengali history.
Death:
On November 20, 1939, this great soul passed away in Behala, Kolkata. His research, literary work, and perseverance continue to shine like a beacon in the field of Bengali literature.
Author: Editor and Publisher, Khaborwala.