Dr. Ahmad Sharif shone as a brilliant and rebellious star in the realms of Bengali language, literature, and intellectual inquiry. Renowned for his profound research on medieval Bengali literature, society, and culture, he earned respect both at home and abroad. Distinguished by his rationalism, fearless honesty, and unwavering intellectual integrity, he embodied the ideal of a scholar committed to truth—a true ascetic of knowledge.
Born on 13 February 1921 in Chittagong, Dr. Sharif grew up amidst the treasures of scholarship. His uncle, the eminent scholar Abdul Karim Sahityabisarad, had amassed a vast collection of manuscripts, rare books, and periodicals. From an early age, Sharif developed an intimate connection with heritage, history, and literature, absorbing their depth and complexity.
He completed his IA in 1940 and BA in 1942 at Chittagong College before enrolling in the Bengali Department at Dhaka University. There, under the guidance of his beloved mentors Mohitlal Majumdar and Ganeshcharan Basu, he cultivated a research-oriented and analytical mind, laying the foundation for his lifelong engagement with critical scholarship.
Although he initially joined the Anti-Corruption Department, his moral convictions led him to resign in 1945 in protest against widespread malpractice. He then briefly taught at Nawab Faizunnesa College in Comilla, Feni College, and served at Radio Pakistan. His uncompromising and defiant spirit, however, repeatedly brought him into confrontation with injustice.
In December 1950, Dr. Sharif joined Dhaka University as a research assistant. He was entrusted with the preservation of 597 invaluable manuscripts donated by Abdul Karim Sahityabisarad. Beyond mere custodianship, he interpreted these texts, offering fresh perspectives on medieval Bengali literature. Over a distinguished 34-year academic career, he became a formidable and inspiring professor. Students recall his lectures as storm-like—overflowing with words, logic, and historical breadth. Humayun Azad described him as a whirlwind of intellect who carried his students far beyond textbooks into the vast terrain of civilisation and history.
His seminal work, Bengali and Bengali Literature (Vol. I, 1978; Vol. II, 1983), remains a landmark in the analysis of early and medieval Bengali literature, blending logical precision, historical insight, and impartial commentary.
After retiring in 1984, he joined Chittagong University as the Nazrul Professor, continuing his mission as a teacher, researcher, and essayist. Above all, he symbolised free thought, firmly opposing religious fanaticism, superstition, and intellectual subservience.
Dr. Sharif passed away on 24 February 1999, yet his ideas, reasoning, and courageous voice continue to resonate. He reminded us that standing for truth is the foremost duty of every intellectual.
Key Milestones of Dr. Ahmad Sharif
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 1921 | Born in Chittagong |
| 1940 | Completed IA at Chittagong College |
| 1942 | Completed BA at Chittagong College |
| 1945 | Resigned from Anti-Corruption Department |
| 1950 | Joined Dhaka University as Research Assistant |
| 1978 | Published Bengali and Bengali Literature Vol. I |
| 1983 | Published Vol. II of the work |
| 1984 | Joined Chittagong University as Nazrul Professor |
| 1999 | Passed away on 24 February |
Dr. Ahmad Sharif’s life stands as a testament to courage, intellect, and an unwavering commitment to truth, inspiring generations of scholars and thinkers.