Abul Kalam Mohammed Zakaria ( – 24 February 2016) was a Bangladeshi scholar and archaeologist. He was awarded

Ekushey Padak Ekushey Padak ( bn, একুশে পদক; lit. "Twentyfirst Award") is the second highest civilian award in Bangladesh, introduced in memory of the martyrs of the Bengali Language Movement of 1952. The award is given to recognize contribut ...

in 2015 and

Bangla Academy Literary Award The Bangla Academy Literary Award ( bn, বাংলা একাডেমি সাহিত্য পুরস্কার; ''Bangla Academy Shahitya Puroshkar''), is given by the Bangla Academy of Bangladesh in recognition of creative genius i ...

in 2005 by the

Government of Bangladesh The Government of the People's Republic of Bangladesh ( bn, গণপ্রজাতন্ত্রী বাংলাদেশ সরকার — ) is the central executive government of Bangladesh. The government was constituted by the Con ...

for his contribution to research.

Education and career

Zakaria earned his bachelor's in English literature from the

University of Dhaka The University of Dhaka (also known as Dhaka University, or DU) is a public research university located in Dhaka, Bangladesh. It is the oldest university in Bangladesh. The university opened its doors to students on July 1st 1921. Currently i ...

. In 1946, he started his career as a teacher at Azizul Haq College in

Bogra Bogra ( bn, বগুড়া), officially known as Bogura, is a major city located in Bogra District, Rajshahi Division, Bangladesh. The city is a major commercial hub in Northern Bangladesh. It is the second largest city in Rajshahi Divi ...

. Later, he joined the civil service. In 1968, Zakaria helped to discover a site containing Sintakote Vihar of the 5th century in

Dinajpur Dinajpur ( bn, দিনাজপুর ) is a city and the District headquarters of Dinajpur district situated in Rangpur Division, Bangladesh. It was founded in 1786. It is located 413 km north-west of Dhaka in Bangladesh. It is bounde ...

. Zakira retired from the position of Secretary of the Ministry of Culture and Sports in 1976.

Works

Zakaria edited the following books. * Gupi Chandrer Sonyas * Gazi Kalu O Champabati * Bangladesher Nreetotya * Comilla Zelar Itihash * Tabaqat-i Nasiri

Awards

(2015) *

(2005) * Asiatic Society Man of the Year Gold Medal * ROOTS Lifetime Achievement Award 2009

References

1910s births 2016 deaths People from Brahmanbaria district University of Dhaka alumni Bangladeshi archaeologists Recipients of the Ekushey Padak Recipients of Bangla Academy Award {{Bangladesh-bio-stub