Mir Mosharraf Hossain (Bengali: মীর মশাররফ হোসেন;(1847–1912) was a Bengali language novelist, playwright and essayist in 19th century Bengal. He is principally known for his famous novel Bishad Sindhu. He is considered as the first novelist to emerge from the Muslim society of Bengal.
Early life
Mir Mosharraf Hossain was born in the village of Lahinipara in Kumarkhali under Kushtia District. But most of the time of his life spent in Padamdi in Baliakandi PS
under
district Rajbari. His widely accepted date of birth is 13 November
1847.But some researchers also claim his date of birth is 26 October 1847.He was born to Mir Moazzem Hossain, a Muslim aristocrat and Daulatunnesa.
Mosharraf Hossain learned Arabic and Persian with a teacher at home
and then Bangla at a pathshala. He began his formal education at Kushtia
School and then studied up to Class V at Krishnanagar Collegiate
School. He was admitted to Kalighat School in Kolkata but could not
complete his studies. Mosharraf Hossain began his career looking after
his father’s landed property. Later he served the Faridpur Nawab Estate
and, in 1885, the Delduar Estate. He lived in Kolkata from 1903 to 1909.
Personal life
In 1865 he married Aziz-un-Nesa. His second wife was Bibi Kulsum married in 1874.He died on 19 december 1912 in Padamdi.
Career
While still a student, Mosharraf Hossain worked as a mofussil reporter for the Sangbad Prabhakar (1831) and Grambarta Prakashika (1863). His literary career started here.
Literary career
Mir Mosarraf Hossain's magnum opus is Bishad Shindhu, depicting the tale of Martyrdom of Hassan and Husayn in Karbala. He was one of the first Muslim writers to emerge from colonial British India. His other works include Jamidar Darpan (Reflections on Zamindars,
a play on the plight of common people under the zamindars (landlords
installed by the British colonial rulers) and their struggle against
them.
His literary works were included in the curriculum of school level, secondary, higher secondary and graduation level Bengali Literature in Bangladesh.
Novel
- Ratnawati (1869)
- Bishad Shindhu (1885–1890)
Poetry
- Gorai Bridge or Gouri Setu (1873)
Play
- Jamidar Darpan (1873)
- Bosontokumari Natok (1873)
Essay
- Gojibon
Autobiographical
- Amar Jiboni (autobiography)
- Bibi Kulsum
Others
- Gazi Miar Bostani
- Bajimat
- Bibi Khodejar Bibaho
- Hazrart Umarer Dharmo Jibon Labh
- Musolmaner Bangla Shikhya-1
- Musolmaner Bangla Shikhya-2
