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==Early life and education==
==Early life and education==
He was born in the village of [[Charbaria Lamchari]], about {{convert|11|km}} from [[Barisal]] town in [[British India]], currently in Bangladesh.<ref name=":0" /> His original name was Aroj Ali, and he only acquired the name 'Matubbar' (meaning 'local landlord') later. He was born to a poor farming family. He studied for only a few months at the village [[maqtab]], however this brief dabble in institutional education centered only on the [[Quran]] and other [[Islamic|Islam]] studies.{{Citation needed|date=October 2016}} He gathered most of his knowledge on varied subjects, including science and philosophy, through his own readings and research.
He was born in the village of [[Charbaria Lamchari]], about {{convert|11|km}} from [[Barisal]] town in [[British India]], currently in Bangladesh.<ref name=":0" /> His original name was Aroj Ali; he acquired the name Matubbar (meaning "local landlord") later. He was born to a poor farming family. He studied for only a few months at the village [[maqtab]], where his studies centered on the [[Quran]] and [[Islamic studies]].{{Citation needed|date=October 2016}}


Matubbar lost his father at an early age. When he was 12 years old, his inherited property of {{convert|2|acre|m2}} of land was auctioned off because, as a minor, he was unable to pay land tax. The landless boy faced an even more critical crisis when a local usurper called him out of his ancestral homestead. Destitute, Matubbar grew up somehow on the charity of others and by working as a farm laborer. Due to his poverty, he could not attend school and had to rely on the free [[maqtab]] religious education provided by a local [[mosque]]. However he did not accept the rigid methods of learning there, and left it. A benefactor helped him finish the Bengali Primers. Matubbar continued to read extensively beyond that. To satisfy his thirst for knowledge he studied all the [[Bengali language|Bengali]] books in [[Barisal Public Library]]. Philosophy as a subject interested him most, but there were not enough books in the collection there. A teacher of philosophy at the [[B M College]], Kazi Ghulam Quadir, was impressed by his knowledge and comprehension, so he helped him borrow books from the college library. This was how his mind was shaped.
Matubbar lost his father at an early age. When he was 12 years old, his inherited property of {{convert|2|acre|m2}} of land was auctioned off because, as a minor, he was unable to pay land tax. Later, a local usurper called him out of his ancestral homestead. Matubbar survived by charity and by working as a farm laborer.
He could not afford to attend school and relied on the free maqtab religious education provided by a local [[mosque]]. He did not accept the rigid methods of learning there, and left it. A benefactor helped him finish the Bengali primers. Matubbar continued to read extensively beyond that. Philosophy as a subject interested him most. A teacher of philosophy at the [[B M College]], Kazi Ghulam Quadir helped him borrow books from the college library.


==Philosophy==
==Philosophy==
Matubbar developed a very [[progressivism|progressive]] approach and wrote against ignorance, superstition, and religious fundamentalism. He came to be considered an iconoclast for writing against established religious ideologies. For example, he questioned Islamic law of inheritance, as he failed to reconcile the suggested mode of sharing of inherited property.
Matubbar developed a very [[progressivism|progressive]] approach and wrote against ignorance, superstition, and [[religious fundamentalism]]. He came to be considered an [[Iconoclasm|iconoclast]] for writing against established religious ideologies. For example, he questioned Islamic law of inheritance, as he failed to reconcile the suggested mode of sharing of inherited property.


Aroj Ali wrote several books despite his lack of formal schooling. His writings reflect his controversial philosophy about life and the world. He also befriended a number of communist politicians and academics of Barisal town, including Professor Kazi Golam Kadir and Professor Muhammad Shamsul Haque. His books were in frequent danger of being banned by the government, since they contained certain claims that conflicted with the religious beliefs of the majority. Matubbar was arrested and taken into police custody for his book, ''Sotyer Shondhaney'' (The Quest for Truth).<ref name="The Quest for Truth">{{cite web|url=http://avijit.humanists.net/aroj_ali/quest_for_truth_1.html |title=The Quest for Truth |work=avijit.humanists.net |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100723144846/http://avijit.humanists.net/aroj_ali/quest_for_truth_1.html |archivedate=23 July 2010 }}{{self-published source|date=October 2016}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Quest For Truth - Key Questions |url=https://arojali.com/en/questfortruth/ |access-date=2022-10-02 |website=Aroj Ali Matubbar |language=en}}</ref> He was, in fact, subjected to harassment and threats throughout his life, due to his writings, as many of them challenged religious statements and claims.<ref name="The Quest for Truth" />
Aroj Ali wrote several books, which reflect his controversial philosophy about life and the world. He also befriended a number of communist politicians and academics of Barisal town, including Professor Kazi Golam Kadir and Professor Muhammad Shamsul Haque. His books were in frequent danger of being banned by the government, since they contained certain claims that conflicted with the religious beliefs of the majority. Matubbar was arrested and taken into police custody for his book, ''Sotyer Shondhaney'' (The Quest for Truth).<ref name="The Quest for Truth">{{cite web|url=http://avijit.humanists.net/aroj_ali/quest_for_truth_1.html |title=The Quest for Truth |work=avijit.humanists.net |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100723144846/http://avijit.humanists.net/aroj_ali/quest_for_truth_1.html |archivedate=23 July 2010 }}{{self-published source|date=October 2016}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Quest For Truth - Key Questions |url=https://arojali.com/en/questfortruth/ |access-date=2022-10-02 |website=Aroj Ali Matubbar |language=en}}</ref> He was harassed and threatened throughout his life, due to his writings, as many of them challenged religious statements and claims.<ref name="The Quest for Truth" />


==Career==
==Career==
Due to financial constraints, Matubbar could not pursue any academic course or attain a formal institutional degree. He lived mostly on subsistence farming. Matubbar learned surveying techniques and began his life as a private land surveyor in his locality. This enabled him to accumulate some capital, and he could then own some land to start farming.
Due to financial constraints, Matubbar could not pursue any academic course or attain a formal institutional degree. He lived mostly on subsistence farming. Matubbar learned surveying techniques and became a private land surveyor in his locality. This enabled him to accumulate some capital, and he could then own some land to start farming.


==Death==
==Death==
He died on 15 March 1985 (1st [[Chaitra]] of the [[Bengali year]] 1392 ) in [[Barisal]], Bangladesh. He donated his eyes for transplantation after his death.<ref name=":0" /> He donated his body which was received by the Anatomy Department of [[Sher-e-Bangla Medical College]] and used for dissection by the medical students. After his death in 1985, Aroj Ali Matubbar came to be regarded as one of the most prolific thinkers that rural Bangladesh ever produced, and an iconoclast who was not afraid of speaking out against entrenched beliefs and superstitions.<ref name="The Quest for Truth"/>
He died on 15 March 1985 (1st [[Chaitra]] of the [[Bengali year]] 1392) in [[Barisal]], Bangladesh. He donated his eyes for transplantation after his death.<ref name=":0" /> He donated his body which was received by the Anatomy Department of [[Sher-e-Bangla Medical College]] and used for dissection by the medical students. After his death in 1985, Aroj Ali Matubbar came to be regarded as one of the most prolific thinkers that rural Bangladesh ever produced, and an iconoclast who was not afraid of speaking out against entrenched beliefs and superstitions.<ref name="The Quest for Truth"/>


==''Satyer Sandhane''==
==Writings and publications==
Matubbar had to take great lengths in order to publish his books. He himself drew the cover of his first book, which was written in 1952 and published twenty one years later in 1973, under the title ''Satyer Sandhane''. In the preface he wrote:
Matubbar drew the cover of his first book, which was written in 1952 and published twenty one years later in 1973, under the title ''Satyer Sandhane''. In the preface he wrote:


“I was thinking of many things, my mind was full of questions, but haphazardly. I then started jotting down questions, not for writing a book, but only to remember these questions later. Those questions were driving my mind towards an endless ocean and I was gradually drifting away from the fold of religion.”
“I was thinking of many things, my mind was full of questions, but haphazardly. I then started jotting down questions, not for writing a book, but only to remember these questions later. Those questions were driving my mind towards an endless ocean and I was gradually drifting away from the fold of religion.”
Line 70: Line 72:


==Recognition and awards==
==Recognition and awards==
Matubbar was not well known to the elite educated society of the country during his lifetime. His first book, published in 1973, was heavy in secular thought, but caught little attention. It is only in the final years of life that he came to be known to the academic of the country. His writings were collected and published. The general public started to take an interest in his books, which, although clearly not ratified by formal training, posed a number of novel philosophical questions. He soon rose to renown, albeit after his death in 1985.
Matubbar was not well known to the elite educated society of the country during his lifetime. It is only in the final years of life that he came to be known to the academics of the country. His writings were collected and published. The general public started to take an interest in his books, which, although not ratified by formal training, posed a number of novel philosophical questions. He soon rose to renown after his death in 1985.
* Life Member of [[Bangla Academy]], inducted in 1985;
* Life Member of [[Bangla Academy]], inducted in 1985;
* Awarded [[Humayun Kabir| Humayun Kabir Smriti Puraskar]] (Humayun Kabir Memorial Prize) in 1978 by the [[Bangladesh Lekhak Shibir]];
* Awarded [[Humayun Kabir|Humayun Kabir Smriti Puraskar]] (Humayun Kabir Memorial Prize) in 1978 by the [[Bangladesh Lekhak Shibir]];
* Award of Honour by the [[Barisal]] branch of [[Bangladesh Udichi Shilpigoshthi]] in 1982.<ref name=":0" />
* Award of Honour by the [[Barisal]] branch of [[Bangladesh Udichi Shilpigoshthi]] in 1982.<ref name=":0" />


Revision as of 21:44, 16 October 2022

Aroj Ali Matubbar
File:Aroj Ali Matubbar by Rahat.jpg
Born(1900-12-17)17 December 1900
Charbaria Lamchari, Barisal District, Bangladesh
Died15 March 1985(1985-03-15) (aged 84)
Barisal, Bangladesh
OccupationRationalist, self-taught philosopher and apostate, and writer
SpracheBengali
NationalityBangladeshi
CitizenshipBangladesch
BildungNo formal institutional degree
GenreRationalism, Philosophy essays
Notable worksShotter Shondhaney · Sristir Rahasya
Notable awardsLife Member of Bangla Academy · Humayun Kabir Smriti Puraskar · Award of Honour by the Barisal branch of Udichi Shilpigoshti

Aroj Ali Matubbar (Bengali: আরজ আলী মাতুব্বর; 17 December 1900 – 15 March 1985) was a self-taught philosopher and rationalist from Bangladesh.[1]

Early life and education

He was born in the village of Charbaria Lamchari, about 11 kilometres (6.8 mi) from Barisal town in British India, currently in Bangladesh.[1] His original name was Aroj Ali; he acquired the name Matubbar (meaning "local landlord") later. He was born to a poor farming family. He studied for only a few months at the village maqtab, where his studies centered on the Quran and Islamic studies.[citation needed]

Matubbar lost his father at an early age. When he was 12 years old, his inherited property of 2 acres (8,100 m2) of land was auctioned off because, as a minor, he was unable to pay land tax. Later, a local usurper called him out of his ancestral homestead. Matubbar survived by charity and by working as a farm laborer.

He could not afford to attend school and relied on the free maqtab religious education provided by a local mosque. He did not accept the rigid methods of learning there, and left it. A benefactor helped him finish the Bengali primers. Matubbar continued to read extensively beyond that. Philosophy as a subject interested him most. A teacher of philosophy at the B M College, Kazi Ghulam Quadir helped him borrow books from the college library.

Philosophy

Matubbar developed a very progressive approach and wrote against ignorance, superstition, and religious fundamentalism. He came to be considered an iconoclast for writing against established religious ideologies. For example, he questioned Islamic law of inheritance, as he failed to reconcile the suggested mode of sharing of inherited property.

Aroj Ali wrote several books, which reflect his controversial philosophy about life and the world. He also befriended a number of communist politicians and academics of Barisal town, including Professor Kazi Golam Kadir and Professor Muhammad Shamsul Haque. His books were in frequent danger of being banned by the government, since they contained certain claims that conflicted with the religious beliefs of the majority. Matubbar was arrested and taken into police custody for his book, Sotyer Shondhaney (The Quest for Truth).[2][3] He was harassed and threatened throughout his life, due to his writings, as many of them challenged religious statements and claims.[2]

Career

Due to financial constraints, Matubbar could not pursue any academic course or attain a formal institutional degree. He lived mostly on subsistence farming. Matubbar learned surveying techniques and became a private land surveyor in his locality. This enabled him to accumulate some capital, and he could then own some land to start farming.

Death

He died on 15 March 1985 (1st Chaitra of the Bengali year 1392) in Barisal, Bangladesh. He donated his eyes for transplantation after his death.[1] He donated his body which was received by the Anatomy Department of Sher-e-Bangla Medical College and used for dissection by the medical students. After his death in 1985, Aroj Ali Matubbar came to be regarded as one of the most prolific thinkers that rural Bangladesh ever produced, and an iconoclast who was not afraid of speaking out against entrenched beliefs and superstitions.[2]

Satyer Sandhane

Matubbar drew the cover of his first book, which was written in 1952 and published twenty one years later in 1973, under the title Satyer Sandhane. In the preface he wrote:

“I was thinking of many things, my mind was full of questions, but haphazardly. I then started jotting down questions, not for writing a book, but only to remember these questions later. Those questions were driving my mind towards an endless ocean and I was gradually drifting away from the fold of religion.”

He made six propositions in this book, which reflected the nature of his philosophical questions. These are:

Proposition 1 : dealt with the soul, containing 8 questions
Proposition 2 : dealt with God, containing as many as 11 questions
Proposition 3 : dealt with the after-world, containing as many as 7 questions
Proposition 4 : dealt with religious matters, containing as many as 22 questions
Proposition 5 : dealt with Nature, containing as many as 10 questions
Proposition 6 : dealt with remaining matters, containing as many as 9 questions

The eight questions he posed in the first proposition exemplify his approach. These are (a) Who am I (self)?, (b) Is Life incorporeal or corporal ? (c) Is mind and his/soul one, and the same? (d) What is the relationship of life with the body and the mind? (e) Can we recognize or identify life? (f) Am I free? (g) Will the soul without body continue to have "knowledge" even after it leaves the body at death? and finally (h) How does life can come into and go out of the body?

Books

Matubbar was considered an unusual type of writer.[4] In Bangladesh, his writings were censored because they allegedly caused societal corruption and disharmony in the community.[5] Following are his writings:[6]

  • Shotter Shondhaney (The Quest for Truth) (1973)
  • Sristir Rahasya (The Mystery of Creation) (1977)
  • Anuman (Estimation) (1983)
  • Muktaman (Free Mind) (1988)

Several of his unpublished manuscripts were later published posthumously under the title of Aroj Ali Matubbar Rachanabali. Some of his writings have been translated into English and compiled in a volume published by Pathak Samabesh.[7]

Recognition and awards

Matubbar was not well known to the elite educated society of the country during his lifetime. It is only in the final years of life that he came to be known to the academics of the country. His writings were collected and published. The general public started to take an interest in his books, which, although not ratified by formal training, posed a number of novel philosophical questions. He soon rose to renown after his death in 1985.

References

  1. ^ a b c d Roy, Pradip Kumar. "Matubbar, Aroj Ali". Banglapedia. Bangladesh Asiatic Society. Retrieved 15 October 2016.
  2. ^ a b c "The Quest for Truth". avijit.humanists.net. Archived from the original on 23 July 2010.[self-published source]
  3. ^ "Quest For Truth - Key Questions". Aroj Ali Matubbar. Retrieved 2 October 2022.
  4. ^ "5 years of Mukto-Mona". Mukto Mona (in Bengali).
  5. ^ Kabir, Md Anwarul (26 November 2004). "Letters to Editor: Freedom of speech". The Daily Star.
  6. ^ "Books". Aroj Ali Matubbar. Retrieved 2 October 2022.
  7. ^ "Books". Aroj Ali Matubbar. Retrieved 2 October 2022.

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