Among the few individuals who illuminated the path of Bangladesh’s scientific pursuits and educational history, the name of Dr. Qudrat-e-Khuda stands out above all. Not only was he an eminent chemist, but he was also the architect of educational policy, a pioneer in the dissemination of science, and a tireless dreamer for his homeland. Through his efforts, the foundations of modern science education were firmly established in post-independence Bangladesh; he authored an education policy that extended beyond textbooks and set the country on a path toward self-reliance.
Qudrat-e-Khuda was born on May 8, 1900, in the village of Margram, Birbhum district, West Bengal. His family environment was deeply cultured. His father, Khondkar Ali Ahmad, was an influential and education-loving figure in the local community; his mother, Meherunnisa, nurtured in him from childhood an irresistible attraction to learning. Venturing beyond the confines of the local primary school, he enrolled in the nearby high school. From an early age, his passion for mathematics and science drew the attention of everyone around him.
After completing his higher education with honors in Chemistry at the University of Calcutta, he traveled to the University of London in England to pursue a PhD. There he conducted research in colloid chemistry—a highly advanced field at the time. His research earned international recognition, and his published papers brought him to the height of fame as a scientist. But he did not confine himself solely to the laboratory; the urge to serve his country drew him back once more to his motherland.
Upon returning home, he began teaching at various educational institutions in British India and later Pakistan. After the Partition in 1947, the lack of scientific education in East Bengal deeply troubled him. He realized that true progress for a country is impossible without fostering a scientific mindset among ordinary people. Therefore, he started writing textbooks and actively promoting science. As a pioneer in authoring scientific books in Bengali, Qudrat-e-Khuda wrote several popular science books. His straightforward, engaging, yet precise scientific explanations made his books beloved by both students and teachers.
After the independence of Bangladesh, the National Education Commission was formed to develop an education policy, with him at the helm. The ‘Qudrat-e-Khuda Education Commission Report,’ published in 1974, outlined the framework of modern education in Bangladesh. In this report, he emphasized the cultivation of technology and science, the expansion of primary education, the advancement of women’s education, and technical training adapted to local realities. The seeds of today’s expansive educational and scientific landscape in Bangladesh were sown in this historic report.
His contributions were not confined to policymaking alone. To popularize science, he regularly wrote columns in daily newspapers and delivered talks on radio and television. His efforts to present science in simple language to rural children and youth laid the foundation for science education in Bangladesh—a foundation that continues to this day. Dr. Qudrat-e-Khuda believed that science was not simply complex equations in a laboratory; rather, it was a tool for transforming the lives of farmers and laborers.
He passed away in Dhaka on November 3, 1977. With his death, Bangladesh lost a beloved scientist, a visionary policymaker, and a humble teacher. The path he established continues to shine as a guiding light for us all.
Much like the poetry of Sukanta Bhattacharya, the life of Qudrat-e-Khuda is a call to constant awakening. He proved that a scientist’s duty is not limited to the lab; it is also to transform society and inspire generations with the light of education. His name will forever be inscribed in gold on every page of Bangladesh’s educational and scientific movements.
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