Greatest Bengali of all time, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman's political wisdom and lifelong struggle gave birth to Bangladesh in the world. In short, his life is a history. From birth to death, each part of his life teaches us lessons. However, we all are well aware of his political and personal life. But how many of us know about Sheikh Mujib’s childhood? This legend of Bangladesh was born on March 17, 1920. Let’s explore all the details of Father of the nation Sheikh Mujib’s early age.

Birth and Early Life

Sheikh Mujib was born on March 17, 1920, in an aristocratic Muslim family in Tungipara, Gopalganj. His father Sheikh Lutfar Rahman was the Serestadar of Gopalganj Sessions Court (Clarke of the court) and his mother's name was Saira Khatun. Mujib was the third child in a family of four daughters and two sons. His parents affectionately called him ‘Khoka’.

Sheikh Mujibur Rahman's life was spontaneous in the green environment of Tungipara. He was the leader of the group while swimming with the village boys in Madhumati, playing ha-du-du, football, and volleyball.

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Education

In 1927, when Mujib was 7 years old, he was admitted to the local Gimabhanga Primary School. The founder of this school was Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman's youngest grandfather Sheikh Abdur Rashid. Bangabandhu studied up to third class in this school. Later, he was admitted to Gopalganj Public School in 1929 at the age of nine and studied there till 1934. Less than a year and a half later, Mujib contracted beriberi. This disease causes a Glaucoma in his eyes. Due to this, he could not continue his schooling for four years from 1934.

Start Wearing Glasses

Sheikh Lutfar Rahman took Mujib to Calcutta for eye treatment. Kolkata's famous T. Ahmed performed surgery on Sheikh Mujibur Rahman's two eyes and advised him to wear glasses. From then on Bangabandhu started wearing glasses.

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Resuming the Education

In 1937, Mujib resumed his studies. This time he was not admitted to the old school as his classmates have left him behind. His father admitted him to Gopalganj Mission School. Father Lutfar Rahman also returned to Gopalganj. At that time Kazi Abdul Hamid Master Saheb was hired as a tutor to teach Mujib. Further, his father also built a separate house for the teacher. The house in Gopalganj was built by Mujib's father. Mujib passed matriculation from Gopalganj Missionary School.

Restless and Kind

Mujib has been very energetic since his childhood. His honesty and humane attitude towards poor people are revealed in his adolescence. Sheikh Mujib had a keen interest in sports from his childhood. Even he played against his father’s team in a football match. These stories have come up again and again in his ‘The Unfinished Memories’ autobiography.

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A sub-divisional administrator AZ Khan once organized a football match in Gopalganj town and in this game, several competitions were held between Mujib’s father's team and Mujib’s team. In the final game, Mujib's father's team AZ Khan Shield won the final. Mujib was only 14 years old then.

Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was a member of the All India Muslim Students Federation while studying at the Mission School in Gopalganj. Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was brave from his childhood. Mujib’s home tutor Kazi Abdul Hamid formed a Muslim service society in Gopalganj, through which he helped poor boys. And Mujib actively helped to collect funds.

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Being a Leader 

Sheikh Mujib had all the characteristics of being a leader. For example, when Mujib was a Gopalganj Mission School student, Chief Minister of undivided Bengal Sher-e-Bangla AK Fazlul Haque visited the school and Mujib thought of telling the Chief Minister to repair the school hostel’s roof. However, no one told the minister about that, and Mujib along with his friends came forward to discuss the issue. Mujib expressed their demands. After the incident, Sher-e-Bangla AK Fazlul Haque sanctioned money for repairing the roof of the school's hostel.

Final Words

In 1971, Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was the hope of faith and trust of the freedom-loving people of Bangladesh. Bangabandhu was inspired by his father's ideals from his childhood. Bangabandhu always respected and obeyed his father's ideology and inspiration. The father also supported his son's struggle and patriotism. Those examples can be seen countless times in the writings of Bangabandhu.

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