Madhur Canteen - A Familiar Name in the History of Dhaka University

Madhur Canteen of DU

Madhur Canteen remains a favorite hangout for the students of Dhaka University (DU). Students not only take meal or gossip there but also map out their careers and future activities. It seems as if Modhu da-who initiated the canteen and was killed during the war of liberation - is still living, through the veins of the students, and inspiring them towards noble causes.

Madhur Canteen or Madhu's canteen is a familiar name in the history of Dhaka University and as well as the history of national politics of Bangladesh. Mainly form the late 40's and the Madhur canteen as a place has been associated with many national movements that originated from Dhaka university.

Many renowned writers, social workers, political leaders have passed significant amount of time conglomerating together in that place. However the present look of the canteen came in 1967 when the canteen was shifted to the presently existing old structure formerly used as Durbar Hall or Conference halls of the Dhaka Nawabs.

When Madhu Sudan Dey was alive, students were in the habit of calling him 'our dear Madhu da'. Even after Madhu's death the place not only as a canteen but also as a place of gathering and happenings, remains a significant landmark in the history of the country. The present building also has important architectural and heritage value.

Over the years, the half-length statue has become almost synonymous with the canteen. It was carved out by Md. Toufiq Hosen Khan in 1995 when he was only a second year student of the department of sculpture at the Fine Arts Faculty of Dhaka University.

The history of Madhur Canteen dates back to 1921 when he at the age of 15 came to Dhaka with his father Aditya Chandra. Aditya Chandra, with the permission of the authority started selling food in the Dhaka University Campus then situated in the present Dhaka Medical College building. Later when the Arts Faculty of Dhaka University was shifted to a new building at Nilkhet Madhur Canteen was situated in the premises of the Arts Faculty and the adjacent Darbar Hall of the past Nawabs of Dhaka became the new Modur Canteen. Modhushudan De was killed by Pakistan military along with other family members in the 25th march's night massacre.

Modhushudan's surviving daughter was hospitalized in Dhaka and later in India who returned from India after the victory and started the canteen again in the present building on 16 January 1972. The building was severely damaged during the liberation war as the Pakistan forces had an intense grudge on the building being a socio-political and cultural hub for the Bangladeshi people. So the building was reconstructed after the liberation war. Till than Madhur Canteen remains a socio-culturally and politically important place for the Dhaka University students as well as the citizens of Dhaka. শিক্ষা সংক্রান্ত খবরাখবর নিয়মিত পেতে রেজিস্ট্রেশন করুন অথবা Log In করুন।

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