Welcome to Chittagong University Museum

Formal Establishment and Development

The museum’s formal inception occurred in 1973, under the vice-chancellorship of Professor Abul Fazal. At this time, Mr. Shamsul Hussain submitted a proposal for the museum’s establishment to Dr. Abdul Karim, who subsequently advanced it to the university authorities. Following endorsements from the Finance Committee and the Syndicate, the Chittagong University Museum (CUM) was officially inaugurated on June 14, 1973. Initially, it housed a foundational collection of 30 artifacts in a modest space on the first floor of the Arts Faculty building, now known as Abdul Karim Bhaban.

Over the following decades, the museum expanded through various contributions. In 1976, Dhaka Museum intercepted nearly two dozen stone sculptures en route for illegal export through Chittagong Port; these were later allocated to Chittagong University, marking a significant expansion of the museum’s collection. Additional sculptures were donated by the Varendra Research Museum in 1979, further enriching CUM’s holdings. Although the exact origins of these pieces remain somewhat ambiguous, most are believed to have originated in northern Bangladesh ( Haque & Gail, Sculpture in Bangladesh, International Centre for the Study of Bengal Art, 2008, p. 288).

Evolution of Location

Initially housed within the university’s Arts Faculty building, the museum was subsequently relocated multiple times, including to the Zilla Shilpakala Academy on M.M. Ali Road in Chittagong and third floor of the then Central Library building on the university campus in 1988. CUM ultimately settled in its current premises in 1992.

Collections and Academic Objectives

The Chittagong University Museum holds a diverse collection of cultural artifacts, including coins, medals, sculptures, terracotta, woodwork, porcelain, jewelry, textiles, and folk art. It also safeguards a corpus of rare manuscripts and documents. The museum library, known as the Abdul Karim Sahityavisharad (1871-1953) Reference Library, holds an extensive collection of approximately 8,000 entries including archival materials. This library serves as a valuable resource for scholars, particularly those engaged in research on museology, as well as history and culture of Bangladesh. It is a significant repository for academic inquiry, offering a comprehensive array of materials that support the advancement of knowledge in these fields.

Among the museum’s most notable holdings are its 159 Islamic manuscripts, which are classified as follows: 40 in Arabic, 3 in Bengali, 111 in Persian, and 5 in Urdu. This collection includes eight complete, illuminated Qurans, and various works of religious and historical significance. Highlights include Naqsh-i-Sulaymani by Shaykh Abd al-Wasih in his handwriting, Bustan-i-Sadi (dated 1161 Maghi), Iyar-i-Danish (dated 1148 AH), and Maqasid by Shah Wali Allah Dihlavi (dated 1148 AH/1264 Maghi). Additionally, the collection features a Persian manuscript on the therapeutic properties of Quranic verses commissioned by Tipu Sultan, as well as Jadhb al-Qulub ila Diyar al-Mahbub by Shaykh Abd al-Haqq Muhaddith-i Dihlavi. Notable manuscripts such as Tafsir-i Muhammadiya (Ampara), Taj al-Muluk wa Bakawali in Urdu, and a Bengali manuscript on Imam Ali, Hasan, and Husayn further reflect the museum’s scholarly value ( Roper, World Survey of Islamic Manuscripts, Vol. 1, Al-Furqan Islamic Heritage Foundation, 1992, p. 60).

Philosophical Foundation and Legacy

According to historian and National Professor Alamgir Muhammad Serajuddin, a university museum’s purpose is to “stimulate interest in, and encourage understanding and appreciation of, our history, archaeology, and art, and advance learning by providing materials and facilities for research” (AM Serajuddin, Art and the Vintage, 1998, Preface). CUM operates with these guiding principles, contributing to the preservation and advancement of Bangladeshi cultural and historical heritage. As the first research museum founded under a university in Bangladesh, CUM not only serves as an educational resource but also stands as a testament to Chittagong University’s commitment to intellectual pursuit and preservation of our cultural heritage.

September 2024

Dr. Mohammad Zahidur Rahman

Professor, Department of History, University of Chittagong

                and
Director, Chittagong University Museum