Yesterdate: This day from Kolkata’s past, July 10, 1893

Educator and social activist Abdul Latif passed away on this day. He was born in Faridpur (now in Bangladesh), and came to Kolkata to study at Calcutta Madrassah. He taught in Dhaka and then worked in Sindh but came back to Kolkata to take charge of the Anglo-Arabic classes at the madrassah. He later joined government service and was posted as deputy magistrate in Satkhira (now in Bangladesh). During this time he witnessed the exploitation of Indian farmers by European indigo planters and encouraged them in their fight and contributed to bringing the matter to the attention of the British authorities. He occupied several government posts and was a fellow of Calcutta University. He was appointed Justice of the Peace after the formation of Kolkata Corporation. He founded the Mohammedan Literary Society in 1863, which was a major progressive influence on Muslim society. He was awarded the title Nawab Bahadur by the British government. The Times published from London carried a piece on him after his death.