Historian Akshay Kumar Maitreya was born on this day. After studying law in Rajshahi (now in Bangladesh), he began his practice as a lawyer there, but is remembered most for his historical writing that attempted to free such writing from colonial bias.
He wrote a series of remarkable monographs, including on Siraj-ud-Daula and Mir Qasim. He used primary source materials such as documents and archaeological evidence in search of accuracy in history writing.
In Gaudalekhamala, he presented the Bengali translation of Pala copperplates and inscriptions. He had challenged the prevalent British version of the “Black Hole tragedy” at a Calcutta Historical Society meeting. Maitreya had established the journal Aitihasik Chitra to encourage discussions about history. He was a contemporary and an associate of Rabindranath Tagore.
He was among the founders of Varendra Research Society, which led to the establishment of Rajshahi Museum. He supported several other literary and cultural platforms. He was part of the production of many Sanskrit plays and a good cricketer.
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