Rank
|
Lifespan
|
Description
|
Answer
|
1
|
1920-1975
|
Founding Father and First Prime Minister of Bangladesh
|
Sheikh Mujibur Rahman
|
2
|
1861-1841
|
Famous poet, artist, and philosopher who was the first Asian Nobel Prize winner
|
Rabindranath Tagore
|
3
|
1899-1976
|
Poet and songwriter who wrote "The Rebel" and protested the British Raj
|
Kazi Nazrul Islam
|
4
|
1873-1962
|
East Pakistani leader whose pro-poor policies earned him the title "Lion of Bengal"
|
AK Fazlul Haque
|
5
|
1897-1945
|
Popular and controversial leader who lead the Indian National Army against the British
|
Subash Chandra Bose
|
6
|
1880-1932
|
Pioneering women's rights and education activist in pre-independence India
|
Begum Rokeya
|
7
|
1858-1937
|
Scientist responsible for pioneering work in botany and the development of radio
|
Jagadish Chandra Bose
|
8
|
1880-1976
|
Islamic socialist thinker who supported mass uprisings against Pakistan
|
Abdul Hamid Khan Bhashani
|
9
|
1820-1891
|
Reformer who modernized the Bengali alphabet and campaigned against child marriage
|
Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar
|
10
|
1772-1833
|
Nobleman who advocated for women's rights and banned sati (widow burning)
|
Ram Mohan Roy
|
11
|
1782-1831
|
Folk hero who resisted the British by building a bamboo fort
|
Titumir
|
12
|
1772*-1890
|
Baul poet whose mystical teachings inspired #2 and #3 on this list
|
Lalon Shah
|
13
|
1921-1992
|
Acclaimed film director of Pather Panchali and Aparajito
|
Satyajit Ray
|
14
|
1933-
|
Nobel Prize winning economist who focused on poverty, welfare, and social justice
|
Amartya Sen
|
15
|
-1952
|
Students who were killed protesting against Urdu language policies
|
Language Movement Martyrs
|
16
|
1885-1969
|
Polyglot fluent in 24 languages who extensively researched Bengali
|
Muhammad Shahidullah
|
17
|
1863-1902
|
Philosopher who introduced Hinduism to America at the Chicago World's Fair
|
Swami Vivekananda
|
18
|
982*-1054*
|
Buddhist philosopher who became a religious teacher in Sumatra and Tibet
|
Atisa Dipamkara
|
19
|
1936-1981
|
Bangladeshi military leader who became President and pursued free market reforms
|
Ziaur Rahman
|
20
|
1892-1963
|
Pakistani Prime Minister who supported Bengali autonomy and mentored #1
|
Huseyn Shaheed Suhrawardy
|