Religious practices make people more pure and honest. In such cases, there were many international scholars and translators all over the world. Over the last few decades, they embraced the words, meanings, and practices of Islam. Not only that, nowadays some international people has also embraced Islam in music compositions, publishing poems, making films, etc. The Al-Quran is the main source of Islam acceptance and is written in Arabic. For those who need help understanding the Arabic meanings, translations are gathered for them with simple meanings. Regarding the Bengali language, the number of Quran translations was scarce.It was very complicated for Bengali Muslims to read the Holy Quran with meanings. The complication was removed when a famous translator was recognized and he is none but Girish Chandra Sen.
After Aminuddin Basunia’s incomplete work and Muhammad Noymuddin’s translations, Girish Chandra Sen made the first complete Quranic translation in 1886. He was symbolized as the first scholar and Quran translator of Bengal. The interesting fact was, that he was a non-Muslim but gave an amazing performance in Quran translation which created a big history.
His respect for the Islamic religion gave him a big credit as a famous first Bengali scholar. Islamic Scholars also praised him in different Islamic countries including Saudi Arabia, Qatar, UAE, and Iran. His first translation book was ‘Quran Shareef” which had distinct features that were different and unique from other contributions. Besides Arabic translation, he introduced Brahminism and provided the best guidelines. We all know Shakespeare and guess what? Girish Chandra Sen has also translated his ( Shakespear) books into Bengali.
This talented scholar started his journey by publishing his first work named “Brahhmmoyi Choritro” in 1869. After success, his second work was a story translation from person poet Sheikh Saadi named ” Gulistān” which was published in 1871 in Dhaka. After that, his records of book translations started to get more famous. Girish Chandra Sen started to write in Arabic translations after his Bengali works. His famous successful Bengali works are “Dhormo Bondhu” ( 1876), ” Tattvaratnamala ” ( 1907) and many more. His Al-Quran work named “Hadith-East Division” was published in 1892.
Early Life and Background
Girish Chandra Sen was born in 1835 to a Baidya family. He was a very meritorious student since childhood and completed his studies at Pogose School in Dhaka. In 1869, Girish Chandra was selected to study in Islam. He went to Lucknow in 1876 to study Islam. For his huge works for the Islamic religion, he was titled “Maulvi Bhai”.For Girish Chandra Sen, Persian and Sanskrit language was his so-called “soulmate”.Under the guidance of Keshav Chandra, he took the vows around traveling to India ( North India and South India). Not only, besides translating works, Girish Chandra Sen worked as an editor in Dhaka Prakash at Bangabandhu and Sulabh Sumachar.
Girish Chandra Sen gained his huge respect for the greatest improvements. He wrote almost 42 books in Bengal. Under the Hadith-Purba Bibhag, he almost published his Bangla translation works in 1892. Girish Chandra Sen has taught us about the power and wisdom of books and literature. He never failed to charm the Bengali editions with Arabic translations. His writings about Muslim personalities including Prophet Muhammad’s (Sm) lifestyle, spread a huge respect for the Islamic religion.
The ‘Maulvi Bhai’ was always had with all his missionaries. His best missionary work for Bengali translations provided the best historical work. In 1808, Aminuddin Basunia first attempted the Quranic translation, but it was incomplete. After that, Girish Chandra Sen completed it.
Contributions
Islamic Contributions
As we have told you earlier, Girish Chandra Sen has made an important contributions to Islam, for which he was known as ” Maulvi Bhai”.After becoming a fair translator, he started translating the Qu’ran. It is said that he gradually completed his translation works in 12 volumes. The first volume of Qu’ran was published on 12th December 1881 after two volumes of ‘Tapasmala’.For Girish Chandra Sen, his contributions to Islam were a little bit risky, and guess why? At that time, it was a very rare case that a non-Muslim was publishing Muslim books and the reaction of Muslim people was a highlighting topic. That’s why, he never revealed his name while publishing the books and it was contained with the printer’s name ( Tariencharan Biswas). But unfortunately, when two Muslim communities sent letters to Brahma Samaj about the anonymous translator. As a result, Bhai Girish Chandra’s apprehension was proved utterly wrong.
In 1886, the entire Qu’ran was published and Moulana Akram Khan wrote the fourth session of the Qu’ran. Translating became Girish Chandra Sen’s major work after Qu’ran was published. He published half of the “Mishkat Sharif” in 1892 under the Hadith-East-Divison.In 1883,’ Mahapurusha Charit’ was released which was about the biographies of Prophet Ibrahim ( عليه السلام ) , Prophet Dawood ( عليه السلام ), and Prophet Musa ( عليه السلام).His writings for Three Prophets got more fame as it was in various volumes.
Persian and Sanksrit Work
With wisdom and knowledge, Girish Chandra Sen worked on famous Persian books. His Persian books are Akseer-e Hidayat, and Gulistān, which is a masterpiece of Sheikh Saadi and also a famous piece of literature. His works for Persian music poets provided the best translation works. In Calcutta, Bhai Girish Chandra ‘Aksar-E-Hidayat’ as ‘Dhormo Bondhu’ in 1876.
Besides Persian, his Bengali translation works were mesmerizing masterpieces. Bhai Girish Chandra Sen’s most successful missionary works were: “Takirat al-Awaliya” and it was titled “Tapasmala”.Almost 96 volumes were released at that time. We can say that Girish Chandra Sen has provided the best proof of language works. His creative activities and knowledge provided the best support all over the world.
Legacy
Girish Chandra Sen was a man of power, wisdom, and knowledge. But his family was kinda fulfilled with superstitions. So for this reason, he became a completely free man and started to research all religions. In Narshingdi, the house of this great man exists. But due to lack of renovation, this house got very old. The Indian High Commission expressed an interest here and also provided a grand renovation in the year 2007. Later in 2015, the Narshingdi District Administration shared an agreement with the Archaeological Research Center and build a museum. It sounds so interesting that Girish Chandra’s house is totally like him, just a Masterpiece.
Girish Chandra’s house is a famous Museum now. The Museum consists of Girish Chandra’s published literature and books. Among millions of people, Girish Chandra Sen has been named as the greatest historical scholar. He made every sensitive language into a simple work. Not only that, he gained a huge respect from every religious community.
Awards
Girish Chandra Sen was titled ‘Maulvi Bhai’ due to his knowledge power and wisdom. For his published books, he was appreciated as “Bhai Girish Chandra” by Muslim Communities.
Unknown Facts
-Girish Chandra Sen was known as a translator of the works of Shakespeare in Bengal.
-His book Banitabinodan was about the education system for women.
-Bhai Girish Chandra traveled to India and Burma to create his faith.
-He wrote about 96 Muslim Saints.
-He was also famous for publishing journals.
Death
Girish Chandra Sen took his last breath on 15th August 1910 in Kolkata, India. His age was 76 years old. After death, his old house is still recognized as one of the best museums. The museum is known as “Bhai Girish Chandra Sen Museum” which is located at Narsingdi Sadar Upazila.
Conclusion
Girish Chandra Sen has gained huge fame and popularity among all nations. If we talk about his wisdom and power, he proved that respecting religion can bring peace. And why not? Bhai Girish Sen has removed all the differences between casts, religions, and also superstitions. Not only that,he won millions of hearts by working with the best scholars, and translators.