October 20 marks the birth centenary of Haji Muhammad Mohsin, one of Bengal’s most well-known philanthropists, whose generous legacy transcends generations. He was born in 1732. He emerged from a renowned Bengali Shia Muslim family, dedicating his whole life to the betterment of society. Mohsin’s exemplary contribution during the Great Bengal Famine of 1770, his unwavering dedication to education and his support for the underprivileged left an ineffaceable impact on the Indian subcontinent, founding him as a symbol of humanity and kindness.
From his childhood, Mohsin pursued religious education at home, engaging himself in the Quran, Hadith and Fiqh. As he matured, he moved widely through the Middle East and South Asia, visiting significant cultural and religious places, such as Mecca, Medina, Karbala and Kufa. His pilgrimage to Mecca received him the revered title of ‘Haji,’ and his journeys deepened his understanding of faith, inspiring a lifelong commitment to generous work upon his return to Bengal.
In Bengal, Mohsin inherited the substantial estate of his half-sister, Munnujan, following her death. As the widow of Mirza Salahuddin, Naib-faujdar of Hooghly under the Nawab of Bengal, Munnujan had inherited extensive wealth and property spread across Hooghly, Jessore, Murshidabad and Nadia. Rather than individual indulgence, Mohsin saw this fortune as an opportunity to serve society. He founded a Waqf (Endowment) with his entire wealth of Tk 156,000 in 1806, creating a structured trust to ensure the long-term benefit of the community.
This endowment allocated funds for education and religious programmes, pensions for the old and disabled people and administrative costs for managing the trust.
His philanthropic endeavour laid the foundation for significant educational institutions and community support structure. Most notably, Mohsin established the Hooghly Mohsin College and the Hooghly Imambara. The Imambara, an architectural gem and spiritual center, continues to reflect Mohsin’s devotion to the social and spiritual welfare of the people.
