Archaeologist Habibullah Pathan is no more

Muhammad Habibullah Pathan, a renowned archaeologist, folklore collector and Bangla Academy Award-winning researcher from Wari-Bateshwar, has passed away.

He breathed his last at his home in Bateshwar village of Belab upazila of Narsingdi at 11:30am on Saturday (March 21).

He was 87 years old at the time of his death. He was survived by his wife, three daughters, five grandchildren and numerous admirers.

Family members said that he had been suffering from lung cancer for a long time. There were also various complications due to old age. Although he was admitted to a hospital in the capital about a month and a half ago, he was taken home on the advice of a doctor when his physical condition deteriorated. He died there.

Habibullah Pathan was born on February 7, 1939 in Bateswar village of Narsingdi. His father Hanif Pathan was a folklore collector and researcher. Inspired by his father, he became interested in archaeology and folklore research at a young age. He became involved in the research of the Wari-Bateshwar archaeological site in 1955, when he was in the eighth grade.

Through their efforts, an archaeological survey was conducted in the Wari-Bateshwar area, and excavations began there in 2000. Father and son jointly established the 'Bateshwar Archaeological Museum and Library', where rare books and historical periodicals are preserved along with ancient artifacts.

In recognition of his contribution to research and literature, he was elected a Fellow of the Bangla Academy in 2009 and received the Bangla Academy Award in 2020. His book 'Wari-Bateshwar: In Search of Roots' was recognized as the best book of the year in 2013.

He has written 16 books, among which research on folklore, archaeology and regional history is notable.

His funeral was held at the Bateshwar school ground after Asr. He was later buried in the family cemetery.