The Kohinoor
Bengali language newspaper
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The Kohinoor (Bengali: কোহিনূর, romanized: Kohinūr, lit. 'Mountain of light') was a Bengali language newspaper, first published in July 1898.[1] Initially focusing on miscellaneous topics such as Islamic culture, its third relaunch was a pivot of Hindu-Muslim harmony.[2] The paper targeted both Hindu and Muslim clientele.[3]
Abdullah Al-Mamun Suhrawardy
Ismail Hossain Siraji
Maniruzzaman Islamabadi
Mir Mosharraf Hossain
Yakub Ali Chowdhury
| Editor | Rowshan Ali Chowdhury |
|---|---|
| Staff writers | Rowshan Ali Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun Suhrawardy Ismail Hossain Siraji Maniruzzaman Islamabadi Mir Mosharraf Hossain Yakub Ali Chowdhury |
| Categories | Islamic culture, Bengali culture |
| Frequency | Monthly |
| Founder | Rowshan Ali Chowdhury |
| Founded | 1898 |
| First issue | June 1898 |
| Final issue | 1912 |
| Country | Bengal Presidency (British Raj) |
| Based in | Kushtia, Pangsha, Calcutta |
| Language | Bengali |
History
The Kohinoor started publication in July 1898 in Kushtia District after Rowshan Ali Chowdhury met Mir Mosharraf Hossain. During its initial years, publication was irregular and lasted for about a year. It resumed publication in April 1904 and promoted harmony between Muslims and Hindus; the two largest religious groups in Bengal. On that same year,[4] it also criticised the Urdu-speaking elite who looked down upon the Bengali language due to a superiority complex.[5] This second phase lasted up until around 1907. It made another comeback in April 1911 continuing on for another year.[2]
Location
The newspaper moved its headquarters from Kushtia to Pangsha (then part of Faridpur District). It was edited by Mohammad Rowshan Ali Chowdhury, a resident of Pangsha. It later relocated to Calcutta.[2]
Members
Rowshan Ali Chowdhury was the founder and chief editor of The Kohinoor. It was managed by a 35-member committee containing both Muslims and Hindus.[6] Ismail Hossain Siraji, Maniruzzaman Islamabadi and Abdullah Al-Mamun Suhrawardy regularly contributed to the magazine.[7][8][9] In early 1914, Yakub Ali Chowdhury wrote an article relating to the language and literature of Bengali Muslims.[10]