Family members, followers and admirers of the revered leader Maulana Abdul Hamid Khan Bhashani have called for the proper preservation of his personal belongings including a historic tractor gifted to him by Chinese leader Mao Zedong.
Currently housed on the campus of Mawlana Bhashani Science and Technology University (MBSTU) in Santosh, Tangail, several of these artifacts including Bhashani’s typewriter have suffered years of neglect. Locals and relatives are now urging authorities to establish a modern museum to safeguard these relics for future generations.
More than a piece of machinery, the tractor symbolises early Bangladesh-China relations and Bhashani’s vision for cooperative farming. Following his visits to China in 1963 and 1964 which inspired his book Mao Zedong-er Deshe Mao Zedong promised him the tractor during Bhashani's final visit in 1966.
Sent in 1967, the machine was capable of cultivating 50 acres of land. Bhashani initially used it for agricultural projects in Mohipur, Joypurhat, before moving it to Santosh in 1974. To ensure public benefit, he later handed it to the Bangladesh Agricultural Development Corporation (BADC) for use in Jamalpur. After it broke down and was slated for sale, the Santosh Islamic University Trust Board intervened in 1995 to bring it back to the campus.
Mawlana Bhashani High School Headmaster Md. Hazrat Ali warned that without systematic care, these artifacts risk being lost to time. Echoing this concern, Bhashani’s grandson Azad Khan Bhashani called for a large the modern museum to display the leader’s belongings and foreign travel photographs.
Another grandson, Hasrat Khan Bhashani noted a lack of conservation efforts over the past 24 years while grandson Mahmudul Haque Sanu urged decisive action to preserve the tractor alongside historic sites like Bhashani’s soap factory.
Addressing the concerns, MBSTU Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. ABM Shahidul Islam assured that none of the artifacts would be lost. "I have inspected the items and consulted with his family. We have already started the process of properly preserving and showcasing all historical memorabilia used by Maulana Bhashani" he said.
