Professor Syed Hasan Askari
Distinguished Historian & Eminent Scholar
(1901-1990)
Awards, Honors & Recognition
Professor Syed Hasan Askari enjoyed the distinction of being conferred with awards by three Presidents of India. Professor Askari was also recipient of numerous awards and honors as listed below.
Awards & Title
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His Excellency Gyani Zail Singh, the then President of India, awarded "Padma Shri'' to Professor Syed Hasan Askari in 1985. Padma Shri (also Padmashree) is one of the highest civilian awards in the Republic of India and was awarded to Professor Askari in recognition of his distinguished contribution to education and literature.
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His Excellency Neelam Sanjeeva Reddy, the then President of India had presented ''President's Certificate of Honor'' to Professor Syed Hasan Askari, in 1979. Professor Askari was awarded ''President's Certificate of Honor'' in recognition of his outstanding literary contribution and expertise in Persian literature
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Professor Syed Hasan Askari was presented the ''Ghalib Award'' in 1974 by His Excellency Fakhruhddin Ali Ahmad, the then President of India. He was awarded the ''Ghalib Award'' in recognition of his stellar research work.
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"Bihar Ratna'' was awarded to Professor Syed Hasan Askari for exceptional service towards advancement of Literature in recognition of Public Service of the highest order in 1987. "Bihar Ratna'' is the highest state civilian honor.
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"Komudi Samman Prashastari Patra" was awarded to Professor Syed Hasan Askari at Komudi Mahotsava in 1990.
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"Tamra Patra" was awarded by Bihar Purvaid Parishad to Professor Syed Hasan Askari in 1990.
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Professor Syed Hasan Askari was awarded the title of "Khan Sahib" by the British Indian Government in 1943. According to various sources, there were some communal/student disturbances in 1942 and the University Senate was likely to be burnt. Prof. Askari offered himself as member of faculty to guard this building along with law enforcement officials and remained in the Patna University for three continuous days. There was no report of loss of life and destruction of building.
Academic Honors
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In 1969, Magadh University, Bihar, conferred upon Professor Askari the degree of D. LITT (HONORIS CAUSA).
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In 1984, Patna University, Bihar, conferred upon Professor Askari the degree of D. LITT (HONORIS CAUSA).
Professional Achievements
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Professor Syed Hasan Askari was elected Associate Member of the Indian Historical Records Commission (the apex body of Government of India on archival matters) and contributed research papers to the annual sessions of the Commission (1936).
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Professor Syed Hasan Askari attended sessions of Indian History Congress and presented papers from 1938-1958.
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Professor Syed Hasan Askari was associated with Regional Records Survey Committee, Bihar, India (1945).
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Professor Syed Hasan Askari was elected President of Medieval India Section of X Session of the congress at Bombay, India and served on it's Executive Committee for several years (1947).
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Professor Syed Hasan Askari was elected Member of Council of Bihar Research Society for twenty years.
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Professor Syed Hasan Askari was selected Member of the Editorial Board of Medieval India Quarterly, Aligarh Muslim University.
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Professor Syed Hasan Askari was selected Member of the Governing Body of Khuda Bakhsh Oriental Public Library, Patna, India for several decades (1977).
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Professor Syed Hasan Askari was selected Member of the Committee of Historians (10), Government of India to comment on the historical portion of the revised series of Gazetteers of India (1973).
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Professor Syed Hasan Askari was elected Honorary Director, K.P. Jayaswal Research Institute (1962-1969).
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Professor Syed Hasan Askari was elected Honorary Secretary, Regional Records Survey Committee, Bihar, India (1962-1966).
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Professor Syed Hasan Askari was elected Honorary Director, K.P. Jayaswal Research Institute (1962-1969).
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Professor Syed Hasan Askari was elected President of Indian History Congress at it's session in Varanasi but conveyed his regrets to accept the great honor (1968).
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Professor Syed Hasan Askari was selected as Member of Editorial Committee of Khuda Bakhsh Library Journal (1977).
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Professor Syed Hasan Askari was elected Honorary President, Regional Records Survey Committee, Bihar, India (1981-1988).
Literary Honors & Recognition
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The late Shah of Iran invited Professor Syed Hasan Askari and his wife Mrs. Salma Askari to attend the 2500th year of Persian Monarchy in 1971 but he could not attend due to illness.
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Professor Syed Hasan Askari was honored by Bihar Urdu Academy in 1987.
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The Bihar Research Society published a special Felicitation Volume in Prof. Askari's honor in 1968. (Professor Syed Hasan Askari Felicitation Volume by Śrīdhara Vāsudeva Sohonī, The Journal of The Bihar Research Society - Special Issue 1968).
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Dedication of "Society and Culture in Medieval India (1206-1556)", by Professor A. Rashid to Professor Syed Hasan Askari.
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The K.P. Jayaswal Research Institute published a special Centenary Volume in Prof. Askari's honor in 2001. (Readings in Indian History, Syed Hasan Askari Centenary Volume by Bijoy Kumar Chaudhary 2001, was published by Kashi Prasad Jayswal Research Institute, Patna, India).
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Bihar State Archives organized annual Professor Syed Hasan Askari Memorial Lecture (2013 - Present).
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Dedication of "Remembering Muslim Makers of Modern Bihar in 2019", by Professor Mohammad Sajjad to the memories of Professor Syed Hasan Askari (1901-1990) & Professor Papiya Ghosh (1958-2006).
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Wikipedia posted biographical article on Professor Syed Hasan Askari on August 15th, 2019.
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Bihar State Archives dedicated the Research Hall to the memory of Professor Syed Hasan Askari on November 28th, 2019.