Chowdhury is a title of honour, usually hereditary, originating from the

Indian subcontinent The Indian subcontinent is a physiographical region in Southern Asia. It is situated on the Indian Plate, projecting southwards into the Indian Ocean from the Himalayas. Geopolitically, it includes the countries of Bangladesh, Bhutan, In ...

. It is an adaption from

Sanskrit Sanskrit (; attributively , ; nominally , , ) is a classical language belonging to the Indo-Aryan languages, Indo-Aryan branch of the Indo-European languages. It arose in South Asia after its predecessor languages had Trans-cultural diffusion ...

. During the Mughal rule, it was a title awarded to eminent people, while during

British rule The British Raj (; from Hindi ''rāj'': kingdom, realm, state, or empire) was the rule of the British Crown on the Indian subcontinent; * * it is also called Crown rule in India, * * * * or Direct rule in India, * Quote: "Mill, who was hims ...

, the term was associated with

zamindar A zamindar (Hindustani language, Hindustani: Devanagari: , ; Persian language, Persian: , ) in the Indian subcontinent was an autonomous or semiautonomous Raja, ruler of a province. The term itself came into use during the reign of Mughal Em ...

s and social leaders. The common female equivalent was Chowdhurani. Many landlords under the

Permanent Settlement The Permanent Settlement, also known as the Permanent Settlement of Bengal, was an agreement between the East India Company and Bengali landlords to fix revenues to be raised from land that had far-reaching consequences for both agricultural met ...

carried this surname. Land reforms after the

partition of India The Partition of British India in 1947 was the change of political borders and the division of other assets that accompanied the dissolution of the British Raj in South Asia and the creation of two independent dominions: India and Pakistan. T ...

abolished the permanent settlement. In modern times, the term is a common South Asian surname for both males and females.

Meaning and significance

"Chowdhury" is a term adapted from the

word ''caturdhara'', literally "holder of four" (four denoting a measure of land, from ''chatur'' ("four") and ''dhara'' ("holder" or "possessor")). The name is a Sanskrit term denoting the head of a community or caste. It was a title awarded to persons of eminence, including both Muslims and Hindus, during the

Mughal Empire The Mughal Empire was an early-modern empire that controlled much of South Asia between the 16th and 19th centuries. Quote: "Although the first two Timurid emperors and many of their noblemen were recent migrants to the subcontinent, the d ...

. It was also used as a title by military commanders responsible for four separate forces, including the cavalry, navy, infantry and elephant corps. These people belonged to the

families in

British India The provinces of India, earlier presidencies of British India and still earlier, presidency towns, were the administrative divisions of British governance on the Indian subcontinent. Collectively, they have been called British India. In one ...

Regional

In the

Chittagong Hill Tracts The Chittagong Hill Tracts ( bn, পার্বত্য চট্টগ্রাম, Parbotto Chottogram), often shortened to simply the Hill Tracts and abbreviated to CHT, are group of districts within the Chittagong Division in southeast ...

, the titular ''

Raja ''Raja'' (; from , IAST ') is a royal title used for South Asian monarchs. The title is equivalent to king or princely ruler in South Asia and Southeast Asia. The title has a long history in South Asia and Southeast Asia, being attested ...

s'' of the

Bohmong Circle The Bohmong Circle ( my, ဗိုလ်မင်းထောင်) is one of three hereditary chiefdoms (or "circles") in the Chittagong Hill Tracts of modern-day Bangladesh. The jurisdiction of the Bohmong Circle encompasses parts of Bandarba ...

and Mong Circle have the surname Chowdhury. The

Bengali Muslim Bengali Muslims ( bn, বাঙালি মুসলমান; ) are adherents of Islam who ethnically, linguistically and genealogically identify as Bengalis. Comprising about two-thirds of the global Bengali population, they are the sec ...

Mirashdars living in the former

Kachari Kingdom The Dimasa Kingdom (also Kachari kingdom) was a late medieval/early modern kingdom in Assam, Northeast India ruled by Dimasa kings. The Dimasa kingdom and others ( Kamata, Chutiya) that developed in the wake of the Kamarupa kingdom were exa ...

were given titles by the Kachari Raja, which in modern-day acts as a surname for them. In Bihar, the

Pasi Pasi may refer to: * Pasi (caste), a Hindu caste of northern India * ''Pasi'' (film), a 1979 Tamil film * Pasi (given name) * Pasi (surname), a surname of the Pasi community * Pasi, Papua New Guinea, a settlement near the coast of Sandaun Provinc ...

are also known as the ''Chaudhary'', a community traditionally connected with toddy tapping.People of India Bihar Volume XVI Part Two edited by S Gopal & Hetukar Jha pages 759 to 765 Seagull Books

Alternate spellings

Its alternate spellings include: Chaudhary, Chaudri, Choudhary, Chaudhry, Chowdary, Chowdhary, Chaudry, Choudary, Choudhry, Chaudhuri, Chaudhari, Chudhry, Choudhari, Choudhury, Chowdhuri and Chowdury. The female equivalent is Chaudhurani and alternate spellings include: Choudhurani, Chowdhurani, Chowdhrani, Choudhrani, Chaudhrani.

Notable people

Bangladesh

Abdul Latif Chowdhury Abdul Latif Chowdhury ( bn, আব্দুল লতিফ চৌধুরী; 25 May 1913 – 16 January 2008), widely known as Saheb Qiblah Fultali, was a Bangladeshi Sufi Islamic scholar and theologian who is the founder of the Fultali movem ...

, Islamic scholar and writer *

Abdul Matin Chaudhary Abdul Matin Chaudhary ( bn, আব্দুল মতিন চৌধুরী; 1925–1989), also known by his daak naam Kola Mia ( bn, কলা মিঞা), and the epithet Jinnar Daan Haat (lit. '' Jinnah's right hand''), was a Pakistani ...

, minister and politician *

Abdul Matin Chowdhury Abdul Matin Chowdhury (1 May 1921 – 24 June 1981) was a Bangladeshi academic and physicist. He served as the 14th Vice-chancellor of the University of Dhaka. Education Chowdhury passed entrance examination from Arunchandra High School in No ...

, academic and physicist *

, politician *

, religious scholar and political activist *

Abdul Munim Chowdhury Mohammad Abdul Munim Chowdhury ( bn, মোহাম্মদ আব্দুল মুনিম চৌধুরী) is a Bangladeshi politician and businessman. He was the former MP of Habiganj-1, representing the Jatiya Party. Early life Chowdh ...

, former MP for

Habiganj-1 Habiganj-1 is a constituency represented in the Jatiya Sangsad (National Parliament) of Bangladesh since 2019 by Gazi Mohammad Shahnawaz of the Awami League. Boundaries The constituency encompasses Bahubal and Nabiganj upazilas. History The ...

Abdur Rouf Choudhury Abdur Rouf Choudhury (1 March 1929 – 1996) was a Bengali writer. Early life Choudhury was born on 1 March 1929, in Mukimpur, Nabiganj, Habiganj District, Bangladesh (then part of Assam) where his father Azhar Choudhury, a land owner, and hi ...

, writer * Abed Chaudhury, geneticist and science writer *

Abidur Reza Chowdhury Khan Bahadur Abidur Reza Chowdhury ( bn, আবিদুর রেজা চৌধুরী; 1872 - 16 January 1961) was a Bengali politician and philanthropist. He was one of the founding members of the All-India Muslim League. The present-day C ...

(1872–1961), Bengali politician and educationist *

Abu Lais Md. Mubin Chowdhury Abu Lais Md. Mubin Chowdhury was a Bangladesh Nationalist Party politician and four-term Member of parliament from Habiganj-3. Career Chowdhury was elected to Parliament in 1988, 1991, and 1996 from Habiganj-3 as a Candidate of Jatiya Party. ...

, former MP for

Habiganj-3 Habiganj-3 is a constituency represented in the Jatiya Sangsad (National Parliament) of Bangladesh since 2008 by Md. Abu Zahir of the Awami League. Boundaries The constituency encompasses Habiganj Sadar and Lakhai upazilas. History The con ...

Abu Osman Chowdhury Abu Osman Chowdhury (1 January 1936 – 5 September 2020) was a Bangladeshi war hero and freedom fighter. During the Bangladesh Liberation War, he served as the commander of Sector 8 of the Bangladesh Forces that covered the present-day Kushtia ...

, Sector Commander of the

Mukti Bahini The Mukti Bahini ( bn, মুক্তিবাহিনী, translates as 'freedom fighters', or liberation army), also known as the Bangladesh Forces, was the guerrilla resistance movement consisting of the Bangladeshi military, paramilitary ...

* Justice

Abu Sayeed Chowdhury Abu Sayeed Chowdhury (31 January 1921 – 2 August 1987) was a jurist and the President of Bangladesh. Besides that, he held the positions of the Chairmen of the United Nations Commission on Human rights, the vice-chancellor of the University ...

, second President of Bangladesh * Justice

A. F. M. Ahsanuddin Chowdhury Abul Fazal Mohammad Ahsanuddin Chowdhury (1 July 1915 – 30 August 2001) was a Bengali public servant and judge who served as the president of Bangladesh from 1982 to 1983. Biography Chowdhury was born in 1915. He graduated and obtained his LL.B ...

, 9th President of Bangladesh *

Anwarul Karim Chowdhury Anwarul Karim Chowdhury ( bn, আনোয়ারুল করিম চৌধুরী; born 5 February 1943) is a Bangladeshi diplomat most noted for his work on development in the poorest nations, global peace and championing the rights ...

, former UN Under Secretary General * Ariful Haque Choudhury, Mayor of

Sylhet Sylhet ( bn, সিলেট) is a metropolitan city in northeastern Bangladesh. It is the administrative seat of the Sylhet Division. Located on the north bank of the Surma River at the eastern tip of Bengal, Sylhet has a subtropical climate ...

A. Q. M. Badruddoza Chowdhury Abdul Qasim Mohammad Badruddoza Chowdhury (known as AQM Badrudozza Chowdhury; ; born 1 November 1932) served as the President of Bangladesh from 14 November 2001 until his resignation on 21 June 2002. He was the founding secretary-general of B ...

, 13th President of Bangladesh * Ayesha Bedora Choudhury, doctor * Justice

Badrul Haider Chowdhury Badrul Haider Chowdhury (1 January 1925 – 14 February 1998) was the Chief Justice of Bangladesh from 1 December 1989 to 31 December 1989. Early life and education Chowdhury was born in Noakhali District of Bengal Presidency, in present-day B ...

, fifth Chief Justice of Bangladesh *

Chanchal Chowdhury Suchinta Chowdhury Chanchal ( bn, সুচিন্ত চৌধুরী চঞ্চল), known as Chanchal Chowdhury ( bn, চঞ্চল চৌধুরী), is a Bangladeshi actor. Critically acclaimed for his performances in '' Rupkotha ...

, actor *

Farid Uddin Chowdhury Farid Uddin Chowdhury ( bn, ফরিদ উদ্দিন চৌধুরী; born 25 December 1947) is a teacher, politician and businessman. He was the former Member of Parliament for the Sylhet-5 constituency from 2001 to 2008, representing ...

, teacher, politician and businessman * Fazlul Qadir Chaudhry, 5th Speaker of the National Assembly of Pakistan *

Chowdhury Gulam Akbar Chowdhury Gulam Akbar ( bn, চৌধুরী গোলাম আকবর; 16 September 1921 – 29 December 1988) was a Bangladeshi writer. He served in the Bangla Academy of Bangladesh as the collector of Bengali folk literature. Early life ...

, writer and collector of

Bengali folk literature Bangladeshi Folk Literature ( bn, বাংলাদেশি লোক সাহিত্য) constitutes a considerable portion of Bengali literature. Though it was created by illiterate communities and passed down orally from one generation ...

for the

Bangla Academy The Bangla Academy ( bn, বাংলা একাডেমি, ) is an autonomous institution funded by the Bangladesh government to foster the Bengali language, literature and culture, to develop and implement national language policy and to d ...

Chowdhury Tanbir Ahmed Siddiky Chowdhury Tanbir Ahmed Siddiky (also spelled Chowdhury Tanvir Ahmed Siddiky) is a Bangladeshi politician. He is one of the founding members of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP). He served as the State Minister for Commerce in the cabinet of ...

, former Minister of Commerce * Golam Ali Chowdhury, Zamindar of Haturia and philanthropist *

Harris Chowdhury Abul Harris Chowdhury (born 1 November 1952) is a Bangladeshi politician who served as the Political Secretary of Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia. He was the Joint Secretary General of Bangladesh Nationalist Party. Chowdhury was sentenced to ...

, former MP for

Sylhet-5 Sylhet-5 is a constituency represented in the Jatiya Sangsad (National Parliament) of Bangladesh since 2019 by Hafiz Ahmed Mazumder of the Awami League In Urdu language, Awami is the adjectival form for '' Awam'', the Urdu language word for comm ...

Hasan Mashhud Chowdhury Hasan Mashhud Chowdhury (born 9 September 1948) was a Bangladesh Army general who was 11th Chief of Army Staff of the Bangladesh Army from 16 June 2002 to 15 June 2005. He was the last officer to serve in this position who had first been commi ...

, 11th

Chief of Army Staff of the Bangladesh Army Chief of Army Staff (CAS) ( bn, সেনাবাহিনী প্রধান, Senabahini Prodhan) of Bangladesh Army, also known as Army Chief, is the highest-ranking officer of the Bangladesh Army. The Chief of Army staff has been a four-s ...

Humayun Rashid Choudhury Humayun Rasheed Choudhury ( bn, হুমায়ূন রশীদ চৌধুরী; 11 November 1928 – 10 July 2001) was a Bangladeshi career diplomat and Speaker of the Bangladesh National Parliament from 1996 to 2001. He was elected pre ...

, 41st President of the United Nations General Assembly & 7th Speaker of the Bangladesh National Parliament * Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury, diplomat and former Foreign Affairs Adviser *

Izharul Islam Chowdhury Izharul Islam Chowdhury ( bn, মুফতি ইজহারুল ইসলাম) is the founder of Jamiatul Uloom Al-Islamia Lalkhan Bazar. He is the present executive president of Nizam-e-Islam Party and Nayeb-e-Ameer of Hefazat-e-Islam Bang ...

, Bangladeshi Islamic scholar *

Jamilur Reza Choudhury Dr. Jamilur Reza Choudhury (15 November 1942 – 28 April 2020) was a Bangladeshi civil engineer, professor, researcher, and education advocate. He was an Adviser (Minister) to Caretaker Government of Bangladesh (April–June 1996). He was the ...

, president of

Bangladesh Mathematical Olympiad The Bangladesh Mathematical Olympiad is an annual mathematical competition arranged for school and college students to nourish their interest and capabilities for mathematics. It has been regularly organized by the Bangladesh Math Olympiad Commi ...

, vice-chancellor of University of Asia Pacific, adviser to

Caretaker Government of Bangladesh The Caretaker Government of Bangladesh ( bn, বাংলাদেশের তত্ত্বাবধায়ক সরকার) was a form of government in which Bangladesh used to be ruled by a selected government for an interim period du ...

Chowdhury Kazemuddin Ahmed Siddiky Chowdhury Kazemuddin Ahmed Siddiky, (1876–1937) was a Bengali Muslim aristocrat and politician during the British Raj. A Khan Bahadur, he was one of the founders of the University of Dacca. He was President of the Eastern Bengal and Assam Musl ...

, founding president of Assam Bengal Muslim League *

Mahmudul Amin Choudhury Mahmudul Amin Choudhury (18 June 1937 – 22 December 2019) was a Bangladeshi jurist who served as the 11th Chief Justice of Bangladesh The chief justice of Bangladesh ( bn, বাংলাদেশের প্রধান বিচারপ ...

, 11th

Chief Justice of Bangladesh The chief justice of Bangladesh ( bn, বাংলাদেশের প্রধান বিচারপতি — ) is the chief amongst the judges of the Supreme Court of Bangladesh, and also head of the whole judicial establishments, inclu ...

Mahmud Us Samad Chowdhury Mahmud Us Samad Chowdhury (3 January 1955 – 11 March 2021) was a Bangladesh Awami League politician and a Jatiya Sangsad member representing the Sylhet-3 constituency for three terms. Early life Chowdhury was born on 3 January 1955 in Nurpur, ...

, former MP for

Sylhet-3 Sylhet-3 is a constituency represented in the Jatiya Sangsad (National Parliament) of Bangladesh since 2008 by Mahmud Us Samad Chowdhury of the Awami League. Boundaries The constituency encompasses Balaganj Upazila, Balaganj, Dakshin Surma Upaz ...

Mainur Reza Chowdhury Mainur Reza Chowdhury (23 June 1938 – 26 June 2004) was a Bangladeshi jurist who served as the 12th Chief Justice of Bangladesh between 18 June 2002 and 22 June 2003. He was appointed to the role by former President Badruddoza Chowdhury. Early ...

, 12th Chief Justice of Bangladesh * Mehazabien Chowdhury, actress * Mizanur Rahman Chowdhury, fifth Prime Minister of Bangladesh * Mukhlesur Rahman Chowdhury, journalist and editor turned politician. Advisor to the President of Bangladesh (2006-2007) *

Naiyyum Choudhury Naiyyum Choudhury (27 September 1944 – 7 September 2019) was a Bangladeshi biotechnologist and a nuclear scientist. He pioneered the development and adoption of the National Biotechnology policy of Bangladesh. He served as the Chairman of B ...

, biotechnologist and nuclear scientist * Najma Chowdhury, founder of the Women and Gender Studies department in the

University of Dhaka The University of Dhaka (also known as Dhaka University, or DU) is a public research university located in Dhaka, Bangladesh. It is the oldest university in Bangladesh. The university opened its doors to students on July 1st 1921. Currently i ...

, adviser to

Nazim Kamran Choudhury Nazim Kamran Choudhury is a Bangladesh Nationalist Party politician and a former Member of Parliament for constituency Sylhet-9. Career He is a former member of Parliament from Bangladesh Nationalist Party. He was elected from Sylhet. He was sue ...

, former MP *

Rashed Chowdhury Rashed Chowdhury is a former Bangladesh Army officer. Chowdhury was a participant in the coup that led to the assassination of Sheikh Mujibur, the founding father and President of Bangladesh, in 1975. His specific role in the coup is in dispute. ...

, former Army officer, currently in exile in the United States * Rezwana Chowdhury, renowned exponent of Tagore songs * Sadruddin Ahmed Chowdhury, physicist and vice-chancellor of

Shahjalal University of Science and Technology Shahjalal University of Science and Technology (SUST) is a Public university, public research university, research based university in Sylhet, Bangladesh. It is the List of universities in Bangladesh#Public universities, 8th oldest university o ...

and Sylhet International University *

Salah Choudhury Salah Uddin Shoaib Choudhury is a Bangladeshi journalist and the editor of the Bangladeshi newspaper 'Blitz'. Choudhury has faced a number of criminal charges against him including smuggling information out of the country, fraud, sedition, tre ...

, editor of ''

Weekly Blitz Salah Uddin Shoaib Choudhury is a Bangladeshi journalist and the editor of the Bangladeshi newspaper 'Blitz'. Choudhury has faced a number of criminal charges against him including smuggling information out of the country, fraud, sedition, tr ...

'' *

Samson H. Chowdhury Samson H. Chowdhury ( bn, স্যামসন এইচ চৌধুরী; 25 September 1925 – 5 January 2012) was a Bangladeshi business magnate. He was the chairman of Square Pharmaceuticals. Personal life Samson H. Chowdhury was born o ...

, Bengali Christian entrepreneur and business leader *

Samarjit Roy Chowdhury Samarjit Roy Chowdhury (10 February 1937 – 9 October 2022) was a Bangladeshi painter. He was awarded Ekushey Padak in 2014 by the Government of Bangladesh. Early life and education Chowdhury was born on 10 February 1937 in Comilla District. I ...

, painter *

Shahinur Pasha Chowdhury Shahinur Pasha Chowdhury ( bn, শাহীনুর পাশা চৌধুরী; born 1985) is a Bangladeshi politician and a former Jatiya Sangsad member representing the Sunamganj-3 constituency during 2005–2006. He was elected a membe ...

, politician * Shamima K Choudhury, physicist and advocate for women in science * Shamsher M. Chowdhury, diplomat and former

secretary A secretary, administrative professional, administrative assistant, executive assistant, administrative officer, administrative support specialist, clerk, military assistant, management assistant, office secretary, or personal assistant is a ...

of the

Ministry of Foreign Affairs In many countries, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is the government department responsible for the state's diplomacy, bilateral, and multilateral relations affairs as well as for providing support for a country's citizens who are abroad. The enti ...

Shamsul Huda Chaudhury Shamsul Huda Chaudhury (1 May 1920 – 15 February 2000) was a Bangladeshi politician, mass-media administrator, minister and two time Speaker of the Bangladesh Jatiya Sangsad. Early life Chaudhury was born on 1 May 1920 in Sufi, Birbhum, West ...

, third Speaker of the Bangladesh National Parliament *

Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury (born 6 October 1966) is the current and the first female Speaker of the Jatiya Sangsad since April 2013. At 46 years of age, she became the youngest to assume the office. She was also the Chairperson of the Executive Co ...

, Speaker of the Bangladesh National Parliament * Shayan Chowdhury, Bengali indie musician and singer *

Shegufta Bakht Chaudhuri Shegufta Bakht Chaudhuri (known as S B Chaudhuri; 1931 – 11 November 2020) was a Bangladeshi economist who served as the fourth governor of Bangladesh Bank, the central bank of Bangladesh during 1987–1992, and was also the advisor of the firs ...

, 4th Governor of

Bangladesh Bank Bangladesh Bank ( bn, বাংলাদেশ ব্যাংক) is the central bank of Bangladesh and is a member of the Asian Clearing Union. It is fully owned by the Government of Bangladesh. The bank is active in developing green bankin ...

Syed Nawab Ali Chowdhury Syed Nawab Ali Chowdhury (29 December 1863 – 17 April 1929) was Nawab of Dhanbari of Tangail in East Bengal (modern day Bangladesh Bangladesh (}, ), officially the People's Republic of Bangladesh, is a country in South Asia. It is th ...

, Nawab of Dhanbari,

Tangail Tangail ( bn, টাঙ্গাইল, ), is a major city within the Dhaka Division in central Bangladesh. It sits on the bank of the Louhajang River, north-west of Dhaka, the nation's capital. It is considered to be the main urban area o ...

* Tapan Chowdhury, Bengali singer of Adhunik songs *

TIM Fazle Rabbi Chowdhury Fazle Rabbi Chowdhury ( bn, ফজলে রাব্বি চৌধুরী; 1 October 1934 – 20 December 2018) was a Bangladeshi politician from Gaibandha who was a member of parliament for six terms. As an advisor to President Hussain Moha ...

, six-time MP and former leader of the

Jatiya Party (Zafar) The Jatiya Party (Kazi Zafar) is a political party in Bangladesh. The party was formed as the result of a disagreement regarding the Jatiya Party led by Hussain Muhammad Ershad. History Jatiya Party leader Hussain Muhammad Ershad had suspended ...

* Yahya Chowdhury, former MP for Sylhet-2 *

Yeamin Ahmed Chowdhury Munna Yeamin Munna (born 2 August 1991) is a Bangladeshi professional footballer who plays as a defender for Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club in the Bangladesh Premier League. He was also a Bangladesh national football team The Bangladesh national f ...

, footballer for

Chittagong Abahani Chittagong Abahani Limited ( bn, চট্টগ্রাম আবাহনী লিমিটেড), also spelled as Chattogram Abahani or Chittagong Abahoni, is a sports club based in Chittagong, Bangladesh. A wing of Abahani Limited wa ...

Yakub Ali Chowdhury Mohammad Yakub Ali Chowdhury (2 November 1888 – 15 December 1940) was a Bengali essayist and journalist. He was noted as one of the few Bengali Muslim literary scholars of his time. Early life Chowdhury was born on 2 November 1888 in the village ...

, essayist

India

Abdul Jalil Choudhury ʿAbd al-Jalīl ibn Aṣghar Choudhury al-Badarfūrī ( ar, عبد الجليل بن أصغر تشودهري البدرفوري; 19 December 1989), or simply Abdul Jalil Choudhury Badarpuri ( bn, আব্দুল জলিল চৌধুরী ...

(1925–1989), Islamic scholar and politician * Abdul Munim Choudhury, former MLA of Karimganj South * Mahendra Mohan Choudhury, Chief Minister of Assam and Governor of Punjab *

Upendrakishore Ray Chowdhury Upendrakishore Ray Chowdhury (12 May 1863 – 20 December 1915) was a Bengali writer and painter. One of his written book is ''Chotoder Shera Biggan Rochona Shongkolon''. He was the son-in-law of reformer Dwarkanath Ganguly. He was also an ent ...

, 19th century aristocrat *

Amitabh Chaudhry Amitabh Chaudhry is an Indian banker, and the managing director (MD) and chief executive officer (CEO) of Axis Bank, the third largest private sector bank in India. He joined Axis in January 2019, after heading HDFC Life Insurance for nine years. ...

(born 1964/65), Indian banker, CEO and MD of Axis Bank *

Anjan Choudhury Anjan Choudhury (25 November 1944 – 21 February 2007) was an Indian film director, writer, and screenplay writer who worked in the Bengali cinema of West Bengal. He was survived by his wife Jaysree Choudhury and two daughters, namely Chumki ...

, Bengali film director and writer *

A. B. A. Gani Khan Choudhury Abu Barkat Ataur Ghani Khan Choudhury (1 November 1927 – 14 April 2006), known as Barkatda to his supporters, was an Indian politician from West Bengal, India. Choudhury was a senior leader of Indian National Congress party. His home is in ...

, Railway Minister of India *

Aniruddha Roy Chowdhury Aniruddha Roy Chowdhury is an Indian film director. He is the director and producer of multiple Bengali and Hindi films. He directed the highly successful Hindi movie ''Pink'' which received accolades from film critics and movie lovers alike. C ...

, Indian film director *

Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury (born 2 April 1956) is an Indian politician serving as the leader of the Indian National Congress in the 17th Lok Sabha and the Member of Parliament from Berhampore. He is also the current president of West Bengal Prade ...

, member of the

16th Lok Sabha Members of the 16th Lok Sabha were elected during the 2014 Indian general election. The elections were conducted in 9 phases from 7 April 2014 to 12 May 2014 by the Election Commission of India. The results of the election were declared on 16 M ...

of India *

Arindam Chaudhuri Arindam Chaudhuri is an Indian national best known for his involvement with the now-defunct Indian Institute of Planning and Management, an unaccredited institute that was previously headquartered in New Delhi and had 18 branches across India ...

, Indian author *

Rahul Chaudhari Rahul Chaudhari is an Indian international Kabaddi player, who has played as a defender and later became a magnificent raider. He was the first player ever to score 500, 700 and 800 raid points in Pro Kabaddi League. He was a member of the I ...

, Indian kabaddi player *

Somlata Acharyya Chowdhury Somlata Acharyya Chowdhury is an Indian Bengali singer. She rose to fame with the release of 'Tumi Asbe Bole' & 'Jagarane Jay Bibhabaree' from the Bengali film Ranjana Ami Ar Ashbona in 2011. She has been a prominent singer in Bengali films ...

, Indian singer *

Sonali Chowdhury Sonali Chowdhury Ghosh Dastidar is an Indian film and television actress. She has worked in Bengali cinema and television shows, including ''Saat Bhai Champa'', ''Jol Nupur'' and '' Agniparikkha''. Life Choudhuri was born in Kolkata in 1980. Sh ...

, Indian actress * Chumki Choudhury, Indian actress *

Rina Choudhury Rina Choudhury is a former Indian actress who worked in Tollywood cinema and now working as a film director and writer. Her first film was ''Geetsangeet''. She directed ''Kalpataroo''. She also appeared in the Bengali serial ''Erao Sotru'' ...

, Indian actress *

Tridha Choudhury Tridha Choudhury is an Indian actress who predominantly appears in Hindi series and films and Telugu films. She won the title, ''Clean & Clear Times of India Freshface 2011''. Her first movie was ''Mishawr Rawhoshyo'' in 2013, directed by Srij ...

, Indian actress *

Jogen Chowdhury Jogen Chowdhury (born 19 February 1939) is an eminent Indian painter and considered an important painter of 21st century India. He lives and works in Santiniketan. He graduated from the Government College of Art & Craft, Kolkata and subsequentl ...

, 21st century Indian painter *

Pramatha Chaudhuri Pramathanath Chaudhuri ( bn, প্রমথনাথ চৌধুরী; 7 August 1868 – 2 September 1946), known as Pramatha Chaudhuri, ''alias'' Birbal, was a Bengali writer and an influential figure in Bengali literature. He was the nephe ...

, 19th century Bengali writer and an influential figure in

Bengali literature Bengali literature ( bn, বাংলা সাহিত্য, Bangla Sahityô) denotes the body of writings in the Bengali language and which covers Old Bengali, Middle- Bengali and Modern Bengali with the changes through the passage of time ...

Salil Chowdhury Salil Chowdhury (19 November 1925 – 5 September 1995) was an Indian music director, songwriter, lyricist, writer and poet who predominantly composed for Bengali, Hindi and Malayalam films. He composed music for films in 13 languages. This ...

, Indian music director & composer * Nirad C. Chaudhuri, Indian writer *

Shankar Roychowdhury General Shankar Roychowdhury is a former Chief of Army Staff of the Indian Army, and a former member of the Indian Parliament. Early life General Roychowdhury was born in Kolkata, West Bengal, India into the Zamindar family of Taki (India), ...

, Chief of Staff of the

Indian Army The Indian Army is the Land warfare, land-based branch and the largest component of the Indian Armed Forces. The President of India is the Commander-in-Chief, Supreme Commander of the Indian Army, and its professional head is the Chief of Arm ...

* Mrinal Datta Chaudhuri, theoretical economist, academic and professor of the

Delhi School of Economics Delhi School of Economics (DSE), popularly referred to as "D School", is a Higher Educational Institution within the University of Delhi. The Delhi School of Economics is situated in University of Delhi's North Campus in Maurice Nagar. Establ ...

. * Joyanto Nath Chaudhuri, Chief of Staff of the Indian Army *

Ravi Shankar Ravi Shankar (; born Robindro Shaunkor Chowdhury, sometimes spelled as Rabindra Shankar Chowdhury; 7 April 1920 – 11 December 2012) was an Indian sitarist and composer. A sitar virtuoso, he became the world's best-known export of North In ...

(born Rabindra Shankar Chowdhury), Indian musician and a composer of

Hindustani classical music Hindustani classical music is the classical music of northern regions of the Indian subcontinent. It may also be called North Indian classical music or, in Hindustani, ''shastriya sangeet'' (). It is played in instruments like the violin, sit ...

Bula Choudhury Bula Choudhury (born 2 January 1970, Hugli, India) is an Indian former swimmer. She is an Arjuna awardee, Padma shri awardee, former India national women's swimming champion and elected as MLA from 2006 to 2011 representing Nandanpur in West ...

, Indian national women's swimming champion *

Najib Ali Choudhury Najib Ali Choudhury ( bn, নজিব আলী চৌধুরী) was a 19th-century Bengalis, Bengali Islamic scholar and teacher. He was notable for his founding of the Madinatul Uloom Bagbari, the first madrasa in the Barak Valley region. ...

, Islamic scholar and teacher *

Sarita Choudhury Sarita Catherine Louise Choudhury (born 18 August 1966) is a British actress, known for her role as Mina in the Mira Nair-directed feature film '' Mississippi Masala'' (1991). Choudhury has played roles in American and international films and te ...

, Indian actress and model * Chaudhary Charan Singh, 6th Prime Minister of India *

Pratik Chaudhari Pratik Prabhakar Chaudhari (born 4 October 1989) is an Indian professional footballer who plays as a defender for Indian Super League club Jamshedpur. Career Early career Born in Mumbai, Maharashtra, Chaudhari began his football career while s ...

(born 1989), Indian footballer playing as a defender for Jamshedpur *

Veerabhadram Chowdary Veerabhadram Chowdary is an Indian film director known for his works in Telugu cinema. He made his directorial debut in 2011 through Aha Naa Pellanta (2011 film), Aha Naa Pellanta. Personal life Mullapudi Veerabhadram Chowdary was born in th ...

, film director * Renuka Chowdhury, Union Minister of State * Saifuddin Choudhury, former Member of Parliament * Veeramachineni Jagapathi Rao Chowdary, Telugu film actor *

Chaudhary Devi Lal Chaudhary Devi Lal (born Devi Dayal; 25 September 1915 – 6 April 2001) was an Indian statesman who served as 6th Deputy Prime Minister of India from 1989 to 1991 in the governments of V. P. Singh and Chandra Shekhar. Also popularly known as T ...

, Deputy Prime Minister of India * K. V. Chowdary, Indian Revenue Service Central Vigilance Commissioner * Chaudhary Harmohan Singh Yadav, Shaurya Chakra awardee * Shagun Chowdhary, Indian shooter * Chaudhary Brahm Prakash Yadav, Chief Minister, Delhi *

Mahima Chaudhry Mahima Chaudhry is an Indian actress and model who worked in Hindi films. During the 1990s, Chaudhry did a few modelling assignments and appeared in several television commercials before venturing into films. She made her acting debut in the 1997 ...

, Indian actress and model * Mohinder Singh Chaudhury, Indian politician * Rita Chowdhury, established poet and novelist,

Sahitya Akademi Award The Sahitya Akademi Award is a literary honour in India, which the Sahitya Akademi, India's National Academy of Letters, annually confers on writers of the most outstanding books of literary merit published in any of the 22 languages of the ...

recipient *

Aadesh Chaudhary Aadesh Chaudhary ( hi, आदेश चौधरी) is an Indian television actor. He is known for his role of Vikrant Mehta in the TV show ''Sasural Simar Ka'' on Colors TV. Early life Chaudhary comes from Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh. He complete ...

, Indian actor * R. B. Choudary, Indian film producer * Y. S. Chowdary, Indian central minister for state *

Gurmeet Choudhary Gurmeet Choudhary (born 22 February 1984) is an Indian actor and martial artist. He is known for his portrayal of Rama in ''Ramayan'', Maan Singh Khurana in '' Geet – Hui Sabse Parayi'' and Yash Suraj Pratap Sindhina in '' Punar Vivaah - Zind ...

, Indian television actor *

Ranjit Chowdhry Ranjit Chowdhry (19 September 1955 – 15 April 2020) was an Indian character actor, known for his roles in television, movies, and theatre. He appeared in two episodes of ''The Office'', as Vikram, a telemarketer who worked with Michael, and w ...

, Indian actor * Karmveer Choudhary, Indian actor *

Kamla Chaudhry Kamla Chaudhry (1908–1970) was an Indian short story writer in Hindi language and Jagadeesh Kumar a Member of Parliament from Hapur in the 3rd Lok Sabha. Early life Kamla Chaudhry was born on 22 February 1908 in Lucknow. Her father Rai Man ...

(born 1908), Indian short story writer *

Yuvika Chaudhary Yuvika Chaudhary (born 2 August 1983) is an Indian actress who has appeared in Bollywood films such as ''Om Shanti Om'', ''Summer 2007'' and ''Toh Baat Pakki!''. In 2009, she also acted in a Kannada movie, '' Maleyali Jotheyali'', in a lead ro ...

(born 1983), Indian actress * Amit Chaudhuri, Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature *

Ankush Chaudhari Ankush Chaudhari (Marathi pronunciation: Help:IPA/Marathi, �ŋkuʃ t͡səu̯dʱəɾiː is an Indian film actor, screenwriter, Film director, director, Film producer, producer and theatre personality known for his works in Marathi cinema. A ...

, Marathi film actor *

Ambikagiri Raichoudhury Ambikagiri Raichoudhury (1885–1967) was an Assamese poet, lyricist, singer, powerful prose writer, news worker, magazine editor, patriotic, social-worker and the leading freedom fighter of India's freedom struggle. He is known as Assam Kesa ...

, Assamese poet * Moinul Hoque Choudhury, five-time MLA, two-time

UN General Assembly The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA or GA; french: link=no, Assemblée générale, AG) is one of the six principal organs of the United Nations (UN), serving as the main deliberative, policymaking, and representative organ of the UN. Curr ...

representative and Minister of Industrial Development * Rashida Haque Choudhury, former Minister of State of Social Welfare * Avinov Choudhury

Nepal

Binod Chaudhary Binod Chaudhary ( ne, विनोद चौधरी; born 14 April 1955) is a Nepalese billionaire businessman, politician and philanthropist. He is the chairman and president of the Chaudhary Group (CG). In February 2013, he was recognised a ...

, Nepalese billionaire

Fiji

Mahendra Chaudhry Mahendra Pal Chaudhry ( hif, महेन्द्र पाल चौधरी; born 9 February 1942) is a Fijian politician and the leader of the Fiji Labour Party. Following a historic election in which he defeated the long-time former lead ...

, former Prime Minister of Fiji

Pakistan

Cecil Chaudhry Group Captain Cecil Chaudhry (Urdu:سیسل چودھری) (27 August 1941 – 13 April 2012) was a Pakistani academic, human rights activist, and a veteran fighter pilot. As a flight lieutenant, he fought in the Indo-Pakistani War of 1965 ...

, Pakistani academic, human rights activist, veteran fighter pilot *

Chaudhry Muhammad Ali Chaudhry Muhammad Ali ( Urdu, pa, ; 15 July 1905 – 2 December 1982), best known as Muhammad Ali, was a Pakistani politician and statesman who served as the fourth prime minister of Pakistan, appointed on 12 August 1955. His government tran ...

, fourth Prime Minister of Pakistan *

Choudhry Rahmat Ali Chaudhry Rahmat Ali (; ur, ; 16 November 1897 – 3 February 1951) was a Pakistani nationalist who was one of the earliest proponents of the creation of the state of Pakistan. He is credited with creating the name "Pakistan" for a separate M ...

Pakistan Movement The Pakistan Movement ( ur, , translit=Teḥrīk-e-Pākistān) was a political movement in the first half of the 20th century that aimed for the creation of Pakistan from the Muslim-majority areas of British India. It was connected to the per ...

activist and politician * Fawad Chaudhry, Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting * * Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain, 14th Prime Minister of Pakistan *

Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry ( ur, ; born 12 December 1948) is a Pakistani jurist who served as the 20th Chief Justice of Pakistan over three non-consecutive terms from 29 June 2005 to 11 December 2013. Chaudhry began practice as an advocate of ...

, former Chief Justice of Pakistan * and founder of

Atlas Air Atlas Air, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Atlas Air Worldwide Holdings, is a major American cargo airline, passenger charter airline, and aircraft lessor based in Purchase, New York. Atlas Air is the world's largest operator of the Boei ...

(FY 2019 revenue US$2.7 billion) *

Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan Chaudhary Nisar Ali Khan ( ur, ; born 31 July 1954) is a Pakistani politician who served as the Interior Minister from 2013 to 2017. He is currently an independent member-of the Provincial Assembly of Punjab - elected to represent PP-10 (Rawa ...

, Minister of Interior of Pakistan

United Kingdom

* Akhlaq Choudhury, Judge of the British

High Court of Justice The High Court of Justice in London, known properly as His Majesty's High Court of Justice in England, together with the Court of Appeal and the Crown Court, are the Senior Courts of England and Wales. Its name is abbreviated as EWHC ( Engl ...

Anwar Choudhury Anwar Bakht Choudhury ( bn, আনোয়ার বখত চৌধুরী; born 15 June 1959) is a British diplomat of Bangladeshi origin. He was Governor of the Cayman Islands until he was recalled in June 2018 after less than three month ...

, diplomat at the

Foreign and Commonwealth Office The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) is a department of the Government of the United Kingdom. Equivalent to other countries' ministries of foreign affairs, it was created on 2 September 2020 through the merger of the Foreig ...

; former

Governor of the Cayman Islands The Governor of the Cayman Islands is the representative of the British monarch in the United Kingdom's overseas territory of the Cayman Islands. The Governor, a civil servant who has in modern times typically been a British subject normally res ...

British Ambassador to Peru British may refer to: Peoples, culture, and language * British people, nationals or natives of the United Kingdom, British Overseas Territories, and Crown Dependencies. ** Britishness, the British identity and common culture * British English, ...

and British High Commissioner to Bangladesh *

Anjem Choudary Anjem Choudary (, aka Abu Luqman; born 18 January 1967) is a Pakistani-British Islamist and a social and political activist who has been described as "the face" of militant Islamism or the "best known" Islamic extremist in Britain. Members ...

, Islamist political activist * Asim Chaudhry, comedian and actor *

Foysol Choudhury Foysol Hussain Choudhury, MBE ( bn, ফয়ছল হোসেন চৌধূরী; born 5 January 1969) is a Bangladeshi-born British businessman, and a Scottish Labour politician. He has been a Member of the Scottish Parliament (MSP) for ...

MBE – Businessman, community activist and Chairman of Edinburgh and Lothians Regional Equality Council. * Hamza Choudhury,

midfielder A midfielder is an outfield position in association football. Midfielders may play an exclusively defensive role, breaking up attacks, and are in that case known as defensive midfielders. As central midfielders often go across boundarie ...

for English football club

Leicester City F.C. Leicester City Football Club is an English professional football club based in Leicester in the East Midlands of England. The club competes in the Premier League, the highest level of England's football league system, and plays its home m ...

Himanshi Choudhry Himanshi Choudhry is a British actress. She is known for playing Sheetal Dhanrajgir in ''Tu Aashiqui'' and Sudha Dhawan in '' Inside Edge''. Early life and Career Choudhary was born in Manchester to Indian parents and grew up in New Delhi, Indi ...

, British actress *

Khaled Choudhury Khaled Choudhury (20 December 1919 – 30 April 2014) was a theatre personality and artist of Bengal. He worked for various directors of both Bengali and Hindi plays, including Sombhu Mitra, Tripti Mitra, and Shyamanand Jalan in various ...

, theatre personality and artist *

Mamun Chowdhury Mamunur Rashid Chowdhury ( bn, মামুনুর রশিদ চৌধুরী; born November 1961) is a Bangladeshi-born British businessman, and founder and co-director of London Tradition. Early life Chowdhury is of Bangladeshi origin ...

– Businessman, and founder and co-director of London Tradition. * Navin Chowdhry - British actor *

Roshonara Choudhry Stephen Timms, the Labour MP for East Ham, was stabbed on 14 May 2010 during his constituency surgery by Roshonara Choudhry, a 21-year-old British former student and an Islamic extremist, in an attempt to kill him. She was found guilty of att ...

, British Islamic extremist *

Shamim Chowdhury Shamim Ara Chowdhury ( bn, শামীম আরা চৌধুরী) is an English television and print journalist. Early life and education Chowdhury was born into a Bengali Muslim Chowdhury family in England, United Kingdom. Her parent ...

, TV and print journalist for

Al Jazeera English Al Jazeera English (AJE; ar, الجزيرة‎, translit=al-jazīrah, , literally "The Peninsula", referring to the Qatar Peninsula) is an international 24-hour English-language news channel owned by the Al Jazeera Media Network, which is o ...

Shefali Chowdhury Shefali Chowdhury (born 22 June 1988) is a British actress best known for playing the role of Parvati Patil in the ''Harry Potter'' film series, except for ''Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban'' (2004), in which the character is played ...

, actress best known for the role of

Padma Patil Dumbledore's Army (or D.A. for short) is a fictional student organisation in J. K. Rowling's ''Harry Potter'' series that is founded by the main characters, Harry Potter, Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger, to stand up against the regime of Hogwa ...

in the ''

Harry Potter ''Harry Potter'' is a series of seven fantasy novels written by British author J. K. Rowling. The novels chronicle the lives of a young wizard, Harry Potter, and his friends Hermione Granger and Ron Weasley, all of whom are students at ...

'' film series * Sophie Choudry, British actress and singer * Paul Chowdhry English comedian of Punjabi origin.

United States

Jay Chaudhry Jay Chaudhry (born 1958) is an Indian-American billionaire entrepreneur and the CEO and founder of cloud security company Zscaler. Early life Chaudhry was born in Panoh, a village in Una district of the state of Himachal Pradesh, India. His pa ...

(born 1958/1959), American billionaire, CEO and founder of Zscaler *

Michael Chowdry Michael A. Chowdry (1954-2001) was a Pakistani-American businessman who became the founder of American-based cargo carrier Atlas Air in 1992. He was on the Forbes 400 list with a net worth of $920 million, ranked among the richest American busines ...

, founder of cargo airliner Atlas Air *

Satveer Chaudhary Satveer Singh Chaudhary (born June 12, 1969) is an American criminal and immigration lawyer. He is also a politician and a former member of the Minnesota State Senate and the Minnesota House of Representatives serving from 1996 to 2010. During h ...

, former Minnesota state senator * Subir Chowdhury, author and management consultant

Chaudhurani

Faizunnesa Choudhurani Nawab Begum Faizunnesa Choudhurani ( bn, নওয়াব বেগম ফয়জুন্নেসা চৌধুরানী; 1834–1903) was Zamindar of Homnabad-Pashchimgaon Estate in present-day Comilla District, Bangladesh. She is mo ...

, Muslim feminist and awarded the title

Nawab Nawab ( Balochi: نواب; ar, نواب; bn, নবাব/নওয়াব; hi, नवाब; Punjabi : ਨਵਾਬ; Persian, Punjabi , Sindhi, Urdu: ), also spelled Nawaab, Navaab, Navab, Nowab, Nabob, Nawaabshah, Nawabshah or Nobab, ...

Queen Victoria Victoria (Alexandrina Victoria; 24 May 1819 – 22 January 1901) was Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland from 20 June 1837 until her death in 1901. Her reign of 63 years and 216 days was longer than that of any previ ...

Indira Devi Chaudhurani Indira Devi Chaudhurani (29 December 1873 – 12 August 1960) was an Indian literary figure, author and musician. Born to the Tagore family, Indira was the younger child of Satyendranath Tagore and Jnanadanandini Devi and younger sister of Su ...

, Indian literary figure, author and musician. *

Karimunnesa Khanam Chaudhurani Karimunnesa Khanam Chaudhurani ( bn, করিমুন্নেসা খাঁনম চৌধুরানী; 1855 – 6 September 1926) was a Bengalis, Bengali poet, social worker, and patron of literature. Early life and family Karimunnesa wa ...

(1855–1926), Bengali poet, social worker, and patron of literature. *

Sarala Devi Chaudhurani Sarala Devi Chaudhurani (born Sarala Ghosal; 9 September 1872 – 18 August 1945) was an Indian educationist and political activist, who founded Bharat Stree Mahamandal in Allahabad in 1910. This was the first national-level women's organizat ...

, founder of the first women's organisation in India, the Bharat Stree Mahamandal in Allahabad in 1910.

Fictional characters

*Indra Chaudhari, the protagonist of '' Axiom Verge 2''

Notes

References

{{Authority control Bengali-language surnames Titles in Bangladesh Indian surnames Pakistani names Punjabi-language surnames Gujarati-language surnames