Biswas () (pronounced in Bengali as "bish-shash") is a native

Bengali Bengali or Bengalee, or Bengalese may refer to: *something of, from, or related to Bengal, a large region in South Asia * Bengalis, an ethnic and linguistic group of the region * Bengali language, the language they speak ** Bengali alphabet, the w ...

surname, commonly used by the

community of

India India, officially the Republic of India, is a country in South Asia. It is the List of countries and dependencies by area, seventh-largest country by area; the List of countries by population (United Nations), most populous country since ...

and

Bangladesh Bangladesh, officially the People's Republic of Bangladesh, is a country in South Asia. It is the List of countries and dependencies by population, eighth-most populous country in the world and among the List of countries and dependencies by ...

. The surname was an honorary title bestowed on persons who were relied upon for the work of accounts, receipts and expenditure. The word ''Biswas'' means faith or trust in

. The surname 'Biswas' is not tied to any specific religion or caste, as it is used by both "Hindus, including

Brahmins Brahmin (; ) is a ''Varna (Hinduism), varna'' (theoretical social classes) within Hindu society. The other three varnas are the ''Kshatriya'' (rulers and warriors), ''Vaishya'' (traders, merchants, and farmers), and ''Shudra'' (labourers). Th ...

, and Muslims alike". Among

Bengali Hindus Bengali Hindus () are adherents of Hinduism who ethnically, linguistically and genealogically identify as Bengalis. They make up the majority in the Indian states of West Bengal, Tripura, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, and Assam's Barak Valle ...

, the surname is notably associated with various castes, including

Forward caste Forward caste (or General caste) is a term used in India to denote castes which are not listed in SC, ST or OBC reservation lists. They are on average considered ahead of other castes economically and educationally. They account for about 30.8% ...

s like Kayasthas,

Mahishya Mahishya (IAST: Māhiṣya) is a Bengali Hindu traditionally agrarian caste, and formed the largest caste in undivided Bengal. Mahisyas were, and still are, an extremely diverse caste consisting of all possible classes in terms of material con ...

s and

as well as Scheduled Castes like Poundras and

Namasudra Namasudra (), earlier known as Chandal, is an Avarna Bengali Hindu community originating from eastern and central Bengal. The term ''Chandal'' or ''Chandala '' is usually considered as a slur. They were traditionally engaged in fishing and as b ...

s. The surname is also found among

Bengali Muslims Bengali Muslims (; ) 'Mussalman'' also used in this work.are adherents of Islam who ethnically, linguistically and genealogically identify as Bengalis. Comprising over 70% of the global Bengali population, they are the second-largest et ...

and

Bengali Christians Bengali Christians () are adherents of Christianity among the Bengali people. Christianity took root in Bengal after the arrival of Portuguese voyagers in the 16th century. It witnessed further conversions among the Bengali upper-caste elite ...

Notable people

Abdul Gaffar Biswas Abdul Gaffar Biswas is a Bangladeshi businessman and Jatiya Party (Ershad) The Jatiya Party (, ; JaPa or JP(E)) is a political party of Bangladesh. The current chairman of the party is Ghulam Muhammed Quader. On 3 January 2019, the party an ...

(born 1949), former MP for

Khulna-3 Khulna-3 is a constituency represented in the Jatiya Sangsad (National Parliament) of Bangladesh since 2008 by Monnujan Sufian of the Awami League. Boundaries The constituency encompasses Khulna City Corporation wards 1 through 15, and two unio ...

* Abdul Latif Biswas, member of the Pakistan National Assembly * Abdul Latif Biswas (born 1953), Bangladeshi minister *

Abdur Rahman Biswas Abdur Rahman Biswas (1 September 1926 – 3 November 2017) was a Bangladeshi politician. He was the President of Bangladesh from 1991 to 1996. Biswas represented Pakistan at the United Nations General Assembly, prior to the independence of Bangl ...

(1926–2017), former president of Bangladesh *

Abdur Rasheed Biswas Abdur Rasheed Biswas (died 1991) was a Bangladeshi politician. He was elected as MP of Jessore-10 in the first general election of Bangladesh. He lived in Khalia village of what is now Mohammadpur Upazila of Magura District Magura District ( ...

(died 1991), former MP of Jessore *

Abu Raihan Biswas Abu Raihan Biswas ( – 29 December 2019) was an Indian teacher and politician from West Bengal belonging to Socialist Unity Centre of India. He was a legislator of the West Bengal Legislative Assembly. Biography Biswas was a high school teache ...

(1940–2019), high school teacher and socialist *

AM Riasat Ali Biswas AM Riasat Ali Biswas (died 2016) was a politician of the Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami and a member of parliament for Satkhira-3. Early life and education Riasat Ali was born on 28 December 1937 in Kurikahunia village of Pratapnagar union in Asas ...

(1932–2016), Islamic scholar and politician *

Anil Biswas (composer) Anil Krishna Biswas (7 July 1914 – 31 May 2003), professionally known as Anil Biswas, was an Indian film music director and playback singer from 1935 to 1965, who apart from being one of pioneers of playback singing, is also credited for t ...

(1914–2003), Indian film music composer *

Anil Biswas (politician) Anil Biswas (2 March 1944 – 26 March 2006), often referred to as Keru, was an Indian communist politician. He was the secretary of the West Bengal State Committee of Communist Party of India (Marxist) and member of the party's politburo beginn ...

(nickname 'Keru') (1944–2006), Indian politician *

Apu Biswas Apu Biswas (born 11 October 1989) is a Bangladeshi film actress and model. Struggling to establish herself as a lead actress in films such as ''Kaal Sokale'',''O Amar Chhele'',''Machine Man'' or ''Pitar Ason'' , blockbusters films such as '' Ko ...

, Bangladeshi actress who appears in Dhallywood films *

Barun Biswas Barun Biswas (12 September 1972 – 5 July 2012) was a Bengali school teacher and a social activist in Sutia, West Bengal, India. In 2000, he co-founded "''Sutia Gonodhorshon Pratibad Mancha''", an organisation which protested against a local c ...

(1972–2012), Bengali school teacher and social activist *

Basanta Kumar Biswas Basanta Kumar Biswas (6 February 1895 – 11 May 1915) was an Indian pro-independence activist involved in the Jugantar group who, in December 1912, played a role in the bombing of the Charles Hardinge, 1st Baron Hardinge of Penshurst, Viceroy' ...

(1895–1915),

independence Independence is a condition of a nation, country, or state, in which residents and population, or some portion thereof, exercise self-government, and usually sovereignty, over its territory. The opposite of independence is the status of ...

activist involved in the

Jugantar Jugantar or Yugantar ( ''Jugantor''; lit. ''New Era'' or ''Transition of an Epoch'') was one of the two main secret revolutionary trends operating in Bengal for Indian independence. This association, like Anushilan Samiti, started in the g ...

* Birendra Bijoy Biswas (1928-2018), Indian molecular biologist and recipient of

Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prize Shanti or Shanthi may refer to: In Sanskrit * Inner peace, a state of being mentally and spiritually at peace, with enough knowledge and understanding to keep oneself strong in the face of discord or stress * Kshanti, one of the paramitas of B ...

, the highest science award in India. *

Biswamoy Biswas Biswamoy Biswas (2 June 1923 – 10 August 1994) was an Indian ornithologist who was born in Calcutta, the son of a professor of geology.Mayr, E. (2000) "In Memoriam: Biswamoy Biswas, 1923–1994." ''The Auk'' 117(4):103PDF/ref> In 1947, he was ...

(1923–1994), Indian ornithologist *

Chhabi Biswas Chhabi Biswas (''Chabi Biśbās''; 13 July 1900 – 11 June 1962) was an Indian actor, primarily known for his performances in Tapan Sinha's '' Kabuliwala'' and Satyajit Ray's films '' Jalsaghar'' (''The Music Room'', 1958), ''Devi'' (''The G ...

(1900–1962), Bengali character actor *

Charu Chandra Biswas Charu Chandra Biswas CIE (21 April 1888 – 9 December 1960) was an Indian National Congress politician. Life and career Biswas began his career as a lawyer in the Calcutta High Court. The imperial British government appointed him a Companio ...

, CIE, Indian Judge, Union Minister and Vice Chancellor of the

University of Calcutta The University of Calcutta, informally known as Calcutta University (), is a Public university, public State university (India), state university located in Kolkata, Calcutta (Kolkata), West Bengal, India. It has 151 affiliated undergraduate c ...

Chowdhury Moyezuddin Biwshash Chowdhury Moyezuddin Biwshash (1840–1923) was a Bengali Muslim merchant and aristocrat from Biswas Bari in Faridpur District, British India. Belonging to a zamindar clan of the area, he built a personal fortune of landholdings in Bengal Preside ...

(1840–1923), merchant and aristocrat * Debabrata Biswas (1911–1980), Bengali singer *

Debabrata Biswas (politician) Debabrata Biswas (born 28 September 1945) is a politician and the General Secretary of the All India Forward Bloc from 1997. He was a Member of the Parliament of India representing West Bengal in the Rajya Sabha Rajya Sabha (Council of Stat ...

(born 1945), politician from All India Forward Bloc and a Member of the Parliament of India * Dipendu Biswas, Indian international football player * Emani Biswas (born 1975), Trinamool politician * Farhad Hossain Bishwas Dodul (born 1972), Minister of Public Administration *

Indranil Biswas Indranil Biswas (born 19 October 1964) is an Indian mathematician. Currently, He is a senior professor of mathematics at the Shiv Nadar Institution of Eminence, Delhi-NCR. He is known for his work in the areas of algebraic geometry, differen ...

(born 1964), mathematician and recipient of

, the highest science award in India. * Kanishka Biswas (born 1982), chemist and recipient of

, the highest science award in India. * Kamalakshmi Biswas (born 1937), is an Indian politician from West Bengal * Ehteshamul Haq Nasim Biswas (died 1998), medical doctor and politician *

Hemanga Biswas Hemanga Biswas (14 December 1912 – 22 November 1987) was an Indian singer, composer, author and political activist, known for his literature in Bengali and Assamese, advocacy of peoples music, drawing from genres of folk music, including Bh ...

, exponent of the Bhantiali folk music, originally popular among the fishermen of Bangladesh *

Kanti Biswas Kanti Biswas (), was an Indian communist politician and former minister from West Bengal. Early life Kanti Biswas was born in Bengali Namasudra caste to Jogendranath Biswas at Bukrail, Kashiani, Faridpur district, Bengal Province in Briti ...

, Indian politician and former minister of West Bengal *

Lutfar Rahman Biswas Lutfar Rahman Biswas is a Jatiya Party (Ershad) politician and a former member of parliament for Manikganj-2 Manikganj-2 is a constituency represented in the Jatiya Sangsad (National Parliament) of Bangladesh. Since 6 August 2024 the constituen ...

, Bangladeshi politician *

Manjur Rahman Biswas Manjur Rahman Biswas (15 April 1950 – 20 July 2023) was a Bangladesh Jatiya Party politician. He was elected a member of parliament for Pabna-4 in 1988. Early life and career Manjur Rahman Biswas was born 15 April 1950 in Pabna District. He ...

(1950–2023), former MP of

Pabna-4 Pabna-4 is a constituency represented in the Jatiya Sangsad (National Parliament) of Bangladesh since 2024 by Galibur Rahman Sharif of the Awami League. Boundaries The constituency encompasses Atgharia Atgharia is a village and a gram panc ...

* Md. Golam Mostofa Biswas (born 1967), former MP of Nawabganj-2 * Babu Mathurmohan Biswas (1817-1871), Indian

Zamindar A zamindar in the Indian subcontinent was an autonomous or semi-autonomous feudal lord of a ''zamindari'' (feudal estate). The term itself came into use during the Mughal Empire, when Persian was the official language; ''zamindar'' is the ...

, social reformer and religious patron * Mohammad Nurul Haque Biswas (1915–1998), army officer and politician * Mohammad Sahiuddin Bishwas (1923–1990), freedom fighter and politician * Mohammad Abdul Wadud Bishwas (born 1964), politician * Nuruzzaman Biswas (born 1948), former MP of

* Panjab Ali Biswas, former MP of

* Pratim Biswas, Dean of the College of Engineering at the

University of Miami The University of Miami (UM, UMiami, Miami, U of M, and The U) is a private university, private research university in Coral Gables, Florida, United States. , the university enrolled 19,852 students in two colleges and ten schools across over ...

Pulak Biswas Pulak Biswas (1941—29 August 2013) is a leading artist and children's book illustrator from India. Biography Biswas was born in Dhaka, British India. After training at the Government College of Art, Kolkata, he worked for many years in the a ...

(born 1941), artist and children's book illustrator from India *

Ramakrishna Biswas Ramkrishna Biswas (16 January 1910 – 4 August 1931) was an Indian revolutionary and martyr. He was an active member of Surya Sen's revolutionary group. Early life Biswas was born in Saroatali, Chittagong in British India. His father's name was ...

, (born 1910), Bengali revolutionary and martyr * Robert Biswas-Diener (born 1972), positive psychologist, researcher, author and instructor at Portland State University *

Sanjit Biswas Sanjit Biswas (born 1982) is an American billionaire businessman, computer scientist who is the co-founder and chief executive officer (CEO) of Samsara, a publicly traded Internet of Things company headquartered in San Francisco, California that ...

(born 1982), American entrepreneur, and computer scientist. *

Seema Biswas Seema Biswas (born 14 January 1965) is an Indian actress who works in Hindi films and the theatre. She gained prominence after playing the role of Phoolan Devi in Shekhar Kapur, Shekhar Kapur's film ''Bandit Queen'' (1994), for which she won the ...

(born 1965), Indian film and theatre actress * Shahidul Islam Biswas (1948–2006), former general secretary of Bangladesh Nationalist Party *

Soma Biswas Soma Biswas (born 16 May 1978 in Ranaghat) is an Indian former athlete from West Bengal who represented India in the heptathlon. She rose to fame when she won the silver medal in 2002 Asian Games in Busan, South Korea. She won another silve ...

(born 1978), athlete of Kolkata, India and who specialises in the heptathlon *

Soumili Biswas Soumili Biswas is a Bengali language, Bengali film and television actress, model, TV anchor, and classical dancer. Early life She was born in Barisha/Behala, in south Kolkata, as the youngest of two siblings. She has an elder brother, named ...

, Bengali television serial actress *

Suhas Biswas Flight Lieutenant Suhas Biswas, AC (9 September 1924 – 1 September 1957) was an officer in the Indian Air Force who was the first Air Force Officer to be awarded the Ashoka Chakra, India's highest peacetime military award, in the year of 19 ...

first Air Force Officer, awarded the Ashoka Chakra *

Suresh Biswas Suresh Biswas (1861 – 22 September 1905) was a 19th-century adventurer from India. He also gained high acclaim as a Ringmaster (circus), ringmaster, showing his prowess with big cats such as lions and tigers. He also came to be known for his ...

, 19th century adventurer from India *

Sutapa Biswas Sutapa Biswas (born 28 November 1962) is a British Indian conceptual artist, who works across a range of media including painting, drawing, film and time-based media. Early life She was born in Shantiniketan, West Bengal, India, in 1962. At the ...

(born 1962), British Indian conceptual artist *

Timir Biswas Timir Biswas (; born 20 November 1982) is an Indian playback singer of both Bengali and Hindi films. He also the lead singer of the band Fakira. He originates from Sreepally, Asansol, West Bengal and belongs to a Bengali family. Early life Tim ...

(born 1982), playback singer, songwriter, composer and the lead singer of the band Fakira * U. N. Biswas, an Indian Buddhist politician and the former Minister for Backward Class Welfare from West Bengal * Ujjal Biswas, Indian politician and the present Minister for technical education in the Government of West Bengal * Wajed Ali Biswas (1947–2003), politician and shrimp exporter * Yusuf Ali Bishwas (1905–1971), former Minister of Agriculture

References

{{surname Bengali-language surnames Bengali Hindu surnames Bengali Muslim surnames

Notable people

See also

References