Wikipedia:Moulvi Abdul Ali

Moulvi Abdul Ali (আব্দুল আলী; 1786–1866) was a notable zamindar (landowner) and philanthropist of Dacca in present-day Bangladesh. He was popularly known by locals as Pagla Moulvi (পাগলা মৌলভী) due to his temperamental strict nature and actions. Along with schools and other facilities, he is credited for establishing Moulavibazar, one of Dhaka's oldest and busiest bazaars.

Early life and education
Abdul Ali was born in 1786, to a wealthy Bengali Muslim family in Dacca. During this time, the country was under the Nawab of Bengal Mubarak Ali Khan, although the East India Company possessed true authority. His father, Moulvi Barkatullah, was from the village of Milik in Nayabari. Barkatullah expanded his zamindari extent across Pargana Nurullahpur, Hauli Jahanabad, Aurangabad, Shaistanagar, and some parts of Pargana Idrakpur.

Abdul Ali was one of the original students of the Dacca Collegiate School, and was a qualified moulvi. He maintained close relations with classmates Nawab of Dacca Khwaja Abdul Ghani and Brajasundara Mitra, founder of the Dacca Brahmo Samaj.

Career
Inheriting land from his father, Abdul Ali amassed a lot of wealth. He purchased the remaining parts of Pargana Idrakpur as well as the entirety of Pargana Barabadu.

He was the only local landowner who competed against Indigo-Planter Wise, a British landowner of Dacca. Abdul Ali often had lawsuits with him, and loved to file criminal cases. He used to earn sixty or seventy thousand rupees a year. Described to be a miser by nature, he had a lot of assets.

However, he was also noted for charitable causes for the Muslim community. He is credited for the establishment of a guesthouse and madrasa in Dacca. He also founded a school in Nayabari, his home village.

His home in Dacca was situated in Paniati Lane in Chowk Bazaar. Near his home, he established a bazaar in Daniyaler Goli near the erstwhile Muqim Katra, which is now known as Moulavibazar.

Death
In 1866, Abdul Ali died at the age of 80 years.