Prof Muntassir Mamoon, columnist and historian, has been awarded the prestigious Bangiya Sahitya Parishad award.

India's Bangiya Sahitya Parishad announced the historian's name for the award "Brajendranath Bandhapadhaya Sharok Puroshkar-1422" on June 28. Prof Muntassir is the first Bangladeshi to receive the award.

The parishad, established in 1899 to research Bangla language, will hand over the award to Prof Muntassir on the anniversary of the organisation on July 25, said a press release of Bangladesh History Congress.  

Prof Muntassir won the award for his research on society and culture of East Bengal, particularly for his 14-part book

"19 Shotoke Bangladesher Sangbadh Shamayik Patra".Prof Muntassir said he was delighted to win the award, which is an acknowledgment of his work.

Born in 1951, Prof Muntassir has been a teacher in Dhaka University's history department.

He received many awards, including Ekushey Padak and Bangla Academy Award.