Guwahati, Feb. 24: Eminent geographer and academician Mohammad Taher, 84, passed away this morning at a private hospital here.
Taher had written around 30 books on geography in English and Assamese from school to university standard. Some of his important/popular works are Bhugul Bharati, Geography of Northeast India and an Assamese translation of the Geography of Ancient India written by Anundoram Borooah.
'Taher played an important role in establishing and popularising geography in the Northeast,' said Abani Bhagawati, an academician.
Taher was suffering from a lung infection and was admitted to the hospital on February 3. He is survived by his wife, two sons and a daughter.
Taher passed Class X from Lakhimpur Higher Secondary School with highest marks in Assamese in the state. He completed his graduation from Cotton College and masters from Calcutta University in geography.
After completing his masters degree, he worked for a few months with National Atlas Organisation before joining the geography department of Gauhati University as a faculty. He completed his PhD from University of Auckland in New Zealand on 'Asians in New Zealand'.
Taher retired from GU in 1991 but continued to work as a guest lecturer for around 10 years.
In between, he also worked as secretary of the university's textbook preparation cell, as chairman of the Board of Secondary Education, Assam, and the chairman of Northeast Indian Geographical Society.
Asam Sahitya Sabha general secretary Paramananda Rajbongshi said Taher devoted himself to popularising the study of geography and was a source of inspiration for the new generation.
'His demise is an irreparable loss to the academic world of Assam,' he said.
'Taher was a well-wisher of the Sabha and offered his valuable suggestions from time to time. We have not only lost one of our well-wishers but also a guardian,' he added.
Assam chief minister Tarun Gogoi condoled Taher's death and said by editing, writing and translating books, he had enriched Assamese language and literature.
