Ahmed Akbar Sobhan was born on 15 February, 1952, in Islampur, Old Dhaka. His father was a lawyer and his mother a housewife. He was the youngest among two brothers and four sisters. He began his business career in the 1970s after completing his studies.

Initially, he worked in the domestic service sector, but in 1987, by entering the real estate business, he discovered his right track. At that time, many dreamed of owning a home in Dhaka, but fulfilling that dream was extremely difficult. The concept of buying a plot and building a house was still very new. People were skeptical and hesitant to trust. But Ahmed Akbar Sobhan, with honesty and commitment, gradually gained people’s confidence. He introduced the system of selling plots on long-term installments and delivering them to customers on time. This marked the beginning of a new era in the housing sector. Seeing his promises fulfilled, people’s trust began to grow. Those who once only dreamed of owning a piece of land in Dhaka began purchasing plots within their means in Bashundhara.

A young entrepreneur, far ahead of his time, had already foreseen five decades earlier that Dhaka’s population would soar, leading to a housing crisis. The person who took up the bold mission of solving that crisis was none other than Ahmed Akbar Sobhan, Chairman of Bashundhara Group.

In 1987, he founded East West Property Development (Pvt.) Ltd. At that time, the eastern bank of the Balu River consisted of barren land, fallow fields, and neglected villages. Few could imagine that this wasteland would one day turn into the country’s largest and most prestigious residential area. But Ahmed Akbar Sobhan’s farsighted vision and tireless effort turned the impossible into reality. Small plots owned by farmers turned into goldmines, and thousands of families found new dreams of life.

From Old Dhaka to Bashundhara

Born in Islampur of Old Dhaka, on 15 February, 1952, Ahmed Akbar Sobhan, after his education, began his business career in the 1970s. After working in the domestic service sector, in 1987, he entered real estate, which became his true journey.

Owning a house was a dream many cherished but could hardly achieve. The concept of buying a plot to build a home was unfamiliar and faced resistance. People were unwilling to trust easily. But Sobhan’s integrity and fulfillment of promises changed that. By introducing long-term installment facilities and handing over plots on time, he brought about a new culture in real estate. Slowly, confidence grew, and people started purchasing plots in Bashundhara.

This endeavor also carried a human side. The land owned by small farmers in the vast area multiplied in value due to the Bashundhara project.

And indeed, it happened. Starting with four planned blocks—A, B, C, and D—Bashundhara today spans 20 square kilometers, becoming one of South Asia’s largest residential areas.

A New Chapter in Planned Housing

The creation of Bashundhara was not just a housing project; it was the birth of a new urban concept. Unlike most real estate companies that merely sold plots, Bashundhara envisioned something greater. They didn’t stop at selling land but developed green spaces, modern infrastructure, road networks, security, schools, hospitals, corporate offices, banks, superstores, convention centers, playgrounds—building a complete urban lifestyle.

Bashundhara’s greatest contribution wasn’t just in creating elite residences for the wealthy, but in transforming the lives of ordinary farmers around the project area. Farmers with small plots suddenly became millionaires. They built houses, bought cars, and started businesses—Bashundhara changed their fate.

Sobhan often says: “Bashundhara Group has made hundreds of thousands of farmers in this area millionaires. Our other projects have also changed people’s lives in the same way.”

Safe and Modern Living

The pride of Bashundhara Residential Area lies in its security and planning. Nearly a thousand security personnel are on constant duty, complemented by CCTV, helplines, and dedicated cleaning teams. Today, it is considered the safest residential area in the country. It houses an international-standard convention city, renowned schools, colleges, universities, sports complexes, superstores, banks, modern hospitals, and recreation centers. Truly, Bashundhara has become a city within a city.

From Housing to Industrialization

Through its industrial ventures, Bashundhara Group has reduced Bangladesh’s dependence on imports and made far-reaching contributions to the economy.

What began with East West Property Development soon expanded to import-substitute heavy industries. Today, Bashundhara Group’s industries span steel and engineering, cement, paper and tissue, LPG, sanitary napkins, food and beverages, bitumen, oil and gas, gold refining, shipbuilding, ICT, dredging, transport, printing and publishing, sports, hospitals, and foundations.

This diverse industrialization reduced import dependency, created direct and indirect employment for nearly 600,000 people, and turned Bashundhara into one of the largest taxpayers, strengthening the national economy.

Sobhan adds: “Our success owes much to the trust of bankers. I hope this confidence continues in the future. Bankers must identify good entrepreneurs and extend credit to them.”

The Largest Shopping Mall

In 1998, when his real estate business was thriving, Sobhan built the country’s largest and most modern shopping mall—Bashundhara City. It quickly became not only a shopping hub but also a key entertainment and lifestyle destination for Dhaka’s residents. Bashundhara is now constructing three more shopping malls in its residential area.

Pioneer of Real Estate

Real estate in Bangladesh began with Eastern Housing, but it was Bashundhara that transformed it into a true industry. Its success inspired countless others to join the sector.

Today, Bashundhara has become a brand in construction materials as well, with Bashundhara Cement playing an integral role in major infrastructure projects across the country.

Attempts to Destroy Bashundhara During 1/11

During the political turmoil of the 1/11 era, attempts were made to halt Bashundhara’s progress. The then government launched severe harassment and repression against leading business families, including Bashundhara. Nearly 35 false cases were filed against the chairman, his family, and 14 senior officials. Many top executives were detained for one to three months and subjected to inhumane physical and mental torture.

Forcibly, Bashundhara’s land was sold, and between May 28, 2007, and June 11, 2008, Tk 256 crore was taken through an intelligence agency. Though the High Court and later the Appellate Division ordered the money’s return, it has not yet been repaid. Despite such setbacks, Bashundhara Group managed to stand back up again.

Patron of Sports

Beyond business, Sobhan is a passionate sports enthusiast. Once a hockey player himself, his brother, Abdus Sadeque, was a legendary figure in the national hockey team.

Today, Bashundhara Group is one of the biggest sponsors of sports in the country. Through its club Bashundhara Kings, it revived football, winning 14 trophies. In cricket, it owns the BPL team Rangpur Riders. It also sponsors golf, kabaddi, hockey, and more. Recently, it invested Tk 2,500 crore to build a modern sports city in the Bashundhara Residential Area.

Leadership to the New Generation

The vast business empire of Bashundhara Group has now been handed over to the new generation. Sobhan has structured the business into multiple sectors and outlined its future. His four sons have joined the leadership:

Sadat Sobhan (Chairman, Tanvir Bashundhara Group)

Safiat Sobhan (Chairman, Sunvir Bashundhara Group)

Sayem Sobhan (Chairman, Anvir Bashundhara Group)

Safwan Sobhan (Chairman, Safwan Bashundhara Global)

Under their leadership, Bashundhara has become more organized and set long-term plans for the future.

Social Responsibility

Sobhan has not only been a business leader but also a pioneer in social responsibility. Despite reaching the pinnacle of success, he has never forgotten his duty toward humanity and culture. Through continuous developmental initiatives, he has touched countless lives.

The Bashundhara Foundation, since 2005, has been distributing interest- and service charge-free microloans, helping 37,000 poor and underprivileged families in Bancharampur, Nabinagar, and Homna become self-reliant.

Bashundhara Shuvosangho works to enlighten disadvantaged and meritorious students, build schools in remote areas, empower women, and establish libraries. Currently, it runs 21 schools, has provided sewing machines to over 3,000 women, set up 10 libraries, and supports more than 5,000 students with scholarships, including at medical universities.

Sobhan has also frequently stood beside people in times of disaster and crisis.

Contribution to Media

Bashundhara has also left a strong mark on the media and culture of Bangladesh. Under East West Media Group, it operates Kaler Kantho, Bangladesh Pratidin, The Daily Sun, Banglanews24, News24, Radio Capital, and T Sports. As one of South Asia’s largest media houses, this stands as further proof of Bashundhara’s commitment to social responsibility.

Real estate leaders often remark that the daring vision of Sobhan to solve Dhaka’s housing crisis has now become reality. Bashundhara Residential Area is not just a project—it is a living model of modern urbanization. By revolutionizing housing, Bashundhara has woven dreams into urban life and enriched thousands of families with jobs and prosperity. Today, Bashundhara is not just a housing project; it is a symbol of possibility, trust, and development in Bangladesh.

Ahmed Akbar Sobhan has also thought about life after death—allocating 105 bighas of land for a cemetery.

He remarks: “Bashundhara Group works not only for itself but for the country and its people. We have never compromised on quality, and we have always set the standard. In many businesses, Bashundhara took the first step, and others followed in our footsteps.”

Explaining the reason behind his success, the entrepreneur says: “People say I succeed in every business I start. The true credit goes to all the employees of Bashundhara Group. They treat the company as their own and work with full dedication. They believe the company belongs to them. This workforce is the main reason behind all our achievements.”