Dhaka has been the home, birthplace, or political base for many of Bangladesh's most influential figures.
* **Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman:** The founding father of Bangladesh, whose historic speeches and political leadership were centered in Dhaka. * **Sheikh Hasina:** Long-serving Prime Minister and prominent political leader. * **Muhammad Yunus:** Nobel Peace Prize laureate and founder of Grameen Bank, which is headquartered in Dhaka. * **Fazlur Rahman Khan:** Renowned structural engineer and architect (designer of the Sears Tower) who studied at Ahsanullah Engineering College (now BUET) in Dhaka. * **Zainul Abedin:** Legendary pioneer of modern Bangladeshi art who founded the Faculty of Fine Arts in Dhaka. * **Humayun Ahmed:** Beloved contemporary author, dramatist, and filmmaker whose works heavily feature Dhaka life. * **Shakib Al Hasan:** World-renowned cricketer and former captain of the Bangladesh national team.