Muhammad Shamsul Alam Chowdhury, also known as Shams Chowdhury and Dr. M. Chowdhury, is a retired Brigadier General of the [[Bangladesh Army], author, entrepreneur, and former diplomat. Over a military career spanning more than three decades, he held command, staff, and instructional appointments and served in United Nations peacekeeping missions in Bosnia, Croatia, and Liberia. He is widely regarded as a “miraculous survivor” of the 25 February 2009 BDR mutiny, having endured exceptionally perilous circumstances Bangladesh Rifles revolt, where he witnessed key events firsthand. Chowdhury later served as a senior diplomat at the Embassy of Bangladesh in Washington, D.C., and completed an MBA in 2016 at The George Washington University in Washington, D.C., USA. Following his retirement, he has worked in leadership development, organizational strategy, and writing, publishing books on governance, economics, religion, and contemporary affairs. He received an honorary Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Policy Leadership and Economic Transformation from the International American University in Los Angeles, USA, in 2025. He is also involved in philanthropic activities, including support for underprivileged students in rural areas.
Shams was born on 3 August 1966, in the prominent Abu Bhuiyan family of Mirsharai. He began his military career in 1984 as a cadet at the Bangladesh Military Academy and was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Armored Corps in 1986. He holds an MBA from George Washington University, USA. In 2025, Chowdhury received an honorary PhD in Policy Leadership and Economic Transformation from the International American University in Los Angeles, USA, in recognition of his contributions to leadership, governance, and strategic development. ref name=":0"> "Brigadier General Shams Chowdhury". www.khabarica24.com. Retrieved 26 October 2023.</ref>
Career
Shams was commissioned into the Armored Corps in 1986, he participated in United Nations peacekeeping missions as a Military Observer in Bosnia and Croatia (1995–96) and as a Staff Officer at the UN Force Headquarters in Liberia (2005–06). Domestically, he held the position of Commanding Officer of an Armored Regiment and Zone Commander in the Chhota Harina Zone of Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) in Rangamati in 2008. He served as director of both the Special Security Force (SSF) and the National Security Intelligence (NSI) under the prime minister's office. Notably, he survived the 2009 BDR mutiny at Pilkhana.[1] He retired as a brigadier general in 2019.[2]
During court proceedings regarding the 2009 BDR mutiny at Pilkhana, defence counsel accused prosecution witness, Shams, of orchestrating the carnage. Defence lawyer Amdadul Hoque Lal alleged that Shams' leadership during the event earned him a favorable posting and questioned why key officers of the 44 Rifles Battalion, which Shams commanded, were unharmed. Shams refuted these claims, attributing his survival to divine intervention.[3][4]
Shams had previously testified as the fourth prosecution witness, detailing the events of the mutiny, including processions of rebel soldiers and his survival. He was also cross-examined for four hours, during which the defence claimed he falsely implicated an accused sepoy following a prior dispute, a claim he denied.[5][6][7][8] He is the author of The Truth and Justice, a book documenting his first‑hand, eyewitness account of the 2009 BDR mutiny. Drawing on his direct observations and professional experience, the book offers a detailed account of the events surrounding the BDR carnage and the subsequent search for accountability.[9]
Shams served as a diplomat at the Bangladesh Embassy in Washington, D.C from 2013 to 2019. Currently, he is the chairperson of U.S. Center for Cooperation & Economic Development based in USA.[2].
2. Remaking the Wealth of the Nations — a nonfiction analysis of why economic inequality persists among countries, introducing concepts such as “artificial productivity,” the “leadership matrix,” and the “bureaucracy index” as proposed frameworks for understanding economic development and reducing global wealth disparities. (https://www.amazon.ca/Remaking-Wealth-Nations-Mba-Chowdhury/dp/B0FR3WYQ6D).
3. The Pathway to Peace and Paradise: A Spiritual Blueprint for a Turbulent World — a nonfiction work examining the relationship between spirituality, peace, and human civilization, drawing on religious and moral principles—particularly from Islamic teachings—as a framework for promoting global peace, ethical leadership, and spiritual fulfillment in a conflict‑prone world. (https://www.amazon.com/Pathway-Peace-Paradise-Spiritual-Blueprint/dp/1967787964)
4. The Quran, Science, and the Universe — a discussion of the relationship between Islamic scripture, scientific discovery, and cosmology, examining natural phenomena and scientific concepts in relation to Qur’anic verses and presenting faith and scientific inquiry as complementary approaches to understanding the universe. The book also discusses the author’s interpretation of Qur’anic passages, suggesting that future scientific progress may broaden human exploration of the universe, while noting that extreme cosmic environments such as black holes represent the ultimate limits of exploration, viewed as boundaries set by God, the Almighty. (https://www.amazon.ca/Quran-Science-Universe-Dr-Chowdhury/dp/1969880287).
5. Islam Versus Terror: The Battle of Truth — addresses misconceptions about Islam and the ideological roots of terrorism, examining how extremist groups distort Islamic teachings and emphasizing the distinction between the principles of the faith and acts of violence. The book promotes understanding, tolerance, and the message of peace central to Islamic teachings. (https://www.amazon.com/Islam-Versus-Terror-Battle-Truth/dp/B0FTSQKDZR).
6. The Truth and Justice — a nonfiction memoir of the 2009 Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) mutiny, outlining conditions within the force before the uprising, the author’s efforts to prevent it, and his eyewitness experiences from hiding during the violent events. The book examines the mutiny’s command and control dynamics, presents the author’s perspective on how powerful stakeholders attempted to influence the investigation and justice process, including the spread of conspiracy theories common in developing countries such as Bangladesh. It also incorporates the U.S. Ambassador’s opinions on the incident and the lessons the author draws from it, supported by photographs, references, and statements. (https://olympiapublishers.com/book/the-truth-and-justice).
Personal life
Shams is married to Nazneen Akhtar. They have two sons: Chowdhury Shihab Bin Shams and Chowdhury Talha Bin Shams.
Award and Honor: Chowdhury received an honorary PhD in Policy Leadership and Economic Transformation from the International American University in 2025 as a recognition for his service and contributions to leadership, economic development, and global peace.
↑Chowdhury, M (11 September 2025). The Truth and Justice. Olympia Publishers. ISBN9781804399712.
This article needs additional or more specific categories. Please help out by adding categories to it so that it can be listed with similar articles.(December 2024)
This page is based on this Wikipedia article Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply. Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.
Bangladesh 
Brigadier General 
