Bangladesh's liberation war was for getting independence from Pakistan. Bengal was divided into two provinces on 3rd July 1946, in preparation for the independence. majority of Hindu people became a part of West Bengal and majority of Muslim people became a part of East Bengal. The two provinces had their own chief ministers and governors. In August 1947 East Bengal became a part of Pakistan and west Bengal became a part of India. After the separation of India and Pakistan, all the Muslims moved to Pakistan. Pakistan had two parts east and west, which were separated by about 1000 miles.East and west Pakistan were remained united because of their religion Islam. East Pakistan had 85% Muslim and West Pakistan had 97% Muslim. East Pakistan was the province of Bengal. The capital of Pakistan was located in the west, it was called Karachi. However in 1985, the capital moved to Islamabad. On March 25th 1971 East Pakistan declared independence because of the economy situation and ruling power problems. West Pakistan dominated the divided country and received more money than the more populas east. Between 1948 and 1960, East Pakistan's export earnings had been 70 percent while it only received 25 percent of import earning. In 1948 (shortly after independence from the UK), East Pakistan had 11 textile mills while West had 9. In 1971, the number of textile mills in the West had grown to 150 while that in the East had only gone up to 26. A transfer of 2.6 billion dollars (in 1971 exchange rates) worth resources was also done over time from East Pakistan to West Pakistan. Moreover it was felt that much of the income generated by the east was primarily diverted towards fighting wars in Kashmir (the war between India and Pakistan for a piece of land). East Pakistan was doing the work but they were not getting the profit( rights, say on government and freedom) that they are suppose to get.
In 1952, people of Bangladesh discovered their identity through Language movement and the refusal of the central government in west Pakistan to grant official status to Bangla became the focal point of struggle. In 1948 Mohammad Ali Jinnah stated in Dhaka that Urdu was the official language of Pakistan. there was a big argument about this because only the Muhajir in the west and the beharis in the east spoke Urdu. Most of the west Pakistani's spoke Panjabi and Sindhi, and the east Pakistani's spoke Bangla. As a result east Pakistani's disagreed to change their native language bangla and didn't accept Urdu as their language. Seven students were killed in a fierce protest on February 21st, 1952. this day has been remembered since then, because it holds an important memory of how people of this country sacrificed their life for the language. 21st February is recognized as the International mother language by United Nations. A devastating cyclone hit East Pakistan during 1970, which was called bhola cyclone. The cyclone almost destroyed East Pakistan and killed 500,ooo poeple. It was a deep depression among East Pakistani people but the government provide help for the people. The condition got worse and worse but the government let East Pakistan enormous miserable conditions.
After this situation East Pakistan's people realized that they have to be separated from West and create their own identity. The Awami league, led by Sheikh Mujibur Rahaman won a landslide victory in the national election in 1971. He demanded autonomy for East Pakistan. The party Awami league won 160 seats and it was the majority in National assembly. However Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, the chairman of Pakistan peoples party refused to let Sheikh become the prime minister of Pakistan, because he didn't want East Pakistan to get more power. On 7th March, Sheikh gave a speech provoking all the people of East Pakistan to rise up for their own identity. In his speech he urged all the people to turn their homes into a fort of fight. when Sheikh couldn't become the prime minister he wanted to transfer the power to another representative. However when Tikka khan flew to Dhaka to become the governor, the judges denied him to entry and use the power. therefore, Pakistani army tried to crush the opposition power in West Pakistan on March 25th. Skeikh was arrested, but he signed the official declaration of independence on 26th march. On that scary night the Pakistani army violently attacked poor people who didn't know anything and weren't ready to protect themselves. the army attacked with a plan of genocide, they killed all the important and intelligent persons of East Pakistan. Their paln was to paralyze the country by killing the majors generals,scientists,poets and general people also. Pakistan's president Yahya khan confessed on conference on February that,"kill three million of them". The University of Dhaka was attacked and on that single night 7,000 people died. within a week 30,000 people died in Dhaka. Half of the people of Chittagong was killed too. People of East Pakistan was helpless because by April thirty million people were already killed so people started to flee to India as refugees. Ten million refugees escaped to India.
India wanted the resources of East Pakistan so they surprisingly intervene on the war. Bengali military,paramilitary and civilians formed Mukti Bahini (Liberation Army). They used guerrilla warfare to attack on enemies. India Provided economic, military and diplomatic support to Mukti rebels. Thousand of unnamed people including women and children provided support to the freedom fighters. On 16th December west Pakistan surrendered to East Pakistan and a new country called Bangladesh was born. After a struggle of nine months finally people got their new country, rights, government and freedom.
As a result of the liberation war Bangladesh became independent. The country gained an identity with their own flag, language and culture. However Bangladesh was influenced a lot by the neighboring country India. Even though India helped Bangladesh to win the war but there was a reason behind it. India always wanted to take the resources of Bangladesh.
In 1952, people of Bangladesh discovered their identity through Language movement and the refusal of the central government in west Pakistan to grant official status to Bangla became the focal point of struggle. In 1948 Mohammad Ali Jinnah stated in Dhaka that Urdu was the official language of Pakistan. there was a big argument about this because only the Muhajir in the west and the beharis in the east spoke Urdu. Most of the west Pakistani's spoke Panjabi and Sindhi, and the east Pakistani's spoke Bangla. As a result east Pakistani's disagreed to change their native language bangla and didn't accept Urdu as their language. Seven students were killed in a fierce protest on February 21st, 1952. this day has been remembered since then, because it holds an important memory of how people of this country sacrificed their life for the language. 21st February is recognized as the International mother language by United Nations. A devastating cyclone hit East Pakistan during 1970, which was called bhola cyclone. The cyclone almost destroyed East Pakistan and killed 500,ooo poeple. It was a deep depression among East Pakistani people but the government provide help for the people. The condition got worse and worse but the government let East Pakistan enormous miserable conditions.
After this situation East Pakistan's people realized that they have to be separated from West and create their own identity. The Awami league, led by Sheikh Mujibur Rahaman won a landslide victory in the national election in 1971. He demanded autonomy for East Pakistan. The party Awami league won 160 seats and it was the majority in National assembly. However Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, the chairman of Pakistan peoples party refused to let Sheikh become the prime minister of Pakistan, because he didn't want East Pakistan to get more power. On 7th March, Sheikh gave a speech provoking all the people of East Pakistan to rise up for their own identity. In his speech he urged all the people to turn their homes into a fort of fight. when Sheikh couldn't become the prime minister he wanted to transfer the power to another representative. However when Tikka khan flew to Dhaka to become the governor, the judges denied him to entry and use the power. therefore, Pakistani army tried to crush the opposition power in West Pakistan on March 25th. Skeikh was arrested, but he signed the official declaration of independence on 26th march. On that scary night the Pakistani army violently attacked poor people who didn't know anything and weren't ready to protect themselves. the army attacked with a plan of genocide, they killed all the important and intelligent persons of East Pakistan. Their paln was to paralyze the country by killing the majors generals,scientists,poets and general people also. Pakistan's president Yahya khan confessed on conference on February that,"kill three million of them". The University of Dhaka was attacked and on that single night 7,000 people died. within a week 30,000 people died in Dhaka. Half of the people of Chittagong was killed too. People of East Pakistan was helpless because by April thirty million people were already killed so people started to flee to India as refugees. Ten million refugees escaped to India.
India wanted the resources of East Pakistan so they surprisingly intervene on the war. Bengali military,paramilitary and civilians formed Mukti Bahini (Liberation Army). They used guerrilla warfare to attack on enemies. India Provided economic, military and diplomatic support to Mukti rebels. Thousand of unnamed people including women and children provided support to the freedom fighters. On 16th December west Pakistan surrendered to East Pakistan and a new country called Bangladesh was born. After a struggle of nine months finally people got their new country, rights, government and freedom.
As a result of the liberation war Bangladesh became independent. The country gained an identity with their own flag, language and culture. However Bangladesh was influenced a lot by the neighboring country India. Even though India helped Bangladesh to win the war but there was a reason behind it. India always wanted to take the resources of Bangladesh.