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History of Bangladesh

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History of Bangladesh

The history of Bangladesh is a story of remarkable cultural continuity, colonial disruption, linguistic and cultural assertion, and ultimately national liberation. From the ancient kingdoms of Bengal to the liberation of 1971, Bangladesh’s history shapes its present identity and is essential knowledge for the DU Admission examination.

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Key Historical Periods:

PeriodKey Events
AncientMaurya, Gupta, Pala, Sena dynasties; Buddhism and Hinduism
MedievalTurkish and Mughal rule; introduction of Islam
ColonialBritish rule (1757–1947); Partition of Bengal (1905, 1947)
PakistanEast Pakistan 1947–1971; Language Movement 1952
IndependenceLiberation War 1971; Mujibnagar Government

Key Dates to Memorise:

  • 1757: Battle of Plassey — British victory begins colonial rule
  • 1905: First Partition of Bengal
  • 1947: Partition of India — East Pakistan created
  • 1952: Language Movement — 21 February
  • 1966: Six Point Movement
  • 1971: Liberation War

⚡ Exam Tip: The Liberation War of 1971 and the Language Movement of 1952 are the two most important historical topics in the DU exam. The Language Movement (Ekushey) gave Bangladesh its unique linguistic identity and led directly to the demand for autonomy and independence.

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1. Ancient Bengal

Early Kingdoms: Bengal was home to several ancient kingdoms, including the Maurya and Gupta empires. The Pala dynasty (8th–12th centuries) was particularly notable — a Buddhist dynasty that promoted learning and art. The Sen dynasty (11th–12th centuries) saw the last Hindu kingdom of Bengal before the Turkish invasions.

Buddhism in Bengal: The Pala dynasty was instrumental in spreading Buddhism to Southeast Asia. The influence of Buddhism on Bengali culture — evident in the Charyapada — lasted through the medieval period.

Arrival of Islam: Islam arrived in Bengal through traders and Sufi saints (pirs) beginning in the 13th century. Unlike North India, Islam spread gradually in Bengal through peaceful means, creating a syncretic culture.

2. Mughal Rule and the Colonial Period

Mughal Bengal: Bengal was one of the wealthiest provinces of the Mughal Empire. Dhaka served as a Mughal administrative centre. The Nawabs of Bengal (Murshid Quli Khan, Alivardi Khan) governed semi-autonomously.

Battle of Plassey (1757): Robert Clive’s victory over the Nawab Siraj-ud-Daullah at Plassey, secured by the treachery of Mir Jafar, marked the beginning of direct British rule. Bengal was systematically exploited for revenue, leading to the Great Famine of 1770, which killed an estimated 10 million people.

First Partition of Bengal (1905): The British Viceroy Curzon partitioned Bengal into two provinces: Eastern Bengal and Assam (with capital Dhaka) and Western Bengal (with capital Calcutta). The partition was opposed by Hindu Bengalis who saw it as divide-and-rule. It was annulled in 1911.

3. The Language Movement (1952)

The Language Movement is the foundational event of Bangladeshi national identity.

Background: When Pakistan was created in 1947, Urdu was designated as the sole state language. Bengali-speaking East Pakistanis — who constituted a majority of Pakistan’s population — strongly opposed this.

Events:

  • 1948: Mohammad Ali Bogra announced Urdu as the only state language
  • February 1952: Student protests at Dhaka University
  • 21 February 1952: Police opened fire on protesters at Dhaka University; Rafiq Uddin Ahmed, Abul Barkat, Abdul Jabbar, and others were killed
  • The movement grew until 1956: Bengali was recognised as an official language alongside Urdu

Significance:

  • The Language Movement awakened Bengali national consciousness
  • It demonstrated that East Pakistanis would not accept cultural domination
  • It laid the groundwork for the independence movement
  • 21 February is now Bangladesh’s Language Martyrs’ Day and is celebrated internationally as International Mother Language Day (UNESCO, 1999)

4. The Road to Independence

Six Point Movement (1966): Awami League leader Sheikh Mujibur Rahman announced the Six Point Charter, demanding provincial autonomy for East Pakistan. This was seen as a threat by the West Pakistani military and political establishment.

Mass Uprising (1969): Student-led protests forced the Ayub Khan military government to step down. The mass uprising demonstrated the depth of public feeling against West Pakistani domination.

1971 — The Liberation War:

  • 26 March 1971: Pakistan Army launched Operation Searchlight, a brutal crackdown on East Pakistanis. Sheikh Mujibur Rahman declared Bangladesh’s independence.
  • Mujibnagar Government: The provisional Bangladeshi government was established in exile in India
  • Mukti Bahini: Bangladeshi freedom fighters (Muktijoddhas) fought alongside Indian forces
  • 16 December 1971: Pakistani forces surrendered; Bangladesh was born

Key Figures:

  • Sheikh Mujibur Rahman: Founding father; first Prime Minister
  • Tajuddin Ahmad: First Prime Minister of Bangladesh
  • Ziaur Rahman: Military ruler and later President; normalisation of relations with Pakistan

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5. Post-Independence History

Assassination of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman (1975): On 15 August 1975, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was assassinated along with most of his family in a military coup. His wife (Fazilatunnesa) and three sons (Kamal, Jamal, Russell) were killed. Two daughters (Sheikh Hasina and Sheikh Rehana) survived because they were abroad. This tragedy shaped Bangladesh’s political trajectory for decades.

Military Rule: Ziaur Rahman (who succeeded the coup leaders) established a presidential system and later a party-based system. His rule ended when he was assassinated in 1981.

Hussain Muhammad Ershad (1982–1990): Ershad declared martial law and later became President. He promoted “Bengladesh nationalism” over Muslim identity and sought to integrate tribal peoples into mainstream Bengali culture — a policy that caused controversy in the Chittagong Hill Tracts.

Restoration of Democracy (1991): The 1991 general election, won by the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), established a parliamentary system. From 1991, Bangladesh alternated between BNP-led and Awami League-led governments.

6. Contemporary Politics

Sheikh Hasina (Awami League): Sheikh Hasina became Prime Minister in 1996 (and again from 2009 onwards). Under her leadership, Bangladesh achieved significant economic growth and improved infrastructure.

Khaleda Zia (BNP): Khaleda Zia, wife of Ziaur Rahman, became Prime Minister (1991–1996). BNP governments pursued closer relations with Pakistan and the Middle East.

The War Crimes Tribunal: The International Crimes Tribunal Bangladesh (ICT-BD) was established to prosecute individuals for crimes committed during the 1971 Liberation War. Several Jamaat-e-Islami leaders were convicted for collaboration with Pakistan during the war.

Exam Watch: The Language Movement (1952) and the Liberation War (1971) are the two most important historical topics for the DU exam. Remember the key events, dates, and figures — especially Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the Language Martyrs’ Day (21 February), and the Mujibnagar Government.

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