History

First ever nation wide parliamentary election in Pakistan was held in December 1970 to January
1971. Nationalist Forces lead by Sheikh Mujibur Rahman won overwhelming victory in East
Pakistan and became majority party in entire Pakistan. But Pakistan military regime conspired to
stop his Awami League party to take over power. On March 7, 1971 Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in
his historic address to mammoth gathering at race course, Dhaka announced non-cooperation
movement and declared, “This is the struggle for liberation, the struggle for independence.”

Then came president general Yahya Khan and majority party leader of West Pakistan Zulfiker
Ali Bhutto to Dhaka for negotiated settlement. While mock discussions were continuing, military
rulers started planning for crushing nationalist struggle through military solution.And at fateful
night of 25th March, systematic genocide started. No part of Bangladesh was spared.
Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman before his arrest in early hours of 26th March sent
wireless message declaring independence of Bangladesh. On 27th March from Chittagong Radio
Station Major Ziaur Rahman declared independence and appealed for international support.

People from all walks of life responded through armed resistance. This liberation war culminated
in final victory on 16th December 1971 with emergence of independent Bangladesh

GENOCIDE AND ATROCITIES 

Between March 25 and December 16, estimated 3 million Bengalees were killed, 2,00,000
women raped and 10 million were displaced. This was the worst genocide after Second World
War. This was mass killing of innocent civilians, men, women and children, no part of the
country was spared. Killing fields can be found in every town and village. Killing was
particularly targeted towards youth, religious minorities and democratic forces. In the final days
of the liberation war, local fundamentalist collaborators of Pakistan Army named Al-badar and
Al-shams took leading intellectuals including writers, journalists, doctors, lawyers and engineers
blindfolded, killed them and dumped them in Dhaka city outskirts.Muslimbazar and Jalladkhana
Killing fields.
In July 1999, construction work was in progress for expansion of a mosque at Mirpur, Dhaka.
Construction workers discovered skeletons while digging the land, which was later confirmed to
be a killing field of 1971 martyrs. With assistance from Bangladesh Army, Liberation War
Museum excavated the area and found 5 skeletons and 1766 bones, which are preserved in the
museum.In November 1999, based on eyewitness accounts, Liberation War Museum excavated
an abandoned pump house in Mirpur and found 70 skeletons and 5392 bones.

Liberation War Museum preserves this historic site JALLAD KHANA to reflect upon heinous
crimes perpetrated by Pakistan Army and their fundamentalist collaborators.

REFUGEE 

1971 witnessed worst human influx from Bangladesh to neighboring India. Indian government
reports that 98,99,305 migrants took shelter in 829 refugee camps. To escape mass killing, rape
and destruction, men, women and children defied many odds that took toll of untold sufferings
and death. Then youth from all over the country crossed border to take arms training and join
resistance as Mukti Bahini (Freedom Fighters). Such a colossal influx had naturally been a huge
burden on Indian economy and took India few months to give refugees logistic support in make
shift refugee camps. In Eastern province of Tripura, refugees outnumbered local inhabitants. In
initial period, some refugees had to take shelter in subhuman conditions in abandoned drainage
pipes at Salt Lake, Calcutta.

Over crowded improvised living conditions in refugee camps led to sickness and death. Beside
government support, local people and some aid agencies helped to mitigate this sufferings.

BANGLADESH GOVERNMENT

On 10th April 1971, elected parliament members of 1970’s election from East Pakistan formed
Bangladesh Government. The cabinet took oath on 17th April in a liberated area in the mango
grove of Baidyanathtala Meherpur, Kustia renamed as Mujibnagar. This government took all
policy decisions with respect to the liberation war.

Bangladesh government adapted “Declarations of Independence” on 10th April. This has been
the legal basis of Bangladesh constitution after final victory.

THE PROCLAMATION OF INDEPENDENCE

Whereas free elections were held in Bangladesh from 7th December, 1970 to 17th January, 1971,
to elect representatives for the purpose of framing a constitution,

And

Whereas at these elections the people of Bangladesh elected 167 out of 169 representatives
belonging to the Awami League,

And

Whereas General Yahya Khan summoned the elected representatives of the people to meet on
the 3rd March 1971, for the purpose of framing a constitution,

And

Whereas instead of fulfilling their promise and while still conferring with the representatives of
the people of Bangladesh, Pakistan authorities declared an unjust and treacherous war,

And

Whereas in the facts and circumstances of such treacherous conduct Bangabandhu Sheikh
Mujibur Rahman, the undisputed leader of the 95 million people of Bangladesh, in due
fulfillment of the legitimate right of self determination of the people of Bangladesh, duly made a
declaration of independence at Dacca on March 26, 1971, and urged the people of Bangladesh to
defend the honour and integrity of Bangladesh,

And
Whereas in the conduct of a ruthless and savage war the Pakistani authorities committed and are
still continuously committing numerous acts of genocide and unprecedented tortures, amongst
others on the civilian and unarmed people of Bangladesh,

And

Whereas the Government by levying an unjust war and committing genocide and by other
repressive measures made it impossible for the elected representatives of the people of
Bangladesh to meet and frame a Constitution, and give to themselves a Government,

And

Whereas the people of Bangladesh by their heroism, bravery and revolutionary fervour have
established effective control over the territories of Bangladesh,

And

We the elected representatives of the people of Bangladesh as honor bound by the mandate given
to us by the people of Bangladesh whose will is supreme, duly constituted ourselves into a
Constituent Assembly, and

Having held mutual consultations, and

In order to ensure for the people of Bangladesh equality, human dignity and social justice,
Declare and constitute Bangladesh to be sovereign peoples’ Republic and thereby confirm the
declaration of independence already made by Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, and Do
hereby affirm and resolve that till such time as a Constitution is framed, Bangabandhu Sheikh
Mujibur Rahman shall be the President of the Republic and that Syed Nazrul Islam shall be the
Vice-President of the Republic, and

That the President shall be the Supreme Commander of all the Armed Forces of the Republic,
Shall exercise all the Executive and Legislative powers of the Republic including the power to
grant pardon, Shall exercise all the power to appoint a Prime Minister and such other Ministers,
as he considers necessary, Shall have the power to levy taxes and expend monies, Shall have the
power to summon and adjourn the Constituent Assembly, and Do all other things that may be
necessary to give to the people of Bangladesh an orderly and just Government,

We the elected representatives of the people of Bangladesh do further resolve that in the event of
there being no President or President being unable to enter upon his office or being unable to
exercise his powers and duties due to any reason whatsoever, the Vice-President shall have and
exercise all the powers, duties and responsibilities herein conferred on the President,
We further resolve that we undertake to observe and give effect to all duties and obligations that
devolve upon us as a member of the family of nations and under the Charter of United Nations.
We further resolve that this proclamation of independence shall be deemed to have come into
effect from 26th day of March 1971.

We further resolve that in order to give effect to this instrument we appoint prof. Yusuf Ali our
duly Constituted Potentiary and to give to the President and the Vice-President oaths of office.

BANGLADESH GOVERNMENT

Established: April 10, 1971

Oath Taking Ceremony: April 17, 1971
Baidyanathtala, Mehespur, Kustia.

 President: Sheikh Mujibur Rahman

 Vice President and Acting President: Syed Nazrul Islam
 Finance, Commerce and Industry Minister: Mansur Ali
 Prime Minister: Tajuddin Ahmed
 Home, Agriculture, Relief and Rehabilitation Minister: A. H. M Kamruzzaman
 Foreign Minister: Khondoker Mustaq Ahmed

Ministry and Secretaries

Principal
Ruhul Quddus (December 7, 1971)
Cabinet
Hossain Towfiq Imam
General Administration
Nurul Quader Khan
Finance
Khandker Asaduzzaman
Home
M. A Khaleque
Foreign
Mahbubul Alam Chasi

Health
Dr. T. Hassan
Defence
Abdus Samad
Agriculture
Nuruddin Ahmed
Land and Parliamentary affairs
Abdul Hannan Chowdhury
Relief and Rehabilitation
Jai Gobinda Bhowmik
Information
Anwarul Huq Khan 
BANGLADESH LIBERATION ARMED FORCE

Mukti Bahini/ Head quarter: Mujib Nagar

Immediately after start of genocide on March 25, 1971 Bengalee members of armed forces, East
Pakistan Rifles, Police and Ansars together with patriotic youth built up local resistance. On 4th
April highranking officials of Armed Forces involved in resistance in Eastern part met at
Teliapara, Sylhet for planning coordinated actions.

Cabinet meeting of Bangladesh government of July 11, 1971 appointed Col. M A G Osmani as
Commander in Chief, Lt. Col. Abdur Rab as chief of Army Staff and Group Captain A K
Khandker as Deputy Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Air Force. In this meeting, Bangladesh
was divided into Eleven Sectors under Sector Commanders. 10th. Sector was directly placed
under Commander in Chief and included the Naval Commandos and C-in-C’s special force.
Sector Commanders basically lead guerrilla warfare; later three regular army brigades were
formed. On November 21, 1971 Bangladesh Liberation Force and Indian Army formed allied
command which won ultimate victory on December 16, 1971.

1. Col. M A G Osman/ Commander in Chief

2. Group Captain A K Khandker/ Deputy Chief of Command and Chief of Air Force
3. Lt. Col. Abdur Rab/ Chief of Army Staff

SECTOR COMMANDERS

Sector – 1
Major Ziaur Rahman (till June)
Captain Rafiqul Islam (July to December)
Coverage Area: Chittagong, Chittagong Hill Tracts up to  Eastern side of Muhuri River
Head Quarter : Harina
Sector -2
Major Khaled Musarraf (till 21 October)
Captain A T M Hyder (22 October to December)
Noakhali, part of Comilla, Dhaka city and Eastern part of Faridpur
Head Quarter : Melaghar

Sector -3        
Major K M Shafiullah (till September)
Major A N M Nuruzzaman (September to December)
Coverage Area:Part of Sylhet and Comilla districts and Northern side of Dhaka district
Head Quarter : Montala (Sylhet)

Sector – 4
Major C R Dutta
Coverage Area:Part of Sylhet district
Head Quarter : Khoai

Sector -5
Major Mir Shawkat Ali
Coverage Area:Part of Sylhet district, Ajmirigonj and Western part of Lakhai
Head Quarter : Shillong

Sector -6
Wing Commander Khademul Bashar (till December)
Coverage Area:Rangpur and Thakurgaon of Dinajpur district
Head Quarter : Patgram (Rangpur)

Sector -7
Major Nazmul Huq (till August)
Major Kazi Nuruzzaman (September to December)
Coverage Area:Rajshahi, Pabna and Bogra
Head Quarter: Tarangapur

Sector -8
Major Abu Osman Chowdhury (till August)
Major M A Manzoor ( September to December)
Coverage Area:Jessore, Kustia, Faridpur and part of Khulna district
Head Quarter : Kalayani

Sector -9
Major M A Jalil Mia
Coverage Area:Barisal, Patuakhali and part of Khulna
Head Quarter : Tarangapur

Sector -10
Naval Commando
C-in-C’s Special force
Naval Commandos conducted major operations in river and seaports at Chittagong, Mangla,
Narayangonj and Chandpur. Significant coordinated operations were made at Chittagong port in
the night of August 15, 1971 mining and thus destroying 17 Pakistani ships. This Naval
Commando was placed directly under Commander in Chief of Bangladesh Liberation Armed
Force.

Sector -11
Major Abu Taher (till November)
Sq. Leader Hamidullah (November to December)
Coverage Area:Tangail and part of Mymensingh district
Head Quarters : Mohendraganj
REGULAR ARMY

Three brigades were formed in July, September and October and were named after respective
commanders.
Z-force: Head Quarters : Teldhala, Commander : Lt. Col. Ziaur Rahman
K-force: Head Quarters : Agartala, Commander : Lt. Col. Khaled Mosharraf
S-force: Head Quarters : Hajamara, Commander : Lt. Col. K M Shafiullah

Other Liberation War Forces

Bangladesh Liberation Force

Bangladesh Liberation Force was formed after special training of selected members of Students
league and young members of Awami league. This force was popularly known as ‘Mujib
Bahini’.
Sheikh Fazlul Huq Moni : Coordinator, Eastern Region
Sirajul Alam Khan : Coordinator, Northern Region
Abdur Razzak : Coordinator, Western Region

Student’s Union, NAP and Communist Party

Tofayel Ahmed : Coordinator, Southern Region Student’s Union, NAP and Communist Party,
Some members of Students Union, NAP and Communist Party were separately trained and
organized. They directed armed action in coordination with central command.
Chief of Command : Mohammed Forhad

Armed Forces in Occupied Territories

Quader Bahini
During liberation war ‘Quader Bahini’ lead by Abdul Quader Siddiqui played significant role in
Tangail area. In the final days of liberation war, this armed force entered Dhaka with the allied
forces.
Chief of Command : Abdul Quader Siddiqui
Hemayet Bahini
These locally organized freedom fighters made harassing attacks on Pakistani outposts in
Faridpur and part of Khulna.
Chief of Command : Hemayetuddin

Afsar Battalion
Major Afsaruddin Ahmed organized freedom fighters in Mymensingh to form Afsar Battalion.
This battalion collected arms from Pakistan occupation army and developed liberated area in the
region.
Chief of Command : Major Afsaruddin Ahmed
Pakistan Armed Forces
Headquarter : Eastern Command
Chief Martial Law
Administrator : Lt. Gen. Tikka Khan (March 6 to August 1971)
Lt. Gen. A. A. K Niazi (August to December 16, 1971)
Adviser : Major General Rao Farman Ali
Chief of Stuff : Brig. Bakar Siddiqi
Regional Chief : Major General Nazir Hossain Shah
Major General S H Ansari
Major General Rahim Khan
Local collaborators

In occupied Bangladesh, fundamentalist political parties (Muslim League, Jamat-e-Islami, PDP,

Democratic League etc.) and their student wing members gave total support to Pakistan Army in
genocide and destruction. Beside carrying out propaganda in favour of Pakistan government,
they unleashed barbaric attack and handed over sympathizers of liberation war to Pakistan armed
forces. Their most heinous activities were expressed in killing of intellectuals in Dhaka on tragic
nights of December 13 and 14, 1971.

These local collaborators organized Peace Committees, Razaker, Al-Badar and Al-Shams
through out the country.
Al-Badar and Al-Shams
Members of Islamic chhattra sangha, student wing of Jamat-e-Islam party killer force of Pakistan
Army, like the SS of Hitler.

Civilian Administration in Occupied Bangladesh

 Governor : Lt. Gen. Tikka Khan (March to August 1971)

 Dr. Abdul Motaleb Malik (September to December 1971)

 Chief Secretary : Shafiul Azam

 Kafiluddin Mahmud

Total Armed Forces

 Regular Army : 80 000

 Rangers and Militia : 24 000

 Civilian Forces : 24 000

 Razaker, Al-badar and Al-shams : 50 000 (estimated)

GOVERNMENT AND PUBLIC LEADERS:

Neighboring India opened its borders to allow huge influx of refugees who had to flee to escape
systemic genocide and destruction. In spite of colossal economic burden, government of India
organized shelters for estimated 10 million refuges in make shift refugee camps, gave food and
medical aids. Some national and international Aid Agencies assisted.

Government also helped in training of freedom fighters and gave logistic support. Prime Minister
Indira Gandhi toured major world capitals in support of Bangladesh cause and for resolution of
the human crisis. After Pakistan army attacked its western part, government of India on 4th
December 1971 gave recognition to government of Bangladesh and Indian Army in allied
command with Mukti Bahini started final assault and on 16th December Pakistan Army
surrendered to this allied command. According Indian government sources 1421 Indian Army
personnel were killed in operation.

Indian Political parties of all shades and opinion and people in general have been highly
supportive of Bangladesh liberation war. Intellectuals and professionals campaigned for the
cause. Cultural personalities throughout India organized programmes and even demonstrated in
the streets.

Soviet Union and Socialist Countries: In polarized world in seventies, Soviet Union and other
Socialist countries played critical role in favour of Bangladesh independence struggle. In early
days of liberation war on 3rd April, President Podgorny in a letter to President Yahya Khan
expressed concern for tragic events in East Pakistan and arrest of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
Following Indira Gandhi’s visit to Soviet Union, Indo-Soviet treaty was signed on 7th August
declaring readiness to protect each other’s sovereignty. In December 1971 when allied command
was marching towards capital Dhaka, Soviet Union repeatedly vetoed move by United States in
UN Security Council, to ensure final victory on 16th December.
United States: Nixon administration never condemned mass killing and destruction, rather
supported evil designs of Pakistani military rulers. Declassified White House and State
Department papers strongly suggest that US administration’s overtures toward Pakistani Military
regime was primarily for global strategic interest to reward Pakistan for its support in developing
new US-China axis. In final days of liberation war, US seventh fleet was moved towards shores
of Bay of Bengal and in United Nation’s Security Council US representatives moved repeated
India: resolutions to tactically put on hold onward march of allied forces.
But in public front, there was a completely different scenario in United States. Some Senators
and congressmen took strong position in favour of Bangladesh cause. Senator Edward Kennedy
flew to visit refugee camps and condemned Pakistan atrocities in his discussion with Prime
Minister Indira Gandhi, US dockworkers at Philadelphia put up human barrier against shipment
of arms to Pakistan. In a most exceptional move, 20 American officials of Dhaka consul
general’s office, US AID and USIS, endorsed by Consul General Archer Blood, sent a note of
dissent to State Department against policies of US administration.
China: Government of People’s Republic of China supported Pakistan government. They also
supported Pakistan and US position in international forums. It is noteworthy that China was
supplier of major hardwares of Pakistan army. New US-China axis in global arena was being
formulated during the period.
Non resident Bangladeshi: Bengalees from East Pakistan living in, particularly western
countries organized powerful campaign to create awareness and inform governments and public
leaders of atrocities perpetrated by Pakistan military and necessity of supporting independence of
Bangladesh. They also raised fund for Bangladesh. They were largely successful in this mission.
United Kingdom: On receipt of information of genocidal attack on 25th March, non-resident
Bengalees organized protest rallies in major cities of UK. A huge rally was held on 4th April at
Hyde Park in London and memorandum was submitted to Prime Minister Edward Heath’s office
at 10, Dawning Street. On 24th April at a meeting held at Coventry, Steering Committee of
Bangladesh Action Committee for People’s Republic of Bangladesh was formed with Justice
Abu Sayeed Chowdhury as Chairman. They also formed a Trust Fund with Justice Abu Sayeed
Chowdhury, John Stone House MP and Donald Chesworth as Trustee. Fund was sent to help
refugees and support freedom fighters.
United States: On 21st March 1971, East Pakistan League of America was renamed as
Bangladesh League of America. A huge rally was held on 29th March at pavement of Capital
Hill in Washington DC. Memorandum was submitted to President Nixon and UN Secretary
General U Thant. They sent letters to all leading Senators and Congressmen presenting Pakistan
atrocities and for supporting independence of Bangladesh. Funds were collected and sent to
support liberation war. They also regularly published Newsletters on updated informations of
liberation war of 22 Bengalee diplomats working in Pakistan Embassy defected expressing
allegiance to Bangladesh government with.

ROLE OF MEDIA

Print and Electronic media world over have been highly supportive of Bangladesh liberation war.
Western media, in particular, continued to cover horrifying stories of Pakistan atrocities, plight
of refugees and armed resistance by Mukti Bahini.
In March ’71 many journalists of leading newspapers rushed to Dhaka to cover Yahya-Bhutto-
Mujib negotiation. They were forcibly moved out of Dhaka after start of genocide in 25th March.
But brave journalist like Simon Dring hid himself in Hotel Intercontinental (Now Hotel
Sheraton) laundry and was first to inform world of tragic events in Daily Telegraph, UK.

BBC, Voice of America, German TV, and All India Radio covered events almost daily.
International media played all-important role in influencing respective government and public
leaders to take stand against Pakistan genocide in favor of Bangladesh independence.

Bangladesh government started running “Swadhin Bangla Beter Kendra” (Independent

Bangladesh Radio Station) and its news, features and songs enthused people of in refugee camps,
freedom fighters and those stranded in occupied country. Number of news bulletins were
published in different regions of Bangladesh.

ROLE OF CULTURAL ACTIVITES

Starting from language movement of 1952, cultural movement has been integral part of national
struggle. In 1971 liberation war, cultural activists from Bangladesh organized number of
programmes in occupied territory, refugee camps and Indian cities.
Cultural personalities world over played significant supportive role in campaigning for
Bangladesh cause. Pandit Rabisankar, Akbar Ali Khan and popular Beatle artists George
Harrison organized fund raising “Concert for Bangladesh” at Madison Square on 1st August in
New York that attracted huge crowd.

In November, “Concert in Sympathy” was held at seven cities in United Kingdom participated
by artists from Bangladesh, India and Great Britain. Leading Indian artists like Lata Mangeskar,
Waheeda Rahman and Sharmila Thakur organized concert “Strings and Stars – A cry for help”
for raising fund for Bangladesh independence. In West Bengal, intellectuals and musicians e g.
Tarasankar Bendopodhya, Dipen Mukhopodhya, Suchitra Mitra consistently fought for liberation
war through writings and musical soirees. Great French philosopher Andre Malraux, inspite of
his old age declared his readiness to join Bangladesh liberation war. American poet Allen
Ginsberg visited refugee camps and wrote his famous poem “September on Jessore Road”.

ROLE OF WOMEN
Women, particularly students, were in the forefront of national struggle from early fifties. They
played heroic role in every struggle for democracy and national rights in Pakistan days lead by
personalities like poet Sufia Kamal.

Women were the worst victims of atrocities. During liberation war of 1971, women were not
only just rape victims of Pakistan army. Brave women throughout the country defied torture and
death to give shelter to freedom fighters; treated wounded freedom fighters as doctor and nurses
and took arms training in special “Gobra camp” and fought in war front. Some of these women
received gallantry awards for their heroism.