FALL OF DHAKA
INTRODUCTION
When Pakistan was founded on August 14, 1947, it set a unique example for the rest of the globe.
Initially, it was split into two halves, which were separated from one another by enemy territory. The
two regions of Pakistan also differed in a number of other ways.
An ideology served as the foundation for Pakistan's creation. However, a lot of academics think that
when we lost more than half of our population in 1971, we also lost this philosophy. The division of East
Pakistan and establishment of Bangladesh were motivated by a variety of factors. Many political elites
debated whether Bengal should join Pakistan or be created into a distinct Muslim nation like Pakistan
even at the time of its independence.
Factors Contributed To, The Fall OF Dhaka
DEMOGRAPHY
About 70 million people lived in both areas of Pakistan at the time of its
independence. More than 55% of them resided in East Bengal. Pakistan at the time had a total of 5
provinces. The other four provinces were home to the remaining 45% of the population. At that time,
Bengalis made up the entirety of the population. The remaining population, however, was broken down
into four basic classes of individuals as well as several subgroups.
LANGUAGE
The issue of national language was the first to cause conflict between East Bengalis and
other Pakistanis. Urdu was chosen as the nation's official tongue, despite Bengalis' requests for Pakistan
to adopt Bengali as its official tongue. When both languages were declared to be the national languages
in accordance with the constitution of 1956, this problem was handled in the first constitution.
ONE UNIT PLAN
To counter East Pakistan’s predominance, One Unit Plan was formulated in Western
Provinces in 1955. It brought together all the Western Pakistani provinces to create the one province
known as West Pakistan. This strategy's key goals were to level the playing field and take away East
Bengal's predominance. Even though this strategy was put into action, the people of East Pakistan or
Bengal never forgot the way the ruling class treated them unfairly.
DISPARITY IN CIVIL AND MILLITARY BEAUROCRACY
East Bengalis made up a very small portion
of the Pakistani army. More than 85% of the Pakistani army was made up of residents of the NWFP and
Punjab regions. Bengali citizens hardly ever had a respected position in the national army. As a result,
the feeling of deprivation among the inhabitants of East Bengal increased. Martial law was imposed in
Pakistan eleven years after the nation's founding. Due to their representation in the army, Bengalis once
again had no part to play in Pakistan's new politics after the first 11 years.
The East Bengali people were underrepresented in key government positions, much like the army. The
government's cabinet and key advisors were from the country's western region. The East Bengalis also
lacked the authority to make any decisions.
ECONOMIC DISPARITY
The world's greatest source of jute was East Pakistan. Other than that, several
of East Pakistan's crops were in great demand worldwide. The first province the East India Company
took control of was Bengal. The potential of Bengal's economy was the major driver of their arrival. They
remained there and from there expanded to other parts of India. Bengal has been the epicentre of the
subcontinent's significant economic activities ever since the British ruled.
East Bengal continued to have economic relevance after Pakistan's 1947 declaration of independence.
The people of East Pakistan's major complaint was not that the Federal Government was making money
there, but rather that it was not returning anything to the people. While East Pakistan was getting
increasingly frustrated, West Pakistan was experiencing all the development.
SIX POINT AGENDA OF AWAMI LEAGUE
As early as 1948, East Pakistan's political orientation
began to shift from pro-Pakistan to Bengali nationalism. The speech Jinnah gave in Dhaka, in which he
stated that Urdu would be Pakistan's official language, was not lightly received. The speech was shortly
followed by agitations. Since then, Muslim League has experienced a decline in support. In these
conditions, the Awami League, a nationalist party, attracted East Pakistan's citizens by promising them
the rights that the Pakistani government was withholding from them.
In a short period of time, Sheikh Mujib became well-liked and became recognised as his people's
saviour. Following the presentation of his infamous six points, which are as follows; he was able to
achieve the pinnacle of his political career.
DISTINTICTIVE CURRENCIES
Pakistan should have two distinct currencies. (The justification for this was that they held the opinion
that West Pakistan's currency had no value in the world market. By separate currencies, they hoped to
protect themselves from the effects of West Pakistan's sluggish and fragile economy).
AUTONOMOUS SYSTEM OF TAXES
The provinces should have complete authority to impose and collect taxes within their borders. The
provinces will provide the federal government their required portion. (This statement implies that they
desired to retain their possession of the funds, which also appears appropriate. In this way, they may
advance the region of the nation that, in their opinion, is developing more slowly than the West.)
DISTRIBUTION OF PARAMILLITARY FORCES
There should be separate paramilitary units on each side. (There was a pervasive notion that East
Pakistan was venerable than West Pakistan. There should be balance in this respect because the bulk of
army personnel were from West Pakistan, which was another factor.)
DIRECTLY ELECTED GOVERNMENT
Installing and enabling a well-functioning directly elected government in the centre is necessary.
TRADE AGREEMENTS
Individual trade agreements should be made by each province. (The Federal Government received all
profit generated by East Pakistan. According to this statement, the money would now remain in the
province.)
ROLE OF FEDERAL GOVERNMENT
Only foreign and defence policy should be under federal jurisdiction. The province should deal all other
matters.
The nature of these six points suggests that the individuals who asked them do not intend to continue
their relationship with Pakistan.
DEVELOPMENTS IN 1970s
Under Yahiya Khan's LFO, the first general elections were
ultimately held in December 1970. This legislation removed the One Unit Plan, and there were 300 seats
overall. East Pakistan received 162 seats, while West Pakistan received 138 seats. Election outcomes
were quite unusual. All 161 seats won by the Awami League were in East Bengal (Pakistan). In the
Western section, they were unable to get even one seat. The Pakistan People's Party, on the other hand,
came in second place and was able to win 81 seats in total, all of which were in West Pakistan's four
provinces. Bengal overwhelmingly rejected PPP.
Awami League had the right to establish the government in accordance with democratic principles
because of their resounding parliamentary majority. However, anyone can quickly become confused by
the election results' demographics. Both sides' populations have turned away from one another. The
majority's decision to reject the opposing side is very evident. Political parties from the East had trouble
winning over western voters, and vice versa.
Yahiya Khan believed he had completed his task and that now it was up to the politicians to create the
government and represent the interests of the nation and its citizens. He was mistaken. He was blind to
the gap's significance. The PPP leader, Bhutto, claimed that he had the authority to create the
government because he won seats in four of Pakistan's five provinces. Awami League, on the other side,
asserted that because they had a clear majority, they ought to be invited to form the government.
This ultimately put the last nail in the coffin. East Bengal's residents began to protest, and full-scale riots
broke out in Bengal. Army was summoned in, and widespread repression was started. The Bengalis were
unwilling to submit, and it was too late. On December 16th 1971, East Pakistan officially became
Bangladesh, and Pakistan lost the majority of its people.
