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'''Independence of Bangladesh''' was declared on 26 March 1971, celebrated as [[Independence Day (Bangladesh)|Independence Day]], from Pakistan. The Independence Day of Bangladesh is celebrated on 26 March when Sheikh Mujibur Rahman declared the Independence of Bangladesh. The Bangladesh Liberation War started on 26 March and lasted till 16 December 1971 which is celebrated as Victory Day in Bangladesh. There is a dispute along partisan line on who declared the Independence of Bangladesh. The Awami League claim Sheikh Mujibur Rahman while the Bangladesh Nationalist Party claim it was Ziaur Rahman.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-03-30 |title=Bangladesh: Declaration of Independence and Falsehood! |url=http://southasiajournal.net/bangladesh-declaration-of-independence-and-falsehood/ |access-date=2022-12-07 |website=South Asia Journal |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Muktijuddho (Bangladesh Liberation War 1971) - Declaration of Independence - History of Bangladesh |url=http://www.londoni.co/index.php/23-history-of-bangladesh/1971-muktijuddho/118-muktijuddho-bangladesh-liberation-war-1971-declaration-of-independence-history-of-bangladesh |access-date=2022-12-07 |website=www.londoni.co}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=League |first=Bangladesh Awami |title=Bangabandhu and the declaration of independence |url=https://www.albd.org/articles/news/35065/Bangabandhu-and-the-declaration-of-independence |access-date=2022-12-07 |website=www.albd.org |language=en}}</ref>

==History==
In 1905, the British Raj partitioned Bengal into [[East Bengal]] and [[West Bengal]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Islam |first=Sirajul |author-link=Sirajul Islam |date=18 June 2021 |title=Declaration of Independence |url=https://en.banglapedia.org/index.php?title=Declaration_of_Independence |access-date=7 December 2022 |website=[[Banglapedia]] |publisher=[[Asiatic Society of Bangladesh]]}}</ref> The British introduced the [[Morley-Minto Reforms]] in 1909 which made the electorate system based on religion and East Bengal was largely Muslim.<ref name=":0" /> The Bengal Provincial Muslim League was created to represent Bengali Muslims. The two Bengals were joined back together in 1912 in a decision by the British which was unpopular among the Muslims which feared it would harm the interests of their community.<ref name=":0" /> The [[1946 Cabinet Mission to India]] decided to partition Bengal and in 1947 Bengal war partitioned again.<ref name=":0" /> West Bengal went to India and East Bengal went to Pakistan becoming East Pakistan.<ref name=":0" /> The Partition of India took place along religious lines with Muslim majority areas going to Pakistan.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=The National Archives - Homepage |url=https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/education/resources/the-independence-of-bangladesh-in-1971/ |access-date=2022-12-07 |website=The National Archives |language=en-GB}}</ref>

East Pakistan, where Bengali was the language spoken by the majority, opposed the move by the founder of Pakistan, [[Mohammed Ali Jinnah]], to make Urdu the national language.<ref name=":0" /> The people of East Pakistan demanded Bengali be made a national language in the [[Bengali language movement|Bengali Language movement]].<ref name=":0" /> [[Krishak Sramik Party]] demanded autonomy for East Bengal in 1953 and won the provincial election against the Pakistan Muslim League in 1954.<ref name=":0" /> A. K. Fazlul Huq, leader of the Krishak Sramik Party, becomes the chief minister of East Pakistan.<ref name=":0" /> On 31 May 1954, the Krishak Sramik Party was removed from power.<ref name=":0" /> Chief Minister A. K. Fazlul Huq and party general secretary [[Sheikh Mujibur Rahman]] were placed under house arrest on charges of separatism.<ref name=":0" />
[[File:Shaheed Minar.JPG|thumb|[[Shaheed Minar, Dhaka]] commemorates the language movement.]]

From 1963 to 1965, East Pakistan presented a case of economic deprivation with resources from the province benefitting West Pakistan at the cost of development in East Pakistan.<ref name=":0" /> Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, now leader of the Awami League, was arrested in 1966 and charged in the [[Agartala Conspiracy Case|Agartala conspiracy case]], which accused prominent East Pakistanis of trying to separate the country with help from India, in 1968.<ref name=":0" /> The 1969 East Pakistan mass uprising saw the charges in the Agartala conspiracy case being dropped.<ref name=":0" /> [[Sarbadaliya Chhatra Sangram Parishad|Sarbadalia Chhatra Sangram Parishad]] was created to press the government of Pakistan for the Independence of East Pakistan.<ref name=":0" /> Sheikh Mujibur Rahman is released from prison on 22 February 1970 by President [[Ayub Khan (President of Pakistan)|Ayub Khan]].<ref name=":0" /> On 10 March 1970, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman demanded autonomy for East Pakistan based on the [[Six Point Program|Six Point program]] of the Awami League.<ref name=":0" /> Moulana [[Abdul Hamid Khan Bhashani]] ends a public event with the slogan East Pakistan Zindabad on 23 November.<ref name=":0" /> [[1970 Bhola cyclone]] killed 300 to 500 thousand people in East Pakistan.<ref name=":1" /> The people of East Pakistan found relief efforts by Pakistan government inadequate and felt neglected.<ref name=":0" />

Awami League, led by Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, won 288 seats out of 300 seats in the provincial assembly.<ref name=":0" /> It won 167 of 300 seats in the National Assembly of Pakistan.<ref name=":0" /> Despite the overwhelming victory, the Awami League was not allowed to form a government by the military administration of Pakistan led by General [[Yahya Khan]].<ref name=":0" /> On 7 March 1971, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman gave a [[7 March Speech of Bangabandhu|historic speech]] to resist the West Pakistan administration, through refusing to follow their orders and paying taxes.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ahmed |first=Helal Uddin |date=18 June 2021 |title=Seventh March Address |url=https://en.banglapedia.org/index.php/Seventh_March_Address |access-date=7 December 2022 |website=Banglapedia |language=en}}</ref> The crowd at the event chanted Jai Bangla (victory to Bengal).<ref name=":0" /> On 19 March, soldiers of Pakistan Army from East Pakistan and West Pakistan had a small skirmish at the [[Gazipur Ordnance Factory]] after the [[East Bengal Regiment]] refused to fire at crowds of protesting Bengalis.<ref name=":0" /> On 24 March, soldiers of East Pakistan Rifles raised the fliag of independent Bangladesh in [[Jessore District]].<ref name=":0" />
[[File:Flag of Bangladesh (1971).svg|thumb|Flag of the Bangladeshi Independence movement]]

=== Proclamation by Sheikh Mujibur Rahman ===
On 26 March 1971, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman declared independence on radio after, Pakistan launched a crackdown on East Pakistan called [[Operation Searchlight]] and declared martial law, which was heard by only a limited number of people due to the broadcasting system used.<ref name=":0" /> Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was detained by Pakistan Army soon after.<ref name=":0" /> On 27 March, Major Ziaur Rahman, officer of the East Bengal Regiment, declared the Independence of Bangladesh from [[Swadhin Bangla Betar Kendra]] on behalf of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and called the actions of Pakistan Army a massacre while asking for intervention of the United Nations.<ref name=":0" /> On 10 May Bengals members of provincial and national assembly gathered in Kolkata and created a government in exile.<ref name=":0" /> It created the Proclamation of Independence which was read from [[Baidyanathtala]] in [[Meherpur District]].<ref name=":0" />

'''[[International recognition of Bangladesh]]'''

Bhutan recognized Bangladesh on 6 December and India a few hours later on the same day.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |agency=PTI|date=Dec 9, 2014 |title=Bhutan, not India, was first to recognize Bangladesh - Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/south-asia/bhutan-not-india-was-first-to-recognize-bangladesh/articleshow/45434808.cms |access-date=2022-12-07 |website=The Times of India |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Correspondent |first=Diplomatic |date=2014-12-09 |title=Bhutan was first to recognise Bangladesh |url=https://www.thedailystar.net/bhutan-was-first-to-recognise-bangladesh-54336 |access-date=2022-12-07 |website=The Daily Star |language=en}}</ref> They were the first two countries to recognize independent Bangladesh.<ref name=":2" /> [[East Germany]] recognized Bangladesh on 11 January 1972, third country to do so.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Schanberg |first=Sydney H. |date=1972-01-12 |title=BANGLADESH GAINS RECOGNITION BY 2 |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1972/01/12/archives/bangladesh-gains-recognition-by-2-move-by-east-germany-and-bulgaria.html |access-date=2022-12-07 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> On 7 February, Israel recognised Bangladesh following a request by the foreign minister of Bangladesh, [[Khondaker Mostaq Ahmad|Mastaque Ahmed]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Israel Recognizes Bangladesh |url=https://www.jta.org/archive/israel-recognizes-bangladesh |access-date=2022-12-07 |website=Jewish Telegraphic Agency |language=en-US}}</ref>

=== Independence Day ===
The [[Independence day of Bangladesh|Independence Day of Bangladesh]] is celebrated on 26 March on the day Sheikh Mujibur Rahman declared the Independence of Bangladesh.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |date=2022-03-26 |title=Independence Day: Bangladesh remembers, pays homage to Liberation War martyrs |url=https://www.dhakatribune.com/nation/2022/03/26/independence-day-bangladesh-remembers-pays-homage-to-liberation-war-martyrs |access-date=2022-12-07 |website=www.dhakatribune.com |language=en}}</ref> Various programs are organised in the country to mark the occasion.<ref name=":3" /> The National Flag of Bangladesh is flown on all government buildings.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-03-26 |title=Celebration of Bangladesh’s 52nd Independence Day begins |url=https://www.dhakatribune.com/2022/03/26/celebration-of-bangladeshs-52nd-independence-day-begins |access-date=2022-12-07 |website=www.dhakatribune.com |language=en}}</ref> The [[Independence Day Award]] was introduced by the Government of Bangladesh in 1977.<ref name=":4">{{Cite web |last=Khan |first=Sanjida |date=18 June 2021 |title=National Awards |url=https://en.banglapedia.org/index.php/National_Awards |access-date=7 December 2022 |website=Banglapedia |language=en}}</ref> The award is given on the Independence Day of Bangladesh on 26 March.<ref name=":4" /> The first Independence Day was celebrated on 26 March 1972.<ref name=":7">{{Cite web |last=Sajen |first=Shamsuddoza |date=2020-03-26 |title=Free Bangladesh celebrates first Independence Day |url=https://www.thedailystar.net/backpage/news/free-bangladesh-celebrates-first-independence-day-1885906 |access-date=2022-12-07 |website=The Daily Star |language=en}}</ref> President Sheikh Mujibur Rahman addressed the nation.<ref name=":7" />
[[File:National Martyrs’ Memorial 08.jpg|thumb|The national monument to the Liberation War.]]

==Bangladesh Liberation War==
The launch of Operation Searchlight and declaration of Independence marked the start of Bangladesh Liberation War on 26 March 1971.<ref name=":5">{{Cite web |last=Sheren |first=Syeda Momtaz |date=18 June 2021 |title=War of Liberation, The |url=https://en.banglapedia.org/index.php/War_of_Liberation,_The#:~:text=War%20of%20Liberation,%20The%20began,between%20East%20and%20West%20Pakistan. |access-date=7 December 2022 |website=Banglapedia |language=en}}</ref> The war lasted nine months and ended on 16 December 1971.<ref name=":5" /> The Pakistan Army targeted religious minorities and political supporters of the Independence of Bangladesh.<ref name=":6">{{Cite web |title=The Bangladesh Liberation War |url=https://origins.osu.edu/milestones/bangladesh-liberation-war?language_content_entity=en |access-date=2022-12-07 |website=Origins |language=en}}</ref> The actions culminated in what is known as the [[1971 Bangladesh genocide|Bangladesh Genocide]].<ref name=":6" /> During the war, 15 million refugees from East Pakistan moved to India.<ref name=":6" />

===Victory day===
[[Victory Day (Bangladesh)|Victory Day]] is on 16 December and it commemorates the surrender of Pakistan to Bangladesh India joint forces at the end of [[Bangladesh Liberation War]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=UNB |first=Dhaka |date=2016-12-16 |title=Victory Day programmes today |url=https://www.thedailystar.net/city/victory-day-programmes-today-1330798 |access-date=2022-12-07 |website=The Daily Star |language=en}}</ref> It is celebrated as [[Vijay Diwas (India)|Vijay Diwas]] in India.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Victor |date=2017-12-17 |title=Why Do India Celebrate 'Vijay Diwas' On 16th December |url=https://www.ssbtosuccess.com/vijay-diwas-16th-december/ |access-date=2022-12-07 |website=SSBToSuccess |language=en-US}}</ref>

==Controversy==
There is some dispute between the Awami League and the Bangladesh Nationalist party, founded by Ziaur Rahman, on who declared the Independence of Bangladesh.<ref name=":0" /> When a different party comes to power, they change the history books of Bangladesh to either prefer Sheikh Mujibur Rahman or Ziaur Rahman.<ref name=":0" />

== References ==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Bangladesh Liberation War]]
[[Category:Foundations of countries|Bangladesh]]
[[Category:Political history of Bangladesh]]
[[Category:1970s conflicts]]
[[Category:East Pakistan]]
[[Category:Military history of Bangladesh]]
[[Category:1971 in Bangladesh]]
[[Category:Wars involving Bangladesh]]
[[Category:Wars involving Pakistan]]
[[Category:Wars of independence]]
[[Category:Bangladesh–Pakistan relations]]
[[Category:1971 in international relations]]

Independence of Bangladesh - Revision history

Bot at 00:53, 9 December 2022