Bangladesh Liberation War
Template:Infobox military conflict
The Bangladesh Liberation War was a conflict that resulted in the independence of Bangladesh from Pakistan in 1971. It was triggered by rising tensions between East Pakistan and West Pakistan, culminating in a brutal military crackdown by the Pakistan Army and a declaration of independence by East Pakistan on 26 March 1971.[1]
Background
The roots of the conflict lay in the unequal treatment of East Pakistan by the central government in West Pakistan. Despite East Pakistan's larger population, it was politically and economically marginalized. Cultural and linguistic tensions intensified when the central government sought to impose Urdu as the sole national language, leading to the Bengali Language Movement.[2]
In the 1970 general elections, the Awami League, led by Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, won a majority in Pakistan's National Assembly. However, the central government, led by General Yahya Khan, refused to transfer power. This led to mass protests and a growing demand for independence in East Pakistan.[3]
Timeline of the War
Operation Searchlight
On 25 March 1971, the Pakistan Army launched Operation Searchlight, a brutal military crackdown in Dhaka and other parts of East Pakistan. Thousands of civilians were killed, and widespread atrocities were reported.[4]
Declaration of Independence
On 26 March 1971, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman declared Bangladesh's independence. The Mukti Bahini, a guerrilla resistance force, was formed to fight against the Pakistan Army.[5]
Role of India
India, led by Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, supported the independence movement by providing training and resources to the Mukti Bahini and sheltering millions of refugees. On 3 December 1971, India entered the war following Pakistan's preemptive air strikes on Indian territory.[6]
Surrender of Pakistan
On 16 December 1971, Pakistani forces, led by General A. A. K. Niazi, surrendered in Dhaka to the joint Indian and Mukti Bahini forces, marking the birth of Bangladesh.[7]
Humanitarian Crisis
The war caused one of the largest refugee crises of the 20th century, with over 10 million Bengalis fleeing to India. The Pakistan Army's actions during the war, including mass killings and sexual violence, have been widely condemned as genocide.[4]
Legacy
The Bangladesh Liberation War remains a defining moment in South Asian history. Bangladesh emerged as an independent nation, and the conflict highlighted issues of self-determination and human rights. The war is commemorated annually on Victory Day on 16 December.[8]
References
- ↑ BBC: Bangladesh Liberation War
- ↑ United Nations: International Mother Language Day
- ↑ The Guardian: Bangladesh Independence
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; no text was provided for refs namedGenocide1971 - ↑ Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; no text was provided for refs namedBangladeshWar - ↑ Encyclopaedia Britannica: Indo-Pakistani War of 1971
- ↑ Al Jazeera: The Birth of Bangladesh
- ↑ Government of Bangladesh: Victory Day