MAJOR FESTIVALS

Bangladesh has long been revered as the land of religious harmony and peaceful cohabitation
between people of different religious beliefs. Different festivals have different appeal to the people
of all religious ethnicity, and countrymen have by far celebrated with the festivities together. Muslim
and Hindu community both have their distinctive religious festivals. Some major ones are mentioned
below:
Eid ul Fitr:
After observing a month-long fast, Muslims welcome their first of the two biggest festivities in Hijri
calendar year, the Eid ul Fitr. It falls on the first day of Shawwal in the Islamic calendar; Muslims all
over the country exuberantly observe the day and a sense of remorse towards the destitute trails in
their behavior. Eid day has a traditional 2 raaqat prayer and after that Muslims savor and distribute
their cuisine as foods are the central theme of this occasion as well.

Eid ul Adha:
This Eid arrives with a message of devotion to the Muslims. The day commemorates the great
sacrifice of Prophet Hazrat Ibrahim (As) & his son, Ismail(As). The deadline usually falls on 10th
Jilhazz to 13th. On this day, Muslims offers Halal animal to the satisfaction of Allah. The meat is
distributed between family; relatives & neighborhood; destitute also have an equal share.

Ashura:
As a day of commemoration in Islam, it occurs annually on the 10th of Muharram month of the
Islamic calendar. Shia Muslims, observe Ashura through high- scale mourning as it marks the death
of Husayn ibn Ali, who was beheaded during the Battle of Karbala. Sunni Muslims observe Ashura
through fasting as it marks the day of salvation for Moses and the Israelites, who successfully
escaped from Egypt after Moses was adorned with God's power to part the Red Sea.

Durga Puja:
Durga Puja is an annual Hindu festival originating in the Indian subcontinent which reveres and pays
homage to the Hindu goddess Durga and is also celebrated because of Durga's victory over
Mahishasur. The festival is observed in the Indian calendar month of Ashwin, which corresponds to
September–October in the Gregorian calendar. Durga Puja is basically a ten-day festival.

Janmashtami:
Janmashtami is an annual Hindu festival that celebrates the birth of Krishna, This overlaps with
August or September of the calendar. The traditional rituals combine fasting, a night vigil and a
festival on the following day are a part of the Janmashtami celebrations.

Holi (Dolyatra):
Holi, also known as the Festival of Colors, is an ancient Hindu religious
festival and one of the most popular festivals in Hinduism. It celebrates the eternal
and divine love of Radha Krishna, and signifies the triumph of good over evil, as it
commemorates the victory of Lord Vishnu as over Hiranyakashipu.
Bangladesh’s major social problems

As a developing country itself, Bangladesh is beset with lots of social problems to impede on its
growth run. A social problem is an unexpected situation that hinders leading an everyday life in a
society. A social problem is a multidimensional problem. Social issues are created for various
reasons. Sociologists usually consider a social problem to be an alleged situation incompatible with
the values of many people who agree that action is needed to alter the position. Some of the major
social problems of Bangladesh are stated below:

Overpopulation:
With a land area of only 147570 squares. kilometers, Bangladesh accommodates a huge population
of almost 18 million people. With a noticeable portion of it being illiterate and deprived of other
humane facilities, the government has a huge duty on its shoulder to educate these people and turn
them into human resource with proper planning and vocational training. Nevertheless, the
increasing population is the major flinch of our country.

Social Crimes: 
Due to the introduction of exotic culture and lifestyle, people nowadays are changing their regular
beliefs and a mix-up of common and unconventional way-out are quite regularly seen. And that's
how social crimes are now generated here.

From personal bullying to rape or killing people, every discrepancy that might be accounted for
depreciation of social morality is regarded as social crime. With an increasing tally of these sorts of
enactment it has become a big headache for society.

Dowry System: 
Dowry system is a curse for our society and can be said to be one of the long-lasting problems in
Bangladesh. A dowry is a precious gift or a huge sum of money given to the bridegroom’s family by
the brides. The problem is strongly rooted in our social infrastructure and in public morale that
almost all the efforts of the government to counter this have gone in vain. Now a stigmatic belief like
early marriage is developed due to this rubbish system. A proper change in human outlook and
uprise of moral belief with proper religious education can counteract the unwelcoming convention.

Illiteracy:
This problem can be identified as the direct effect of our superfluous population. On account of the
increasing population, it is extremely hard for the authority to educate the children and as they are
deprived of proper knowledge and logistics, their social values decline & consequently they become
outlawed. Illiteracy, often, is regarded as the key loophole of growth and development and accounts
for other above mentioned rogue activities.

Unemployment: 
A recent survey has shown that almost 16 percent of our country's well-educated people are facing
unemployment, due to the scarcity of vacancies in some certain jobs. Unemployed people suffer
from depression and anxiety and often fall victim to harsh reality. To counteract this problem, self-
employment and career education can be really helpful.

Corruption

According to the Transparency International Corruption Perception Index in 2003, Bangladesh scored
1.3 and was ranked 133 rd in terms of the level of perceived corruption (TI 2003). This was the
lowest rating of any country. In 2004 Bangladesh scored 1.5 and ranked 145 (again the lowest rating
of any country despite the slight improvement in score). In the first comparative study of corruption
in South Asia examining what users of key public services actually experience, respondents in
Bangladesh considered the police to be the most corrupt public agency, followed by health and land
administration (TI 2002). Public corruption is an acknowledged problem in Bangladesh. In February
2004, the government passed legislation to create an Anti-Corruption Commission.

Child labor

Child labour in Bangladesh is common, with 4.7 million children aged 5 to 14 in the work force. [1] Out
of the child labourers engaged in the work force, 83% are employed in rural areas and 17% are
employed in urban areas. [2] Child labour can be found in agriculture, poultry breeding, fish
processing, the garment sector and the leather industry, as well as in shoe production. Children are
involved in jute processing, the production of candles, soap and furniture. They work in the salt
industry, the production of asbestos, bitumen, tiles and ship breaking.[3]
In 2006, Bangladesh passed a Labor Law setting the minimum legal age for employment as 14.
[4]
 Nevertheless, the enforcement of such labour laws is virtually impossible in Bangladesh because
93% of child labourers are employed in the informal sector such as small factories and workshops,
on the street, in home-based businesses and domestic employment. [5]
Despite the prevalence of child labour in Bangladesh, there has been an increase in legislation
against child labour.[6] Bangladesh has ratified, the ILO Worst Forms of Child Labour
Convention (C182). In addition, the country also ratified the UN Convention on the Rights of the
Child.
Historical Speech of 7 March and the Bengalis Preparation for Liberation War

BACKGROUND

In his speech of 7th March, Bangabandhu gave the declaration of running the country's
administration as the elected party. He did this according to a consensus of Awami League leaders.
He instructed the people to maintain noncooperation with the Pakistan Government and declared
the closure of courts, offices, educational institutions for an indefinite period. We know that a
sovereign country is ruled with money collected in the form of tax and revenue. In his speech, he
declared, "There shall be no payment of tax and revenue till my country is liberated." By observing
the activities of Yahya Khan and his associate Bhutto from 1" March, 1971, Bangabandhu could
understand that they would not hand over power willingly. So, he asked the people to take
preparations to launch a liberation war. Side by side he also attempted to solve the problem through
dialogue. To make the people ready for achieving independence by war, he told them- 'Form an
action committee in each village,each area under the leadership of Awami League. Remain ready
with what you have.' In his speech he also said to the people, "Make a fort in each house. You will
have to face the enemy with what you have." This was a clear indication of liberating Bangladesh by
guerrilla warfare. In his speech, Bangabandhu used "Bangladesh" in the presence of 10 lac people
and thus he finalised the name of the future new state.

The significant side of Bangabandhu's speech was that he wanted to make people ready for war, for
freedom, and for independence. He openly gave a call to fight for independence when in the later
part of his speech he said, "This struggle is the struggle for our freedom, and this struggle is the
struggle for our liberation." Actually, this was the clear declaration of independence by
Bangabandhu

In the speech, Bangabandhu did not turn his back against the path of dialogue to settle the problem.
About participation in the session of National Assembly on 25th March, he gave four pre-conditions:

1. Withdrawing martial law.

2. Handing over power to people's representatives. 
3. Inquiries into mass killing by the army.
4. Taking the soldiers back to the barrack.

He instructed all to continue the non-cooperation movement till these demands were met. Pakistani
martial law administrators under the leadership of Yahiya Khan did not accept Bangabandhu's
democratic demands and as a result, the movement for liberation became momentous.

SIGNIFICANCE

The speech of 7th March of Bangabandhu was the document of liberation to the Bangladeshis. This
speech inspired all the people of the country to fight for liberation. This speech united the people
and encouraged them to make maximum sacrifice for the country. It magically transformed the
Bangalee masses into a nation of heroes. So, this speech is an unprecedented example in the
political history of the world. In 2017, UNESCO recognised "The Historic March 7, 1971 Speech' of
Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman as a world documentary heritage. The speech has been
included in the Memory of the World International Register, a list of world's important documentary
heritage maintained by UNESCO. This is for the first time the UNESCO recognised any such document
as a world heritage which was a speech without any script and thus unwritten..

After this speech, the united people took active part in the non-cooperation movement and
spontaneously took part in the fight for freedom. Schools, colleges, offices, mills and factories of the
whole country were closed at the order of Bangabandhu. Agitated people started to resist Pakistan's
forces in different places. There was no collection of tax and revenue. The control of Bangabandhu
was established everywhere except in the cantonments. Bangladesh was then ruled not by the
Governor's house, cantonment, or the secretariat but by the house (677 no.) of Bangabandhu at
Dhanmandi, Road 32. This house became the office of the Government. Tajuddin Ahmed, General
Secretary of the party, continued to implement the instructions of Bangabandhu from the
headquarter of Awami League. Realising the gravity of the situation, Yahya Khan arrived in Dhaka on
15th March and proposed negotiations with Bangabandhu, Negotiation started on 16th March.
Zulfikar Ali Bhutto also came on 22nd March and took part in the negotiation. Finding negotiation
futile, Yahiya Khan and Bhutto left Dhaka on the night of 25th March. The wrath of the Pakistan
Army fell upon the Bangalees at midnight that day. Pakistani soldiers mercilessly killed many
innocent Bangalees on that black night.

1. Indirect declaration of independence;

2. Conspicuous evidence of liberation;

3. Uprise of morale in enraged Bangalees;

4. Boost in nationalism spirit of citizens;

CONSTITUTION OF 1972

Background of the Constitution of 1972

The constitution is the supreme document of a state. This document can be either written or
unwritten. The constitution of Bangladesh is a written document. People of Bangladesh achieved this
document through a long struggle, sacrifice and blood. It can be mentioned that India and Pakistan
got independence in 1947. While India took two years and Pakistan took nine years to write their
constitutions. But Bangabandhu's government gave the nation one of the best constitutions in the
world in the briefest time of nine months only. It was possible only due to the sincerity and honest
commitment to the people by the government led by Bangabandhu.

The government proclaimed 'Constituent Assembly Order' on March 23 1972 with a view to drafting
the constitution of Bangladesh. The constituent assembly consisted of the elected members of the
National and Provincial Assemblies of the then East Pakistan in the 1970 election. The only function
of the constituent assembly was to draft the constitution of Bangladesh. So the constituent assembly
had no provision to function as the legislature. The Order was made retrospectively in effect from
March 26 1971.

The drafting of the constitution formally started with this Order. Awami League parliamentary party
nominated Bangabandhu the party leader of the constituent assembly. The first session of the
constituent assembly sat on April 10 1972. Shah Abdul Hamid was elected the undisputed first
Speaker of the Assembly and Mohammad Ullah was elected Deputy Speaker. A committee was
formed to draft a constitution in the shortest possible time. Dr. Kamal Hossain was the Convener of
this committee. The members of the committee were 34 in number. The committee completed the
final draft of the constitution by October 11 1972. The assembly started general discussion on the
Constitution Bill from October 19. After a long discussion, the Constitution Bill was passed on
November 4 1972 in the Constituent Assembly. The Constitution was in effect from December 16
1972, the first anniversary of Victory Day. In his speech at the assembly on the constitution,
Bangabandhu said, "This constitution is written in the blood of the martyrs. This constitution will
prevail as the symbol of the hope and aspiration of the entire nation.

Characteristics of the Constitution

The constitution of 1972 was a written document. It was drafted both in Bangla and English. But
Bangla was accepted as the original language. This constitution had one Preamble, 11 Parts, 153
Articles and 4 Schedules.

The first part of the constitution is on the characteristics of democracy, the second part is on the
principles of the governance, the third part is on fundamental rights, the fourth part is on executive
divisions, the fifth part is on Jatiya Sangsad, the sixth part is on judiciary, the seventh part is on
election, the eighth part is on comptroller and auditor general, the ninth part is on service
commissions, the tenth part is on the amendments of the constitution and the eleventh part deals
with miscellaneous.
1. Supreme Law: The supreme law of the People's Republic of Bangladesh is the constitution of
Bangladesh. So, no law inconsistent with the constitution should be passed. It is proclaimed in the
constitution that all power of the state rests with the people. That power can only be exercised
being subject to the constitution and on behalf of the people.

2. The Fundamental Principles of Governance: In the Preamble of the constitution four

principles are accepted as the fundamental principles of state governance. In this regard, it is
mentioned in the constitution 'the high ideals of nationalism, democracy, socialism and secularism
which inspired our heroic people to dedicate themselves to, and our brave martyrs to sacrifice their
lives in the war for national liberation shall be the fundamental principles of the Constitution'.

a. Democracy: People of this region never enjoyed any democratic rights as citizens of Pakistan
since 1947. The Constitution proclaimed that the state of Bangladesh will be a Democratic Republic.
Every citizen's fundamental human rights and liberty will be ensured by the state. The administration
will be run by the elected people's representatives.

b. Socialism: Bangabandhu, all through his political career, told about the economic freedom of the
common people. He struggled to remove the sufferings of the distressed. A large portion of the
freedom fighters were from lower middle class families. People's dream after liberation was that the
state will take measures to meet fundamental socio-economic demands of the people. As a result,
socialism was taken as a fundamental principle of state governance, In fact, to activate a socialist
economy for establishing an exploitation-free society was the objective of the state.

c. Secularism: The objective of secularism in the Constitution was to avoid communalism and to
avoid political status for any particular religion. Religion should not be used for political interest. The
state will not patronise any religion. The state will ensure every citizen's freedom to observe
religious rites and rituals

d. Nationalism: The religion-based nationalism inherited from Pakistan proved null and void
through the war of liberation. In contrast to this, Bangalee nationalism emerged on the basis of
language and culture. Secularism is the foundation of Bangalee nationalism.

Importance of Principles:
1. Assurance of national identity
2. Declaration of national sovereignty;
3. Allusion of a democratic governing system.
4. Mass participative democracy;
5. Economic system outline;
6. Promise of equal and just legislative system;
7. Elimination of communalism;
8. Religious equity & freedom.
3. Fundamental Rights: It is important that there be the assurance of certain rights for the
development of a citizen's personality. It is important so that none can interfere with one's
individual freedom. That is why fundamental rights have been declared to be inviolable and sacred
in the constitution.

4. Unitary Government: According to this constitution, a unitary system of government was

introduced in Bangladesh. There is no province or state in Bangladesh. The administration is run all
over the country under the central government.

5. The Cabinet System of Government : The Constitution adopted a cabinet system of

government. In this system, the cabinet is accountable to the parliament. The President is the
administrative head. But, all the executive authority lies with the Prime Minister and the cabinet.

6. Unicameral Legislature: The Constitution provides a unicameral legislature. The Legislature will
consist of directly elected 300 members and 15 reserved-seat women members. The legislature will
be called Jatiya Sangsad.

7. Rigidity: A special procedure is followed for the amendment of this Constitution which is not as
easy as the procedure of making law. For any amendment, a vote of two-thirds of the total members
will be needed. The amendment bill will be sent for the approval of the President. The President will
approve the bill in 7 days. After 7 days it will be assumed that the President has approved.

8. Independent Judiciary: An independent and neutral judiciary is mentioned in the Constitution.

The state will ensure the independence of the judiciary by separating from the executive wing.
According to the provisions of the Constitution, the chief justice and other judges will conduct
judicial procedures independently.

9. A Ban on Communal Politics : In line with the basic principles of the constitution, Religion-
based politics is banned. It is done so that none can differentiate in the name of religion.

The most important success of the Bangabandhu government was to draft a constitution in the
shortest possible time. This Constitution was very well written and was better than that of many
countries. It had the reflection of the hope and aspirations of a newly born country. The
fundamental principles played the role of a torch bearer for the advancement of the new state.
1965 Indo-Pak War

The second Kashmir war aroused a strong anti-Ayub stance among the common people of East
Pakistan. The reason behind this was the obvious absence of any defense mechanism in East
Pakistan. This unguarded land could be invaded by Indian forces anytime. During this time even the
administrative communications between the East and the West parts of Pakistan were totally cut off.
Ayub Khan failed to ensure the security of East Pakistan despite the life risking valiant contributions
of the Bangalee soldiers to protect Lahore.

Fallouts
 Defenseless East Pakistan
 Tashkent Declaration (10 January 1966)
 Anti-Ayub movement in West Pakistan
 Bhutto’s exit from Ayub Cabinet
 Pakistan Peoples’ Party (PPP)

(INCLUDE 6PM and Agartala as well)

PROBLEMS OF NATIONAL INTEGRATION
The subsequent history of Pakistan proved that the merger of two widely different regions could not
exist for long. East Bengal or East Pakistan and West Pakistan were separated by about one
thousand miles by the Indian territory. No unity could be developed between the distinctive
languages, culture tradition and livelihood of the people of these two parts of Pakistan. As time went
by, alongside the geographical, social and cultural differences, there also developed gradual disparity
between the two wings in economic and other institutional levels such as the military. educational
and political representations.

Disparity in economic development

The provincial government in the cast did not have any control over its own economy as everything
was controlled by the centre. Trading bodies and foreign missions were established in Wes Pakistan.
A greater proportion of foreign aid and the national development budget was allocated for the west
wing. Whereas between 1947-48 and 1960-61. capital investment for development purposes
amounted to 172 crore Rupees for East Pakistan, it was 430 crore Rupees for West Pakistan. At the
same time, the earning of East Pakistan from foreign trade, of jute for instance, was diverted to
West Pakistan.

As a result, the economic gap which existed between the two wings in 1947-48 increased
substantially over the years. Per capita income increased in West Pakistan from Rs.330 in 1949-50 to
Rs.373 in 1959-60; whereas in East Pakistan it declined from Rs. 305 to Rs. 288. After coming to
power in 1958, Ayub Khan promised to address the disparity that existed between the two wings. At
first there were some improvements. In East Pakistan in 1948-49. private investment had been
worth 547 million rupees, in 1963-64 it had almost doubled to 1038 million rupees. But still it was
only 22% of the total investment in the entire Pakistan. At the same time, the per capita income of
West Pakistan rose to 464 rupees in 1963-64, while in East Pakistan it rose to only Rs. 327

Disparities in defense

The people of East Pakistan were not represented proportionally in important posts like the defence
and civil services according to the population ratio. While the security of East Pakistan was uncertain
and the province was also subjected to discrimination in military matters, the headquarters of the
three Defence services, i.e. Army, Navy and Air Force, were established in West Pakistan. Ordnance
factories were also established in West Pakistan. Of the total Commissioned Officers in the Army and
Air Force, only 5% and 17% respectively were from East Pakistan. Similar was the case in the Navy in
which the percentage of superior officers ranged from 5 to 17%.

Administrative And Political Disparity

Pakistan had a severe shortage of trained administrative personnel, as most members of the pre
independent Indian Civil Service were Hindus or Sikhs who opted to belong to India at the time of
partition. Rarer still were Muslims who had any past administrative experience. As a result, high level
posts in Dhaka, including that of Governor-General, were usually filled by West Pakistanis of by
refugees from India who had adopted Pakistani citizenship. Although the representatives of East
Bengal were in a majority in the first Constituent Assembly, both Governor-General and Prime
Minister were appointed from West Pakistan. The capital of the new country was established in
West Pakistan too
Disparity in education

Disparity of the development of education between the two wings of Pakistan also gave rise to
resentment. There was not an adequate number of educational institutions to meet the
requirements of the large number of students)The development of scientific and professional
education was also lacking. The students and professionals were deprived of the facilities of
scholarships. training grants and other forms of aid. During the period 1947-58, enrollment in
primary schools increased by 163% in West Pakistan and by 38% in East Pakistan. Enrollment in
secondary schools increased by 64% in West Pakistan. but dropped by 6.6% in East Pakistan.
University enrollment increased by 38% in West Pakistan, but It was such lack of equality in various
sectors of public life which was to provide the stimulus for by only 11% in East Pakistan the move
towards independence.

(Include Language Barrier )

ECONOMY OF BD
State in 1972
Highest rural population density in the entire world, Annual population growth rate between 2.5 and
3 percent

Chronic malnutrition, Dislocation of between 8 and 10 million people

Few experienced entrepreneurs, managers, administrators, engineers, or technicians

Critical shortages of essential food grains and other staples

External markets for jute had been lost, Foreign exchange resources were minuscule

Inflation- between 300 and 400 percent

Basic Info:
GDP growth

2022 = 7.72% 2023 = 6.0 %

GDP by sector

agriculture: 12.91% industry: 29.54% services: 53.40% (2020 est.)

Reasons for recovery

Initial help from India
food grains & US $33 million in Ind Rupee (purchase from India) helped counter the immediate food
and financial crisis

Response from friends:

International Development Association (38countries) pledged US $ 1.3 billion;

US $ 654 million used in 1972; 1970- 150million. Many such contributions in an international level
helped BD recover from the war torn state

Formation Planning Commission And Implementing Five Year Plans

The government formed a Planning Commission in January of 1972 for preparing long term
development plans of the new state. Measures were taken for the reconstruction of the war torn
country, poverty reduction and the promotion of GDP rate between 3-5.5%. Initiatives were also
taken to achieve self-sufficiency in food production and to gradually reduce dependency on external
aids. Besides, the First Five Year Plan (1973-1978) was made effective from July 1 1973 with the aim
of overall economic development. And since then, the 5 year development plan has been the basis
for agricultural and economic growth.

Reasons of Improving to a Middle-income Economy

1. Setting up a trade-friendly environment;

2. Modernization of agricultural system;

3. Increase of industries and factories;

4. Introduction of big industries;

5. Contribution of remittance workers;

6. Export expansion;

7. Variety in exported goods;

8. Progressive economic planning and materialization.

Agriculture in Bangladesh
 Employs 40% labour force
 Comprises 13% GD
Problems

 Corruption
 Difficult Road Networks
 Lack of access of proper tools
 Climate Change
Ways to Improve

 Facilitated by policy reforms since the

 1980s
 Investments in research and infrastructure Irrigation expansion,
 Modern technology (high-yielding varieties), Better Road connectivity,
More efficient markets, and Increased mechanization
Contribution of Language Movement to Independence of Bangladesh

SIGNIFICANCE

The importance of the language movement in awakening the consciousness about rights and
freedom of the Bengalis is immense. The language movement of 1952 has always directly and
indirectly influenced all our political, social and cultural activities. The influence was so far-
reaching that a relationship was established between ordinary and political people. Confidence in
each other was established, which accelerated the liberation struggle of the nation.
It was through the language movement that the first rebellious attitude against the rule and
exploitation of Pakistan grew in the hearts of the Bengalis. It can be said that the language
movement was the beginning of the realization of all our rights. Through the language
movement, the people of Bengal began to be aware of their demands. The language movement
instilled morale and confidence in the minds of the people which awakened the spirit of
nationalism.
An unforgettable chapter in the history of the Bengali movement and struggle for independence
is the language movement of 1952. Such struggles for establishing the national status of Bengal
through bloodbath are rare in the world. Not only in the history of Bangladesh, the recognition of
21st February by UNESCO as International Mother Language Day and the observance of the
day with due dignity in 193 member countries of the UN since 2000 made the language
movement a glorious chapter of the world history.
MAJOR REFORMS BY THE MUGHALS
Despite his numerous activities, Akbar found time to implement several social reform
measures aimed at eradicating the evils of both Muslim and non-Muslim societies. His religious
tolerance principle, however, did not blind him to certain evils in Hindu society. All inland customs
and taxes on trades and professions were abolished by Mughal Emperor Akbar. While the removal of
these impositions provided economic relief to the people by lowering prices, free movement of
goods produced an indirect sense of oneness among the people.

Abolition of Tax

Child Marriage

Emphasis on Secular Studies

Practice of Sati

Slavery

Prohibition of Sale of Wine

PROVISIONAL GOVERNMENT DURING LIBERATION WAR

On 17 April 1971.in the village of Vaidyanathtala in the Meherpur district. Bangladesh formed its first
government, with Mujibnagar as the capital of the Provisional Government. Sheikh Mujibur Rahman
was elected President. but as he was in a Pakistani jail. Vice President Syed Nazrul Islam became
Acting President. Other important members of the government were:

Prime Minister: Tajuddin Ahmed

Foreign Minister: Khandakar Mushtaq Ahmed

Finance Minister: Captain (Retd.) Mansur Ali

Home Minister: A. H. M. Qamruzzaman

Colonel Muhammed Ataul Ghani Osmani became Commander-in-Chief of the Mukti Bahini.
Professor Yusuf Ali, Awami League; member of National Assembly, read out a statement declaring 26
March 1971 as Independence Day. Acting President Syed Nazrul Islam and Prime Minister Tajuddin
Ahmed appealed to other countries to recognise Bangladesh's independence.

Brigade Forces

The entire war field was divided into three brigade forces besides 11 sectors and other sub-sectors.
Forces were named with the 1st letter of the commanders of the brigades. Major Ziaur Rahman was
the commander of 'Z Force', Major A.K.M. Safiullah was the commander of 'S Force' and Major
Khaled Mosharraf was the commander of 'K Force'.