Emergence of Bangladesh as a

Nation
Prepared by: Dr. Riffat Mahmood
As Bangladesh is a part of South Asia, the history
of Bangladesh is intimately related to the South
Asian history. A varied and often tumultuous
history o interactions with natural environment
and invading peoples left the region with a
common culture
The origin and evolution of Bangladesh as a nation
can be described on the basis of 4 periods of South
Asian history which are;

1. Pre-colonial culture
2. Colonial Impacts
➢ Trading Expansion
➢ East India Company
➢ British Indian Empire: British Raj
3. Path to independence
➢ Origin of India and Pakistan
➢ Evolution of the boundary of East Pakistan
(Bangladesh)
4. From two to three: Birth of Bangladesh
1. Precolonial Culture
▪ In 323 BC the political power was seized by a
young man called Chandragupta Maurya, who
was succeeded later by , the Great Ashoka who
united many kingdoms, chiefdoms and republic
of the Ganges valley in one empire. This empire
is known as Gupata Empire.
▪ The next truly Indian Empire were The Delhi
Sultanate and the Mughal Empire who ruled
South Asia.
2. Colonial Impacts
2.a. Trading Expansion

▪ The great wealth of this region built on internal

gem, metal deposit and external trading links
became a goal of European adventurers.
▪ In 1498, the Portuguese explorer Vasco da Gama
reached India
▪ During 1500s the Portuguese and Dutch
established trading stations
▪ During 1600s, the British switched to India
Colonial Imapacts
2.b. British East India Company

▪ The British East India Company took the

Portuguese port of Bombay and began trading
with the Bengal around Kolkata which became
the company’s main center.
▪ Over next year the British East India company
increased its hold in South Asia taking a
particularly strong position in Bengal and the
Peninsula by employing Indians as foot soldiers.
Colonial Impacts
2.c. British Indian Empire: British Raj
▪ Following several uncoordinated revolts, a
major mutiny of its Indian Sepoy troops in 1857
which many Indians see as “The First
Independence War” led the British Government
to take full political control of South Asia
▪ It abolished the British East India Company and
established the British Indian Empire, known as
“British Raj”
3. Path to Independence
3.a. Origin of India and Pakistan

▪ In 1885 a combination of cultural background and

personal interest led mainly Hindu elite formed
Indian National Congress Party whereas leader of
Muslim population formed the Muslim League in
1906 with the aim of establishing a separate Islamic
country of Pakistan.
▪ With the close of Second World War, the agitation
for independence gathered momentum.
3. Path to Independence
▪ By 1940, Britain and National Congress Party
favored single country in South Asia. The
Muslim League insisted on a separate country
which there was a majority of Muslims.
▪ The Hindu and Muslim communities in Bengal
tried to form an independent Bengal according
to Rahmat Ali’s Proposal (1942). But Congress
opposed to any such suggestion.
3. Path to Independence
▪ Sensing the depth of challenge the British
showed political sagacity by deciding the
formation of two countries, India (Hindu
majority) and Pakistan (Muslim majority)
3. Path to Independence
3.b. Evolution of the boundary of East Pakistan
(Bangladesh)

▪ Two large province of Punjub and Bengal had

Muslims majorities, but the British government
proposed dividing the province of Bengal and
Punjub between India and Pakistan thus placing
the greater majority of territory and people in a
new India and leaving the Muslims with two
separate areas to the west and East of India.
3. Path to Independence
▪ The last Governor General of Indian
subcontinent formed “Bengal Boundary
Commission” and appointed Sir Cyril Radcliffe
to decide the boundary of East Pakistan i.e.
Bangladesh. On August 12, 1947 Radcliffe
submitted the final report which was extremely
controversial and biased.
➢ West Dinajpur of North Bengal, Culcatta port and
Chabbis Pargana of West Bengal were skillfully awarded
to the India.
3. Path to Independence
➢ In spite of being the Muslim majority in terms of
population Murshidabad district of West Bengal and
three thanas, Mahakuma of Sylhet district , few
thanas of Maldaho district were given to the India.
➢Queen of Karad state in Tripura wished to join East
Pakistan, but it was made part of India
➢Even geostrategic hilly regions like Garo hills and
Khasiya Joyonti hills of Meghalaya where majority of
population were non Hindu were added to India

▪ Based on this report, two country India and Pakistan

were formed in August, 1947
4. From Two to Three: The Birth of
Bangladesh
▪ After the formation of two country, India and
Pakistan in 1947, the Bengali nationalism started
to gradually emerged due to oppression of West
Pakistan on East Pakistan (Bangladesh)
▪ The Bengali nationalism was agitated when
Urdu was declared as the only national language
of Pakistan which led to the historic language
movement in 1952
From Two to Three: The Birth of
Bangladesh
▪ Increasing economic disparity between East and
West Pakistan led to the movement for
Autonomy from 1965. Sheikh Mujibur Rahman
became the focus for this demand for provincial
autonomy as articulated by the “Six Point
Movement” of the Awami League.
▪ In the national election in 1970 Awami League
got major seats and claimed the right to form the
government of Pakistan which was denied by the
leaders of West Pakistan.
From Two to Three: The Birth of
Bangladesh
▪ This denial led to the movement for
independence when the Pakistan army attacked
the civilian population on March 25, 1971.
Sheikh Mujiber Rahman declared the liberation
war of Bangladesh against Pakistan.
▪ Though Sheikh Mujib was to be arrested, his
compatriots- Nazrul Islam, Tajuddin Ahmed,
Kamaruzzam, kh. Mustaque and Monsur Ali-
goot together to form the first government of
Bangladesh ob April 17, 1971.
From Two to Three: The Birth of
Bangladesh
▪ Within ten months the country was liberated by
Mukti bahini and the action of Bangladesh
Indian regiments under a Joint Command.
▪ Bangladesh was evolved as an independent
country on December 16, 1971 when Pakistani
armed forces surrendered in Dhaka.