Interesting Facts About Bangladesh War 1971
Interesting Facts About Bangladesh War 1971
- 🇵🇰 Pakistan launched Operation Chengiz Khan on 3rd December 1971, bombing multiple Indian airfields.
- 🎙️ Prime Minister Indira Gandhi addressed Indian citizens, declaring war had been initiated by Pakistan.
- 🇧🇩 The conflict resulted in the birth of Bangladesh as a new nation.
- 🌐 The Indian subcontinent had various autonomous kingdoms before colonial times.
- 🕌 Muslim monarchs ruled the Bengal region since the 13th century, promoting coexistence of Islam and Hinduism.
- 🇮🇳 After British rule, the partition divided India and Pakistan along religious lines.
- ⚖️ Economic and political disparities between East and West Pakistan led to grievances.
- 🗳️ The 1970 elections in Pakistan saw Awami League's victory in East Pakistan but none in West Pakistan.
- 📜 The cancellation of the election results in West Pakistan ignited protests in East Pakistan.
- 🏴 The demand for autonomy in East Pakistan led to the Bangladesh Liberation War, resulting in Bangladesh's independence.
- 🇮🇳 The Indian Army supported Mukti Bahini, the Bengali nationalist army, during the conflict.
These events illustrate the complex historical context that led to the creation of Bangladesh and the 1971 India-Pakistan War. 🇧🇩 Mukti Bahini and Shanti Bahini
- West Pakistan formed East Pakistan Central Peace Committee in response
- Shanti Bahini's ironic name
- Shanti Bahini committed war crimes, including civilian killings and violations
- Intellectuals, teachers, scholars, and activists targeted and murdered (called Budhhijivi)
- Law and order destroyed in East Pakistan
- 25th March 1971: West Pakistan planned genocide (Operation Searchlight)
- Sheikh Mujibur Rahman arrested, declared East Pakistan independent
- 26th March: Independence Day in Bangladesh
- 27th March 1971: Major Ziaur Rahman declared Bangladesh independent
- Thousands of students murdered in Operation Searchlight
- More than 30,000 Bengalis massacred in a week
- Foreign journalists deported, radio operations shut down
- Anthony Mascarenhas exposed the genocide in the Sunday Times
- Indira Gandhi motivated to take action
- Political leaders of Awami League fled to India for safety
- People's Republic of Bangladesh government formed on 10th April
- India faced an influx of over 10 million refugees
- Indira Gandhi directed General Sam Manekshaw to prepare for war
- India started referring to East Pakistan as Bangladesh
- 3rd December 1971: Pakistan launched Operation Chengiz Khan
- India had a defensive strategy in West Pakistan and an offensive strategy in East Pakistan
- UN Security Council discussions, Soviet Union vetoed resolution
- Bhutan and India officially recognized Bangladesh
- 16th December 1971: Instrument of Surrender signed
- More than 93,000 Pakistani troops surrendered
- Simla Agreement: Pakistan recognized Bangladesh, released prisoners, and regained occupied land
- 1974: UN officially recognized Bangladesh
- Sheikh Mujibur Rahman released, became the hero of Bangladesh
- 1975: Assassination of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, Bangladesh faced political turmoil
- General Ziaur Rahman seized power, military coup in Bangladesh
- Bangladesh saw military dictatorship for years
- 2009: Sheikh Hasina came into power, remains the Prime Minister
- Lesson learned: Language imposition and cultural differences played a role in Bangladesh's existence