The Bangladeshi Liberation War (1971)

By 1972, three individual countries, Bangladesh, India and Pakistan, would emerge from what had been, in 1946, one country, India.

After Britain left India in 1947, India was divided into two individual countries, Pakistan and India. It was agreed, due to religious tension, that Pakistan would to be the home of the Muslims and India was for the Hindus. However the areas which were known as Pakistan were divided, each separated, being on the east and west of India. Pakistan was therefore divided into areas known as West and East Pakistan.
However it would soon become clear that although both East and West Pakistan were of the same country, there was a significant difference between them.

It was clear that the political power was concentrated in West Pakistan, whereas East Pakistan was exploited economically and politically ignored. For example between 1950-55, 11,290 of Pakistani rupees was spent in West Pakistan whereas only 5,240 Pakistani rupees were spent by the government in East Pakistan. West Pakistan continuously began to receive more money, even though East Pakistan had a much larger population  All power remained with West Pakistan, and any idea of political power in East Pakistan was ignored. As the differences and exploitation became realised by those in East Pakistan, discontent began to rise, and the East Pakistanis began to fight back against the unfair ruling.

Although resistance in East Pakistan, or Bangladesh as it began to recognise itself as, was scattered at first, it quickly began to organise itself as the Pakistani suppression increased. East Pakistan demanded their separation from West Pakistan, but this was denied. The Bangladeshi Resistance, the Mukti Bahini (which many of my own family members had been a part of), grew in numbers as the Pakistani suppression, Operation Searchlight began.

Operation Searchlight enforced much violence in Bangladesh, causing the Mukti Bahini to fight back, and the beginning of the Liberation War on 26 March 1971. Operation Searchlight was violent, and began systematic killings and acts of genocide, with 3,000,000 casualties for Bangladesh as a whole. The Operation's aim was to attempt to curb Bangladeshi nationalism and destroy all opponents. Universities in Bangladesh were also targeted, with the residential halls of Dhaka University being destroyed. The Hindu residential hall was also unfortunately targeted and massacred, with up to 700 students murdered by Pakistani forces. It is  now recognised that the acts taken by the Pakistani forces in Bangladesh during the Liberation War were acts of genocide.

The Surrender of Pakistani Troops

Pakistan grew wary of the idea of India's involvement and so launched pre-emptive strikes on northern India. However, this caused India to enter the war on 3 December 1971. With India now involved in the war, and Pakistan fighting two fronts, it became increasingly difficult on their part. Eventually on 16 December 1971, Pakistan surrendered to India and Bangladesh. It was the largest surrender since World War II, with Pakistan surrendering 93,000 of its troops to the Liberation forces. These troops were taken as prisoners of war by the Indian Forces.  The surrender of Pakistan was enabled by the signing of the Instrument of Surrender.

The Signing of the Instrument of Surrender

Later on, the Simla Agreement was signed between India and Pakistan in 1972. This ensured the recognition of Bangladeshi independence by Pakistan in return for their prisoners of war. Bangladesh sought recognition by the UN, and was admitted. The USA  and China were one of the last countries to recognise Bangladeshi independence, having been a Pakistani ally during the Liberation War.



Having recently visited Bangladesh, although with many of the older generation Pakistani-Bangladeshi tensions still exist, I feel Bangladesh has moved forward greatly. The success of the Liberation War is for many Bengali's today the foundation of their country's pride.

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