Mujibnagar

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Also See: Provisional Government of the People's Republic of Bangladesh

Statue representing the signing of the Pakistani Instrument of Surrender at the Mujibnagar Memorial Monument and Complex
The Mujibnagar monument has 23 pillars, some of which are shown here, representing the 23 years of Pakistani rule over East Bengal before it became independent as Bangladesh. The red brick square marks the spot where the Mujibnagar government ministers took their oaths.[1]

Mujibnagar (Bengali: মুজিবনগর), formerly known as Baidyanathtala (Boiddonathtola) and Bhoborpara, is a town in the Meherpur District of Bangladesh.[2] The Provisional Government of Bangladesh was formed on 10 April 1971, however, sworn in on 17 April 1971 in this place by the elected representatives of the Bengalees (mostly belongling to Awami League), that led the Bangladesh Liberation War, who were leading the guerrilla war for the independence of Bangladesh (then East Pakistan) from Pakistan in 1971.[3] The place was renamed Mujibnagar by the proclamation of independence,[4] in honour of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, who declared Bangladesh independent.[1] The actual capital of the government while in exile was Calcutta. A memorial complex covering 20.10 acres (8.13 ha) has been built at the site where the ministers of that first government took their oaths.

Formation[]

Following the failure of last-ditch talks on the formation of a government, Pakistani president Yahya Khan ordered the Pakistani Army to launch Operation Searchlight to suppress the nationalist movement. On March 25, 1971 the leader of the Awami League Sheikh Mujibur Rahman signed an official declaration[5] and called upon the people to resist the occupation forces through a radio message.[6] After he was arrested by Pakistan Army and moved to a jail in West Pakistan, M A Hannan,[7] Ziaur Rahman[8] broadcast the announcement of the declaration of independence on behalf of Sheikh Mujibur on 26 March and 27 March respectively and exhorted the Bengali people to resist the Pakistani state forces.

The senior political leaders of the Awami League congregated at the town of Baidyanathtala, which was mainly a mango grove located in Meherpur, when it was a sub-district of Kushtia. Inaugurating the government of the People's Republic of Bangladesh on April 17, the national anthem Amar Sonar Bangla was sung in chorus. Although Sheikh Mujib was declared the first President, Syed Nazrul Islam was appointed acting president and hoisted the flag of Bangladesh. Tajuddin Ahmed was appointed the first prime minister.

See also[]

Footnotes[]

  1. ^ Jump up to: a b Mohammad Faiquzzaman (2012), "Mujibnagar Smriti Saudha", in Sirajul Islam and Ahmed A. Jamal (ed.), Banglapedia: National Encyclopedia of Bangladesh (Second ed.), Asiatic Society of Bangladesh
  2. ^ Md. Abu Hasan Farooque (2012), "Meherpur District", in Sirajul Islam and Ahmed A. Jamal (ed.), Banglapedia: National Encyclopedia of Bangladesh (Second ed.), Asiatic Society of Bangladesh
  3. ^ Faiquzzaman, Mohammad (2012). "Mujibnagar Government". In Islam, Sirajul; Jamal, Ahmed A. (eds.). Banglapedia: National Encyclopedia of Bangladesh (Second ed.). Asiatic Society of Bangladesh.
  4. ^ Miah, Sajahan (2012). "Proclamation of Independence". In Islam, Sirajul; Jamal, Ahmed A. (eds.). Banglapedia: National Encyclopedia of Bangladesh (Second ed.). Asiatic Society of Bangladesh.
  5. ^ J. S. Gupta The History of the Liberation Movement in Bangladesh Page ??
  6. ^ The Daily Star, 26 March 2005 Article not specified
  7. ^ "Virtual Bangladesh". Virtual Bangladesh. 26 March 1971. Retrieved 23 June 2011.
  8. ^ Shashi, S. S. (2002). Encyclopedia Indica: A Grand Tribute to Culture, Art, Architecture, Religion and Development. Volume 100: Anmol Publications. p. 149. ISBN 978-8170418597.CS1 maint: location (link)

References[]

External links[]

Coordinates: 23°38′N 88°36′E / 23.633°N 88.600°E / 23.633; 88.600

Retrieved from ""