2018-03-26 Mon

March 26th marks one of the most important dates in Bangladesh history because, on this day in the year 1971, it achieved its independence.

In 1947, British India was partitioned, creating the dominion of Pakistan which was two separate regions to the northwest and northeast of India. The new dominion was governed from West Pakistan which leads to frictions between the two regions, with the first signs of a movement for autonomy for East Pakistan appearing in 1952.

In the 1970 general elections, the Bangla-based Awami League, led by Sheikh Mujibur Rahman won an overall majority, but the West Pakistani regime was reluctant to hand over the power. On 25 March 1971, Pakistani troops were used to quell the growing unrest.

This led to the Independence of Bangladesh being declared by Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in the early morning of 26 March 1971 and marked the start of the war of Independence. Independence for Bangladesh was gained through a nine-month civil war against the Pakistani Army, which resulted in the loss of about 3 million lives. The Mukti Bahini (Bengali "freedom fighters"), with military support from India, defeated the Pakistani Army on 16 December in the same year, which is celebrated as Victory Day.

On gaining its independence, East Pakistan was renamed Bangladesh.

On the occasion of the Day of Independence and National Day, Bangladesh Post, has paid homage to the glorious sacrifice of the martyred by issuing a commemorative Stamp of denomination 10 Bangladeshi Taka.

Image Courtesy: colnect.com