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Individual Report ​
On​
“The Emergence of Bangladesh.”

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By:​
Maheru Atika​
ID: 2321550620​
HIS103; Section: 8​
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Submitted To:​
Ms. Marzan Bintey Kamal​
Junior Lecturer, Department of History and Philosophy​
North South University.

Table of Contents

Introduction..................................................................................................................................2
The British Colonial Era and the East India Company.............................................................2
The Partition of India and the Birth of Pakistan........................................................................3
The Rise of Bengali Nationalism: The Six-Point Movement and 1969 Mass Uprising.......... 4
The Path to Independence: The General Elections of 1970.....................................................4
The Liberation War of 1971 and the Birth of Bangladesh........................................................ 5
Post-Independence Bangladesh................................................................................................ 5
Current Situation......................................................................................................................... 6
Conclusion................................................................................................................................... 6
Reference..................................................................................................................................... 7

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The Emergence of Bangladesh

Introduction

Bangladesh achieved its independence through a long battle spanning hundreds of years, which
began during colonial rule before confronting Pakistani political persecution. The establishment
of Bangladesh as an independent nation during the British East India Company colonial period.
It progressed through the Language Movement before the Mass Uprising, ending with the
Liberation War in 1971.

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The British Colonial Era and the East India Company

Today's region, representing Bangladesh, started its journey under British rule during the 18th
century after the East India Company established its base. British forces under Robert Clive won
at Plassey in 1757 to gain control of Bengal after defeating Siraj-ud-Daula, the Nawab of Bengal
there. British power started in Bengal following the critical Battle of Plassey, which later
expanded to dominate most parts of the Indian subcontinent.

During the administration of the East India Company, Bengal faced extreme economic
mistreatment. British authorities took wealth from Bengal, focusing on agricultural production,
forcing the Bengali community to pay increasing taxes. Millions died due to British policies that
created the Great Bengal Famine of 1943, alongside subsequent famines during this period.

East India Company administrative decisions, together with the British direct rule after 1857,
created enduring socio-political divisions which formed the basis for Pakistan's creation and
ended with Bangladesh's establishment.​
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Figure 1: Preparation of Battle of Pallasey Figure 2: How the East India Company became ​
The world's most powerful business.​

The Partition of India and the Birth of Pakistan

India and Pakistan separated as independent nations in 1947, after British colonial rule had
concluded throughout India. The partition mainly occurred because of religious conflicts, as
Pakistan received its independence for Muslims, but India kept its secular identity. The two
separated areas made up Pakistan because West Pakistan became modern Pakistan, and East

Figure 3: Partition of Bengal.

Pakistan became modern [Link]'s establishment launched a new political era for
East Pakistan's people, while their economic condition, along with their political power,
remained low. The eastern portion of Pakistan, where most people lived, failed to receive
balanced political power because the leadership sat in western Pakistan.​
.. ​
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Language Movement and Early Struggles

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The Language Movement 1952 marked one of the first signs that East Pakistan was discontented.
The western-central Pakistani government set Urdu as the official national language against
Bengali, although Bengalis constituted most of East Pakistan's population. The people of East
Pakistan, especially their students, organized protests due to West Pakistan's government
decision to exclusively recognize Urdu as the official language.

When demonstrators gathered in Dhaka for a protest on February 21, 1952, the police initiated
gunfire that resulted in fatal casualties. Each year, Bangladesh commemorates Language
Martyrs’ Day as a memorial to the victims of the tragic incident that continues to symbolize
resistance against oppression.​
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The Rise of Bengali Nationalism: The Six-Point Movement and 1969 Mass Uprising

During the 1960s, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman led the Six-Point Movement, bringing East Pakistan to a
political uprising until it peaked in 1966. The Six-Point Movement aimed to have East Pakistan gain
autonomous control over administrative matters due to the central government's failure to satisfy political
and economic requirements for the region. This movement demanded that East Pakistan exercise
authority over its financial system, military forces, and essential government matters.

The Mass Uprising of 1969 occurred 1969 after Ayub Khan established a military dictatorship that lasted
for many years. People from different social classes united against Ayub Khan’s leadership until Sheikh
Mujibur Rahman gained leadership over East Pakistan's population. The Uprising failed to achieve
official political independence, yet established the standards for future demands of self-rule.​
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Figure 4: The language movement that led to freedom. Figure 5: Historic Mass Upsurge on Tuesday.

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The Path to Independence: The General Elections of 1970

Historically, East Pakistan witnessed its turning point during the 1970 general elections. Sheikh Mujibur
Rahman's Awami League won an overwhelming victory in East Pakistan, thus gaining control of most
seats in the National Assembly of Pakistan. The political representatives in West Pakistan, headed by
General Yahya Khan and Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, rejected ceding power to the Awami League.

East Pakistan citizens intensified their calls for autonomy when the government ignored the results of
their overwhelming legislative victory. Political circumstances became unmanageable since March 1971,
when tensions between parties peaked.

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The Liberation War of 1971 and the Birth of Bangladesh

The military forces of Pakistan began Operation Searchlight on March 25, 1971, to put an end to the
Bengali independence movement through brutal means. Extensive horrid actions through this operation
led to the executions of massive numbers of people and forced millions to leave their homes. Sheikh
Mujibur Rahman announced the independence of Bangladesh through a declaration on March 26, 1971.

People of Bangladesh fought with Indian backing against the Pakistani military for nine months of the
Liberation War. While Pakistan suffered heavy losses in human life, the united determination of Bengalis
joined with Indian military actions brought down Pakistan's enemy. By formal criteria, the January 16th
surrender of Pakistan allowed Bangladesh to attain complete independence status.​
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Figure 6: The Awami League leaders after Figure 7: Remembering the heroes of 1971 War​
the 1970 Pakistani General Election

Post-Independence Bangladesh

The independent Bangladesh struggled through various hurdles to recover its destroyed
economic system while facing political unrest and weak institutional frameworks. The first
period of the country's history brought extreme obstacles, which combined poverty with societal
unrest. Sheikh Mujibur Rahman led the initiative to rebuild Bangladesh after becoming its
inaugural President. His presidency ended in assassination when political riots swept the country
during his tenure in 1975.

Bangladesh has accomplished remarkable development advances over the years. The global
economy recognizes Bangladesh as one of the fastest-growing nations because of its noteworthy
educational development achievements, healthcare improvements, and poverty alleviation.
Textiles are an essential foundation of Bangladesh’s economy, and overseas workers' money
transfer is critical to the country's financial strength.

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Current Situation

Bangladesh exists today as an active and resistant country that celebrates its diverse cultural
traditions. Economic development continues to encounter three persistent issues, including
political instability, climate change, and unequal income, but the nation endures as vibrant and

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resilient. The positive economic development and social advancement trajectory allows
Bangladesh to move toward better prospects in the forthcoming years.

Conclusion

The establishment of Bangladesh as an independent nation represents an exceptional narrative of

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Reference

1.​ Ahmed, S. (2000). Bangladesh: The historic struggle for independence. University Press
Limited.​

2.​ Chowdhury, K. R. (2005). The language movement and the emergence of Bangladesh.
Dhaka University Press.​

3.​ Jalal, A. (1995). The struggle for Pakistan: A Muslim homeland and global politics.
Harvard University Press.​

4.​ The Battle of Plassey: A Turning Point in Colonial India. (2018, June 4). History Today.
Retrieved April 22, 2025, from [Link]

5.​ General Elections of 1970 and the Creation of Bangladesh. (2020, November 5). The
Daily Star. Retrieved April 22, 2025, from
[Link]