Ziaur Rahman

Freedom fighter Bir Uttam Ziaur Rahman was born in Bagbari village of Bogra district. He passed matric(1952) from Karachi Academy School and joined the Pakistan Army while studying in college.

Then he joined the Punjab Regiment in 1955-57. In 1957 he was transferred to the East Bengal Regiment. He was working in the military intelligence branch from 1959-64.In 1970 he was transferred to the 8th East Bengal Regiment in Chittagong. During his stay here, he got a rare opportunity to read the Declaration of Independence on behalf of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman from the Kalurghat radio station on 26 March 1971. Then he joined the war of liberation. Sector Commander was appointed by the Mujibnagar Government (17.4.71). Under his leadership the Z Force was formed (August 1971). After independence he was appointed Commander of Comilla Brigade (16.12.71). He was appointed Deputy Chief of Staff of the Bangladesh Army in June 1972. He was later promoted to the rank of Colonel (1972), Brigadier (1973) and Major General. After the assassination of Bangabandhu, he was appointed Chief of Staff of the Army on 25 August. On 7 November 1975, he was appointed Deputy Chief Martial Law Administrator.

He took over as Chief Martial Law Administrator on 26 November 1975 and President on 21 April 1976. He was elected President on 30 May 1977 by referendum. He amended the constitution to allow religion-based politics. He formed Jagdal in 1978. On June 3, 1978, he was elected president by a general election. He joined Jagdal on 27 August 1978. On 1 September 1978 he formed the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and took over its chairmanship. He was killed in a military coup in Chittagong on 30 May 1981.