Introduction

The liberation war is called the greatest achievement of the Bengali nation in a thousand years. Bangladesh today is an independent sovereign country on the world map. This freedom, gained in exchange of three million lives through a bloody liberation war of nine months, did not come like that. Today's Bangladesh is the product of a long struggle stained with the blood of the Liberation Army.

Background Of Liberation War

After the partition of the country in 1947, Bengal became a state of Pakistan called 'East Pakistan'. But the ruling class of West Pakistan turned this country into a colony of Pakistan through their misrule, exploitation and deprivation. Even the despotic government of Pakistan tried to stifle the Bengali voice by declaring Urdu as the state language. But the students of this country erupted in protest at such an announcement. In response to them, on February 21, 1952, the then ruling group issued Article 144. The students of this country risked their lives and violated Article 144 and marched on the streets. Salam, Barkat, Rafiq, Jabbar and many others were killed in police firing. On the news of the death, the Durbar movement was formed in the whole country. As a result, Pakistanis were forced to give Bengali the status of state language. In continuation of this, education movement in 1962, 6 point movement in 1966, mass movement in 1969 took place.In 1970, General Yahya Khan announced the election of National and Provincial Councils. Awami League participated in the elections on the basis of 11 points and East Pakistan won majority in both assemblies. But the ruling group was frightened by the victory of Awami League and started to struggle to transfer power. As a result, there was a storm of protests and protests across the country.

March 7 Speech

After the Awami League won the National Assembly elections of Pakistan in 1970, the situation became heated when the power was not handed over. In such a situation, the President of Pakistan, General Yahya Khan, convened a session of the National Assembly on March 3 but unexpectedly adjourned it indefinitely on March 1.The people of East Pakistan erupted in protest after hearing this news. Finally, on March 7, 1971, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman addressed a public meeting at Race Course Maidan (now Suhrawardy Park) in Dhaka. In the speech, he stressed on lifting of martial law, withdrawal of soldiers to barracks, inquiry into massacres and transfer of power to elected representatives. His speech was the complete direction of the national liberation struggle. So he said, "Fight the enemy with everything you have...

Declaration Of Independence

After Bangabandhu's 7th March speech, the liberation movement gained momentum. When the Yahya-Mujeeb meeting failed on March 24, the Pakistani military junta forces massacred unarmed Bengalis in the late night of March 25. Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was arrested on the night of 25th March and taken to Karachi. Bangabandhu declared the independence of Bangladesh in the early hours of March 26, before being arrested by Pakistani forces. Chittagong Awami League leader M.A. to inform the countrymen of Bangabandhu's announcement. Hannan broadcasted it on Chittagong Radio on 26th March at noon. Major Ziaur Rahman read out another declaration of independence on behalf of Bangabandhu on the evening of 27th March from Swadhin Bangla Temporary Radio Center which was later launched at Kalurghat in Chittagong.

Formation of People's Republic Government

The Provisional Government of the People's Republic of Bangladesh was formed on 10 April 1971. On April 17, the 'Provisional Government of the People's Republic of Bangladesh' was formally sworn in at Ambagan at Baidyanathtala, Meherpur, Mujibnagar. Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib was appointed President. Vice President Syed Nazrul Islam, Prime Minister Tajuddin Ahmad, Foreign Minister Khandaker Mushtaq Ahmad, Finance Minister M Mansoor Ali and Home Minister AHM Kamruzzaman. An advisory council consisting of 9 members was constituted. Colonel Ataul Gani Osmani was appointed as the Commander-in-Chief.

Liberation War Organisation & Management

Since the Pakistani invasion forces attacked the Bengalis on the night of 25th March, resistance has been established in different places, but since the provisional government of Bangladesh took charge, they took the initiative to conduct the liberation war in an organized and planned manner.. At that time the entire Bangladesh was divided into 11 sectors and in each sector, under the leadership of a commander, the Mukti Bahini launched an attack and frontal war against the Pak forces. Again, many who fled to India after being fed up with the atrocities of the Pak forces, came back with training and started guerilla attacks. The vast masses of the country cooperated with the Mukti Bahini in various ways. As a result, the liberation struggle turned into an all-out people's war. And in this way, the Pakistani forces started to be discredited by the attack of the Liberation Army.

Foreign Aid-cooparetion In The War Of Liberation

Some foreign countries and various social and cultural organizations played a positive role in the liberation war of Bangladesh. About one crore Bengalis took refuge in India due to the persecution of Pak forces. Government of India helps these refugees by providing food, clothing, shelter and medical care. The governments and people of Eastern European countries, including the then Soviet Union government of Russia, supported Bangladesh and created public opinion in favor of Bangladesh's liberation war worldwide. Besides, the two superpowers United Kingdom and China took a stand against Bangladesh, but their people expressed their solidarity towards the just demands of the people of Bangladesh.

Joint Attack Of Mukti Bahini & Indian Allied Forces

On November 21, 1971, Bangladesh and neighboring India formed a joint force. When Pakistan declared war on India on 3 December, Mukti Bahini and Indian forces started fighting the invaders jointly. India formally recognized Bangladesh on 6 December. By December 12, all the Pakistani aircraft in Bengal were downed by the strong attack of the joint forces. In this way, various areas of East Bengal were freed from the enemy by 13th December in the operation of the joint forces.

Surrender Of Pakistani Army

On December 14, the joint forces were only 14 kilometers away from Dhaka. Seeing the dire situation, the commander of the invading forces, Lt. Gen. Niazi surrendered to the joint command at Suhrawardy Udyan along with his 94,000 soldiers and weapons on December 16. And this is how the final victory of Bangladesh was achieved.

Conclusion

The independence of Bangladesh is not a fragmented isolated dream or something to be achieved. An unconquerable consciousness with a real sense of united life-striving, conflict, hope-despair; In exchange for the sacrifice of three million people and the honor of two million mothers and sisters in the liberation war, it has been added to the world map. And we got a new and independent country named Bangladesh with red and green flag.