In Which year, Bangladesh was formed as Separate Country?
VerifiedAnswer: In the Year 1971
Explanation:
Bangladesh emerged as an independent nation in 1971 after a bloody liberation war against Pakistan. The region, which was previously known as East Bengal and later East Pakistan, had been part of Pakistan since the partition of India in 1947.
The formation of Bangladesh was the result of growing tensions between East and West Pakistan. Despite having a larger population, East Pakistan faced significant discrimination in terms of political representation, economic development, and cultural recognition. The Bengali language movement of 1952 was one of the early signs of resistance, where students and activists fought for the recognition of Bengali as a state language.
The immediate trigger for the liberation war came after the 1970 general elections in Pakistan. The Awami League, led by Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, won a decisive victory, securing 160 out of 162 seats allocated to East Pakistan in the National Assembly. However, the Pakistani military and political establishment refused to transfer power to the Awami League.
On March 25, 1971, the Pakistani military launched Operation Searchlight, a brutal crackdown on the Bengali population. This marked the beginning of the Bangladesh Liberation War. Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was arrested, but before his arrest, he declared independence for Bangladesh on March 26, 1971.
The nine-month-long war was fought between the Mukti Bahini (Bengali freedom fighters) and the Pakistani forces. India played a crucial role by providing support to the liberation movement and later directly intervening in the conflict. The war resulted in massive casualties and displacement of people.
On December 16, 1971, the Pakistani forces surrendered in Dhaka, and Bangladesh officially became an independent nation. This date is now celebrated as Victory Day in Bangladesh. Sheikh Mujibur Rahman returned from Pakistani prison and became the first Prime Minister of independent Bangladesh.
