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    Bangladesh is usually called a comparatively new nation in an ancient land. It emerged as an independent country through a sanguinary and protracted War of Liberation at the cost of immense sacrifices. The history of the country is as old as it is eventful. Bangladesh was famed in ancient times as a land of bounty and affluence. Etymologically the word Bangladesh is derived from the cognate Banga, which was first mentioned in the Hindu scripture Oitery Araanyk composed between 5000 BC and 500 AD. Bangladesh is the largest wetland in the world formed by the interaction of innumerable rivers and streams; its configuration was determined and is continuously changed by these water bodies. Geological evidence indicates that much of Bangladesh was formed 1 to 6.5 million years ago during the tertiary era. Human habitation in the region is believed to be very old with its roots in the Paleolithic civilization dating back to about one hundred thousand (1,00,000) years. In the ancient age an Austro-Asian race first inhabited the region. Then came the Dravidians from Western India and later the Aryans from Central Asia. Then followed the influx of the Mongolians, Persians, Turks and Afghans. The mighty Gangaridai and Prasioi empires were located in Bengal. According to Greek sources of 4th century BC, the people of this deltaic region made extensive military preparations to halt the march of Alexander the Great, had he chosen to continue his Eastward advancement. Later records, inscriptions, coins and ornaments testify to the tradition of rich heritage and civilization indicating the glorious past of Bangladesh. Because of its strategic location Bangladesh since time immemorial served as a flourishing entry-port and intermediary in trade and commerce between South Asia and the Far East. The influence of Bengal spread far and wide and the region played a seminal role in disseminating its rich heritage and tradition, art and architecture, culture and learning in the wider continent of Asia and beyond. History recorded that Mauryas (4th to 2nd centuries BC), the Guptas (4th to 5th century AD), the empire of Sasanka (7th century AD), the Pala dynasty (750-1162 AD) and the Senas (1162 to 1223 AD) successively held their sway here. Then followed a long chain of Muslim rule (till 1757) when this region reached the zenith of economic affluence. In fact, had there been no British conquest in 1757 Bengal would have been the first country in Asia to achieve industrial revolution because of its excellence in the finest fabrics. The British rule, which started from Bengal, was subsequently extended to the whole of the sub-continent. When the British left the subcontinent was partitioned into two countries-India and Pakistan. Bangladesh formed the Eastern Wing of Pakistan. Though numerically in the majority, the Bengalees were treated unjustly and very soon the movement for the autonomy of Bangladesh started because of cultural, linguistic and ethnic differences and economic disparity, deprivation and exploitation perpetrated by the Pakistani rulers. The disillusionment of the people of Bangladesh with the state of Pakistan began early on. The decision of the central authorities in Pakistan to opt for Urdu as the only state language of the country militated against the emotions of the Bengali-speaking people, who constituted the majority in Pakistan. The then East Pakistan rose in protest, first in 1948 and then, in a more concerted form, in 1952. The death of a number of young men resulting from Police firing on demonstrators in Dhaka on 21 February 1952 proved to be the catalyst for what eventually became the nationalist struggle of the Bengali-speaking people of Pakistan. The frustration and resentment continued and culminated in a mass upsurge in 1969. There came a sudden change over in the government – Martial Law was re-imposed. Consequently, the general elections held throughout Pakistan in 1970 gave the people of Bangladesh a remarkable opportunity to claim their rightful place in national politics. But that hope was soon to prove illusory when the military establishment refused to transfer power. Instead on the night of 25 March, 1971, they embarked on a systematic policy of repression and genocide. This prompted the declaration of independence of Bangladesh on 26 March 1971.

The liberation of Bangladesh on 16 December 1971 after nine months of a sustained war ushered in a new period of hope for the people of the country The Constitution of Bangladesh was framed and came into effect on 16 December 1972. Bangladesh became a member of the UN on 17 September 1974. In January 1975, the system of government was changed to a one party Presidential from on 15 August, 1975, then President late Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was killed by some elements in the armed forces along with most of his family members. In the chaotic condition that followed, several national leaders and cabinet members were also killed. It was against this backdrop that late President Ziaur Rahman was called upon to take over the affairs of the state on 7 November 1975.

Late President Ziaur Rahman’s life was cut short in May 1981 when he was assassinated in Chittagong by a section of military officers. A coup in March 1982 forced the elected government of BNP to step down. But soon the misuse of power and corruption of the military regime caused widespread disillusionment. A relentless struggle for restoring democratic system was launched by the national political parties and alliances, which mobilized the masses and forced the autocratic regime to step down in December 1990.

The BNP under the leadership of Begum Khaleda Zia was voted to office through the general elections organized by a neutral caretaker government in February 1991. Within months of taking over the administration, Begum Zia undertook to take the country back to a parliamentary form of government. Fresh elections were organized in February 1996 for making the necessary amendment to the Constitution to facilitate holding of elections under a neutral caretaker administration. Following elections of June 1996, the Awami League formed a new government, and BNP took its place in parliament as the opposition. In the general election of October 2001, Begum Khaleda Zia led a four-party alliance to victory with a clear two-thirds majority in parliament.
 

* Excerpted from resources of  Bangladesh Embassy in Washington D.C.

Bangladeshi Flowers

Dhaka City

WaterMelon

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