Bangladesh: Difference between revisions

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In '''1576''', the '''Mughal Empire''' conquered Bengal, transforming it into the '''Bengal Subah''', one of the empire’s most prosperous provinces. By the '''18th century''', it was recognized as the '''wealthiest region''' in the Mughal realm and was famously called the '''“Paradise of Countries”''' and the '''“breadbasket of India.”''' The area’s agricultural productivity, skilled artisanship, and vibrant trade contributed to a high standard of living for its population. With the '''decline of Mughal authority''' in the early 1700s, Bengal evolved into a '''semi-independent state''' under the '''Nawabs of Bengal''', beginning with '''Murshid Quli Khan''', the first Nawab. This period was marked by political autonomy, continued economic prosperity, and active international trade. However, internal power struggles and growing European colonial interests set the stage for the '''British East India Company’s''' later dominance.

=== As Part of Pakistan ===

After nearly two centuries of British colonial rule, the '''partition of India on 15 August 1947''' created two new states: '''India''' and '''Pakistan'''. Bengal was divided along the '''Radcliffe Line''', with '''East Bengal''' becoming the eastern and most populous part of the Dominion of Pakistan, and West Bengal remaining with India. East and West Pakistan were separated by more than 1,000 miles, creating serious geographical and economic challenges from the beginning. Khawaja Nazimuddin became East Bengal’s first chief minister, and Frederick Chalmers Bourne served as governor. In 1949, the '''All Pakistan Awami Muslim League''' was formed, and in 1950, the East Bengal Legislative Assembly passed land reforms that abolished the '''Permanent Settlement''' and the '''zamindari''' system. The party was later renamed the '''Awami League''' in 1953 to adopt a more secular and inclusive identity. The '''United Front coalition''' defeated the ruling Muslim League in the 1954 elections, reflecting growing political consciousness in East Bengal. In 1955, East Bengal was renamed '''East Pakistan''' as part of Pakistan’s “One Unit” program. Despite its population and economic contributions, East Pakistan remained politically and economically marginalized. Rising Tensions and Bengali Nationalism

Cultural and linguistic discrimination deepened the divide. In 1952, the Pakistani government violently suppressed the '''Bengali Language Movement''', which demanded that Bengali be recognized as an official language alongside Urdu. This event became a powerful symbol of '''Bengali identity and resistance'''. A new constitution was adopted in 1956, but political instability continued. In 1958, the military, led by General Ayub Khan, imposed martial law and established a dictatorship. A presidential system replaced the parliamentary system in 1962. That same year, '''Dhaka''' became the seat of the National Assembly, an attempt to ease Bengali dissatisfaction. In 1966, '''Sheikh Mujibur Rahman''', leader of the Awami League, launched the '''Six-Point Movement''', demanding autonomy and a federal parliamentary system. Bengalis were '''severely underrepresented''' in the civil service and military, while Bengali literature and music were censored.

Although East Pakistan generated around '''70% of Pakistan’s export earnings''' through jute and tea, it received significantly less investment and development funds. Economists such as '''Rehman Sobhan''' and '''Nurul Islam''' highlighted this inequality through the '''Two-Economies Theory''', showing the existence of two unequal economies within one country. Road to Liberation In 1969, mass protests and the '''Agartala Conspiracy Case''' (in which Mujibur Rahman was arrested) triggered Ayub Khan’s resignation. General '''Yahya Khan''' took power and imposed martial law once again. In '''1970''', a devastating cyclone killed around '''500,000 people''' in East Pakistan, and the central government was heavily criticized for its slow and inadequate response, further fueling resentment.

The '''1970 general election''' became a turning point: the Awami League won 167 out of 169 seats from East Pakistan, gaining a parliamentary majority. However, the Pakistani military and the '''Pakistan Peoples Party''' led by '''Zulfikar Ali Bhutto''' opposed transferring power. On '''7 March 1971''', Sheikh Mujibur Rahman gave a historic speech calling for non-cooperation, effectively launching a civil disobedience movement. In response, the Pakistani military began '''Operation Searchlight''' on 25 March 1971, a brutal crackdown on civilians. On '''26 March 1971''', Mujibur Rahman declared the '''independence of Bangladesh''', marking the beginning of the Bangladesh Liberation War. The conflict lasted nine months and resulted in a '''genocide and mass atrocities'''. On '''16 December 1971''', Pakistani forces '''surrendered''', and Bangladesh emerged as an '''independent, sovereign nation'''.

=== Independent Bangladesh ===

Bangladesh adopted its '''Constitution on 4 November 1972''', laying the foundation for a parliamentary democracy with secularism, nationalism, socialism, and democracy as its core principles. Mujibur Rahman Era (1972–1975) After independence, the government of '''Sheikh Mujibur Rahman''' faced major challenges such as war-torn infrastructure, food shortages, and a weak economy. Mismanagement, widespread corruption, and political unrest destabilized the country. Mujib attempted to introduce a '''one-party socialist system''', but his popularity declined sharply. A '''devastating famine in 1974''' worsened the situation. On '''15 August 1975''', Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was assassinated in a military coup. Return to Parliamentary Democracy (1991–2008)

Democracy was restored in 1991. Power alternated between '''Khaleda Zia''' (BNP) and '''Sheikh Hasina''' (Awami League) for decades. This period is often called the '''“Battle of the Begums.”''' While the country made progress in development and governance reforms, political instability and corruption remained persistent problems. Sheikh Hasina’s Long Rule (2009–2024) The Awami League returned to power with a '''landslide victory in the 2008 elections'''. Under '''Sheikh Hasina''', Bangladesh experienced rapid '''economic growth''' and '''infrastructure expansion''', but also '''democratic backsliding''', '''increasing authoritarianism''', and '''widespread corruption'''.

Sheikh Hasina won three more consecutive elections in '''2014, 2018, and 2024''', all widely criticized as neither free nor fair. Massive '''student-led protests''' in 2024 forced her to '''resign and flee to India''' on '''5 August 2024'''. An '''interim government''' was formed on '''8 August 2024''', led by '''Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus''' as Chief Adviser. Economic Growth and Development Since the 1980s, economic liberalization and free-market policies have turned Bangladesh into one of the '''fastest-growing economies in the world'''. The '''textile and garment sector''', the second-largest globally, has been a major growth driver.

* Bangladesh is now the '''second-largest economy in South Asia'''.

* Poverty rates fell from '''80% in 1971''' to '''18.7% in 2022'''.

* Its '''Human Development Index''' grew rapidly, second only to China in the 21st century.

* It became a '''global leader in green manufacturing''', hosting the world’s largest number of certified green factories.

@@ Line 15: / Line 15: @@
 In '''1576''', the '''Mughal Empire''' conquered Bengal, transforming it into the '''Bengal Subah''', one of the empire’s most prosperous provinces. By the '''18th century''', it was recognized as the '''wealthiest region''' in the Mughal realm and was famously called the '''“Paradise of Countries”''' and the '''“breadbasket of India.”''' The area’s agricultural productivity, skilled artisanship, and vibrant trade contributed to a high standard of living for its population. With the '''decline of Mughal authority''' in the early 1700s, Bengal evolved into a '''semi-independent state''' under the '''Nawabs of Bengal''', beginning with '''Murshid Quli Khan''', the first Nawab. This period was marked by political autonomy, continued economic prosperity, and active international trade. However, internal power struggles and growing European colonial interests set the stage for the '''British East India Company’s''' later dominance.
+=== As Part of Pakistan ===
+After nearly two centuries of British colonial rule, the '''partition of India on 15 August 1947''' created two new states: '''India''' and '''Pakistan'''. Bengal was divided along the '''Radcliffe Line''', with '''East Bengal''' becoming the eastern and most populous part of the Dominion of Pakistan, and West Bengal remaining with India. East and West Pakistan were separated by more than 1,000 miles, creating serious geographical and economic challenges from the beginning. Khawaja Nazimuddin became East Bengal’s first chief minister, and Frederick Chalmers Bourne served as governor. In 1949, the '''All Pakistan Awami Muslim League''' was formed, and in 1950, the East Bengal Legislative Assembly passed land reforms that abolished the '''Permanent Settlement''' and the '''zamindari''' system. The party was later renamed the '''Awami League''' in 1953 to adopt a more secular and inclusive identity. The '''United Front coalition''' defeated the ruling Muslim League in the 1954 elections, reflecting growing political consciousness in East Bengal. In 1955, East Bengal was renamed '''East Pakistan''' as part of Pakistan’s “One Unit” program. Despite its population and economic contributions, East Pakistan remained politically and economically marginalized. Rising Tensions and Bengali Nationalism
+Cultural and linguistic discrimination deepened the divide. In 1952, the Pakistani government violently suppressed the '''Bengali Language Movement''', which demanded that Bengali be recognized as an official language alongside Urdu. This event became a powerful symbol of '''Bengali identity and resistance'''. A new constitution was adopted in 1956, but political instability continued. In 1958, the military, led by General Ayub Khan, imposed martial law and established a dictatorship. A presidential system replaced the parliamentary system in 1962. That same year, '''Dhaka''' became the seat of the National Assembly, an attempt to ease Bengali dissatisfaction. In 1966, '''Sheikh Mujibur Rahman''', leader of the Awami League, launched the '''Six-Point Movement''', demanding autonomy and a federal parliamentary system. Bengalis were '''severely underrepresented''' in the civil service and military, while Bengali literature and music were censored.
+Although East Pakistan generated around '''70% of Pakistan’s export earnings''' through jute and tea, it received significantly less investment and development funds. Economists such as '''Rehman Sobhan''' and '''Nurul Islam''' highlighted this inequality through the '''Two-Economies Theory''', showing the existence of two unequal economies within one country. Road to Liberation In 1969, mass protests and the '''Agartala Conspiracy Case''' (in which Mujibur Rahman was arrested) triggered Ayub Khan’s resignation. General '''Yahya Khan''' took power and imposed martial law once again. In '''1970''', a devastating cyclone killed around '''500,000 people''' in East Pakistan, and the central government was heavily criticized for its slow and inadequate response, further fueling resentment.
+The '''1970 general election''' became a turning point: the Awami League won 167 out of 169 seats from East Pakistan, gaining a parliamentary majority. However, the Pakistani military and the '''Pakistan Peoples Party''' led by '''Zulfikar Ali Bhutto''' opposed transferring power. On '''7 March 1971''', Sheikh Mujibur Rahman gave a historic speech calling for non-cooperation, effectively launching a civil disobedience movement. In response, the Pakistani military began '''Operation Searchlight''' on 25 March 1971, a brutal crackdown on civilians. On '''26 March 1971''', Mujibur Rahman declared the '''independence of Bangladesh''', marking the beginning of the Bangladesh Liberation War. The conflict lasted nine months and resulted in a '''genocide and mass atrocities'''. On '''16 December 1971''', Pakistani forces '''surrendered''', and Bangladesh emerged as an '''independent, sovereign nation'''.
+=== Independent Bangladesh ===
+Bangladesh adopted its '''Constitution on 4 November 1972''', laying the foundation for a parliamentary democracy with secularism, nationalism, socialism, and democracy as its core principles. Mujibur Rahman Era (1972–1975) After independence, the government of '''Sheikh Mujibur Rahman''' faced major challenges such as war-torn infrastructure, food shortages, and a weak economy. Mismanagement, widespread corruption, and political unrest destabilized the country. Mujib attempted to introduce a '''one-party socialist system''', but his popularity declined sharply. A '''devastating famine in 1974''' worsened the situation. On '''15 August 1975''', Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was assassinated in a military coup. Return to Parliamentary Democracy (1991–2008)
+Democracy was restored in 1991. Power alternated between '''Khaleda Zia''' (BNP) and '''Sheikh Hasina''' (Awami League) for decades. This period is often called the '''“Battle of the Begums.”''' While the country made progress in development and governance reforms, political instability and corruption remained persistent problems. Sheikh Hasina’s Long Rule (2009–2024) The Awami League returned to power with a '''landslide victory in the 2008 elections'''. Under '''Sheikh Hasina''', Bangladesh experienced rapid '''economic growth''' and '''infrastructure expansion''', but also '''democratic backsliding''', '''increasing authoritarianism''', and '''widespread corruption'''.
+Sheikh Hasina won three more consecutive elections in '''2014, 2018, and 2024''', all widely criticized as neither free nor fair. Massive '''student-led protests''' in 2024 forced her to '''resign and flee to India''' on '''5 August 2024'''. An '''interim government''' was formed on '''8 August 2024''', led by '''Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus''' as Chief Adviser. Economic Growth and Development Since the 1980s, economic liberalization and free-market policies have turned Bangladesh into one of the '''fastest-growing economies in the world'''. The '''textile and garment sector''', the second-largest globally, has been a major growth driver.
+* Bangladesh is now the '''second-largest economy in South Asia'''.
+* Poverty rates fell from '''80% in 1971''' to '''18.7% in 2022'''.
+* Its '''Human Development Index''' grew rapidly, second only to China in the 21st century.
+* It became a '''global leader in green manufacturing''', hosting the world’s largest number of certified green factories.