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Bangladesh, officially called the People’s Republic of Bangladesh, is a country located in South Asia. It is the eighth most populous nation in the world and also one of the most densely populated, with more than 171 million people living in an area of about '''148,460 square kilometres 57,320 sq mi'''. The country is bordered by India on the north, west, and east, and by Myanmar (Burma) on the southeast. Its southern boundary touches the Bay of Bengal. Bangladesh is close to Bhutan and Nepal, separated by the narrow Siliguri Corridor, and China lies beyond India’s state of Sikkim to the north. The capital and largest city is Dhaka, which serves as the center of politics, business, and culture. Chittagong is the second-largest city and the country’s main seaport. The area that is now '''Bangladesh''' has a long and rich history. In ancient times, it was home to powerful '''Buddhist and Hindu kingdoms'''. After the '''Muslim conquest of 1204''', the region came under '''Sultanate''' and later '''Mughal''' control. During the Mughal era, especially under '''Bengal Subah''', the region became famous for its '''economic prosperity''', flourishing '''textile trade''', and fertile '''agriculture''', making it one of the wealthiest provinces of the empire. The '''Battle of Plassey''' in '''1757''' marked the start of '''British colonial rule''', which lasted for about two centuries. When '''British India was partitioned in 1947''', the eastern part of Bengal became '''East Bengal''', the most populous region of '''Pakistan''', and was later renamed '''East Pakistan'''. After more than twenty years of political discrimination and systemic inequality under the '''West Pakistan–dominated government''', tensions in '''East Pakistan''' escalated into a '''civil war in 1971''', eventually transforming into a '''war of independence'''. The '''Mukti Bahini''', with crucial support from '''India''', launched a successful armed struggle. Despite the '''genocide''' carried out by Pakistani forces, '''Bangladesh achieved independence on 16 December 1971'''.In the years following independence, '''Sheikh Mujibur Rahman''' became the nation’s first leader but was '''assassinated in 1975'''. Power later shifted to '''Ziaur Rahman''', who was also '''killed in 1981'''. The '''1980s''' were marked by the '''authoritarian rule of Hussain Muhammad Ershad''', which ended after a '''mass uprising in 1990'''. Democracy was restored in '''1991''', and for the next thirty years, national politics was shaped by the rivalry between '''Khaleda Zia''' and '''Sheikh Hasina''', often referred to as the '''Battle of the Begums.''' In '''August 2024''', a '''student-led mass movement''' forced '''Hasina from power''', and an '''interim government''' headed by '''Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus''' took control. | Bangladesh, officially called the People’s Republic of Bangladesh, is a country located in South Asia. It is the eighth most populous nation in the world and also one of the most densely populated, with more than 171 million people living in an area of about '''148,460 square kilometres 57,320 sq mi'''. The country is bordered by India on the north, west, and east, and by Myanmar (Burma) on the southeast. Its southern boundary touches the Bay of Bengal. Bangladesh is close to Bhutan and Nepal, separated by the narrow Siliguri Corridor, and China lies beyond India’s state of Sikkim to the north. The capital and largest city is Dhaka, which serves as the center of politics, business, and culture. Chittagong is the second-largest city and the country’s main seaport. The area that is now '''Bangladesh''' has a long and rich history. In ancient times, it was home to powerful '''Buddhist and Hindu kingdoms'''. After the '''Muslim conquest of 1204''', the region came under '''Sultanate''' and later '''Mughal''' control. During the Mughal era, especially under '''Bengal Subah''', the region became famous for its '''economic prosperity''', flourishing '''textile trade''', and fertile '''agriculture''', making it one of the wealthiest provinces of the empire. The '''Battle of Plassey''' in '''1757''' marked the start of '''British colonial rule''', which lasted for about two centuries. When '''British India was partitioned in 1947''', the eastern part of Bengal became '''East Bengal''', the most populous region of '''Pakistan''', and was later renamed '''East Pakistan'''. After more than twenty years of political discrimination and systemic inequality under the '''West Pakistan–dominated government''', tensions in '''East Pakistan''' escalated into a '''civil war in 1971''', eventually transforming into a '''war of independence'''. The '''Mukti Bahini''', with crucial support from '''India''', launched a successful armed struggle. Despite the '''genocide''' carried out by Pakistani forces, '''Bangladesh achieved independence on 16 December 1971'''.In the years following independence, '''Sheikh Mujibur Rahman''' became the nation’s first leader but was '''assassinated in 1975'''. Power later shifted to '''Ziaur Rahman''', who was also '''killed in 1981'''. The '''1980s''' were marked by the '''authoritarian rule of Hussain Muhammad Ershad''', which ended after a '''mass uprising in 1990'''. Democracy was restored in '''1991''', and for the next thirty years, national politics was shaped by the rivalry between '''Khaleda Zia''' and '''Sheikh Hasina''', often referred to as the '''Battle of the Begums.''' In '''August 2024''', a '''student-led mass movement''' forced '''Hasina from power''', and an '''interim government''' headed by '''Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus''' took control. | ||
=== Etymology === | === Etymology === | ||
The name '''Bangladesh''', which translates to ''“Land of Bengal,'' has its roots in the early 20th century. The word was popularized through '''Bengali patriotic songs''', including ''Aaji Bangladesher Hridoy'' by '''Rabindranath Tagore''' in '''1905''' and ''“Namo Namo Namo Bangladesh Momo”'' by '''Kazi Nazrul Islam''' in '''1932'''. In the '''1950s''', Bengali nationalists began using the term more widely during political movements in what was then '''East Pakistan'''. The word '''Bangla''' is an ancient and widely used name referring to both the '''Bengal region''' and the Bengali language. Its exact origin is uncertain. Some historians believe it comes from a '''Bronze Age proto-Dravidian tribe''', while others trace it back to the '''Vanga Kingdom''' of the Iron Age. The '''earliest recorded use''' of “Bangla” dates to '''805 AD''' on the '''Nesari plate'''. The phrase '''Vangala Desa''' (meaning land of Vangala”) also appears in 11th-century South Indian inscriptions. | The name '''Bangladesh''', which translates to ''“Land of Bengal,'' has its roots in the early 20th century. The word was popularized through '''Bengali patriotic songs''', including ''Aaji Bangladesher Hridoy'' by '''Rabindranath Tagore''' in '''1905''' and ''“Namo Namo Namo Bangladesh Momo”'' by '''Kazi Nazrul Islam''' in '''1932'''. In the '''1950s''', Bengali nationalists began using the term more widely during political movements in what was then '''East Pakistan'''. The word '''Bangla''' is an ancient and widely used name referring to both the '''Bengal region''' and the Bengali language. Its exact origin is uncertain. Some historians believe it comes from a '''Bronze Age proto-Dravidian tribe''', while others trace it back to the '''Vanga Kingdom''' of the Iron Age. The '''earliest recorded use''' of “Bangla” dates to '''805 AD''' on the '''Nesari plate'''. The phrase '''Vangala Desa''' (meaning land of Vangala”) also appears in 11th-century South Indian inscriptions. | ||