India Pakistan 1971 War | Why it happened? | Bangladesh Liberation | Dhruv Rathee

Summary

The 1971 India-Pakistan War began with Pakistan's Operation Chengiz Khan, targeting Indian airfields. This conflict led to the birth of Bangladesh, as East Pakistanis, seeking autonomy and equality, fought against West Pakistan's dominance. India played a pivotal role by supporting the Mukti Bahini, leading to a decisive victory and the largest surrender since WWII. The war highlighted issues of language imposition, cultural differences, and the struggle for democracy amidst military dictatorships.

Takeaways

• 🇵🇰 On 3rd December 1971, Pakistan initiated Operation Chengiz Khan, attacking 11 Indian airfields, marking the beginning of the 1971 India-Pakistan War.
• 📻 Prime Minister Indira Gandhi addressed the Indian citizens on the radio, declaring that India was under attack and the war had begun.
• 🆕 The war resulted in the birth of Bangladesh as an independent nation, separating from Pakistan.
• 🏰 Before British colonial rule, the Indian subcontinent was home to thousands of autonomous kingdoms with diverse languages, traditions, and cultures.
• 🕌 The Bengal region, including present-day Bangladesh and West Bengal, was predominantly ruled by Muslim monarchs since the 13th century, who fostered co-existence between Islam and Hinduism.
• 🇮🇳 The 1947 Partition of India led to the division of Bengal and Punjab, splitting cultural and linguistic ties along religious lines and causing massive displacement and violence.
• 🏛️ After the partition, East Bengal became part of Pakistan but faced political, economic, and cultural marginalization by West Pakistan.
• 🗣️ The Bengali Language Movement emerged in East Pakistan as a response to the imposition of Urdu as the state language, leading to significant cultural and political protests.
• 🏹 The 1970 Pakistani general elections were won by East Pakistan's Awami League, but the results were canceled by West Pakistan, leading to widespread protests and calls for independence.
• 🛑 The Pakistani military's Operation Searchlight in 1971 aimed to suppress the independence movement in East Pakistan, resulting in widespread atrocities and a mass exodus of refugees to India.
• 🏳️‍🌈 India's support for the Mukti Bahini and the eventual Indian military intervention played a crucial role in securing Bangladesh's independence and led to the largest surrender since World War II.

Q & A

What was Operation Chengiz Khan?

Operation Chengiz Khan was a pre-emptive attack launched by Pakistan on December 3, 1971, targeting 11 Indian airfields to prevent India from interfering in the Bangladesh Liberation War.

Why did Bangladesh seek independence from Pakistan?

Bangladesh sought independence due to economic disparity, cultural differences, political marginalization, and the imposition of Urdu as the state language by West Pakistan, which disregarded the majority Bengali-speaking population's identity.

What was India's role in the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War?

India supported Bangladesh's independence movement by providing military, logistical, and moral support. They trained and equipped the Mukti Bahini, and eventually entered the war, leading to the surrender of Pakistani forces.

What was the significance of the Language Movement in East Pakistan?

The Language Movement was a turning point that highlighted the cultural and linguistic identity of Bengalis in East Pakistan. It was a protest against the imposition of Urdu as the state language, leading to the recognition of Bengali as an official language and fueling the desire for autonomy.

What were the 6 Point Demands by Sheikh Mujibur Rahman?

The 6 Point Demands were a political and economic reform proposal seeking greater autonomy for East Pakistan. They included provisions for a federal state, provincial control over resources, separate currencies, foreign exchange reserves, and a separate military force.

How did the 1970 Pakistani general elections impact the East Pakistan-West Pakistan relations?

The 1970 elections resulted in a win for the Awami League in East Pakistan, but no seats in West Pakistan, reflecting a deep divide. The subsequent cancellation of the election results by West Pakistan's leadership led to widespread protests and calls for independence in East Pakistan.

What was Operation Searchlight, and what was its goal?

Operation Searchlight was a military operation by the Pakistani army aimed at quelling the Bengali independence movement. Its goal was to eliminate Bengali intellectuals and political leaders to suppress the will for independence.

How did the international community respond to the Bangladesh genocide?

Initially, the international response was slow due to geopolitical interests. However, as reports of atrocities emerged, countries like India and the Soviet Union supported Bangladesh, while the United States and China initially leaned towards Pakistan.

What was the Simla Agreement and what did it entail?

The Simla Agreement was a treaty signed between India and Pakistan in 1972 that formalized the recognition of Bangladesh's independence by Pakistan. It also detailed the repatriation of Pakistani prisoners of war and the return of occupied territory.

What was the aftermath of the Bangladesh Liberation War for both Bangladesh and Pakistan?

The war resulted in the birth of Bangladesh as an independent nation and a significant geopolitical shift in South Asia. Pakistan faced internal turmoil, with the collapse of military rule and the rise of a new government under Zulfikar Ali Bhutto. Bangladesh faced challenges in establishing a stable democracy, with periods of military rule and political unrest.

Outlines

00:00

🏛️ The Prelude to 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War

This paragraph sets the historical stage for the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War. It discusses the Operation Chengiz Khan launched by Pakistan on December 3, 1971, which involved the Pakistani Air Force bombing 11 Indian airfields. The Indian retaliation marked the beginning of the war. The paragraph also delves into the historical context of the Indian subcontinent before British colonial rule, highlighting the autonomous kingdoms and the prevalence of cultural co-existence. It then moves to the aftermath of the British Raj and the partition of India and Pakistan, emphasizing the division of Bengal and Punjab based on religion, which led to the displacement of millions and communal violence. The narrative also touches on the aspirations of Muslims in Bengal who supported the creation of Pakistan, expecting improved social and economic conditions, and the subsequent disillusionment due to the lack of political representation and economic disparity.

05:00

🗳️ Political Turmoil and Economic Disparity in Pakistan

The second paragraph focuses on the political instability and economic inequality in Pakistan post-1947. It outlines the shift from parliamentary democracy to military rule, with key figures like Mohammad Ali Jinnah, Liaquat Ali Khan, and Ghulam Muhammad shaping the nation's early years. The paragraph also addresses the power imbalance between East and West Pakistan, where the majority of the population in East Pakistan had little representation in the government and military. Economic development heavily favored West Pakistan, and the language policy imposed by West Pakistan, which aimed to make Urdu the state language, further alienated the Bengali-speaking population of East Pakistan. The paragraph culminates in the Bengali Language Movement, which was a response to the Urdu imposition and led to significant cultural and political mobilization in East Pakistan.

10:01

📉 The Escalation of East Pakistan's Struggle for Autonomy

Paragraph three details the growing unrest and the struggle for autonomy in East Pakistan. It discusses the 1965 war between India and Pakistan, which left East Pakistan economically and militarily weakened. Sheikh Mujibur Rahman's Six Point Movement is highlighted as a pivotal demand for greater autonomy and federalism within Pakistan. The paragraph also covers the Agartala Conspiracy Case, which led to the arrest of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and further galvanized the East Pakistani population. The narrative then shifts to the 1970 general elections, which were won by the Awami League but were not recognized by West Pakistan, leading to widespread protests and the eventual declaration of independence by Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, marking the beginning of the Bangladeshi Liberation War.

15:04

🚩 The Bangladesh Liberation War and India's介入

This paragraph narrates the events of the Bangladesh Liberation War, starting with the West Pakistani government's crackdown on East Pakistan, leading to the declaration of independence by Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. It describes the formation of the Mukti Bahini, the guerrilla force that fought against the Pakistani army, and India's role in training them. The paragraph also covers the atrocities committed during the war, including the targeting of intellectuals and the massive exodus of refugees into India. The Indian government's decision to support Bangladesh's independence is highlighted, culminating in India's military intervention and the eventual defeat of Pakistan.

20:06

🏳️ Victory and Aftermath of the Bangladesh Liberation War

The fifth paragraph covers the final stages of the war, including the Pakistani army's surrender to Indian forces, marking a significant victory for Bangladesh. It discusses the international response to the war, including the United Nations' involvement and the recognition of Bangladesh by India and other countries. The paragraph also outlines the Simla Agreement between India and Pakistan and the repatriation of Pakistani prisoners of war. It concludes with the political developments in Bangladesh, including the assassination of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and the subsequent military coup, setting the stage for the country's future political trajectory.

25:07

🏛️ The Legacy of the Bangladesh Liberation War

The final paragraph reflects on the legacy of the Bangladesh Liberation War and its impact on the region. It discusses the political instability that followed in both Pakistan and Bangladesh, with military dictatorships becoming a common feature. The paragraph also highlights the return of Sheikh Hasina, Mujibur Rahman's daughter, to power and the current state of Bangladesh under her leadership. The narrator invites viewers to consider the lessons learned from the war, particularly regarding language imposition and the importance of cultural recognition in maintaining national unity.

Keywords

💡Operation Chengiz Khan

Operation Chengiz Khan refers to the pre-emptive strike launched by Pakistan on India on December 3, 1971. This military operation was a key event that led to the 1971 India-Pakistan War. The script mentions how Pakistani Air Force bombed several Indian airfields, marking the beginning of the conflict. This operation is central to understanding the video's theme of the 1971 war and the subsequent birth of Bangladesh.

💡1971 India-Pakistan War

The 1971 India-Pakistan War was a conflict between India and Pakistan that resulted in the independence of East Pakistan as Bangladesh. The video script describes this war as a pivotal moment in history, leading to the creation of a new nation. The war is a central theme of the video, illustrating the political and military tensions that shaped the region's history.

💡Partition of India

The Partition of India refers to the division of British India into two separate nations, India and Pakistan, in 1947. The script discusses how this partition was based on religious lines and led to significant social, commercial, and cultural disruptions. The Partition is crucial for understanding the historical context of the video, as it sets the stage for the subsequent events leading to the 1971 war and Bangladesh's independence.

💡Bengali Language Movement

The Bengali Language Movement was a political and cultural movement in East Pakistan that sought to gain Bengali official language status alongside Urdu. The script mentions how the imposition of Urdu by West Pakistan led to protests and the eventual recognition of Bengali as an official language. This movement is highlighted in the video as a significant cultural and political event that contributed to the growing sense of Bengali identity and the push for independence.

💡Mukti Bahini

Mukti Bahini, meaning 'Force of Liberation,' was the guerrilla army formed by Bengali nationalists during the Bangladesh Liberation War. The script describes how they conducted guerilla operations against the Pakistani army. The Mukti Bahini represents the military resistance that played a critical role in the fight for Bangladesh's independence, underscoring the video's theme of struggle and liberation.

💡Operation Searchlight

Operation Searchlight was a military operation conducted by the Pakistani military in East Pakistan to suppress the Bengali nationalist movement. The script recounts the atrocities committed during this operation, including mass killings and the targeting of intellectuals. This operation is a key element in the video's narrative, illustrating the brutality of the conflict and the determination of the Bengali people to achieve independence.

💡Sheikh Mujibur Rahman

Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, often referred to as 'Sheikh Mujib' or 'Mujib,' was a Bengali politician and the founding leader of the Awami League. The script highlights his role as a key figure in the Bangladesh Liberation War and his eventual assassination. Sheikh Mujibur Rahman is central to the video's story as a symbol of Bengali nationalism and the struggle for Bangladesh's independence.

💡Simla Agreement

The Simla Agreement was a treaty signed between India and Pakistan in 1972 that formalized the recognition of Bangladesh as an independent nation. The script mentions this agreement as a significant diplomatic outcome of the war. The Simla Agreement is important in the video's narrative as it marks the formal end of the conflict and the beginning of a new chapter for Bangladesh.

💡East Pakistan

East Pakistan, now known as Bangladesh, was one of the two wings of Pakistan before its independence in 1971. The script describes the political, economic, and cultural disparities between East and West Pakistan that led to the demand for autonomy and eventual independence. East Pakistan is a central concept in the video, representing the region that fought for and achieved independence as Bangladesh.

💡West Pakistan

West Pakistan, now part of modern-day Pakistan, was the other wing of Pakistan before the independence of Bangladesh. The script contrasts West Pakistan's political and military control with the aspirations of East Pakistan for autonomy. West Pakistan is a key concept in the video as it represents the central authority that East Pakistan sought to break away from.

💡Indira Gandhi

Indira Gandhi was the Prime Minister of India during the 1971 India-Pakistan War. The script mentions her role in supporting Bangladesh's independence and her decision to go to war with Pakistan. Indira Gandhi is a significant figure in the video's narrative, symbolizing India's involvement and support for the Bangladesh Liberation War.

Highlights

Pakistan launched Operation Chengiz Khan on 3rd December 1971, bombing Indian airfields.

Prime Minister Indira Gandhi addressed the Indian citizens on the radio, declaring a war against India.

The 1971 India-Pakistan War resulted in the birth of Bangladesh.

Bangladesh's independence was sought due to cultural, linguistic, and political differences with West Pakistan.

India played a significant role in supporting Bangladesh's independence movement.

Before British colonial rule, the Indian subcontinent was home to thousands of autonomous kingdoms.

The Bengal region was predominantly ruled by Muslim monarchs since the 13th century, fostering cultural co-existence.

The British Raj and subsequent partition of India and Pakistan led to the division of Bengal.

The Lahore Resolution of 1940 demanded a separate state for Muslims, fearing minority status in a united India.

Partition displaced millions and led to large-scale violence, with estimates of 200,000 to 2 million deaths.

The majority of Pakistan's population were Bengalis, yet power was concentrated in West Pakistan.

Pakistan's political instability and military rule prevented fair representation for East Pakistan.

Economic and cultural disparities between East and West Pakistan fueled the desire for independence.

Urdu imposition by West Pakistan led to the Bengali Language Movement and increased tensions.

Sheikh Mujibur Rahman's 6 Point Demand called for greater autonomy and economic development in East Pakistan.

The 1970 elections, won by Awami League in East Pakistan, were canceled by West Pakistan, escalating tensions.

The Mukti Bahini, East Pakistan's independent army, conducted guerilla warfare against Pakistani forces.

Pakistan's Operation Searchlight aimed to eliminate Bengali nationalists, resulting in mass killings.

India's military intervention in the war was pivotal in the eventual victory and creation of Bangladesh.

The Instrument of Surrender on 16th December 1971 marked the largest surrender since World War II.

The Simla Agreement in 1972 led to the recognition of Bangladesh and the release of Pakistani POWs.

Post-independence, Bangladesh faced political instability and military coups, mirroring Pakistan's earlier issues.

Transcripts

Hello, friends!

On 3rd December 1971,

Pakistan launched Operation Chengiz Khan.

Pakistani Air Force bombed several Indian airfields.

Amritsar, Pathankot, Jodhpur,

Ambala, Agra, Srinagar,

11 airfields were attacked in total.

That evening, Prime Minister Indira Gandhi issued a message on the radio,

to address the Indian citizens.

She said that a war was struck against India.

"I'm speaking during a period of threat,

hours ago, on 3rd December,

Pakistan initiated an attack on us."

Indian Air Force retaliated

and friends, this was the beginning of

the 1971 India-Pakistan War.

A war that resulted in the birth of a new country.

Bangladesh.

"My country, and your country,

Bangladesh! Bangladesh!"

But why was this war initiated?

Why did Bangladesh want independence from Pakistan?

What was India's role in this story?

Come, let's try to understand this, in this video.

"India gave the people of Bangladesh their independence."

"This revolution is for our freedom!"

"This revolution is for our independence!"

"Pakistan lost half of its country.

A new nation was born.

Bangladesh."

Let's start our story before the British Raj.

Before the colonial times.

The Indian subcontinent,

present-day India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Burma, and Sri Lanka,

had thousands of autonomous kingdoms all over the area.

Kingdoms ruled by kings and emperors,

with their own languages, traditions, and culture.

The area of Bengal, if we focus on specifically the Bengal region,

that included Bangladesh, West Bengal, and some surrounding areas,

this area was ruled by mostly Muslim monarchs since the 13th century.

Mohammad Bakhtiyar Khilji,

the founder of the Khilji dynasty,

began the Muslim rule in this area,

in the early 13th Century.

But it's important to know that the rulers here

weren't very interested in preaching their religion.

They were focused on trying to include the local communities in the system.

During the rule of these Muslim monarchs

the high-office holders, traders, musicians,

they were from varied religious backgrounds and traditions.

Basically, the co-existence between Islam and Hinduism,

and the intermingling,

was very prevalent in this area.

This is why extremism was controlled to a large extent.

Moving forward, in 1757, the East India Company

took over this area,

as I've explained in detail in this video,

after this, the British Rule continued till 1947,

and then came the devastating partition.

Between India and Pakistan.

"As the new dominions of Pakistan and India

take over their own affairs,

carrying their few possessions,

one million people become refugees overnight.

Since 1940,

in the All India Muslim League's annual session,

the Lahore Resolution was drafted,

demanding a separate state for Muslims.

They feared that if India continued to be one country,

the Muslims would be the minority,

and they would need to live in constant fear.

Drawing borders on religious lines during the partition meant that,

the social, commercial, and cultural relationships among people

had to be ignored.

Large states that had common cultures,

that spoke the same language,

were broken apart in the partition,

simply because they wanted to divide people using religion.

The two major examples of this are Punjab and Bengal.

A part of Punjab went to Pakistan, and a part remained with India.

Same with Bengal.

A part in India, and a part with Pakistan.

But it didn't mean that their cultures would change.

In the regions that were divided, people continued to speak the same language,

follow the same culture and traditions.

The Muslims in Bengal who favoured Pakistan,

they hoped that having a new Muslim country,

would provide them with a better standard of living.

Their financial and social conditions would improve.

Many of these people would feel inferior to Hindu landlords.

Since they had to work for them.

They were expecting their fundamental rights from the Pakistani government.

Obviously, when the partition took place,

it displaced many people and families.

A large-scale migration took place,

wherein many Muslims migrated to Pakistan,

and many Hindus came to India from Pakistan.

Many riots and mob violence took place.

The death rate is estimated to be anywhere between 200,000 to 2 million.

"Communal hatred flares up in Punjab.

Pakistan and India each say that

they are determined to stop the rioting.

But meanwhile, the exodus continues."

During this migration, there was a group of Muslims living in Bihar.

Obviously, since Bihar is closer to Bangladesh,

So many Muslims living in Bihar,

migrated to East Pakistan.

It's important to specifically mention the Muslim Biharis,

because as you'd see later in the story,

how they were believed to be the ones against Bangladesh.

They were labelled 'Anti-Bangladeshi'.

Getting back to the partition for now,

the Partition of Bengal was a major issue.

Initially, Bengal, as one state, had voted against Partition,

if the partition meant that Bengal would have to be a part of Pakistan.

But in Bengal, the region of West Bengal,

wanted the partition,

and wanted to be a part of India.

While East Bengal did not want the Partition.

But if the partition were inevitable,

they wanted to join Pakistan.

Eventually when the partition took place,

West Bengal became a part of India,

and East Bengal became a part of Pakistan.

The country of Pakistan was divided into two,

with the separation between the two spanning 1,500km of Indian territory.

Interestingly, in the new country of Pakistan,

the majority ethnic group,

was of the Bengalis.

More than half the population of the newly formed Pakistan,

were the Bengalis living in East Pakistan.

The Punjabis, Pakhtuns, Sindhis, and Balochis lived in West Pakistan.

Even though the population of Bengalis was the highest in Pakistan,

the powerful positions, in bureaucracy, military, and politics,

were concentrated in West Pakistan.

Specifically, in the hands of the Mohajirs and Punjabis.

While keeping this background information in mind,

let's understand the politics in Pakistan after 1947.

Pakistan began as a Parliamentary Democracy.

Same as India.

The only difference was that the Central Government in Pakistan,

was very powerful.

The power was concentrated in the hands of one person,

due to which a robust Parliamentary Democracy wasn't established.

In 1946, the British government organised elections in undivided India.

The results of these elections determined,

later when Pakistan and India separated,

how the legislatures were to be divided.

Mohammad Ali Jinnah became the Governor General of Pakistan.

He passed away a year after the Independence in 1948.

After his passing, Nazimuddin became the Governor General.

And Liaquat Ali Khan became the Prime Minister.

About 3 years later, in October 1951,

Liaquat Ali Khan was assassinated,

And Nazimuddin became the new Prime Minister.

He appointed Ghulam Muhammad as the Governor General,

he was a Punjabi.

The first military coup in Pakistan took place in 1953.

when Ghulam Muhammad took over the power

and dismissed Nazimuddin.

The next year, in 1954, elections took place in Pakistan,

in these elections, most of the seats were won by the United Front.

The collation of the opposition parties.

The biggest party in it was the Awami League,

a party from East Bengal.

After these election results, the entire constituent assembly

was dismissed by Ghulam Muhammad.

In 1955, Ghulam Muhammad vacated his office,

And Major General Iskandar Mirza became the Governor General.

Under him, East Bengal was renamed for the first time.

East Bengal came to be known as East Pakistan.

Between 1947 to 1971, friends,

Pakistan had multiple phases of military rule.

This meant that power from the political parties that deserved to be in Pakistan,

was being forcefully taken away.

Specifically speaking, the people living in East Bengal

didn't get the opportunity to be politically represented.

On top of it, most of the expenditure of the country benefitted West Pakistan alone.

75% of the National Budget,

was being spent on West Pakistan,

even though 62% of the revenue income of the government

was from East Pakistan.

Economic development was evident in West Pakistan.

During 1969-70, the per capita income of West Pakistan,

was 61% more than in East Pakistan.

25 times more military personnel were stationed in West Pakistan.

Apart from these, the most important issue was the language.

Jinnah and several of his advisors believed that

East Pakistan and West Pakistan can be truly unified only when

they start speaking the same language.

And in their opinion, the language should've been Urdu.

And so we saw Urdu imposition by the rulers of West Pakistan.

Everyone was forced to speak in Urdu.

Urdu was being used for official purposes and in the army.

But obviously, the people living in East Pakistan were Bengalis.

They spoke Bangla.

In fact, 56% of Pakistanis spoke Bangla.

Urdu was believed to be the language of the elite.

Only the high-profile people were speaking Urdu.

The common people living in Bengal spoke Bangla.

On 21st March 1948, Mohammad Ali Jinnah gave a speech in Dhaka,

and clearly said that the State Language of Pakistan would be Urdu

and no other language.

"Let me make it very clear to you,

Leave no doubt that the state language of Pakistan,

is going to be Urdu and no other language."

This caused outrage among the people living in Bengal.

Eventually, the Urdu imposition led to

the beginning of the Bengali Language Movement.

A major protest was being organised on 21st February 1952,

by the Language Movement.

A large group of students and political activists,

gathered in front of the Provincial Assembly to protest.

Pakistani army open-fired on them.

5 people were killed.

Even now, 21st February is celebrated as

the Language Martyr's Day in Bangladesh.

Later, in 1999, UNESCO declared 21st February as

the International Mother Language Day.

In its response, two years later, in 1954

Bangla was given an Official status,

And in 1956, Bangla became a state language as well.

But people's opinions on the Bengali culture and language,

had strengthened.

These incidents had a major impact on the future.

A war broke out between India and Pakistan in 1965,

after this war, East Pakistan was left with a weak defence.

The economic and political imbalance between East and West Pakistans,

was more prominent after this war.

This led to a 6 Point Demand for the economic development of East Pakistan.

The demand was led by Sheikh Mujibur Rahman,

a founding leader of the Awami League Political Party.

The 6 points of the demand shook the country.

The very first point of it,

was to turn Pakistan into a Federation State.

And the region of East Pakistan,

be given more autonomy.

And the resources of East Pakistan be given to the government of East Pakistan.

They demanded the establishment of two separate currencies in Pakistan,

one for West Pakistan and one for East Pakistan.

East Pakistan be allowed to have independent foreign reserves.

And in fact, even a separate military force.

Their demands were akin to making East Pakistan an independent country.

Obviously, this infuriated the government of West Pakistan.

All demands were rejected

and in fact, the West Pakistani government claimed

that such demands were the same as separatists demands.

That they went against the country.

It's the same as trying to divide the country.

This is why, on 19th June 1968,

when Ayub Khan's government governed Pakistan,

Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was arrested.

34 other Bengali civil and military officers were arrested

for trying to fan conspiracy against Pakistan.

A case of Sedition was levied on them.

This case is popularly known as the Agartala Conspiracy Case.

General Ayub Khan claimed

that Sheikh Mujibur and his associates were collaborating with India in Agartala,

to create an independent Bangladesh.

Agartala is in Tripura, fyi.

By this point, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman had become a popular political leader.

He was the voice of Bengalis.

The Bengalis living in East Pakistan

had to suffer cruelty, discrimination, and inequality.

They pinned their hopes on Awami League and Sheikh Mujibur.

After his arrest, people took to the streets.

Large-scale protests took place.

During these protests, one of Sheikh Mujibur's imprisoned associates

Sergeant Zahurul Haq was killed by a prison guard in jail.

This led to more fury among the people.

As if people were prepared for a revolution.

Looking at the worsening situation, General Ayub Khan,

released Sheikh Mujibur Rahman from jail on 22nd February 1969.

And the Agartala Conspiracy Case was withdrawn.

But by then, the demonstrations, protests, and labour strikes,

had gathered so much steam,

that Ayub Khan had to resign in 1969.

Do remember that General Ayub Khan had gotten the office through a military coup.

Basically, for the last 10 years, he was running a military dictatorship in Pakistan.

After resigning, he appointed his successor,

General Yahya Khan.

General Yahya Khan promised

to conduct the first general elections in Pakistan.

The elections were held in 1970.

The results of the 1970 elections shocked the nation.

East Pakistan's political party Awami League, won the elections.

167 seats of the 313 were won by them.

But shockingly, they won no seats in West Pakistan.

As per Pakistan's legislature,

of the 313 seats, 169 were in East Pakistan,

and the remaining in West Pakistan.

Since Awami League won 167 seats out of 313,

almost every seat in East Pakistan,

but none in West Pakistan.

In West Pakistan, Pakistan People's Party,

PPP, won 86 seats.

And none in East Pakistan.

These shocking results show that the two parts of Pakistan

had a deep divide between them.

Since the population of people in East Pakistan was more, they had more seats,

Awami League is considered to be the winner of the election.

But to have a political party form the government of Pakistan

that won no seats in West Pakistan,

did not match the interests of the political elites in West Pakistan.

The leader of PPP back then, Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, saw these election results,

met with the army officials and General Yahya Khan,

and discussed how the National Assembly could be cancelled.

Literally, since the election results weren't what he wanted,

he wanted to cancel the results.

General Yahya Khan did so.

On 1st March 1971,

the cancellation of the election results was announced.

This caused an uproar in East Pakistan.

People questioned how it could happen in a democracy.

They voted, and the party with the most votes won.

But since the higher-ups didn't like it, how could they simply cancel them?

Once again, the roads were filled with large-scale protests,

and this time, they called for Freedom.

They say that since West Pakistan wasn't interested in

electing leaders from East Pakistan,

they should move aside and give them the autonomy to form their own country.

Friends, this was the foundation of the Bangladeshi Liberation War.

By this point, people in East Pakistan,

didn't see Islam as a unifying factor.

They gave their Bengali ethnicity higher importance.

They wanted to create a Secular, Democratic, Socialist state

with Bengali ethnicity as the driving factor.

This was the origin of the name of the country, বাংলাদেশ [Bangladesh].

The country of the Bengali people.

On 7th March 1971,

after the orders of cancellation,

Awami League political party came out in support of the people

to mark the beginning of a Non-Cooperation Movement.

They weren't going to oblige West Pakistan's government anymore.

Sheikh Mujibur gave an inspiring speech on the grounds of a racecourse.

A historical speech.

"People in Bengal want freedom.

People in Bengal want to live.

People in Bengal want their fundamental rights."

They raise the slogan,

"Victory to Bengal!

This revolution is for our Freedom!

This revolution is for our Independence!"

Friends, by then, the Bengalis in East Pakistan

and the Urdu-speaking Biharis,

as I mentioned at the beginning of the video,

had rising tensions between them.

Because the Urdu-speaking people from Bihar,

were seen as Pro-Pakistan.

Pro-West Pakistan.

Since they used Urdu.

And generally, they were in support of West Pakistan.

Several attacks on the Bihari communities were seen during the protests,

and in March 1971,

Pakistan's army used this as an excuse,

to intervene.

Pakistani army recruited some pro-Pakistan Bengalis for their operations.

This is another interesting aspect.

Not every East Pakistani wanted an independent country.

Especially the political party, Jamat-e-Islami.

Its political leaders and supporters

actually supported the government in West Pakistan.

They collaborated with the Pakistani army.

Between 10th and 13th March,

all flights of Pakistan International Airlines were cancelled.

They were urgently rerouted to Dhaka.

Governmental passengers were flown to Dhaka.

Who were they?

The Pakistani soldiers dressed as civilians

to carry out an operation.

Meanwhile, in East Pakistan protestors had organised themselves.

The Bengali nationalists had formed their independent army.

Named the Mukti Bahini.

The force of Independence.

Mukti Bahini conducted guerilla operations against the Pakistani army,

present in East Pakistan.

Indian Army contributed here.

The Indian Army provided training in guerilla warfare to the Mukti Bahini.

In response, West Pakistan formed an East Pakistan Central Peace Committee.

Shanti Bahini.

An ironic name.

Shanti Bahini committed endless war crimes.

Thousands of civilians were killed,

women were violated and brutalised.

Specifically the intellectual people

were targeted and murdered.

Teachers, scholars, and social activists.

They were called Budhhijivi.

By this point in time, law and order were absolutely destroyed in East Pakistan.

Bengalis stopped obliging the instructions coming in from West Pakistan.

25th March 1971,

the West Pakistani government planned a heinous genocide.

Operation Searchlight.

The objective was to target the popular people demanding Bangladesh's independence

and killing them.

The night of 25th March,

thousands of troops of the Pakistani Army marched in Dhaka.

Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was arrested

and taken to West Pakistan.

Before his arrest, Sheikh Mujibur had

declared East Pakistan an independent country.

He said that they were no more a part of Pakistan

they were Bangladesh.

This declaration was made via a transmitter

so it took some time for it to be transmitted and midnight had passed.

This is why, 26th March is celebrated as the Independence Day in Bangladesh.

27th March 1971,

Major Ziaur Rahman read this declaration to the public,

and announced that Bangladesh was an independent country.

The same night, two student dormitories were attacked in Dhaka.

In a night, 7,000 students were murdered by the Pakistani Army.

In this Operation Searchlight, more than 30,000 Bengalis

were massacred within a week.

Half the people living in Dhaka fled the city.

All foreign journalists were deported.

And radio operations were shut down.

Military-appointed Pakistani journalist Anthony Mascarenhas,

fled to the United Kingdom

and on 13th June 1971, he published an article in the Sunday Times

narrating the genocide he witnessed in the article.

Through this article, the world came to know

the oppression in Bangladesh.

Prime Minister Indira Gandhi read this article

and was motivated to take action.

After this crackdown, several political leaders of Awami League,

fled to India for their safety.

On 10th April, the People's Republic of Bangladesh government was formed.

While in exile in Kolkata.

Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was declared the President.

And Tajuddin Ahmad as the Prime Minister.

A huge impact of this conflict was seen in India.

In the autumn of 1971,

in one season, more than 10 million refugees crossed the border and entered India.

Prime Minister Indira Gandhi considered the options.

Using the military and joining the war to save these people

would be more economically feasible as compared to

helping these 10 million refugees.

We didn't have the funds for the latter.

28th April 1971,

Indira Gandhi directed General Sam Manekshaw,

to prepare for the war.

To be ready to enter East Pakistan.

Initially, General Sam Manekshaw wasn't very confident

that India could be prepared in the short duration

to be able to win the war.

So he refused the direction and offered to resign.

But Indira Gandhi had the utmost confidence in him.

Giving him the autonomy to conduct the operation when he deemed fit.

His efforts began with providing training to the Mukti Bahini.

By July 1971,

Indira Gandhi stopped referring to East Pakistan as East Pakistan,

By this point, there was no direct conflict between India and Pakistan.

On 3rd December 1971

Pakistan launched Operation Chengiz Khan.

Pakistan attacked Indian airfields.

Pakistan was worried that India would use its military to interfere in this war,

and help Bangladesh get its independence.

So they decided to attack India first.

But obviously, this strategy didn't work.

Because India's military strategy and military power

was much better than Pakistan's.

India's response was to have a defensive military strategy in West Pakistan.

And a coordinated offensive thrust in East Pakistan.

By sending soldiers to the ground.

With India's entry into the war, Pakistan appealed to the United Nations,

to force India into a cease-fire.

United Nation Security Council assembled on 4th December

and after a long discussion

with the USA favouring Pakistan,

and the Soviet Union favouring India,

the US, China, and the UK,

supported to enforce an immediate cease-fire on India.

And a recall of Indian troops.

But the Soviet Union vetoed this resolution twice.

Keeping in mind the atrocities against the Bengalis,

later the UK and France abstained from voting.

6th December 1971,

Bhutan became the first country to officially recognise Bangladesh.

The same day, India officially recognised Bangladesh as well.

By 12th December, in the Indo-Pak War,

Pakistan was facing defeat.

Pakistan's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister,

Zulfikar Ali Bhutto flew to New York to discuss the war with America,

about how a cease-fire can be imposed.

It took 4 days to finalise the proposal,

but by then, in East Pakistan, Pakistan's military had already surrendered.

The war was at its end.

In frustration, Zulfikar Ali Bhutto stopped his speech at the UN and left.

As you can see in this video.

"Why should I waste my time here in the Security Council?

I'm going.

16th December 1971, the Indian Army surrounded Dhaka.

The Pakistani Army was given 30 minutes to surrender.

Lieutenant General Amir Abdullah Khan Niazi,

surrendered without any resistance.

The government of East Pakistan collapsed immediately.

On 16th December 1971, the historic Instrument of Surrender was signed.

More than 93,000 Pakistani troops surrendered

to the Indian forces and the Bangladesh Liberation forces.

This was the largest surrender in the world since World War II.

The following year in 1972,

the Simla Agreement was signed between India and Pakistan,

According to this agreement, Pakistan recognised Bangladesh

as an independent country.

But what did Pakistan get in return?

India promised that the 93,000 Pakistani prisoners of war

would be released to Pakistan over the following 5 months.

And the 13,000 km² land

that the Indian troops occupied in West Pakistan

would be returned to West Pakistan.

Friends, this is how a new country was born.

Bangladesh.

After being recognised by Pakistan in 1972,

in 1974, the United Nations recognised Bangladesh as an independent country.

On the other hand, in Pakistan, the dictatorship of Yahya Khan collapsed.

And on 20th December 1971,

Bhutto was sworn in as the new President.

As per the Simla Agreement, Mujibur Rahman was also released from prison,

and he returned to Dhaka as a hero.

When the elections were conducted in Bangladesh in 1973,

he won the elections with a landslide majority.

His political party Awami League came into power

but unfortunately, this point in time wasn't the happy ending of the story.

Friends, the problem that Pakistan was suffering from,

constant military dictatorships,

Bangladesh started suffering the same problem to some extent.

Mujibur Rahman was a secular person,

and had banned Jamat-e-Islami.

He banned all political parties that were formed on the basis on religion.

After he came into power.

But on 15th August 1975,

Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was assassinated,

along with his family.

The only surviving members were his two daughters who were in Germany then.

I have heavily shortened this story,

because this involves a lot of complexities.

In 1975, General Ziaur Rahman,

grabbed the power and tried to change the public narrative.

A military coup was seen even in Bangladesh.

He portrayed the military as heroes

and the ban on Jamat-e-Islami was revoked,

and over the next few years, instead of being a secular democracy,

Bangladesh remained a military dictatorship.

In 2009, Mujibur Rahman's daughter Sheikh Hasina came into power.

Even now, Sheikh Hasina is in power

she's the current Prime Minister of Bangladesh.

And Awami League is the ruling party.

What was the lesson in this story?

Comment below and let me know

what was the lesson that you learned from this story?

In my opinion, an important lesson that we need to learn from the story of Bangladesh,

is that of Language Imposition.

Perhaps had Jinnah not tried to impose Urdu,

and had treated Bengalis equally,

as the people of West Pakistan,

perhaps, Bangladesh needn't have existed.

Or maybe, it still would have.

Because geographically, the two regions are vastly different.

Their cultures are different

that it made it difficult to stay united.

Today, it is difficult to speculate what would have happened.

But we can learn and be prepared for the future.

If you liked the video, you can watch more such historical videos.

I'd recommend this video on Indira Gandhi's 1975 Emergency,

You can watch it by clicking here.

Thank you very much!