Editing Bangladesh (section)

=== 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'''.