Book Description

This book presents the socio-political history of birth of Bangladesh. It provides a brief summary of the roles the Bengali Muslims played in relation to British rule and the Pakistan movement. It narrates the dynamics that took place during British Colonial administration that inspired the people of this land toward freedom and equality on the basis of modern democratic principles they experienced in whatever limited fashion during the British rule. It also illuminates the peoples' expectations that with the replacement of Colonial democracy they could establish true democracy as was exposed through the writings of Western scholars. It provides a summary of how the hopes and aspirations of the East Pakistani Bengalis were shattered due to West Pakistani politicians' attitudes and actions. It provides a description how military rule further alienated East Pakistani Bengalis due to its new form of central governmentBasic Democracyand how discrimination gave impetuses for further protests and agitations. It illustrates how economic and social discriminations created disparities and uneven development and how East Pakistani Bengalis responded as a group. It explains the rise of Bengali nationalism. It is shown how East Pakistani Bengalis were committed to the restoration of a true democratic system of governance as the only way to save Pakistan from disintegration. It shows how the downfall of Aga Mohammad Ayub Khan (1907-1974) and the rise of Yahya Khan (1917-1980) were nothing but a change of face and a repeat of deceitfulness. It describes the occupation period when the West Pakistani army literally occupied East Pakistani Bengali population. It describes how during the occupation period, the West Pakistani army committed genocide and how most of the world powers remained indifferent to it. Finally, a description has been provided of the Mukti Bhanithe people's army of East Bengalhow it was formed and how it fought against Pakistan's pampered army until the surrender of West Pakistani army and Bangladesh was born. This book provides a comprehensive understanding of a long chain of events that ultimately led to the victory on December 16, 1971.