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Sheikh RahmanThe founder of Bangladesh (formerly East Pakistan Province), its first president and prime minister.
Date of Birth: 17.03.1920
Country:  Pakistan |
Content:
- Founding Father of Bangladesh: Sheikh Mujibur Rahman
- Establishing the Awami League
- Opposition Leader Under Military Rule
- Call for Autonomy and Civil Unrest
- War of Independence and Establishment of Bangladesh
- Presidency and Assassination
Founding Father of Bangladesh: Sheikh Mujibur Rahman
Early Life and Political AwakeningSheikh Mujibur Rahman was born on March 17, 1920, in a Muslim family in the village of Tungipara, East Bengal (now Bangladesh). As a student in India, he developed a keen interest in politics and joined the Pakistani Independence Movement. In 1947, he returned to East Pakistan and pursued law at the University of Dhaka.
Establishing the Awami League
In 1949, Rahman was instrumental in forming the Awami League to counter the discriminatory policies of the Muslim League towards East Pakistan and its Bengali population. Elected to the Provincial Legislative Assembly in 1953, he resigned to focus on reorganizing the Awami League.
Opposition Leader Under Military Rule
After the military takeover by Ayub Khan in 1958, Rahman emerged as a staunch opposition leader. He faced imprisonment twice during this period. In the mid-1960s, he worked to revive and strengthen the Awami League.
Call for Autonomy and Civil Unrest
In 1970, general elections were held under General Yahya Khan. The Awami League campaigned for autonomy for East Pakistan and secured an absolute majority in the Provincial Assembly. Rahman began a nonviolent civil disobedience campaign when the scheduled opening session of Parliament was postponed by Yahya Khan. Pakistani troops intervened, and Rahman was arrested in March 1971.
War of Independence and Establishment of Bangladesh
In response to Rahman's arrest, Bengali nationalists declared the independence of East Pakistan, leading to a bloody civil war. By December 1971, the Bangladeshi forces defeated the Pakistani army. While still in prison, Rahman was elected President of Bangladesh. Upon his release in December 1971, he arrived in the country and assumed the post of Prime Minister.
Presidency and Assassination
In January 1972, Rahman became the President of Bangladesh and concentrated all executive authority in his hands. However, his rule was cut short when he was assassinated during a military coup in Dhaka on August 15, 1975.
