1947
The Partition of India, occurring on the 14th to 15th of August in 1947, brought the birth of two nations- the Dominion of Pakistan and Union of India. While West Bengal remained with India, East Bengal became a province of Pakistan.
The Partition of India, occurring on the 14th to 15th of August in 1947, brought the birth of two nations- the Dominion of Pakistan and Union of India. While West Bengal remained with India, East Bengal became a province of Pakistan.
1948
Although Bengalis made up the majority of East Pakistan, Urdu was still elected to represent the national language of Pakistan. This direct insult to the Bengali natives caused unrest among the people of East Bengal, now a member of Pakistan.
Although Bengalis made up the majority of East Pakistan, Urdu was still elected to represent the national language of Pakistan. This direct insult to the Bengali natives caused unrest among the people of East Bengal, now a member of Pakistan.
1949
The Awami League is created to represent the Bengali speaking suppressed masses.
The Awami League is created to represent the Bengali speaking suppressed masses.
February 21, 1952
Students begin to protest against Urdu’s placement as the national language of Pakistan. The Shaheed Minar becomes the symbol of oppression faced by the Bangladesh natives.
Students begin to protest against Urdu’s placement as the national language of Pakistan. The Shaheed Minar becomes the symbol of oppression faced by the Bangladesh natives.
March-October 1954
The United Front wins most of the seats in the East Bengal Legislative Assembly. This Assembly is soon dissolved by the governor.
The United Front wins most of the seats in the East Bengal Legislative Assembly. This Assembly is soon dissolved by the governor.
1955
East Bengal is renamed East Pakistan
East Bengal is renamed East Pakistan
1956
Pakistan becomes an Islamic state.
Pakistan becomes an Islamic state.
1958
General Ayub Khan comes to power in East Pakistan, suspending the entire country under military rule.
General Ayub Khan comes to power in East Pakistan, suspending the entire country under military rule.
1962
President Ayub Khan lifts the martial law, enacting the new constitution he has designed. The National Assembly is reformed.
President Ayub Khan lifts the martial law, enacting the new constitution he has designed. The National Assembly is reformed.
1964
Ms. Fatima Jinnah is nominated as a presidential candidate to run alongside President Khan during his re-election campaign.
Ms. Fatima Jinnah is nominated as a presidential candidate to run alongside President Khan during his re-election campaign.
1965
August- Indian and Pakistan armies have been involved in secret conflicts in Kashmir, away from the public’s eyes.
September- The second Indian Pakistan war is announced to the nation by President Khan.
Political discontent surfaces in East Pakistan after the war is fought.
August- Indian and Pakistan armies have been involved in secret conflicts in Kashmir, away from the public’s eyes.
September- The second Indian Pakistan war is announced to the nation by President Khan.
Political discontent surfaces in East Pakistan after the war is fought.
1966
Sheikh Mujibur Rahman is elected as the party president of the Awami League.
Sheikh Mujibur Rahman is elected as the party president of the Awami League.
1968
The hearing for the Agartala Conspiracy Case begins. President Khan tries (in vain) to turn Mujibur Khan against his people.
The hearing for the Agartala Conspiracy Case begins. President Khan tries (in vain) to turn Mujibur Khan against his people.
1969
January to March- Riots break out in East Pakistan over the re-installation of martial law in the country. Seargant Zaharul Khan, one of the 35 accused in the Agartala Case, is shot dead.
March 25- General Yahya Khan comes to power.
December 5- Mujibur renames East Pakistan as Bangladesh.
January to March- Riots break out in East Pakistan over the re-installation of martial law in the country. Seargant Zaharul Khan, one of the 35 accused in the Agartala Case, is shot dead.
March 25- General Yahya Khan comes to power.
December 5- Mujibur renames East Pakistan as Bangladesh.
1971
January- Yahya Khan meets with Mujibur to discuss relations between the two states, even mentioning Mujibur as the future Prime Minister of Pakistan.
February-
22th - The main generals of West Pakistan decide to crush the Awami league and its supporters.
28th - After his meeting with Yahya, Bhutto, a politician of West Pakistan announces the six point plan’s veto by the People of Pakistan. He also recommends a veto of the National Assembly’s meeting.
March-
1st -While people await the president’s radio broadcasted speech over the country’s crisis, it is posted that the speech will be read at a later time during the Naional Assembly meeting.
2nd -A curfew is enacted upon East Pakistan.
3rd -Mujibur calls for a non-violent-non-cooperation movement.
4th -300 are gunned down during a resistant rally against the West Pakistan.
7th -Yahya khan grants General Tikka Khan as the governor of East Pakistan.
30th -The Pakistani army takes control in Dakha, a city in East Pakistan, killing 4000-6000 people and subjecting the people to military brutality and rape.
April
1st -The New York Times reports heavy fire and death in Dhakha.
Throughout the month, various telegrams are sent to and from the affected areas in East Pakistan (now dubbed Bangladesh by its rebel fighters).
17th - The Bangladesh government is formed as leaders convene near the Indian border of Jessore and confirm Sheikh Mujibur’s proclamation for a new government. Nixon replies that they are to leave Yahya Khan alone at the moment.
May
7th to 10th- Nixon confers with President Khan about the situation in Pakistan, but his statement after the conversations is simple- “Yahya is a good friend.” Later in the month, the Indian government requests four C-130 aircrafts to help them ferry refugees from East Pakistan to India. This request is denied.
July
1st -A letter from President Nixon to Yahya Khan expresses his sympathy to Khan’s situation as well his efforts to suppress the aid from India.
9th - When Nixon hears of Russia’s support to India, he warns them that any intervening on their part will result in the complete halt of all aid to India on the part of the United States.
14th - An article is published about the continuing atrocities occurring in Bangladesh is published in the New York Times.
“Army trucks roll through the half-deserted streets of the capital of East Pakistan these days, carrying ‘antistate’ prisoners to work-sites for hard labor. Their heads are shaved and they wear no shoes and no clothes except for shorts-all making escape difficult.
Street designations are being changed to remove all Hindu names as well as those of Bengali Moslem nationalists as part of campaign to stamp out Bengali culture.. Shankari Bazar Road in Dacca is now Tikka Khan Road, after the lieutenant general who is the martial-law governor of East Pakistan and whom most Bengalis call ‘the Butcher.’
August
3rd - Yahya Khan announces that Sheikh Mujibur will be tried by special military court for waging war against Pakistan.
a sketch of Yahya Khan
Throughout this time, the United States has refused to aid East Pakistan in any way and West Pakistan has been continuing its abuse on East Pakistan.
14th - Abdul Monem Khan, a former Governor of East Pakistan, is killed in his home in Dhakha. He dies quickly of two gunshot wounds to the chest.
28th - By October 28, 9,000,000 people have fled to India in search of freedom. While Indira Gandhi accepts their situation and need for homes, she once again re-iterated the need for serious political reform.
December-
3rd - The third Indian Pakistan war breaks out.
12th - Ambassador Bush drafts a resolution that states that both countries will call for an immediate cease fire and retreat from their respective enemy lines. This resolution was denied.
14th- Top intellectuals of the country were taken from homes by Razakars, Al Badr and Al Shams and slaughtered in killing fields with the vain objective of crippling the nation.
The Indian casualty figures of the 10 day war is announced by Indian defense minister in parliament:
Killed – 1978, Wounded 5025, Missing 1662
16th- The Pakistani commander Amir Abdullah Khan Niazi surrenders to Lt. Gen. Jagjit Singh Aurora, the Commander of the Joint Forces. After 90,000 Pakistani prisoners are taken as prisoners of war, Sheikh Mujibur is named the official President of Bangladesh.
January- Yahya Khan meets with Mujibur to discuss relations between the two states, even mentioning Mujibur as the future Prime Minister of Pakistan.
February-
22th - The main generals of West Pakistan decide to crush the Awami league and its supporters.
28th - After his meeting with Yahya, Bhutto, a politician of West Pakistan announces the six point plan’s veto by the People of Pakistan. He also recommends a veto of the National Assembly’s meeting.
March-
1st -While people await the president’s radio broadcasted speech over the country’s crisis, it is posted that the speech will be read at a later time during the Naional Assembly meeting.
2nd -A curfew is enacted upon East Pakistan.
3rd -Mujibur calls for a non-violent-non-cooperation movement.
4th -300 are gunned down during a resistant rally against the West Pakistan.
7th -Yahya khan grants General Tikka Khan as the governor of East Pakistan.
30th -The Pakistani army takes control in Dakha, a city in East Pakistan, killing 4000-6000 people and subjecting the people to military brutality and rape.
April
1st -The New York Times reports heavy fire and death in Dhakha.
Throughout the month, various telegrams are sent to and from the affected areas in East Pakistan (now dubbed Bangladesh by its rebel fighters).
17th - The Bangladesh government is formed as leaders convene near the Indian border of Jessore and confirm Sheikh Mujibur’s proclamation for a new government. Nixon replies that they are to leave Yahya Khan alone at the moment.
May
7th to 10th- Nixon confers with President Khan about the situation in Pakistan, but his statement after the conversations is simple- “Yahya is a good friend.” Later in the month, the Indian government requests four C-130 aircrafts to help them ferry refugees from East Pakistan to India. This request is denied.
July
1st -A letter from President Nixon to Yahya Khan expresses his sympathy to Khan’s situation as well his efforts to suppress the aid from India.
9th - When Nixon hears of Russia’s support to India, he warns them that any intervening on their part will result in the complete halt of all aid to India on the part of the United States.
14th - An article is published about the continuing atrocities occurring in Bangladesh is published in the New York Times.
“Army trucks roll through the half-deserted streets of the capital of East Pakistan these days, carrying ‘antistate’ prisoners to work-sites for hard labor. Their heads are shaved and they wear no shoes and no clothes except for shorts-all making escape difficult.
Street designations are being changed to remove all Hindu names as well as those of Bengali Moslem nationalists as part of campaign to stamp out Bengali culture.. Shankari Bazar Road in Dacca is now Tikka Khan Road, after the lieutenant general who is the martial-law governor of East Pakistan and whom most Bengalis call ‘the Butcher.’
August
3rd - Yahya Khan announces that Sheikh Mujibur will be tried by special military court for waging war against Pakistan.
a sketch of Yahya Khan
Throughout this time, the United States has refused to aid East Pakistan in any way and West Pakistan has been continuing its abuse on East Pakistan.
14th - Abdul Monem Khan, a former Governor of East Pakistan, is killed in his home in Dhakha. He dies quickly of two gunshot wounds to the chest.
28th - By October 28, 9,000,000 people have fled to India in search of freedom. While Indira Gandhi accepts their situation and need for homes, she once again re-iterated the need for serious political reform.
December-
3rd - The third Indian Pakistan war breaks out.
12th - Ambassador Bush drafts a resolution that states that both countries will call for an immediate cease fire and retreat from their respective enemy lines. This resolution was denied.
14th- Top intellectuals of the country were taken from homes by Razakars, Al Badr and Al Shams and slaughtered in killing fields with the vain objective of crippling the nation.
The Indian casualty figures of the 10 day war is announced by Indian defense minister in parliament:
Killed – 1978, Wounded 5025, Missing 1662
16th- The Pakistani commander Amir Abdullah Khan Niazi surrenders to Lt. Gen. Jagjit Singh Aurora, the Commander of the Joint Forces. After 90,000 Pakistani prisoners are taken as prisoners of war, Sheikh Mujibur is named the official President of Bangladesh.