Bangladesh - History
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Girls dancing in a non-formal primary school, supported
by Oxfam. Traditional dance and cultural songs are part of
the curriculum |
Photo: Shafiqul Alam/Oxfam
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Bangladesh has been independent since 16 December 1971. The current
Prime Minister is Khaleda Zia, whose Bangladesh Nationalist Party
leads a four-party alliance.
The country’s history before independence is complex, and
stretches back to the thirteenth century. The land which now forms
Bangladesh was once part of India and more recently was a part of
Pakistan called East Pakistan.
In the nineteenth century India was ruled by the British. Their
policies meant that most land in what is now Bangladesh came to
be owned by wealthy Hindus. The rents were set so high that poor
farmers were forced off the land. Those who remained were ordered
to grow crops to sell overseas, rather than food to eat. This led
to terrible food shortages and riots.
The British left India in 1947. In August 1947 parts of India were
divided off, creating Pakistan.
In 1970, East Pakistan wanted to become independent and fought
a ‘War of Liberation’ against the State, causing thousands
of refugees to flee across the border to India. In late 1971, the
Indian government stepped in, and Pakistan’s government quickly
surrendered. The newly-independent State was named Bangladesh.
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