The Bangladesh Liberation War is one of the significant milestones in the history of Bangali nation. That bitterly fought war lasted for roughly nine months, from 26 March until 16 December 1971.

Bangladesh came to today's shape through a long history of political evolution. Bengal was probably the wealthiest part of the subcontinent up till the 16th century. The area's early history featured a succession of Indian empires, internal squabbling, and a tussle between Hinduism and Buddhism for dominance. All of this was just a prelude to the unstoppable tide of Islam which washed over northern India at the end of the 12th century. Mohammed Bakhtiar Khilji captured Bengal in 1199 with only 20 men.

From the 15th century, the Europeans, namely Portuguese, Dutch, French and British traders exerted an economic influence over the region. British political rule over the region began in 1757 A.D., when the last Muslim ruler of Bengal was defeated at Plassey. In 1947 the subcontinent was partitioned into India and Pakistan. Present Bangladesh became the Eastern Wing of the then Pakistan.

But the movement for autonomy of East Pakistan started within a couple of years because of language and cultural differences and economic disparity between the two wings. When the Pakistan government declared that `Urdu and Urdu Alone' would be the national language, the Bangla-speaking Bangali decided, it was time to assert their cultural identity.

The drive to reinstate the Bangla language metamorphosed into a push for self-government. The Language Movement of 1952 to recognise Bangla as a state language may be termed as the first step towards independence.

Over the decades, particularly after Pakistani democracy was stifled by a military dictatorship (1958), the relationship between East and West became progressively more corrupt and neo-colonial in character, and opposition to West Pakistani domination grew among the Bangali population. The demanded for regional autonomy for East Pakistan grew louder and louder.

In the 1970 elections, even though the Awami League emerged as the largest party in Pakistan Parliament, it was not allowed to form the government by the ruling military junta. In response Awami League launched a non-cooperation movement against the military regime.

The generals in the  then West Pakistan took a decision to crush the Bangalis, as thay felt that a campaign of genocide would be necessary to eradicate the threat.
On March 25 the genocide started. The university in Dhaka was attacked and students exterminated in their hundreds. Death squads roamed the streets of Dhaka, killing some 7,000 people in a single night. It was only the beginning. Within a week, half the population of Dhaka had fled, and at least 30,000 people had been killed. Situation all over the country was no good.

It was estimated that in April 1971 some thirty million people were wandering helplessly across East Pakistan to escape the grasp of the military. Ten million refugees fled to India, overwhelming that country's resources and spurring the eventual Indian military intervention.

On April 10, the surviving leadership of the Awami League declared Bangladesh independence. The Mukhti Bahini (liberation forces) were mobilised to confront the West Pakistani army. Most of the young and able bodied ones determined to fight back, joined the Mukti Bahini. Thus a rag tag Liberation Force was formed which ultimately turned out to become a disciplined force that jointly with the Indian Army, defeated the superior Pakistan Army.

They did so with increasing skill and effectiveness, utilising their knowledge of the terrain and ability to blend with the civilian population in classic guerilla fashion. By the end of the war, the tide had turned, and vast areas of Bangladesh had been liberated by the popular resistance.
The support for Bangalees internationally was unprecedented. The news of the genocide in Bangladesh spread like a wild fire and support for the little brown people came from every corner. The Mukti Bahini (Liberation Forces) intensified their operations and inflicted more dangerous blows on the Pakistan Army. Finally Indian Forces and the Bangladesh Liberation Forces formed the 'Allied Force'. The victory became eminent and the Pakistan defense began to crumble one after another.

On December 16, 1971 they surrendered to the "Allied Force". Although before they did so they proved their degeneration by destroying the intellectual human resource that was in occupied Bangladesh. Killing fields were discovered in the nook and corner of Bangladesh where teachers, doctors and civil servants have been blind-folded and shot to death in cold blood by Pakistan Army and their bandit of collaborators called Razaker, Al-Badr and Al-shams. Till to-day the nation suffers for the toll that was paid for freedom.