1971 India-Pakistan War and the Birth of Bangladesh

Jul 11, 2024

1971 India-Pakistan War and the Birth of Bangladesh

Initiation of War

  • Date: 3rd December 1971
  • Operation: Chengiz Khan by Pakistan
  • Targets: Multiple Indian airfields including Amritsar, Pathankot, Jodhpur, Ambala, Agra, Srinagar
  • Retaliation: Indian Air Force retaliated
  • Outcome: Start of 1971 India-Pakistan War leading to Bangladesh’s independence

Background of Bangladesh’s Struggle

Pre-British Rule

  • Indian Subcontinent: Multiple autonomous kingdoms
  • Bengal Region: Ruler mainly by Muslim monarchs from the 13th century, co-existence of Islam and Hinduism

British Rule and Partition

  • Colonization: East India Company took over in 1757
  • Partition of India (1947): Division based on religious lines, major displacement, and violence
  • Impact on Bengal: Split into West Bengal (India) and East Bengal (Pakistan)

After Partition

  • Pakistan’s Structure: Two parts, West Pakistan (Punjabis, Pakhtuns, Sindhis, Balochis) and East Pakistan (Bengalis)
  • Power Imbalance: Concentration of power in West Pakistan despite East Pakistan’s larger population
  • Economic and Political Disparities: Major economic development in West Pakistan, neglect of East Pakistan’s needs

Language and Cultural Conflict

  • Urdu Imposition: West Pakistan enforced Urdu as the state language; resistance from Bengali-speaking East Pakistanis
  • Language Movement: Protests on 21st February 1952, killings by army; led to Bangla becoming an official state language

Growing Discontent and Political Strife

  • Six-Point Demand (1969): Led by Sheikh Mujibur Rahman for East Pakistan’s autonomy
  • Election Results (1970): Awami League’s landslide victory in East Pakistan, rejected by West Pakistani elites

Civil Unrest and Crackdown

  • Protests and Crackdown: Mass protests in East Pakistan, harsh crackdowns by West Pakistani army (Operation Searchlight)
  • Declaration of Independence: Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s declaration, formalized on 26th March 1971

Role of India

  • Refugee Crisis: Over 10 million refugees fled to India; economic strain led to military intervention decision
  • Military Preparation: Indira Gandhi prepared Indian military for intervention, training of Mukti Bahini

Indo-Pak War of 1971

  • Start of War: Operation Chengiz Khan on 3rd December 1971
  • War Strategy: Defensive in West Pakistan, offensive in East Pakistan
  • International Involvement: UN interventions, Soviet Union veto, recognition of Bangladesh by India, Bhutan on 6th December 1971
  • Surrender: Pakistani army surrendered on 16th December 1971; largest surrender since WWII

Aftermath

  • Simla Agreement (1972): Pakistan recognized Bangladesh; return of prisoners of war and occupied territories
  • Bangladesh’s Political Landscape: Post-independence turmoil, assassination of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in 1975, military coups, return to democracy under Sheikh Hasina

Lessons and Reflections

  • Language Imposition: Highlighting the dangers of imposing a single language on a diverse population
  • Geopolitical Reality: The differing cultures and distances between East and West Pakistan made unity difficult

Recommended Further Learning: Explore Indira Gandhi’s 1975 Emergency for a deeper understanding of Indian political history.