A Brief History of Bangladesh

Pre-colonial history of Bangladesh

7th century BCE: Early settlements form in Bengal, with communities engaging in agriculture, riverine trade, and craftsmanship. The fertile delta sustains rice farming and supports small trade networks with neighbouring regions. The region's strategic location along major river systems, including the Ganges and Brahmaputra, facilitates trade and communication.

4th–6th century CE: The Gupta Empire governs Bengal, introducing Sanskrit culture, Hinduism, and administrative structures that shape the region’s governance. The influence of Gupta rule contributes to the spread of Brahmanical traditions, while also encouraging advancements in science, mathematics, and literature.

7th–12th century: The Pala Empire, a powerful Buddhist dynasty, dominates Bengal, fostering intellectual and artistic achievements. Trade flourishes with Southeast Asia and the Middle East, as Bengal becomes renowned for its textile and metalwork industries. The Palas construct grand monasteries (mahaviharas), and Buddhist art and architecture flourish.

12th–14th century: The Sena dynasty replaces the Palas, promoting Hindu revivalism and Sanskrit literature. However, growing socio-economic inequalities and political fragmentation weaken their rule. The decline of the Senas creates opportunities for external incursions, eventually leading to the advent of Islamic rule.

Islamic Bengal

1204: The Delhi Sultanate conquers Bengal, bringing Islamic rule and Persianate administration. Muslim merchants, scholars, and Sufi saints settle in Bengal, leading to cultural syncretism. The Sufi movement gains popularity, spreading Islam among the local population.

14th–16th century: The Bengal Sultanate asserts independence from Delhi, flourishing as a commercial and cultural hub. The region becomes known for textiles, attracting global traders from the Middle East, China, and Europe. The Sultanate builds mosques, madrasas, and palaces, many of which still stand today as historical monuments. Persian becomes the language of administration, influencing Bengali culture and literature.

1576: The Mughal Empire incorporates Bengal, boosting trade, agriculture, and urbanisation. Dhaka emerges as a major city. Bengal becomes the empire’s wealthiest province, supplying high-quality textiles and agricultural products. However, the region also experiences frequent rebellions.

Colonial era

1757: The Battle of Plassey marks the beginning of British control, as the East India Company defeats Nawab Siraj-ud-Daulah and establishes economic dominance. British policies shift the economy toward cash crops, which leads to widespread exploitation of peasants.

1765: The British secure the Diwani of Bengal, effectively controlling the area's revenues. 

1793: The Permanent Settlement Act entrenches the zamindari system, exacerbating peasant hardships by granting landlords unchecked control over taxation.

1857: The Indian Rebellion sees Bengali participation, but British rule is consolidated afterward, transitioning Bengal into direct Crown rule. Dhaka loses much of its former importance, as Calcutta emerges as the colonial capital and commercial centre.

Nationalism and partition

1905: Bengal is partitioned by the British into West Bengal (predominantly Hindu) and East Bengal (predominantly Muslim). Though reversed in 1911, the 1905 Partition of Bengal deepens Hindu-Muslim divides, strengthening the call for separate Muslim representation in politics.

1940: The Lahore Resolution by the Muslim League calls for separate Muslim-majority states for the Muslims of British India, laying the groundwork for Pakistan’s creation. Tensions between Hindu and Muslim communities escalate as nationalist sentiments grow.

1947: British India is partitioned. A a result, Muslim-majority East Bengal becomes a province of the new state of Pakistan, while Hindu-majority West Bengal becomes a state of India.

Towards independence

1952: In East Pakistan, the Bengali Language Movement demands recognition of Bangla (Bengali) as an official language of Pakistan, seeing as it is the majority language in the province. Protesters are killed on February 21, a day now commemorated as International Mother Language Day. This movement strengthens Bengali national identity and opposition to West Pakistani rule.

1956: The Bengali language is granted official status by the central government of Pakistan, after years of unrest related to the issue.

1960s: Political tensions grow as East Pakistan faces economic neglect and cultural suppression. Sheikh Mujibur Rahman emerges as a leader advocating autonomy. His Six-Point Movement gains widespread support, demanding greater provincial autonomy for East Pakistan.

1970: The Awami League, an East Pakistan party, wins Pakistan’s general election with an overwhelming majority but is denied power. Protests escalate as the existing West-Pakistan-based government resists transferring authority. The military is deployed against East Pakistan.

Bangladesh Liberation War

March 1971: The Pakistan Army launches Operation Searchlight in a bid to curb the Bengali nationalist movement in East Pakistan. The operation is designed to take control of all major cities in East Pakistan and eliminate any Bengali opposition. Awami League leader Sheikh Mujibur Rahman is arrested, and the Bangladesh Liberation War begins, as Mukti Bahini (freedom fighters) wage guerrilla warfare against the occupying forces.

December 1971: After months of conflict, Pakistan surrenders, leading to the creation of Bangladesh. Estimates of Bengali casualties during the war range from 26,000 to 3 million.

Post-independence challenges

1972: Bangladesh adopts a secular constitution under Sheikh Mujib’s leadership, focusing on rebuilding war-ravaged infrastructure and economy.

1974: A severe famine devastates the country. Foreign aid is slow to arrive, worsening the humanitarian crisis. This, combined with a failed nationalisation programme, caused widespread dissatisfaction with the government. 

1975: Sheikh Mujib and most of his family are assassinated by a group of army rebels as part of a military coup. Political instability follows, with multiple coups, counter-coups and leadership changes, setting the stage for military rule.

Military rule and democratic transition

1977–1990: Military rulers govern Bangladesh throughout this period, promoting market reforms but suppressing opposition.

1991: Bangladesh returns to parliamentary democracy. Khaleda Zia (Bangladesh Nationalist Party) and Sheikh Hasina (Awami League) emerge as key political figures, alternating in power amid political rivalries and protests.

21st-century developments

2008: Awami League wins elections, initiating major infrastructure projects and economic reforms, including investments in energy and transportation.

2013: War crimes trials convict key figures from the 1971 war, causing political tensions and leading to violent protests.

2019: Sheikh Hasina wins re-election, continuing economic growth but facing criticism over press freedom and human rights concerns.

2020s: Bangladesh emerges as a major player in textile exports and infrastructure development but faces challenges related to climate change, political stability, and governance reforms. Despite economic progress, income inequality remains a pressing issue.