The Bangladesh Liberation War: Origins, Events & Outcomes
Bangladesh Liberation War Origins
There are no shortages of times in history when a group of people decide they've had it with their government and are willing to fight for freedom. It's a very American story, but the United States is just one of dozens of peoples who have fought a war for independence.
One recent conflict was the Bangladesh Liberation War, which took place from March to December in 1971, when the nation of what is now Bangladesh fought to liberate itself from Pakistan, who had controlled the area for the previous 25 years.
![]() |
Prior to being an independent nation, Bangladesh was referred to as 'East Pakistan'. It was created after the British Empire awarded freedom to the former colony, splitting southern Asia between the two nations of India and Pakistan.
While both parts of Pakistan were (and still are) majority Muslim, cultural and ethnic differences meant that many people in East Pakistan desired independence and their own sovereign nation. Pakistan, of course, wanted to remain one country with its traditional power structure.
In March of 1971, Bangladeshi rebels under the leadership of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman finally declared that they would fight for independence. In response, Pakistan sent a military unit to put down the rebellion, officially beginning the conflict of the Bangladesh Liberation War.
Indian Involvement
One major factor in the Bangladesh Liberation War was the participation of next-door India. India had been fighting directly and indirectly with Pakistan since their own independence, a reflection of their cultural differences (India is majority Hindu, while Pakistan is majority Muslim) as well as questions about their borders. India was quite pleased to see Pakistan weakened by the liberation attempt and provided support and funding to the Bangladeshi freedom fighters, called the Mukti Bahini.
![]() |
The Bangladeshi rebels needed this help because Pakistan's army was both strong and fierce. Within the first 24 hours of fighting, the Pakistani military had killed thousands of people, targeting anyone involved in the liberation movement, including teachers, police, and just ordinary people, using tanks, artillery, and rockets against the rebels.
They also encouraged Islamic radical groups to fight against the independence movement, even using terrorism to put it down. Pakistan's use of force not only galvanized more opposition to their rule in Bangladesh, but brought criticism throughout the world for their heavy-handed approach.
Winning the War
Unable to defeat the Pakistan army directly, the Mukti Bahini fought a guerrilla war, using hit-and-run tactics rather than standing and fighting. The cost was extremely high for Bangladesh: at least 30,000 rebels were killed, while anywhere from half a million to three million civilians died as well. However, the reason for victory was India entering the war directly, bringing their powerful air force to attack Pakistan, making it impossible for the Pakistanis to win against both foes.
Pakistan surrendered two weeks after India joined the war - nine months after the start of fighting itself. Bangladesh became a newly independent nation, the seventh most populous nation in the world, and today has better relations with India than it does with Pakistan.
The United States almost played a role in the liberation war because of their military ties to Pakistan, but ultimately did little other than voice support. China attempted to block the entry of Bangladesh to the United Nations, as they are also an ally of Pakistan, but failed.
Lesson Summary
The Bangladesh Liberation War took place in 1971 when Bangladesh fought for independence from Pakistan who had ruled for 25 years. Bangladeshi freedom fighters called the Mukti Bahini declared themselves independent and sovereign. Pakistan used heavy force to put down the rebellion, which only galvanized a greater opposition to them.
The rebels fought a guerrilla war (using hit-and-run tactics rather than standing and fighting) for months, as the Pakistan army was larger and stronger. However, India entering the conflict proved to be the tipping point, and Bangladesh gained its independence.
To unlock this lesson you must be a Study.com Member.
Create your account
Register to view this lesson
Unlock Your Education
See for yourself why 30 million people use Study.com
Become a Study.com member and start learning now.
Become a MemberAlready a member? Log In
BackThe Bangladesh Liberation War: Origins, Events & Outcomes
Related Study Materials
- General Science Lessons
- TExES Science of Teaching Reading (293): Practice & Study Guide
- Next Gen NCLEX-PN Study Guide & Practice
- Next Gen NCLEX-RN Study Guide & Practice
- TExES Core Subjects EC-6 (391): Practice & Study Guide
- General Sea Creatures
- General Pre-Historic History
- General Sea Mammals
- About the Next Gen NCLEX
- Factors Affecting Reading Development
- How to Pick Your Homeschool Curriculum
- Role of Student Support in Open & Distance Learning
- TExES Principal Exam Redesign (068 vs. 268)
- Teacher Salary by State
- ESL Resource Guide for Teachers
- What is a Homeschool Co-op?
- How to Start Homeschooling Your Children
Latest Courses
- Victimization Consequences: Emotional, Psychological & Social
- Political Satire: Definition & Examples
- Niels Bohr: Biography, Atomic Theory & Discovery
- Aymara People: Language, Culture & Religion
- Next Gen NCLEX Question Type: Drag and Drop
- What is Passover? - Definition, Story, Traditions & Significance
- Red Fox Scientific Name & Habitat | Are Foxes Nocturnal?
- Quiz & Worksheet - Hittite Government, Laws & Economy
- Quiz & Worksheet - Mestizaje Overview
- Quiz & Worksheet - Paleo Indian Culture & Artifacts
- Quiz & Worksheet - Witchcraft, Oracles, and Magic Among the Azande Synopsis
- Flashcards - Real Estate Marketing Basics
- Flashcards - Promotional Marketing in Real Estate
- Art Lesson Plans
- Noun Worksheets
Latest Lessons
- College Mathematics Remediation
- 10th Grade English: Homeschool Curriculum
- HiSET Language Arts - Writing: Prep and Practice
- NY Regents Exam - Physics: Test Prep & Practice
- High School Algebra II: Help and Review
- Sampling in Statistics
- Decolonization & Nationalist Movements (1890-1900)
- Quiz & Worksheet - Metallic Bonding
- Quiz & Worksheet - Characteristics of Performance Assessments
- Quiz & Worksheet - Converting Units with Dimensional Analysis
- Quiz & Worksheet - Subordination & Coordination of Clauses
- Quiz & Worksheet - Common Ion Effect and Selective Precipitation
Popular Courses
- Practicing Essay Writing to Get Better at Writing
- National Geography Standards 7-13: Physical and Human Systems
- Equivalent Fractions Lesson Plan
- Engineering Degrees 101
- Background Checks for Teachers
- What is the International Baccalaureate Middle Years Program?
- How to Stop Procrastinating
- How to Find Classroom Grants for Teachers
- What is on the FTCE Professional Education Test?
- How to Multitask
- What is Credit Recovery in High School?
- California Alternative Teacher Certification
Popular Lessons
Math
Social Sciences
Science
Business
Humanities
Education
History
Art and Design
Tech and Engineering
- Tech and Engineering - Videos
- Tech and Engineering - Quizzes
- Tech and Engineering - Questions & Answers
Health and Medicine
- Give a brief summary of When Mr. Pirzada Came to Dine by Jhumpa Lahiri.
- Did Vietnam get inspiration from the Bangladesh Liberation War?
- What was the cause of the Bangladesh Liberation War?
- How many died in the Bangladesh Liberation War?
- Was religion involved in the Bangladesh Liberation War?
- How long did the Bangladesh Liberation War last?
- Did women fight in the Bangladesh Liberation War?