Bangladesh Affairs: History, Liberation War, and Heritage
What the examiner expects
Know the continuum: ancient Bengal (Maurya, Gupta, Pala, Sena), the Sultanate and Mughal periods, the Battle of Plassey (1757), the Permanent Settlement (1793), the 1857 uprising, the creation of the All India Muslim League (1906), the Partition of Bengal (1905) and its annulment (1911), the Lahore Resolution (1940), the 1947 Partition, the Language Movement (1948–1952), the United Front election (1954), the Six-Point Movement (1966), the 1969 Mass Uprising, the 1970 election, and the Liberation War of 1971. Fix the Mujibnagar Government (17 April 1971), the Declaration of Independence (26 March 1971), Victory Day (16 December 1971), and the Instrument of Surrender. Heritage includes archaeological sites (Mahasthangarh, Paharpur, Mainamati), the Sundarbans, and UNESCO-listed traditions such as Baul songs.
Traps to watch
Dates are the main weapon: 1948 vs 1952, 7 March vs 26 March 1971, 17 April vs 16 December. Do not confuse the Language Movement's first phase (1948) with the police firing of 21 February 1952. Distinguish Bangabandhu's 7 March speech from the formal declaration. Also watch questions on sector boundaries, the number of sectors (11), and the Mujibnagar cabinet composition.
Rule of thumb
For any 1971 question, ask: who, where, when - the actor, the place (Dhaka, Mujibnagar, sector headquarters), and the exact date. If two dates are close, choose the one tied to the event named in the stem.
Worked example
Stem: 'Where was the Provisional Government of Bangladesh sworn in?' Reasoning: the oath was administered on 17 April 1971 at Baidyanathtala, later renamed Mujibnagar. Answer: Mujibnagar (Baidyanathtala), Meherpur.