I consider myself fortunate to have received the book on the War of our Liberation - "1971: Resistance, Resilience and Redemption" from the author Major General Md Sarwar Hossain, BSP, SGP, ndc, hdmc, psc, PhD, the Military Secretary to the Honorable President. He handed over the book to me, at his office in Bangabhaban on 3rd July 2018.
The author and I had a brief chat......like, what inspired him to write a book on the War of Liberation and how did he accomplish this massive task etc.
I have to confess that in this particular case, I ignored the English idiom "don't judge a book by its cover". The cover of the book did attract me first and then made me yearn for the book.
The cover is entrancing, with a collage of images from the days of the war and particularly making 1971 prominent- a year that instantly generates a sense of pride, identity, belonging - all of which are so crucial for any citizen. To me, the year is undeniably the saddest yet most glorious phase of Bangladesh's history.
I have read many books on the War of Liberation but my views on this book sans comparison to any of those. I am just expressing my thoughts after having read this book with extreme enthusiasm and absorption.
The Preface of the book, took me back to my early teenage days. I could relate to so many things - beautiful life with the Urdu speaking friends, no worries, no malice at all. Then we were faced with the harsh reality of war, the digging of trench, sound of the anti-aircraft guns whenever there was air raid by Indian aircrafts.
The author and I were in Pakistan during those days, but he was repatriated with his family post War of Liberation in 1973 and I fled with my family and 16 other families by crossing Chaman border (one of the major international border crossings between Afghanistan and Pakistan) and entering Afghanistan through Kandahar border just a few months before the repatriation process began.
After returning to Bangladesh, the author came to know how indiscriminately Pakistan Army killed, raped, tortured Bengalis and ravaged the country. It was traumatic for him to find all his friends and relatives displaced, as they fled for life during the war.
The author had countless questions about the war. It was only after joining the army that he started to delve deeper into the country's past. At a later stage, when he wanted to know more and write about the war, he had to do a lot of research, read numerous books & articles from local and foreign sources and also go through documents of the government in exile. He had to interview many freedom fighters & activists and then thoroughly analyze those for constructing an overall narrative of the War.
He took keen interest about the sequences of the War of Liberation and through all the books he read, he realized that each of the books on the War of Liberation highlighted the achievements of the author, glorifying their armed forces rather than revealing the actual history of the war.
The Indian writers glorified their achievement, leaving the contribution of Bangladesh forces and the Mukti Bahini less appreciated or not appreciated at all. Unfortunately, most of the books written by the Pakistanis were more to protect their cause and denial of facts.
Many books were written by Bangladeshi Freedom Fighters but these books were more of personal narratives about their involvement in the war. Though fascinating to read, there was very limited coverage of the War of Liberation in its entirety.
The author felt that truth should be properly recorded and taught to the future generations- to learn, appreciate and take appropriate lessons. He very aptly said, "History is neither for excuses not for revenge".
The more he struggled to find detailed information, the more he was discontented. He then realized, "Many military leaders who could substantially contribute to enriching our war history by sharing their experiences were tragically killed in coups and countercoups".
Such factors prompted him to get into a well-documented research with complete historical narrative providing the major events, supported by facts and figures from authentic sources that would enable the readers to grasp the factual history of our War of Liberation.
In 1999/2000, he joined Bijoyketon Liberation War Museum in Dhaka Cantonment as a co-researcher. Experience of working in the museum, reading different documents, articles, interviews of freedom fighters coupled with a growing urge for writing, motivated him to start writing the book on our war.
He did realize the gamut of the war - "The War of Liberation was a huge event - full of complicated narratives. It was so, because firstly, the nation was not prepared to go to a war at such short notice, and secondly, it went to war without ready Armed Forces of its own".
In 2004-2005, he registered for PhD program at the History department of Dhaka University. Then he joined as the Principal of Military Collegiate School in Khulna on completion of National Defense College in 2014. Besides standard college functions, the academic ambience inspired him to continue his research work.
His knowledge on research methodology from National Defense College helped him and the completion of his thesis transformed into "1971 - Resistance, Resilience and Redemption"……a laudable success after the four-year long journey!
The fact that the author, who was only a seven-year old boy living in Karachi where his father was posted as government official and who did not even understand the 'why' and 'how' of the War of Liberation, developed this intensity to write about it in such comprehensive manner - is unquestionably worth praising.
The 450-page book contains 10 chapters that give a wide-ranging account of the War of Liberation, starting with a background and ending with a brilliant analysis of the lessons learnt, including a crisp description of the role of media.
The specific chapters are well organized and authentically sourced with all relevant sketches, tables, maps and documents(including footnotes and bibliography).His eloquent style of writing easily links the reader to chronological progress through the complex exposition of the War of Liberation and any related issues.
Brief overview of the chapters
Chapter - I & II: background and geopolitical attributes of East Pakistan including the initial military disposition respectively;
Chapter - III: region-wise initial resistance by the Freedom Fighters against the Pakistani assault;
Chapter - IV: evolution of Bangladesh forces;
Chapter - V: details of a total of eleven sectors and its sub-sectors - which include the Command channel, area of responsibility of each sector and sub-sectors;
Chapter - VI: detailed account of the development of irregular forces like Mujib Bahini, Kaderia Bahini and Afsar Battalion and other indigenous forces;
Chapter - VII: brilliant guide for adopting a Doctrine for Bangladesh Armed Forces blending or phasing Unconventional war to Convention war;
Chapter - VIII: role and effectiveness of Bangladesh forces in achieving the final victory
Chapter - IX: Pakistan's plan and attack of Allied Forces in the four regions;
Chapter - X: Conclusion (including various causes of the war and lessons learnt from it). The most interesting feature is the 'Analysis bit' at the end of each chapter till the penultimate one.
To begin with, the author has uncovered the reality of Bengali nationalism right from the debacle at the Battle of Plassey- a decisive victory of the British East India Company over the Nawab of Bengal and his French allies on 23 June 1757. The British made every effort to stop the rise of the Muslims forever. The condition worsened when the Muslims got involved in the Indian Army mutiny in 1857.
Thereafter, the British ensured the suppression of Muslims everywhere. Subsequently, the Muslims were totally isolated from all posts of responsibility. The British did not raise any East Bengal Battalion as they did like the Punjab Regiment, Sikh Regiment, Rajput Regiment and so on.
The background makes it evident that 'Deprivation' of Muslims is rooted in centuries old ploy. The author quoted W W Hunter, one of Her Majesty's Government officials, who expressed in his book, 'The Indian Muslims' - "We shut the Indian Musalman aristocracy out of the army because we believed that their exclusion was necessary for our safety.
We deprived them of their monopoly of the most lucrative functions in the administration because their deprivation was essential to the welfare and just government of the people".
Besides, administrative reforms by Lord Cornwallis produced the Zamindari system under which the majority Hindus became the Zamindars and bulk of the Muslims comprised the peasant cadre.
Hindus now bridged the gap between the ruling party and the British Raj. While the British snatched all powers from the Muslim rulers and patronized the Hindus, Muslims became the lowest caste. Muslim setback particularly in socio-economic status changed their psyche and inspired them to establish their rights.
Thus Muslim League was formed in 1908 in Dhaka where Bengali Muslims took the leading role. Husain Shaheed Suhrwardy, Khwaja Nazimuddin, Yusuf Ali Chowdhury, Maulana Bhashani and Maulana Rasool were prominent leaders amongst them.
I see this book as a 'One-stop shop', where you get everything you need - from soup to nuts. The sad chronicle of Muslim 'deprivation' begins from the British rule for nearly 200 years that includes exploitation for more than 100 years by the Hindus. The thorough research by the author reveals the journey of East Pakistan to its eventual destiny "BANGLADESH".
Chronology of significant events, relevant to the history of Bangladesh
* University of Dhaka - the symbol of Bengali nationalism for the creation of Pakistan, commences in 1921;
* Muslim League membership at its general session on 23 March 1940 adopts the Lahore Resolution;
* Two-nation theory - founding principle of the Pakistan Movement and partition of India in 1947(Under the new system, Pakistan comprised of two far flung regions - East and West Pakistan);
* Deprivation of Bengalis in East Pakistan by West Pakistan (West Pakistan's economy was greatly developed at the cost of East Pakistan).
* Achievement of Language Movement in 1952 - that vastly influences the mass of the population;
* Indo-Pak war in 1965 that leaves East Pakistan stripped off the military, to defend in the war.
* Sheikh Mujibur Rahman's declaration of 6-point program in 1966 amidst his tremendous popularity;
* Agartala Conspiracy known as State VS Mujib Conspiracy case: Pakistan government's attempt to frame Sheikh Mujibur Rahman along with 34 other Bengalis in 1968;
* 11-point program by the students front under the name of Chhatra Shongram Parishad';
* Handing over of power in face of mass movement by Ayub Khan to Yahya Khan on 24 March 1969;
* General Elections held in December 1970 and Awami League wins landslide victory getting 160 out of 162 seats in East Pakistan;
* Awami League's stunning victory in Provincial Assembly too - winning 288 seats out of 300 seats;
* Awami League emerges as single majority party in Pakistan National Assembly with 167 seats out of 313 seats;
* Zulfikar Ali Bhutto's Pakistan People's Party wins only 88 seats (all from the Western wing) and appears as the second largest Parliamentary Party;
* Yahya Khan declares Sheikh Mujibur Rahman as the future Prime Minister of Pakistan;
* Many from the military hierarchy find the election result unacceptable. Maj Gen Rao Farman Ali and 12 other Generals go against this declaration;
* Zulfikar Ali Bhutto assumes political control of West Pakistan and shows reluctance to sit with the opposition;
* President Yahya Khan (military power base), Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and Zulfikar Ali Bhutto hold the first session of conference on 13 January 1971 at the President's House in Dhaka;
* Bhutto comes to Dhaka on 27th January 1971 and meets Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, discusses 6-points program and seeks the post of Foreign Minister to which Bangabandhu declines;
* Yahya Khan propose son 13th February 1971, to call the National Assembly session on 3rd March 1971. Bhutto refuses to attend and all political parties condemn his actions;
* Maj Gen Khadim Hossain Raja, GOC, 14th Infantry Division stationed in Dhaka and Maj Gen Rao Farman Ali, devise the plan "Operation Blitz" (to enforce Martial Law in East Pakistan);
* Pakistanis continue reinforcing troops to East Pakistan to increase their strength, amidst discussion;
* Gen Yahya Khan declares postponement of National Assembly on 1st March 1971, for indefinite period;
* Total disregard to people's verdict greatly threatens the fate of Pakistan to the point of eventual disintegration;
* Violent reaction spreads all over Bangladesh with strikes, demonstrations, civil disobedience and ultimately reaches the point of revolt!
* ASM Abdur Rob, Vice President of Dhaka University Student League raises the first Flag of Independence of Bangladesh at Dhaka University on 2nd March 1971, in presence of Bangabandhu;
* Swadhin Bangla Chhatra Shongram Parishad in their grand rally at Paltan on 3 March, give the name BANGLADESH and read out the objectives of achieving independence and outline of actions;
* Bangabandhu delivers the historic speech on 7th March 1971; though impromptu, the theme, content and wordings of the speech were just perfect to set aglow the spirit of Independence (Currently, UNESCO has acknowledged the speech as part of World Documentary Heritage);
* Bangabandhu, Bhutto and Yahya continue negotiations in Dhaka from 16th -24th March in final attempt to diffuse the growing crisis;
*Pakistan Military Junta drafts 'Operation Search Light' by 18th March, approves by 20th March 1971;
*Talks fail, Yahya Khan flies back to West Pakistan, followed by Bhutto;
*Bengalis get caught in by the brutal acts of Pakistan Military Junta and desperate Bengalis begin resisting all over;
*Thus the War of Liberation begins - unfolding in murderous dimensions by Pakistani Army and the brutality, bloodshed that cost millions of lives. (To be continued…)
The writer is a freelance
media consultant