View source for Sheikh Mujibur Rahman

{{Short description|Bangladeshi revolutionary and statesman (1920–1975)}}
{{Redirect-multi|2|Bangabandhu|Mujibur Rahman}}
<!-- Please do not add "Father of the Nation" or "founding father" in reference to Sheikh Mujibur Rahman due to controversies. -->
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{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2023}}
{{Infobox officeholder
| honorific_prefix    = Bangabandhu
| name                = Sheikh Mujibur Rahman
| native_name         = {{nobold|শেখ মুজিবুর রহমান}}
| native_name_lang    = bn
| honorific_suffix    = 
| image               = Sheikh Mujibur Rahman portrait (PID-h0066).jpg
| caption             = Official portrait, {{circa|1975}}
| imagesize           = 
| office              = 1st & 4th [[President of Bangladesh]]
| primeminister       = [[Muhammad Mansur Ali]]
| term_start          = 25 January 1975
| term_end            = 15 August 1975
| predecessor         = [[Mohammad Mohammadullah]]
| successor           = [[Khondaker Mostaq Ahmad]] (usurper){{efn|In ''[[Bangladesh Italian Marble Works Ltd. v. Government of Bangladesh]]'', the [[Appellate Division, Supreme Court of Bangladesh|Supreme Court]] ruled that Mostaq's accession to the Presidency was illegal as it violated the line of succession and occurred after a military coup. Therefore, it was declared that Mostaq was a usurper and all Ordinances rendered by him under martial law were null and void of any legal effect.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Hasan Pias |first=Mehedi |date=16 August 2020 |title=Inside the Indemnity Ordinance that protected the killers of Bangabandhu |url=https://bdnews24.com/bangladesh/inside-the-indemnity-ordinance-that-protected-the-killers-of-bangabandhu |access-date=15 June 2022 |work=[[Bdnews24.com]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=2 February 2010 |title=Civil Petition for Leave to Appeal Nos. 1044 & 1045 OF 2009 |url=https://archive.thedailystar.net/images/5thammendment.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220706044606/https://archive.thedailystar.net/images/5thammendment.pdf |archive-date=6 July 2022 |access-date=15 June 2022 |work=[[The Daily Star (Bangladesh)]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Ali Manik |first=Julfikar |date=25 August 2010 |title=5th amendment verdict paves way for justice |url=https://www.thedailystar.net/news-detail-152188 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220526074635/https://www.thedailystar.net/news-detail-152188 |archive-date=26 May 2022 |access-date=15 June 2022 |work=[[The Daily Star (Bangladesh)]]}}</ref>}}
| primeminister1      = [[Tajuddin Ahmed]]
| term_start1         = 17 April 1971
| term_end1           = 12 January 1972
| predecessor1        = ''Position established''
| successor1          = [[Abu Sayeed Chowdhury]]
| parliament3         = Bangladesh
| constituency_MP3    = [[Dhaka-12]]
| term_start3         = 7 March 1972
| term_end3           = 15 August 1975
| predecessor3        = ''Constituency established''
| successor3          = [[Jahangir Mohammad Adel]]
| office2             = 2nd [[Prime Minister of Bangladesh]]
| president2          = {{Plainlist|
* [[Abu Sayeed Chowdhury]]
* [[Mohammad Mohammadullah]]
}}
| term_start2         = 12 January 1972
| term_end2           = 25 January 1975
| predecessor2        = [[Tajuddin Ahmad]]
| successor2          = [[Muhammad Mansur Ali]]
| office4             = 4th [[Awami League#President and general secretary of the AL, 1949–present|President of Bangladesh Awami League]]
| termstart4          = 26 March 1971
| termend4            = 18 January 1974
| 1blankname4         = General Secretary
| 1namedata4          = {{ubl|Tajuddin Ahmad|[[Zillur Rahman]]}}
| predecessor4        = [[Abdur Rashid Tarkabagish]]
| successor4          = [[Abul Hasnat Muhammad Qamaruzzaman|A. H. M Qamaruzzaman]]
{{collapsed infobox section begin|last= yes|Pre-independence roles|titlestyle=background-color:#eee}}
{{Infobox officeholder
| embed               = yes
| subterm6            = 1946–1948
| suboffice6          = [[Bengal Provincial Muslim League|Councillor of Bengal Provincial Muslim League]]
| subterm7            = 1963–1966
| suboffice7          = [[Awami League (Pakistan)#Officials|General Secretary of Awami League]]
| subterm8            = 1954
| suboffice8          = [[Government of East Pakistan|Rural Development and Co-operatives Minister of East Bengal]]
| subterm9            = 1954–1958
| suboffice9          = [[East Pakistan Provincial Assembly|Member of East Pakistan Provincial Assembly]]
| subterm10           = 1955–1958
| suboffice10         = [[List of members of the 2nd National Assembly of Pakistan|Member of the National Assembly of Pakistan]]
| subterm11           = 1956–1957
| suboffice11         = [[Government of East Pakistan|Industry, Commerce and Labour Minister of East Pakistan]]
| subterm12           = 1968–1971
| suboffice12         = [[All-Pakistan Awami League|President of All-Pakistan Awami League]]
{{collapsed infobox section end}}}}
| birth_date          = [[Birthday of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman|{{Birth date|df=yes|1920|3|17}}]]
| birth_place         = [[Tungipara Upazila|Tungipara]], Bengal Presidency,<!-- DO NOT LINK PER MOS:GEOLINK --> British India<!-- DO NOT LINK PER MOS:GEOLINK -->
| death_date          = {{Death date and age|df=yes|1975|8|15|1920|3|17}}
| death_place         = [[Bangabandhu Memorial Museum|Dhanmondi]], Dacca Division, Bangladesh<!-- DO NOT LINK PER MOS:GEOLINK -->
| death_cause         = [[Assassination of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman|Assassination]]
| residence           = House 677, Road 32, [[Dhanmondi]], Dhaka, Bangladesh
| occupation          = {{Flatlist|
* Insurance executive
* politician
* author
* statesman
}}
| nationality         = {{ubl|[[File:British Raj Red Ensign.svg|25px]] [[British India]] (1920–1947)|{{PAK}} (1947–1971)|{{BAN}} (1971–1975)}}
| party               = [[Bangladesh Krishak Sramik Awami League]] (1975)
| otherparty          = {{Plainlist|
* [[All-India Muslim League]] (1937–1947)
* [[Muslim League (Pakistan)|Pakistan Muslim League]] (1947–1949)
* [[Awami League (Pakistan)|All-Pakistan Awami League]] (1949–1971)
* [[Bangladesh Awami League]] (1971–1975)
}}
| spouse              = [[Sheikh Fazilatunnesa Mujib|Begum Fazilatunnesa]]
| children            = {{Flatlist|
* [[Sheikh Hasina|Hasina]]
* [[Sheikh Kamal|Kamal]]
* [[Sheikh Jamal|Jamal]]
* [[Sheikh Rehana|Rehana]]
* [[Sheikh Russel|Russel]]
}}
| mother              = [[Sayera Khatun|Sheikh Sayera Khatun]]
| father              = [[Sheikh Lutfar Rahman]]
| relatives           = [[Tungipara Sheikh family]]
| alma_mater          = {{Plainlist|
* [[Maulana Azad College|Islamia College, Calcutta]] ([[Bachelor of Arts|BA]])
* [[University of Dhaka]]{{efn|In 1949 while a second-year student studying law, Bangabandhu was expelled from the University of Dhaka by the Executive Council on the grounds of "instigating" a movement among the employees of the University to secure better pay and allowances. The expulsion was symbolically rescinded 61 years later in 2010 by the Executive Council.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Asif Shawon |first=Ali |date=14 August 2021 |title=Bangabandhu's grand return to DU was ruined by assassination |url=https://archive.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/2021/08/13/bangabandhu-s-grand-return-to-du-was-ruined-by-assassination |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220727235245/https://archive.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/2021/08/13/bangabandhu-s-grand-return-to-du-was-ruined-by-assassination |archive-date=27 July 2022 |access-date=28 July 2022 |work=[[Dhaka Tribune]]}}</ref>}}
}}
| resting_place       = [[Mausoleum of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman]]
| nickname            = Khoka
| awards              = [[World Peace Council prizes|Joliot-Curie Medal of Peace]]<br />[[File:Independence Award Ribbon.svg|30px]] [[Independence Award]] <br />[[Gandhi Peace Prize]]<br />[[SAARC Literary Award]]
| module              = {{Infobox writer
|embed =yes
|name = Sheikh Mujibur Rahman
| genres                = {{Flatlist|
* [[Memoir]]
* [[Travel literature|travelogue]]
}}
| years_active     = 1967–1968
|notableworks = ''[[The Unfinished Memoirs]]''<br />''[[The Prison Diaries]]''<br />''New China 1952''
| signature           = Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Sign.svg
| signature_alt       = Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Sign.svg
}}
}}

{{Independence of Bangladesh}}
'''Sheikh Mujibur Rahman'''{{efn|{{langx|bn|শেখ মুজিবুর রহমান|Śēkh Mujibur Rôhômān}} {{IPA|bn|ˈʃeːkʰ mudʒɪbur ˈɾɔɦoman|}}<br />{{langx|ur|شیخ مجیب الرحمن|Śēkh Mujīb ur-Rahman}} {{IPA|ur|ˈʃeːkʰ mʊd͡ʒiːbʊɾ ɾəɦmɑːn|}}}} (17 March 1920 – 15 August 1975), also known by the honorific '''Bangabandhu''',{{efn|{{langx|bn|বঙ্গবন্ধু|Bôṅgôbôndhu}} {{langx|ur|بنگ بندھو|Bṅgbndhu}} {{IPA|bn|ˈbɔŋgobondʱu|}} ({{lit|Friend of [[Bengal]]}})}} was a Bangladeshi politician, [[revolutionary]], statesman, activist and diarist who was the founding president of [[Bangladesh]].{{efn|Citations:<ref>{{Cite news |title =Cabinet Pays Homage to Bangladesh's Founding President Sheikh Mujibur Rahman |url=https://newagebd.net/146076/cabinet-pays-homage-to-bangladeshs-founding-president-sheikh-mujibur-rahman/|newspaper=[[New Age (Bangladesh)|New Age]]|date=10 August 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151222121518/https://newagebd.net/146076/cabinet-pays-homage-to-bangladeshs-founding-president-sheikh-mujibur-rahman/ |archive-date=22 December 2015 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.tbsnews.net/bangladesh/politics/all-presidents-bangladesh-975256|title=All the presidents of Bangladesh|date=24 October 2024|work=[[The Business Standard]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=AL observes mourning day today |url=https://www.newagebd.net/post/politics/242605/al-observes-mourning-day-today |work=[[New Age (Bangladesh)|New Age]] |date=15 August 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240815161124/https://www.newagebd.net/post/politics/242605/al-observes-mourning-day-today |archive-date=15 August 2024 }}</ref>}}<!-- Please do not add "Father of the Nation" or "founding father" in reference to Sheikh Mujibur Rahman due to controversies. --> As the leader of Bangladesh, he led the country as its [[President of Bangladesh|president]] and [[Prime Minister of Bangladesh|prime minister]] from 1972 until his [[Assassination of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman|assassination]] in a [[15 August 1975 Bangladesh coup d'état|''coup d'état'']] in 1975.{{efn|Multiple references:<ref>{{Cite news |date=15 August 1975 |title=Mu jib Reported Overthrown and Killed in a Coup by the Bangladesh Military |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1975/08/15/archives/mujib-reported-overthrown-and-killed-in-a-coup-by-the-bangladesh.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240627112526/https://www.nytimes.com/1975/08/15/archives/mujib-reported-overthrown-and-killed-in-a-coup-by-the-bangladesh.html |archive-date=27 June 2024 |work=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref><ref name="autogenerated21">{{Cite encyclopedia |title=Mujibur Rahman |encyclopedia=[[Encyclopædia Britannica|Britannica]] |url=https://www.britannica.com/biography/Mujibur-Rahman |access-date=13 November 2022 |date=11 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190416203911/https://www.britannica.com/biography/Mujibur-Rahman |archive-date=16 April 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="auto2">{{Cite news |date=17 March 2020 |title=Who is Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, whose birth centenary Bangladesh is observing today |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-who-is-sheikh-mujibur-rahman-whose-birth-centenary-bangladesh-is-observing-6317512/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240527114210/https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-who-is-sheikh-mujibur-rahman-whose-birth-centenary-bangladesh-is-observing-6317512/ |archive-date=27 May 2024 |access-date=28 May 2020 |work=[[The Indian Express]] |language=en |ref=17 March is the birth anniversary of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman (1920–1975), the founding leader of Bangladesh and the country's first Prime Minister. He is referred to as Sheikh Mujib or simply Mujib, the title 'Bangabandhu' meaning 'friend of Bengal'.}}</ref>}} His nationalist ideology, socio-political theories, and political doctrines are collectively known as [[Mujibism]].

Born in an aristocratic [[Bengali Muslim]] family in [[Tungipara]], Mujib emerged as a student activist in the [[Bengal Presidency|province of Bengal]] during the final years of the [[British Raj]]. He was a member of the [[All India Muslim League|All-India Muslim League]], supported [[Muslim nationalism in South Asia|Muslim nationalism]], and advocated for the [[Pakistan Movement|establishment]] of [[Pakistan]] in his early political career. In 1949, he became part of a liberal, secular and left-wing faction which later became the [[All-Pakistan Awami League|Awami League]]. In the 1950s, he was elected to Pakistan's parliament where he defended the rights of [[East Bengal]]. Mujib served 13 years in prison during the British Raj and Pakistani rule. By the 1960s, Mujib adopted [[Bengali nationalism]] and soon became the undisputed leader of [[East Pakistan]]. He became popular for opposing [[West Pakistan|West Pakistan's]] political, ethnic and institutional discrimination against the Bengalis of East Pakistan; leading the [[Six point movement|six-point autonomy movement]], he challenged the regime of Pakistan's President [[Ayub Khan]]. In 1970, he led the Awami League to win Pakistan's first [[1970 Pakistani general election|general election]]. When the Pakistani military junta refused to transfer power, he gave the [[7 March Speech of Bangabandhu|7 March speech]] in 1971 where he vaguely called out for the independence movement. In the late hours of 25 March 1971, the Pakistan Army arrested Sheikh Mujib on charges of treason and carried out [[Operation Searchlight|a genocide]] against the Bengali civilians of East Pakistan. In the early hours of the next day (26 March 1971), he issued the [[Proclamation of Bangladeshi Independence]], which was later broadcast by Bengali army officer Major (later [[Lieutenant general (Bangladesh)|Lieutenant General]]) [[Ziaur Rahman]] on behalf of Sheikh Mujib, which ultimately marked the outbreak of the [[Bangladesh Liberation War]]. Bengali nationalists declared him the head of the [[Provisional Government of Bangladesh]], while he was confined in a jail in [[West Pakistan]].

After the independence of Bangladesh, Mujib returned to Bangladesh in January 1972 as the leader of a war-devastated country. In the following years, he played an important role in rebuilding Bangladesh, constructing a secular [[Constitution of Bangladesh|constitution]] for the country, transforming Pakistani era state apparatus, bureaucracy, armed forces, and judiciary into an independent state, initiating the [[1973 Bangladeshi general election|first general election]] and normalizing diplomatic ties with most of the world. His foreign policy during the time was dominated by the principle "friendship to all and malice to none". He remained a close ally to [[Indira Gandhi|Gandhi]]'s India and [[Leonid Brezhnev|Brezhnev]]'s [[Soviet Union]], while balancing ties with the United States. He gave the [[Sheikh Mujibur Rahman's 1974 speech at the United Nations|first Bengali speech]] to the [[UN General Assembly]] in 1974. 

[[Premiership of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman|Mujib's government]] proved largely unsuccessful in curbing political and economic anarchy and corruption in post-independence Bangladesh, which ultimately gave rise to a [[1972–1975 Bangladesh insurgency|left-wing insurgency]]. To quell the insurgency, he formed [[Jatiya Rakkhi Bahini]], a special paramilitary force similar to the [[Gestapo]],<ref>{{Cite book |last=Ziring |first=Lawrence |title=Bangladesh: From Mujib to Ershad |date=1999 |publisher=[[Oxford University Press]] |isbn=9780195774207 |page=98 |quote=Opinion was strong that the paramilitary organization was no different from Hitler's Brown Shirts or the Gestapo}}</ref> which was involved in various [[human rights abuse]]s, [[massacre]]s, [[enforced disappearance]]s, [[extrajudicial killing]]s and rapes. Mujib's four-year regime was the only [[Economy of Bangladesh#Socialist era (1972–1975)|socialist period]] in Bangladesh's history,<ref>{{Cite news |date=30 January 1975 |title=One Man's Basket Case |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1975/01/30/archives/one-mans-basket-case.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220509221720/https://www.nytimes.com/1975/01/30/archives/one-mans-basket-case.html |archive-date=9 May 2022 |access-date=30 August 2024 |work=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref> which was marked with huge economic mismanagement and failure, leading to the high mortality rate in the [[Bangladesh famine of 1974|deadly famine of 1974]]. In 1975, he launched the [[Second Revolution (Bangladesh)|Second Revolution]], under which he installed a [[one-party state|one party regime]] and abolished all kinds of [[civil liberties]] and democratic institutions, by which he "institutionalized [[autocracy]]" and made himself the "unimpeachable" President of Bangladesh, effectively [[President-for-life|for life]], which lasted for seven months.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Dixit |first=J.N. |url=http://www.uplbooks.com/book/liberation-and-beyond-indo-bangladesh-relations |title=Liberation and Beyond: Indo-Bangladesh relations |date=1999 |publisher=[[University Press Limited]] |isbn=9788122005455 |page=198}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=26 January 1975 |title=Sheik Mujib Gets Total Authority Over Bangladesh |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1975/01/26/archives/sheik-mujib-gets-total-authority-over-bangladesh-a-strong.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230926133238/https://www.nytimes.com/1975/01/26/archives/sheik-mujib-gets-total-authority-over-bangladesh-a-strong.html |archive-date=26 September 2023 |access-date=30 August 2024 |work=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref> On 15 August 1975, he was [[Assassination of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman|assassinated]] along with most of his family members in his [[Dhanmondi 32]] residence in a coup d'état.

Sheikh Mujib's post-independence legacy remains divisive among Bangladeshis due to his economic mismanagement, the famine of 1974, human rights violations, and [[authoritarianism]]. Nevertheless, most Bangladeshis credit him for leading the country to independence in 1971 and restoring the Bengali sovereignty after over two centuries following the [[Battle of Plassey]] in 1757, for which he is honoured as ''Bangabandhu'' ({{lit|Friend of Bengal}}).<ref name="auto2"/><ref>{{Cite news |last=Krebs |first=Albin |date=16 August 1975 |title=Mujib Led Long Fight to Free Bengalis |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1975/08/16/archives/mujib-led-long-fight-to-free-bengalis.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240918003721/https://www.nytimes.com/1975/08/16/archives/mujib-led-long-fight-to-free-bengalis.html |archive-date=18 September 2024 |access-date=2 August 2024 |work=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref> He was voted the ''[[Greatest Bengali of All Time]]'' in a 2004 [[BBC Bangla|BBC]] opinion poll.<ref name="SMR1">{{Cite news |date=14 April 2004 |title=Listeners name 'greatest Bengali' |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/3623345.stm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240526223911/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/3623345.stm |archive-date=26 May 2024 |access-date=16 April 2018 |url-status=live |publisher=[[BBC News]]}}<br />{{Cite news |last=Habib |first=Haroon |date=17 April 2004 |title=International : Mujib, Tagore, Bose among 'greatest Bengalis of all time' |url=https://www.thehindu.com/2004/04/17/stories/2004041703001700.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181225011708/https://www.thehindu.com/2004/04/17/stories/2004041703001700.htm |archive-date=25 December 2018 |work=[[The Hindu]]}}<br />{{Cite news |date=16 April 2004 |title=Bangabandhu judged greatest Bangali of all time |url=https://archive.thedailystar.net/2004/04/16/d4041601066.htm |access-date=9 November 2018 |work=[[The Daily Star (Bangladesh)|The Daily Star]]}}</ref> His 7 March speech in 1971 is recognized by [[UNESCO]] for its historic value, and was listed in the [[Memory of the World Register – Asia and the Pacific|Memory of the World Register]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=31 October 2017 |title=Unesco recognises Bangabandhu's 7th March speech |url=https://www.thedailystar.net/politics/unesco-recognises-bangabandhu-sheikh-mujibur-rahman-7th-march-speech-memory-of-the-world-1484356 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171031122936/http://www.thedailystar.net/politics/unesco-recognises-bangabandhu-sheikh-mujibur-rahman-7th-march-speech-memory-of-the-world-1484356 |archive-date=31 October 2017 |access-date=15 December 2022 |work=[[The Daily Star (Bangladesh)]]|language=en}}</ref> Many of his diaries and travelogues were published many years after his death and have been translated into several languages.<ref>{{Cite news |date=28 February 2024 |title='Amar Dekha Noya Chin': Bangabandhu's formative journey in a travelogue-style graphic novel |url=https://en.prothomalo.com/bangladesh/merby646ni |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240301073202/https://en.prothomalo.com/bangladesh/merby646ni |archive-date=1 March 2024 |work=[[Prothom Alo]] |language=en}}</ref>

==Early life and background==
=== Family and parents ===
{{Main|Tungipara Sheikh family}}

{{See also|Birthday of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman}}
[[File:Residence of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman front view.jpg|thumb|left|Mujib's birthplace in Tungipara village, [[Gopalganj District, Bangladesh|Gopalganj]]|199x199px]]
[[File:Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in Dhaka Wanderers jersey in 1940.jpg|left|thumb|Mujib with a [[trophy]] after winning a football tournament captaining [[Dhaka Wanderers Club|Dhaka Wanderers]] in 1940|281x281px]]

Mujib was born on 17 March 1920 into the [[Bengali Muslims|Bengali Muslim]] aristocratic [[Sheikhs of Bengal|Sheikh family]] of the village of [[Tungipara Upazila|Tungipara]] in [[Gopalganj District, Bangladesh|Gopalganj sub-division]] of [[Faridpur district]] in the [[Bengal Presidency|province of Bengal]] in [[British Raj|British India]].<ref name="REF">{{Cite Banglapedia|article=Rahman, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=Oshomapto Atmojiboni by Sheikh Mujibur Rahman |url=https://www.daily-sun.com/post/541917/Oshomapto-Atmojiboni-by-Sheikh-Mujibur-Rahman |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230504045635/https://www.daily-sun.com/post/541917/Oshomapto-Atmojiboni-by-Sheikh-Mujibur-Rahman |archive-date=4 May 2023 |access-date=4 May 2023 |work=[[Daily Sun (Bangladesh)]] |language=en}}</ref> His father [[Sheikh Lutfur Rahman]] was a ''[[sheristadar]]'' (law clerk) in the courthouse of Gopalganj; Mujib's mother [[Sayera Khatun|Sheikh Sayera Khatun]] was a housewife. Mujib's father [[Sheikh Lutfar Rahman|Sheikh Lutfur Rahman]] was a ''[[Taluqdar]]'' in [[Tungipara Upazila|Tungipara]], owning landed property, around 100 ''[[Bigha]]s'' of cultivable land.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Hasina |first=Sheikh |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=LmjIDwAAQBAJ&q=secret+documents+of+intelligence+branch+on+father+of+the+nation+landed+property+taluqdar&pg=PA169 |title=Secret Documents of Intelligence Branch on Father of The Nation, Bangladesh: Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman: Volume I (1948–1950) |date=2020 |publisher=Routledge |isbn=978-1-000-03311-3 |language=en |access-date=16 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241010064712/https://books.google.com/books?id=LmjIDwAAQBAJ&pg=PA169&dq=%22secret+documents+of+intelligence+branch+on+father+of+the+nation+landed+property+taluqdar%22&q=secret+documents+of+intelligence+branch+on+father+of+the+nation+landed+property+taluqdar#v=snippet&q=secret%20documents%20of%20intelligence%20branch%20on%20father%20of%20the%20nation%20landed%20property%20taluqdar&f=false |archive-date=10 October 2024 |url-status=live}}</ref> His clan's ancestors were [[Zamindars of Bengal|''Zamindars'']] of [[Faridpur District|Faridpur Mahakumar]], however due to successive turns in the family fortune over generations had turned them middle class.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Barrister Sheikh Fazle Noor Taposh |url=https://www.barristersheikhtaposh.info/fazlulmoni.php |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230504045632/https://www.barristersheikhtaposh.info/fazlulmoni.php |archive-date=4 May 2023 |access-date=4 May 2023 |website=}}</ref>{{sfn|Mujibur Rahman|2012|p=}} The [[Sheikh–Wazed family|Sheikh clan of Tungipara]] are descended from the Sufi ''[[Dervish]]'', Sheikh Abdul Awal Dervish, who had come to preach [[Islam]] who had come with a group of Muslim missionaries likely from [[Eastern Iran]], Mujib was an eighth generation descendant of him.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Kalam |first=Abul |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=BvCaEAAAQBAJ&dq=%22sheikh+mujib+family+iraqi+descent%22&pg=PA84 |title=Diplomacy and The Independence of Bangladesh: Portrayal of Mujib's Statesmanship |date=2022 |publisher=World Scientific |isbn=978-981-12-5554-0 |language=en |access-date=16 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241010064712/https://books.google.com/books?id=BvCaEAAAQBAJ&pg=PA84&dq=%22sheikh+mujib+family+iraqi+descent%22#v=onepage&q=%22sheikh%20mujib%20family%20iraqi%20descent%22&f=false |archive-date=10 October 2024 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Barrister Sheikh Fazle Noor Taposh |url=https://www.barristersheikhtaposh.info/familytree.php |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230504011350/https://barristersheikhtaposh.info/familytree.php |archive-date=4 May 2023 |access-date=4 May 2023 |website=}}</ref> Mujib was the eldest son and third child in the family of four daughters (Fatima, Achia, Helen, Laili) and two sons (Mujib, [[Sheikh Abu Naser|Naser]]).<ref name="REF" /> His parents nicknamed him "Khoka".<ref>{{Cite web |title=Mujib Timeline |url=https://mujib100.gov.bd/pages/mujib/timeline.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201114105858/https://mujib100.gov.bd/pages/mujib/timeline.html |archive-date=14 November 2020 |access-date=18 December 2020}}</ref>

=== Childhood ===
As a child, Mujib was described as "compassionate and very energetic", either playing or roaming around, feeding birds, monkeys and dogs.<ref name="childhood" /> In his autobiography, Mujib mentions, "I used to play [[association football|football]], volleyball and [[field hockey]]... I was not a very good player but still had a good position in the school team... I was not interested in politics."<ref name="childhood" /> Once the farmers in his village lost their crops and faced a near-famine situation, which had a great impact on Mujib. During those days, he would distribute rice among the poor farmers and students.<ref name="childhood">{{Cite news |date=17 March 2020 |script-title=bn:বঙ্গবন্ধুর ছেলেবেলা |url=https://www.bhorerkagoj.com/2020/03/17/%E0%A6%AC%E0%A6%99%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%97%E0%A6%AC%E0%A6%A8%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%A7%E0%A7%81%E0%A6%B0-%E0%A6%9B%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%B2%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%AC%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%B2%E0%A6%BE/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210112060818/https://www.bhorerkagoj.com/2020/03/17/%E0%A6%AC%E0%A6%99%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%97%E0%A6%AC%E0%A6%A8%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%A7%E0%A7%81%E0%A6%B0-%E0%A6%9B%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%B2%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%AC%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%B2%E0%A6%BE/ |archive-date=12 January 2021 |access-date=19 September 2020 |work=Bhorer Kagoj}}</ref>

=== 1927–1942 ===
Mujib was enrolled in Gimadanga Primary School in 1927.{{sfn|Mujibur Rahman|2012|p=xv}} In 1929, he entered the third grade of Gopalganj Public School. His parents transferred him to Madaripur Islamia High School after two years.{{sfn|Kādira|2004|p=440}} Mujib withdrew from school in 1934 to undergo eye surgery. He returned to formal education after four years owing to the severity of the surgery and slow recovery.{{sfn|Mujibur Rahman|2012|p=9}} Mujib was 18 years old when he was married to eight years old [[Sheikh Fazilatunnesa Mujib|Fazilatunnesa]], widely known in Bangladesh as ''Bangamata'' ({{lit.|Mother of Bengal}}) or Begum Mujib, in an [[arranged marriage]], according to the custom of the region at that time. They were second cousins.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Fazlur Rahman (F. R.) Khan |url=http://www.londoni.co/index.php/who-s-who?id=68 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180803104448/http://www.londoni.co/index.php/who-s-who?id=68 |archive-date=3 August 2018 |access-date=24 January 2017 |website=londoni.co}}</ref>{{sfn|Mujibur Rahman|2012|p=7}}<ref>{{Cite news |date=8 August 2022 |title=Begum Fazilatunnessa Mujib . . . woman of moral power |url=https://www.tbsnews.net/thoughts/begum-fazilatunnessa-mujib-woman-moral-power-473730 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230816213629/https://www.tbsnews.net/thoughts/begum-fazilatunnessa-mujib-woman-moral-power-473730 |archive-date=16 August 2023 |access-date=16 August 2023 |work=The Business Standard}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=9 August 2023 |title=BUP observes birth anniv of Begum Mujib |url=https://www.newagebd.net/article/208935/bup-observes-birth-anniv-of-begum-mujib |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230816213622/https://www.newagebd.net/article/208935/bup-observes-birth-anniv-of-begum-mujib |archive-date=16 August 2023 |access-date=16 August 2023 |work=New Age}}</ref>

Mujib began showing signs of political leadership around this time. At the Gopalganj Missionary School, Mujib's political passion was noticed by [[Huseyn Shaheed Suhrawardy]], who was visiting the area along with [[A. K. Fazlul Huq]]. Mujib passed out from the Gopalganj Missionary School in 1942.<ref name="autogenerated21" />

==United Bengal politics (1943–1947)==
Mujib moved to [[Kolkata|Calcutta]] for higher education. At the time, Calcutta was the capital of British Bengal and the largest city in undivided India. He studied [[liberal arts]], including [[political science]],<ref name="autogenerated21" /> at the [[Maulana Azad College|Islamia College]] of Calcutta and lived in [[Baker Hostel]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=26 March 2021 |title=Baker Hostel, Room No 24: Sheikh Mujibur Rahman's days in Calcutta |url=https://indianexpress.com/photos/india-news/sheikh-mujibur-rehman-baker-hostel-room-7244807/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220928071823/https://indianexpress.com/photos/india-news/sheikh-mujibur-rehman-baker-hostel-room-7244807/ |archive-date=28 September 2022 |access-date=4 November 2022 |work=The Indian Express}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=28 January 1999 |title=Hasina visits Baker Hostel |url=https://www.thedailystar.net/news/hasina-visits-baker-hostel |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230115011427/https://www.thedailystar.net/news/hasina-visits-baker-hostel |archive-date=15 January 2023 |access-date=4 November 2022 |work=The Daily Star}}</ref> Islamia College was one of the leading educational institutions for the Muslims of Bengal. He obtained his [[bachelor's degree]] in 1947.<ref name="REF" />

===Muslim League activism===
{{See also|Partition of India}}
[[File:Sheikh Mujibur Rahman1949.jpg|thumb|241x241px|Mujib in the late 1940s]]
[[File:Gandhi Suhrawardy and Mujib.jpg|thumb|left|Mujib (standing right) with [[Mahatma Gandhi]] (seated center) and [[H. S. Suhrawardy]] (seated left) in [[Noakhali]], 1946|261x261px]]

During his time in Calcutta, Sheikh Mujib became involved in the politics of the [[Bengal Provincial Muslim League]], the [[All India Muslim Students Federation]], the [[Indian independence movement]] and the [[Pakistan movement]]. In 1943, he was elected as a councillor of the Muslim League. In 1944, he was elected as secretary of the Faridpur District Association, a Calcutta-based association of residents from Faridpur. In 1946, at the height of the Pakistan movement, Mujib was elected as General Secretary of the Islamia College Students Union in Calcutta.{{sfn|Mujibur Rahman|2012|p=xvi}} His political mentor Suhrawardy led the center-left faction of the Muslim League. Suhrawardy was responsible for creating 36 trade unions in Bengal, including unions for sailors, railway workers, jute and cotton mills workers, rickshaw pullers, cart drivers and other working class groups.<ref name="en.banglapedia.org">{{Cite web |title=Suhrawardy, Huseyn Shaheed |url=https://en.banglapedia.org/index.php?title=Suhrawardy,_Huseyn_Shaheed |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230406200806/https://en.banglapedia.org/index.php?title=Suhrawardy,_Huseyn_Shaheed |archive-date=6 April 2023 |access-date=4 November 2022 |website=[[Banglapedia]]}}</ref> Mujib assisted Suhrawardy in these efforts and also worked to ensure protection for Muslim families during the violent days in the run up to [[Partition of India|partition]].{{citation needed|date=November 2024}}

===United Bengal Movement===
{{See also|United Bengal|Partition of Bengal (1947)}}
In 1947, Sheikh Mujib also joined the "United Bengal Movement" which was organized under the leadership of Suhrawardy, [[Abul Hashim]], [[Sarat Chandra Bose]] and others to form an undivided independent Bengal outside the jurisdiction of India and Pakistan.<ref name="মুনতাসীর">{{Cite book |last=মামুন |first=মুনতাসীর |date=February 2013 |publisher=মাওলা ব্রাদার্স |script-title=bn:বঙ্গবন্ধু কীভাবে আমাদের স্বাধীনতা এনেছিলেন}}</ref> Later, when the creation of the states of India and Pakistan was confirmed, a referendum was held to decide the fate of the Bengali Muslim-dominated [[Sylhet Division|Sylhet District]] of [[Assam Province]]. Sheikh Mujib worked as an organizer and campaigner for inclusion in Pakistan in the Sylhet referendum. He went to [[Sylhet]] from Calcutta with about 500 workers. In his autobiography, he expressed his displeasure about the non-adherence of [[Barak Valley|Karimganj]] to Pakistan despite winning the referendum and the various geographical inadequacies of [[East Pakistan]] during the demarcation of the partition.<ref>{{Cite news |date=17 August 2020 |script-title=bn:সাতচল্লিশে সিলেট কীভাবে পাকিস্তানের অংশ হল? |url=https://www.bbc.com/bengali/news-40963034.amp |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210112073108/https://www.bbc.com/bengali/news-40963034.amp |archive-date=12 January 2021 |access-date=22 September 2020 |publisher=[[BBC Bangla]]}}</ref>

=== Student of law ===
After the [[partition of India]], Mujib was admitted into the Law Department of the [[University of Dhaka]]. The university was created in 1921 as a residential university modelled on Oxford and Cambridge where students would be affiliated with colleges; but its residential character was dramatically changed after partition and students became affiliated with departments.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Hashmi |first=Taj |date=28 December 2014 |title=Was Dhaka University ever the 'Oxford of the East'? |url=https://www.thedailystar.net/was-dhaka-university-ever-the-oxford-of-the-east-57343 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220929125941/https://www.thedailystar.net/was-dhaka-university-ever-the-oxford-of-the-east-57343 |archive-date=29 September 2022 |access-date=4 November 2022 |work=The Daily Star}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title='Oxford of the East' or the 'Mecca University'? |url=https://www.newagebd.net/article/156210/oxford-of-the-east-or-the-mecca-university |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220929125943/https://www.newagebd.net/article/156210/oxford-of-the-east-or-the-mecca-university |archive-date=29 September 2022 |access-date=4 November 2022 |work=New Age}}</ref> Mujib suffered repeated bouts of police detention due to his ability to instigate opposition protests against the Pakistani government. His political activities were targeted by the government and police. In 1949, Mujib was expelled from Dhaka University on charges of inciting employees against the university. After 61 years, in 2010, the university withdrew its famously politically motivated expulsion order.<ref name="REF" /><ref>{{Cite news |last=Ahammed |first=Rakib |title=DU rights historic wrong |url=http://www.thedailystar.net/news-detail-150811 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171230230040/http://www.thedailystar.net/news-detail-150811 |archive-date=30 December 2017 |access-date=30 December 2017 |work=The Daily Star}}</ref><ref name="BD">{{Cite news |title=Mujib's DU expulsion order withdrawn |url=https://m.bdnews24.com/en/detail/bangladesh/248617 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171230172107/https://m.bdnews24.com/en/detail/bangladesh/248617 |archive-date=30 December 2017 |access-date=30 December 2017 |work=bdnews24.com}}</ref>

== Struggle for Bengali rights (1948–1971) ==
{{See also|Bengali nationalism}}
Mujib emerged as a major opposition figure in Pakistani politics between 1948 and 1971.<ref name="4682 days" /> He represented the Bengali grassroots. He had an uncanny ability to remember people by their first name regardless of whether they were political leaders, workers, or ordinary citizens.{{Citation needed|date=December 2025}} Mujib founded the [[East Pakistan Muslim Students' League|Muslim Students League]] on 4 January 1948 as the student wing of the [[Muslim League (1947–1958)|Muslim League]] in [[East Bengal]]. This organisation later transformed into the [[Bangladesh Chhatra League]]. During the visit of Governor General [[Muhammad Ali Jinnah]] to [[Dhaka]], it was declared that [[Urdu]] will be the sole national language of Pakistan. This sparked the [[Bengali language movement]]. Mujib became embroiled in the language movement, as well as left-wing trade unionism among Bengali factions of the Muslim League. Bengali factions eventually split away and formed the [[Bangladesh Awami League|Awami Muslim League]] in 1949.{{citation needed|date=November 2024}}

Mujib was arrested many times. His movements were tracked by spies of the Pakistani government. He was accused of being a secessionist and an agent of India. East Pakistan's [[Intelligence Bureau (Pakistan)|Intelligence Branch]] compiled many secret reports on his movements and political activities. The secret documents have been declassified by the Bangladeshi government. The formerly classified reports have also been published.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Secret Documents of Intelligence Branch on Father of The Nation, Bangladesh: Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman: Volume IV (1954–1957) |url=https://www.routledge.com/Secret-Documents-of-Intelligence-Branch-on-Father-of-The-Nation-Bangladesh/Hasina/p/book/9780367467937 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221104195038/https://www.routledge.com/Secret-Documents-of-Intelligence-Branch-on-Father-of-The-Nation-Bangladesh/Hasina/p/book/9780367467937 |archive-date=4 November 2022 |access-date=4 November 2022 |website=Routledge & CRC Press}}</ref>

===Founding of the Awami League===
[[File:Front View of Rose Garden Place.jpg|thumb|upright|left|The Awami League was founded in this building at Rose Garden in Old Dhaka in 1949.]]
The [[Awami League|All Pakistan Awami Muslim League]] was founded on 23 June 1949 at the [[Rose Garden Palace|Rose Garden]] mansion on K. M. Das Lane in [[Old Dhaka]], which was organized by [[Yar Mohammad Khan]] and [[Abdul Hamid Khan Bhashani]].<ref name="autogenerated6">{{Cite web |title=Bangladesh Awami League |url=https://en.banglapedia.org/index.php/Bangladesh_Awami_League |website=Banglapedia}}</ref> Sheikh Mujib was elected as one of its joint secretaries.<ref name="autogenerated6" /> Seeking to represent and secure votes from both Muslims and religious minorities, including [[Bengali Hindus]] and [[Pakistani Christians]], "Muslim" was eventually removed from the League's name. Suhrawardy joined the party within a few years and became its main leader. He relied on Sheikh Mujib to organise his political activities in East Bengal. Mujib became Suhrawardy's political protégé. Prior to partition, Suhrawardy mooted the idea of an independent [[United Bengal]]. But in Pakistan, Suhrawardy reportedly preferred to preserve the unity of Pakistan in a federal framework, while Mujib supported autonomy and was open to the idea of East Bengali independence. Mujib reportedly remarked that "[t]he Bengalis had initially failed to appreciate a leader of Mr. Suhrawardy's stature. By the time they learned to value him, they had run out of time".<ref>{{Cite news |date=6 December 2019 |title=An unlikely partnership: Bangabandhu and Suhrawardy |url=https://archive.dhakatribune.com/opinion/op-ed/2019/12/06/an-unlikely-partnership-bangabandhu-and-suhrawardy |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221104235111/https://archive.dhakatribune.com/opinion/op-ed/2019/12/06/an-unlikely-partnership-bangabandhu-and-suhrawardy |archive-date=4 November 2022 |access-date=4 November 2022 |work=Dhaka Tribune}}</ref> At the federal level, the Awami League was led by Suhrawardy. At the provincial level, the League was led by Sheikh Mujib who was given a free rein over the party's activities by Suhrawardy. Mujib consolidated his control of the party. The Awami League veered away from the left-wing extremism of its founding president [[Maulana Bhashani]]. Under Suhrawardy and Mujib, the Awami League emerged as a centre-left party.

===Language Movement===
{{Main|Bengali language movement}}

[[File:Rally on 21Feb1954 Abdul Hamid and Bangabandhu.jpg|thumb|[[Abdul Hamid Khan Bhashani|Maulana Bhasani]] and Sheikh Mujib marching barefoot to pay tribute at [[Shaheed Minar, Dhaka|Shaheed Minar]] on 21 February 1954]]

The Awami League strongly backed the Bengali Language Movement. Bengalis argued that the [[Bengali language]] deserved to be a federal language on par with Urdu because Bengalis formed the largest ethnic group in Pakistan. The movement appealed to the [[Constituent Assembly of Pakistan]] to declare both Urdu and Bengali as national languages, in addition to English. During a conference in [[Fazlul Huq Muslim Hall]], Sheikh Mujib was instrumental in establishing the All-Party State Language Action Committee.{{sfn|Mujibur Rahman|2012|p=xvii }} He was repeatedly arrested during the movement. When he was released from jail in 1948, he was greeted by a rally of the [[Rastrabhasa Sangram Parishad|State Language Struggle Committee]].<ref name="JSToldenburg">{{Cite journal |last=Oldenburg |first=Philip |date=August 1985 |title='A Place Insufficiently Imagined': Language, Belief, and the Pakistan Crisis of 1971 |journal=The Journal of Asian Studies |publisher=Association for Asian Studies |volume=44 |issue=4 |pages=711–733 |doi=10.2307/2056443 |issn=0021-9118 |jstor=2056443 |s2cid=145152852 |doi-access=free}}</ref> Mujib announced a nationwide student strike on 17 March 1948.<ref name="Banglapedia">{{Cite book |last=Al Helal |first=Bashir |title=Banglapedia: National Encyclopedia of Bangladesh |publisher=Asiatic Society of Bangladesh |year=2012 |editor-last=Sirajul Islam |editor-link=Sirajul Islam |edition=Second |chapter=Language Movement |access-date=6 February 2018 |editor-last2=Jamal |editor-first2=Ahmed A. |chapter-url=http://en.banglapedia.org/index.php?title=Language_Movement |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181225042957/http://en.banglapedia.org/index.php?title=Language_Movement |archive-date=25 December 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="TDS">{{Cite news |last=Hossain |first=Zahid |date=21 February 2007 |title=Bangabandhu and Language Movement |url=https://archive.thedailystar.net/suppliments/2007/21stfeb/bangabandhu.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180211235104/http://archive.thedailystar.net/suppliments/2007/21stfeb/bangabandhu.htm |archive-date=11 February 2018 |access-date=6 February 2018 |work=The Daily Star}}</ref>

In early January 1950, the Awami League held an anti-famine rally in Dhaka during the visit of Prime Minister [[Liaquat Ali Khan]]. Mujib was arrested for instigating the protests. On 26 January 1952, Pakistan's then Prime Minister, Bengali [[Khawaja Nazimuddin]], reiterated that Urdu will be the only state language. Despite his imprisonment, Mujib played a key role in organising protests by issuing instructions from jail to students and protestors. He played a key role in declaring [[Language Movement Day|21 February 1952]] as a strike day. Mujib went on [[hunger strike]] from 14 February 1952 in the prelude to the strike day. His own hunger strike lasted 13 days. On 26 February, he was released from jail amid the public outrage over police killings of protestors on 21 February, including [[Abdus Salam (language martyr)|Salam]], [[Rafiq Uddin Ahmed|Rafiq]], [[Abul Barkat|Barkat]], and [[Abdul Jabbar (activist)|Jabbar]].<ref name="Banglapedia" /><ref>{{Cite news |date=22 February 1952 |title=Dhaka Medical College Hostel Prangone Chatro Shomabesher Upor Policer Guliborshon. Bishwabidyalayer Tinjon Chatroshoho Char Bekti Nihoto O Shotero Bekti Ahoto |work=The Azad |language=bn}}</ref><ref name="REF" /><ref>{{Cite book |last=Bishwas |first=Sukumar |url={{GBurl|id=U-1tAAAAMAAJ}} |title=Bangladesh Liberation War, Mujibnagar Government Documents, 1971 |date=2005 |publisher=Mawla Brothers |isbn=978-9844104341 |location=Dhaka |page=167}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Dr. Atiur Rahman |date=21 February 2016 |title=The lighthouse of Bengali mentality |url=http://dailyasianage.com/news/11509 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170803010321/http://dailyasianage.com/news/11509 |archive-date=3 August 2017 |access-date=3 August 2017 |work=The Asian Age}}</ref><ref name="BAL">{{Cite web |title=Political Profile of Bongobondhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman |url=http://www.albd.org/bangabandhu/bangabandhu.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060426174108/http://www.albd.org/bangabandhu/bangabandhu.htm |archive-date=26 April 2006 |access-date=6 July 2006 |website=Bangladesh Awami League}}</ref>

===United Front===
{{Main|United Front (East Pakistan)}}

[[File:Mujib taking oath.jpg|thumb|Mujib being sworn in as a minister by East Bengali chief minister [[A. K. Fazlul Huq]] in 1954]]
[[File:Sheikh Mujib in China.jpg|thumb|Mujib (center) in a [[bow tie]] in [[Peking]], 1956]]
[[File:Mujib in Harvard.jpg|thumb|Mujib (left) in [[Harvard]] with [[Munier Chowdhury]] (middle) and Md. Matiul Islam (right)]]

The League teamed up with other parties like the [[Krishak Praja Party]] of [[A. K. Fazlul Huq]] to form the [[United Front (East Pakistan)|United Front]] coalition. During the [[East Bengali legislative election, 1954]], Mujib was elected to public office for the first time. He became a member of the [[East Bengal Legislative Assembly]]. This was the first election in East Bengal since the partition of India in 1947. The Awami League-led United Front secured a landslide victory of 223 seats in the 237 seats of the provincial assembly. Mujib himself won by a margin of 13,000 votes against his Muslim League rival Wahiduzzaman in Gopalganj.{{sfn|Mujibur Rahman|2012|p=xviii }} A. K. Fazlul Huq became Chief Minister and inducted Mujib into his cabinet. Mujib's initial portfolios were agriculture and forestry.{{sfn|Mujibur Rahman|2012|p=xviii}} After taking oath on 15 May 1954, Chief Minister Huq travelled with ministers to India and [[West Pakistan]]. The coalition government was dismissed on 30 May 1954. Mujib was arrested upon his return to Dhaka from [[Karachi]]. He was released on 23 December 1954. Governor's rule was imposed in East Bengal.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Park |first1=Richard L. |last2=Wheeler |first2=Richard S. |year=1954 |title=East Bengal under Governor's Rule |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/3023816 |url-status=live |journal=Far Eastern Survey |volume=23 |issue=9 |pages=129–134 |doi=10.2307/3023816 |jstor=3023816 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221104201422/https://www.jstor.org/stable/3023816 |archive-date=4 November 2022 |access-date=4 November 2022|url-access=subscription }}</ref> The elected government was eventually restored in 1955.

On 5 June 1955, Mujib was elected to a newly reconstituted second [[Constituent Assembly of Pakistan]]. The Awami League organised a huge public meeting at [[Paltan Maidan]] in Dhaka on 17 June 1955 which outlined 21 points demanding autonomy for Pakistan's provinces. Mujib was a forceful orator at the assembly in Karachi. He opposed the government's plan to rename East Bengal as [[East Pakistan]] as part of the [[One Unit]] scheme. On 25 August 1955, he delivered the following speech.

<blockquote>Sir [President of the Constituent Assembly], you will see that they want to use the phrase 'East Pakistan' instead of 'East Bengal'. We have demanded many times that you should use Bengal instead of Pakistan. The word Bengal has a history and tradition of its own. You can change it only after the people have been consulted. If you want to change, we have to go back to Bengal and ask them whether they are ready to accept it. So far as the question of one unit is concerned it can be incorporated in the constitution. Why do you want it to be taken up right now? What about the state language, Bengali? We are prepared to consider one unit with all these things. So, I appeal to my friends on the other side to allow the people to give their verdict in any way, in the form of referendum or in the form of plebiscite.<ref>''Debates of Pakistan Constituent Assembly and National Assembly (1947–1969)''</ref></blockquote>

Mujib was often a vocal defender of human rights. Speaking on [[freedom of assembly]] and [[freedom of speech]], he told Pakistan's parliament the following on 29 November 1955:-
<blockquote>For whom are you going to frame the Constitution? Are you going to give freedom of speech, freedom of action to the people of Pakistan? When you do not have any other law under which you can arrest a person, you haul him under this so-called Public Safety Act. This is the blackest Act on the statute book of Pakistan. I do not know how long such an Act will continue. I want to warn you. Sir, that you must do justice to all people without fear or favour. If justice fails, equity fails, fair-play fails, then we will see how the matter is decided.<ref name="Bangabandhu's Voice in Parliament">{{Cite news |date=15 August 2023 |title=Bangabandhu's Voice in Parliament: Moments of Inspiration |url=https://www.thedailystar.net/supplements/national-mourning-day-2023/news/bangabandhus-voice-parliament-moments-inspiration-3394736 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230817190251/https://www.thedailystar.net/supplements/national-mourning-day-2023/news/bangabandhus-voice-parliament-moments-inspiration-3394736 |archive-date=17 August 2023 |access-date=17 August 2023 |work=The Daily Star}}</ref></blockquote>

Mujib often called for increased recruitment and [[affirmative action]] in East Pakistan. Bengalis were under-represented in the civil and military services despite making up the largest ethnic group in the federation.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Väyrynen |first=Raimo |date=20 August 1971 |title=Bangla Desh – an Outcome of Inequality and Imperialism |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/40724611 |url-status=live |journal=Instant Research on Peace and Violence |volume=1 |issue=3 |pages=100–109 |jstor=40724611 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230817190311/https://www.jstor.org/stable/40724611 |archive-date=17 August 2023 |access-date=17 August 2023}}</ref> Mujib felt that Bengalis were being relegated to provincial jobs instead of federal jobs because most Bengalis could not afford to travel outside the province in spite of holding master's degrees and bachelor's degrees. A similar situation also prevailed under British rule when Bengali degree holders were employed mostly in the Bengal Civil Service instead of the pan-Indian civil service. In parliament, Mujib spoke about parity between East and West Pakistan on 4 February 1956 and said the following.

<blockquote>It was stated that at the time of partition there was only one I.C.S. officer in East Bengal and there were no Engineers. I say that Bengal with 16 per cent literacy has only such a meagre representation in the service. Sir, this fact must be realised that it costs an individual Rs. 200 to come from East Bengal to this place. If you recruit in East Bengal and give a job you will find a large number of people from East Bengal coming forward. There are such a large number of M.As. and B. As....... (Interruptions)....... Sir, my time has been spoiled.<ref name="Bangabandhu's Voice in Parliament" /></blockquote>

Mujib later became provincial minister of commerce and industries in the cabinet of [[Ataur Rahman Khan]]. These portfolios allowed Mujib to consolidate his popularity among the working class. The Awami League's demand for Bengali as a federal language was successfully implemented in the [[Constitution of Pakistan of 1956|1956 constitution]], which declared Urdu, Bengali and English as national languages. East Bengal, however, was renamed East Pakistan. In 1957, Mujib visited the People's Republic of China. In 1958, he toured the United States as part of the [[State Department]]'s [[International Visitor Leadership Program]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=2 November 2022 |title=Fulbright providing grants to Bangladeshi scholars |url=https://www.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/2022/11/02/fulbright-providing-grants-to-bangladeshi-scholars |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221104193543/https://www.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/2022/11/02/fulbright-providing-grants-to-bangladeshi-scholars |archive-date=4 November 2022 |access-date=4 November 2022 |work=Dhaka Tribune}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=17 March 2022 |title=US: Salute to Bangabandhu's legacy |url=https://www.dhakatribune.com/foreign-affairs/2022/03/17/us-salute-to-bangabandhus-legacy |work=Dhaka Tribune}}</ref> Mujib resigned from the provincial cabinet to work full time for the Awami League as a party organiser.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Aftabuddin Ahmed |first=Mir |date=26 March 2017 |title=From Sheikh Mujibur Rahman to our Bangabandhu |url=http://www.thedailystar.net/supplements/independence-day-special-2017/sheikh-mujibur-rahman-our-bangabandhu-1381261 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241010064714/https://www.thedailystar.net/supplements/independence-day-special-2017/sheikh-mujibur-rahman-our-bangabandhu-1381261 |archive-date=10 October 2024 |access-date=3 August 2017 |work=The Daily Star}}</ref>

===Suhrawardy premiership===
[[File:Mujib Suhrawardy Zhou Enlai.jpg|thumb|Mujib, wearing a [[sherwani]], with Prime Minister Suhrawardy and Premier [[Zhou Enlai]] at Dhaka Stadium in 1957]]

Between 1956 and 1957, Mujib's mentor Suhrawardy served as the 5th [[Prime Minister of Pakistan]]. Suhrawardy strengthened Pakistan's relations with the United States and China. Suhrawardy was a strong supporter of Pakistan's membership in [[SEATO]] and [[CENTO]].<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Ispahani |first=M. A. H. |year=1964 |title=The Foreign Policy of Pakistan 1947–1964 |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/41392808 |url-status=live |journal=Pakistan Horizon |volume=17 |issue=3 |pages=231–252 |jstor=41392808 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221104235915/https://www.jstor.org/stable/41392808 |archive-date=4 November 2022 |access-date=4 November 2022}}</ref> Suhrawardy's pro-Western foreign policy caused Maulana Bhashani to break away from the Awami League to form the [[National Awami Party]], though Mujib remained loyal to Suhrawardy.

Mujib joined the "Alpha Insurance Company" in 1960.<ref name="y148">{{Cite book |last=Hasina |first=S. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=lyVGEAAAQBAJ&pg=PR32 |title=Secret Documents of Intelligence Branch on Father of The Nation, Bangladesh: Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman: Volume VI (1960–1961) |publisher=Hakkani |year=2021 |isbn=978-1-000-19617-7 |page=32 |access-date=2024-08-11 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241010064834/https://books.google.com/books?id=lyVGEAAAQBAJ&pg=PR32#v=onepage&q&f=false |archive-date=10 October 2024 |url-status=live}}</ref> He continued to work in the insurance industry for many years.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Bangabandhu and insurance sector development |url=https://today.thefinancialexpress.com.bd/special-issues/national-insurance-day-2020/bangabandhu-and-insurance-sector-development-1582983971 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221104200719/https://today.thefinancialexpress.com.bd/special-issues/national-insurance-day-2020/bangabandhu-and-insurance-sector-development-1582983971 |archive-date=4 November 2022 |access-date=4 November 2022 |work=The Financial Express}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Unb |first=Dhaka |date=2 March 2021 |title=Make people aware of benefits of insurance |url=https://www.thedailystar.net/frontpage/news/make-people-aware-benefits-insurance-2053261 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241010064714/https://www.thedailystar.net/frontpage/news/make-people-aware-benefits-insurance-2053261 |archive-date=10 October 2024 |access-date=4 November 2022 |work=The Daily Star}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=Bangabandhu and 'Bima' |url=https://www.observerbd.com/news.php?id=294807 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221104200719/https://www.observerbd.com/news.php?id=294807 |archive-date=4 November 2022 |access-date=4 November 2022 |work=The Daily Observer |type=Op-Ed}}</ref>

The [[1958 Pakistani military coup]] ended Pakistan's first era of parliamentary democracy as [[Ayub Khan|Muhammad Ayub Khan]], the [[Commander-in-Chief of the Pakistan Army|commander-in-chief of the Pakistan Army]], overthrew the Bengali president [[Iskandar Ali Mirza]] and abolished the 1956 constitution. Many politicians were imprisoned and disqualified from holding public office, including Mujib's mentor Suhrawardy.<ref>{{Cite news |date=21 July 2015 |title=The political victimisation of Huseyn Shaheed Suhrawardy |url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1195290 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221104201848/https://www.dawn.com/news/1195290 |archive-date=4 November 2022 |access-date=4 November 2022 |work=Dawn}}</ref> A [[Constitution of Pakistan of 1962|new constitution]] was introduced by Ayub Khan which curtailed [[universal suffrage]] and empowered electoral colleges to elect the country's parliament.<ref name="autogenerated10">{{Cite journal |last=Sayeed |first=Khalid B. |year=1961 |title=Pakistan's Basic Democracy |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/4323370 |url-status=live |journal=Middle East Journal |volume=15 |issue=3 |pages=249–263 |jstor=4323370 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221104235917/https://www.jstor.org/stable/4323370 |archive-date=4 November 2022 |access-date=4 November 2022}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last=Mukherjee |first=Kunal |year=2016 |title=Ayub Khan's Basic Democracy and Political Continuity in Contemporary Pakistan |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/48505506 |url-status=live |journal=India Quarterly |volume=72 |issue=3 |pages=268–277 |doi=10.1177/0974928416656498 |jstor=48505506 |s2cid=157810936 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221104235923/https://www.jstor.org/stable/48505506 |archive-date=4 November 2022 |access-date=4 November 2022}}</ref>

===Six point movement===
{{Main|Six point movement}}

{{multiple image
 | width = 220
 | image1 = Sheikh Mujibur Rahman 1970 election result.jpg
 | class1 = bg-transparent
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 | image2 = Awami League leaders after the 1970 Pakistani General Election.webp
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 | alt2 = 
 | footer = Mujib with  Awami League leaders including [[Syeda Sajeda Chowdhury]], [[Tajuddin Ahmad]] and [[Syed Nazrul Islam]] in 1970
}}

Following Suhrawardy's death in 1963, Mujib became General Secretary of the All Pakistan Awami League with [[Nawabzada Nasrullah Khan]] as its titular president.<ref>{{Cite news |date=27 September 2020 |title=Nawabzada Nasrullah remembered on death anniversary |url=https://dailytimes.com.pk/671334/nawabzada-nasrullah-remembered-on-death-anniversary/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221104194545/https://dailytimes.com.pk/671334/nawabzada-nasrullah-remembered-on-death-anniversary/ |archive-date=4 November 2022 |access-date=4 November 2022 |work=Daily Times}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=6 January 2011 |title=Nawabzada Nasrullah Khan |url=https://storyofpakistan.com/nawabzada-nasrullah-khan/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221104194556/https://storyofpakistan.com/nawabzada-nasrullah-khan/ |archive-date=4 November 2022 |access-date=4 November 2022}}</ref> The [[Constitution of Pakistan of 1962|1962 constitution]] introduced a [[presidential republic]].<ref>{{Cite news |title=Special report: The Changing of the Guard 1958-1969 |url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1355171 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221205233009/https://www.dawn.com/news/1355171 |archive-date=5 December 2022 |access-date=7 November 2022 |work=Dawn |quote=Ayub sought some form of public legitimacy as all military dictators have been forced to, lifting martial law in 1962 following the implementation of a presidential-form constitution.}}</ref> Mujib was one of the key leaders to rally opposition to president Ayub Khan who enacted a system of [[electoral college]]s to elect the country's parliament and president under a system known as "Basic Democracy".<ref>{{Cite book |last=Sobhan |first=Rehman |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=iv49AAAAYAAJ |title=Basic Democracies Works Programme and Rural Development in East Pakistan |year=1968 |publisher=Bureau of Economic Research, University of Dacca |access-date=16 August 2023}}</ref><ref name="autogenerated10" /><ref name="JSTOR2">{{Cite journal |last=Rashiduzzaman |first=M. |date=July 2006 |title=The Awami League in the Political Development of Pakistan |journal=Asian Survey |volume=10 |issue=7 |pages=574–587 |doi=10.2307/2642956 |jstor=2642956}}</ref> [[Universal suffrage]] was curtailed as part of the Basic Democracy scheme.

Mujib supported opposition candidate [[Fatima Jinnah]] against Ayub Khan in the [[1965 Pakistani presidential election|1965 presidential election]].<ref>{{Cite book |title=Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and Struggle for Independence: UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office, De-classified Documents, 1962–1971 |publisher=Hakkani Publishers |year=2013 |isbn=978-7021400675 |editor-last=Enayetur Rahim and Joyce L. Rahim |pages=173–174}}</ref> Fatima Jinnah, the sister of Pakistan's founder Muhammad Ali Jinnah, drew huge crowds in East Pakistan during her presidential campaign which was supported by the Combined Opposition Party, including the Awami League.<ref>{{Cite news |date=18 October 1964 |title=East Pakistanis Hail Miss Jinnah; Campaign Train of Ayub Foe is Thronged on Tour |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1964/10/18/archives/east-pakistanis-hail-miss-jinnah-campaign-train-of-ayub-foe-is.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221107182444/https://www.nytimes.com/1964/10/18/archives/east-pakistanis-hail-miss-jinnah-campaign-train-of-ayub-foe-is.html |archive-date=7 November 2022 |access-date=7 November 2022 |work=The New York Times}}</ref> East Pakistan was the hotbed of opposition to the presidency of Ayub Khan.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Choudhury |first=G. W. |author-link=G. W. Choudhury |date=April 1972 |title=Bangladesh: Why It Happened |journal=International Affairs |volume=48 |issue=2 |pages=242–249 |doi=10.2307/2613440 |jstor=2613440}}</ref> Mujib became popular for voicing the grievances of the Bengali population, including under-representation in the military and central bureaucracy.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Jahan |first=Rounaq |author-link=Rounaq Jahan |title=Pakistan: Failure in National Integration |publisher=Columbia University Press |year=1972 |isbn=978-0231036252 |pages=166–167}}</ref> Despite generating most of Pakistan's export earnings and customs tax revenue, East Pakistan received a smaller budget allocation than West Pakistan.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Demons of December – Road from East Pakistan to Bangladesh |url=http://www.defencejournal.com/2002/dec/demons.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110609122558/http://www.defencejournal.com/2002/dec/demons.htm |archive-date=9 June 2011 |access-date=23 June 2011 |publisher=Defencejournal.com}}</ref>

The [[Indo-Pakistani War of 1965|1965 war between India and Pakistan]] ended in stalemate. The [[Tashkent Declaration]] was domestically seen as giving away Pakistan's gains to India. Ayub Khan's foreign minister [[Zulfikar Ali Bhutto]] resigned from the government,<ref>{{Cite news |date=18 June 1966 |title=Bhutto Leaving Cabinet in Pakistan, He Confirms |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1966/06/18/archives/bhutto-leaving-cabinet-in-pakistan-he-confirms.html |work=The New York Times}}</ref> formed the [[Pakistan Peoples Party]], and exploited public discontent against the regime.

In 1965, Pakistan banned the works of Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore in state media.<ref>{{Cite news |title=ICCR's misadventure with Urdu |url=https://www.dailypioneer.com/2018/columnists/iccrs-misadventure-with-urdu.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221107182451/https://www.dailypioneer.com/2018/columnists/iccrs-misadventure-with-urdu.html |archive-date=7 November 2022 |access-date=7 November 2022 |work=The Pioneer}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=I used to sing Rabindra Sangeet |url=https://www.newagebd.net/article/11351/i-used-to-sing-rabindra-sangeet |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221107182451/https://www.newagebd.net/article/11351/i-used-to-sing-rabindra-sangeet |archive-date=7 November 2022 |access-date=7 November 2022 |work=New Age}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=18 July 2021 |title=Exploring the history of Bangladesh through a different lens |url=https://www.tbsnews.net/thoughts/exploring-history-bangladesh-through-different-lens-276319 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221107182458/https://www.tbsnews.net/thoughts/exploring-history-bangladesh-through-different-lens-276319 |archive-date=7 November 2022 |access-date=7 November 2022 |work=Business Standard}}</ref> Censorship in state media spurred Bengali civil society groups like [[Chhayanaut]] to preserve Bengali culture. When Ayub Khan compared Bengalis to beasts, the poet [[Sufia Kamal]] retorted that "If the people are beasts then as the President of the Republic, you are the king of the beasts".<ref>{{Cite news |title=Forum |url=https://archive.thedailystar.net/forum/2012/July/sufia.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221107182451/https://archive.thedailystar.net/forum/2012/July/sufia.htm |archive-date=7 November 2022 |access-date=7 November 2022 |work=The Daily Star}}</ref> ''[[The Daily Ittefaq]]'' led by [[Tofazzal Hossain (civil servant)|Tofazzal Hossain]] voiced growing aspirations for democracy, autonomy, and nationalism. Economists in Dhaka University pointed to the massive reallocation of revenue to West Pakistan despite East Pakistan's role in generating most of Pakistan's export income. [[Rehman Sobhan]] paraphrased the [[two-nation theory]] into the two economies theory.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Nurul Islam |date=22 June 2014 |title=The Two Economies thesis: Road to the Six Points Programme |url=https://www.thedailystar.net/the-two-economies-thesis-road-to-the-six-points-programme-29679 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221107182453/https://www.thedailystar.net/the-two-economies-thesis-road-to-the-six-points-programme-29679 |archive-date=7 November 2022 |access-date=7 November 2022 |work=The Daily Star}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=30 August 2015 |title=Two Economies to Two Nations: Rehman Sobhan's Journey to Bangladesh |url=https://cpd.org.bd/from-two-economies-to-two-nations-my-journey-to-bangladesh/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221107182457/https://cpd.org.bd/from-two-economies-to-two-nations-my-journey-to-bangladesh/ |archive-date=7 November 2022 |access-date=7 November 2022 |website=CPD}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=21 January 2021 |title=From Two Economies to Two Nations: Revisiting Bangladesh's Economic Transformation |url=https://www.tbsnews.net/first-anniversary/two-economies-two-nations-revisiting-bangladeshs-economic-transformation-189289 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221107185453/https://www.tbsnews.net/first-anniversary/two-economies-two-nations-revisiting-bangladeshs-economic-transformation-189289 |archive-date=7 November 2022 |access-date=7 November 2022 |work=The Daily Star}}</ref> He argued that East and West Pakistan had two fundamentally distinct economies within one country.

In 1966, Mujib put forward a 6-point plan at a national conference of opposition parties in [[Lahore]].<ref name="REF" /> The city of Lahore was chosen because of its symbolism as the place where the [[Lahore Resolution]] was adopted by the Muslim League in 1940. The six points called for abolishing the Basic Democracy scheme, restoring universal suffrage, devolving federal power to the provinces of East and West Pakistan, separate fiscal, monetary and trade policies for East and West Pakistan, and increased security spending for East Pakistan.<ref>{{Cite web |date=16 June 2021 |title=All you need to know about the Six-Point Movement in East Pakistan |url=https://cri.org.bd/2021/06/16/all-you-need-to-know-about-the-six-point-movement-in-east-pakistan/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221107182446/https://cri.org.bd/2021/06/16/all-you-need-to-know-about-the-six-point-movement-in-east-pakistan/ |archive-date=7 November 2022 |access-date=7 November 2022}}</ref>

<blockquote>
# The constitution should provide for a Federation of Pakistan in its true sense based on the [[Lahore Resolution]] and the parliamentary form of government with supremacy of a legislature directly elected on the basis of universal adult franchise.
# The federal government should deal with only two subjects: defence and foreign affairs, and all other residuary subjects shall be vested in the federating states.
# Two separate, but freely convertible currencies for two wings should be introduced; or if this is not feasible, there should be one currency for the whole country, but effective constitutional provisions should be introduced to stop the flight of capital from East to West Pakistan. Furthermore, a separate banking reserve should be established and a separate fiscal and monetary policy be adopted for East Pakistan.
# The power of taxation and revenue collection shall be vested in the federating units and the federal center will have no such power. The Federation will be entitled to a share in the state taxes to meet its expenditures.
# There should be two separate accounts for the foreign exchange earnings of the two wings; the foreign exchange requirements of the federal government should be met by the two wings equally or in a ratio to be fixed; indigenous products should move free of duty between the two wings, and the constitution should empower the units to establish trade links with foreign countries.
# East Pakistan should have its own security force.
</blockquote>

Mujib's points catalysed public support across East Pakistan, launching what historians have termed the [[six point movement]]–the turning point towards East and West Pakistan becoming two nations.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Manik |first=M. Waheeduzzaman |date=7 June 2008 |title=The historic six-point movement and its impact on the struggle for independence |url=http://www.thedailystar.net/news-detail-40021 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180108070230/http://www.thedailystar.net/news-detail-40021 |archive-date=8 January 2018 |access-date=3 August 2017 |work=The Daily Star}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |title=Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and Struggle for Independence: UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office, De-classified Documents, 1962–1971 |publisher=Hakkani Publishers |year=2013 |isbn=978-7021400675 |editor-last=Enayetur Rahim and Joyce L. Rahim |page=28}}</ref> Mujib insisted on a federal democracy and obtained broad support from the Bengali population.{{sfn|Karim|2005|pp=136–138}}<ref>{{Cite book |last=Sakhawatullah |first=Kazi M. |title=Redemption of the baffled hero: Sheikh Mujibur Rahman |publisher=Gonoprokashani |year=2002 |pages=82–97}}</ref> In 1966, Mujib was elected President of the Awami League. [[Tajuddin Ahmad]] succeeded him as General Secretary.

===Agartala Conspiracy Case===
{{Main|Agartala Conspiracy Case}}

Mujib was arrested by the Pakistan Army and after two years in jail, an official sedition trial in a military court opened. During his imprisonment between 1967 and 1969, Mujib began to write his autobiography.<ref name="autogenerated20">{{Cite web |title='The Unfinished Memoirs' by Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman released in Bangladesh, India and Pakistan |url=http://www.uplbooks.com/news/%E2%80%9C-unfinished-memoirs%E2%80%9D-bangabandhu-sheikh-mujibur-rahman-released-bangladesh-india-and-pakistan |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190828064611/http://www.uplbooks.com/news/%25E2%2580%259C-unfinished-memoirs%25E2%2580%259D-bangabandhu-sheikh-mujibur-rahman-released-bangladesh-india-and-pakistan |archive-date=28 August 2019 |access-date=17 November 2022 |website=uplbooks.com |publisher=The University Press Limited}}</ref> In what is widely known as the [[Agartala Conspiracy Case]], Mujib and 34 Bengali military officers were accused by the government of colluding with Indian government agents in a scheme to divide Pakistan and threaten its unity, order and national security. The plot was alleged to have been planned in the city of [[Agartala]] in the bordering Indian state of [[Tripura]].<ref name="REF" /> The outcry and unrest over Mujib's arrest and the charge of sedition against him destabilised East Pakistan amidst large protests and strikes. Various Bengali political and student groups added demands to address the issues of students, workers and the poor, forming a larger "11-point plan". The government caved to the mounting pressure, dropped the charges on 22 February 1969 and unconditionally released Mujib the following day. He returned to East Pakistan as a public hero.<ref name="Agartala Conspiracy Case forty years on">{{Cite news |last=Ahsan |first=Syed Badrul |date=18 June 2008 |title=Agartala Conspiracy Case forty years on |url=http://www.thedailystar.net/news-detail-41580 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170803130552/http://www.thedailystar.net/news-detail-41580 |archive-date=3 August 2017 |access-date=3 August 2017 |work=The Daily Star}}</ref> He was given a mass reception on 23 February, at the [[Ramna Race Course]] and conferred with the popular honorary title of ''Bangabandhu'' by [[Tofail Ahmed]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=22 March 2021 |title=When Sheikh Mujibur Rahman became Bangabandhu |url=https://archive.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/2021/03/22/when-sheikh-mujibur-rahman-became-bangabandhu |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221107200434/https://archive.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/2021/03/22/when-sheikh-mujibur-rahman-became-bangabandhu |archive-date=7 November 2022 |access-date=7 November 2022 |work=Dhaka Tribune}}</ref> The term ''Bangabandhu'' means ''Friend of the Bengal'' in the Bengali language.<ref name="Agartala Conspiracy Case forty years on" /> Several of Bengal's historic leaders were given similar honorary titles, including ''Sher-e-Bangla'' (''Lion of Bengal'') for [[A. K. Fazlul Huq]], ''Deshbandhu'' (''Friend of the Nation'') for [[Chittaranjan Das]], and ''Netaji'' (''The Leader'') for [[Subhash Chandra Bose]].

=== 1969 uprising and Round Table Conference ===
{{Main|1969 East Pakistan uprising}}

[[File:Mass uprising 1969 Dhaka University.jpg|thumb|left|Students in Dhaka University demanding the release of political prisoners, including Sheikh Mujib]]
[[File:Sheikh Mujib and Ayub Khan.jpg|thumb|[[Ayub Khan]] and Sheikh Mujib shaking hands at the Round Table Conference in [[West Pakistan]], 1969]]

In 1969, President Ayub Khan convened a Round Table Conference with opposition parties to find a way out of the prevailing political impasse. A few days after his release from prison, Mujib flew to [[Rawalpindi]] to attend the Round Table Conference.<ref name="autogenerated8">{{Cite web |date=September 2021 |title=Sheikh Mujibur Rahman {{!}} East Pakistan {{!}} Bangladesh {{!}} Pakistan {{!}} 1969 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U38kZqY6xS8 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221107200432/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U38kZqY6xS8 |archive-date=7 November 2022 |access-date=7 November 2022 |via=YouTube}}</ref> Mujib sought to bargain for East Pakistan's autonomy. Mujib was the most powerful opposition leader at the Round Table Conference. Ayub Khan shook hands with Mujib, whom Khan previously had imprisoned. Talking to British media, Mujib said "East Pakistan must get full regional autonomy. It must be self-sufficient in all respects. It must get its due share and legitimate share in the central administration. The West Pakistani people support [East Pakistani demands]. Only the vested interests want to divide the people of East and West Pakistan".<ref name="autogenerated8" /> When asked about the prospect of East Pakistan ruling West Pakistan if the Awami League gained power, Mujib replied that majority rule is important in a democracy but the people of East Pakistan had no intention to discriminate against West Pakistan, and that West Pakistani parties would continue to play an important role.<ref name="autogenerated8" /> Mujib toured West Pakistani cities by train after the Round Table Conference. West Pakistani crowds received him with chants of "Sheikh Saheb Zindabad!" (meaning Long Live the Sheikh!).<ref name="autogenerated9">{{Cite news |date=17 March 2022 |title=A lapsed teenager remembers |url=https://www.dhakatribune.com/op-ed/2022/03/17/a-lapsed-teenager-remembers |work=Dhaka Tribune}}</ref> He was received by huge crowds in [[Quetta]], Baluchistan<!-- DO NOT LINK, see [[MOS:GEOLINK]] for further guidance -->. He spoke to West Pakistani crowds in a heavily Bengali accent of [[Urdu]], talking about ''chhey nukati'' (six points) and ''hum chhoy dofa mangta sab ke liye''.<ref name="autogenerated9" />

Mujib demanded that Pakistan accept his six-point plan for federal democracy. He wasn't satisfied by Ayub Khan's pledges. When he returned to Dhaka, he declared that East Pakistan should be known as ''Bangladesh''. On 5 December 1969 Mujib made a declaration at a public meeting, held to observe the death anniversary of his mentor Suhrawardy, that henceforth East Pakistan would be called "Bangladesh":

<blockquote>There was a time when all efforts were made to erase the word "Bangla" from this land and its map. The existence of the word "Bangla" was found nowhere except in the term Bay of Bengal. I on behalf of Pakistan announce today that this land will be called "Bangladesh" instead of East Pakistan.<ref name="BAL" /></blockquote>

Mujib's fiery rhetoric ignited Bengali nationalism and pro-independence aspirations among the masses, students, professionals, and intellectuals of East Pakistan. Many observers believed that Bengali nationalism was a rejection of Pakistan's founding two-nation theory but Mujib never phrased his rhetoric in these terms.<ref name="GPSA">{{Cite book |last1=Baxter |first1=Craig |author-link1=Craig Baxter |title=Government and Politics in South Asia |last2=Malik |first2=Yogendra K. |last3=Kennedy |first3=Charles |last4=Oberst |first4=Robert C. |date=1998 |publisher=Westview Press |isbn=978-0813339016 |edition=5th |location=Boulder, CO |page=251 |quote=Bangladesh's independence from Pakistan in 1971 was seen by many as the logical division of two disparate wings of a country united only by Islam, a mutual concern about India ... but divided by language and social customs ... the cultural differences between East and West Pakistan were so great that the division might be described as a second 'Two-Nation Theory,' based this time on culture rather than religion as in 1947.}}</ref> Mujib was able to galvanise support throughout East Pakistan, which was home to the majority of Pakistan's population. He became one of the most powerful political figures in the [[Indian subcontinent]]. Bengalis increasingly referred to him as ''Bangabandhu''.

=== 1970 election ===
{{Main|1970 Pakistani general election}}

[[File:Sheikh Mujibur Rahman casting ballot 1970 election.jpg|thumb|Sheikh Mujib casting his [[ballot]] during the general election in 1970]]

In March 1969, Ayub Khan resigned and [[Yahya Khan]] became president. Prior to the scheduled general election for 1970, one of the [[1970 Bhola cyclone|most powerful cyclones on record]] devastated East Pakistan, leaving half a million people dead and millions displaced. President Yahya Khan, who was flying back from China after the cyclone, viewed the devastation from the air. The ruling military junta was slow to respond with relief efforts. Newspapers in East Pakistan accused the federal government of "gross neglect, callous inattention, and bitter indifference".<ref name="autogenerated11">{{Cite book |last=Blood |first=Peter R. |url=http://countrystudies.us/bangladesh/16.htm |title=Bangladesh: A Country Study |publisher=Federal Research Division, Library of Congress |year=1989 |editor-last=Heitzman |editor-first=James |location=Washington, D.C. |page=28 |chapter=Emerging Discontent, 1966–70 |oclc=49223313 |access-date=31 August 2016 |editor-last2=Worden |editor-first2=Robert L. |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110623150140/http://countrystudies.us/bangladesh/16.htm |archive-date=23 June 2011 |url-status=live}}</ref> Mujib remarked that "We have a large army but it is left to the British Marines to bury our dead".<ref name="autogenerated11" /> International aid had to pour in due to the slow response of the Pakistani military regime. Bengalis were outraged at what was widely considered to be the weak and ineffective response of the federal government to the disaster.<ref name="country-studies1966">{{Cite book |url=http://countrystudies.us/bangladesh/ |title=Bangladesh: A Country Study |date=1989 |publisher=Federal Research Division, Library of Congress |editor-last=Heitzman |editor-first=James |location=Washington, D.C. |pages=28–29 |chapter=Emerging discontent 1966–1970 |access-date=31 August 2016 |editor-last2=Worden |editor-first2=Robert |chapter-url=http://countrystudies.us/bangladesh/16.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110622211513/http://countrystudies.us/bangladesh/21.htm |archive-date=22 June 2011 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=24 November 1970 |title=Yahya Directing Disaster Relief |work=The New York Times |page=9 |agency=United Press International}}</ref> Public opinion and political parties in East Pakistan blamed the ruling military junta for the lack of relief efforts. The dissatisfaction led to divisions between East Pakistanis and West Pakistanis within the civil services, police and Pakistani Armed Forces.<ref name="country-studies1966" /><ref>{{Cite news |last=Durdin |first=Tillman |date=11 March 1971 |title=Pakistanis Crisis Virtually Halts Rehabilitation Work in Cyclone Region |work=The New York Times |page=2}}</ref>

In the Pakistani general elections [[1970 Pakistani general election|held on 7 December 1970]], the Awami League won 167 out of 169 seats belonging to East Pakistan in the [[National Assembly of Pakistan]], as well as a landslide in the [[East Pakistan Provincial Assembly]].{{sfn|Kaushik|Patnayak|1995|p=295}}<ref name="REF" /><ref>{{Cite book |last=Meghna Guhathakurta and Willem van Schendel |title=The Bangladesh Reader: History, Culture, Politics |publisher=Duke University Press |year=2003 |isbn=978-0822353188 |page=264}}</ref> The Awami League emerged as the single largest party in the federal parliament of Pakistan. With 167 seats, it was past the halfway mark of 150 seats in the 300 member national assembly and had the right to form a government of its own. Sheikh Mujib was widely considered to be the [[Prime Minister-elect]], including by President Yahya Khan. The Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) came in second with 86 seats. The new parliament was scheduled to hold its first sitting in Dhaka, Pakistan's legislative capital under the 1962 constitution. The political crisis emerged when PPP leader Zulfikar Ali Bhutto declared that his party would boycott parliament if Mujib formed the next government. Bhutto threatened to break the legs of any West Pakistani MP-elect who accepted Mujib's mandate.<ref>{{Cite news |date=22 February 1971 |title=Pakistani Cabinet Dissolved by Yahya |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1971/02/22/archives/pakistani-cabinet-dissolved-by-yahya.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170522062348/http://www.nytimes.com/1971/02/22/archives/pakistani-cabinet-dissolved-by-yahya.html? |archive-date=22 May 2017 |access-date=29 April 2017 |work=The New York Times}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Hossain |first=Kamal |title=Bangladesh: Quest for Freedom and Justice |date=2013 |publisher=Oxford University Press |isbn=978-0199068531 |page=130}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Jalal |first=Ayesha |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=xzGOBAAAQBAJ&dq=%22bhutto+threatens+to+break+legs%22&pg=PA167 |title=The Struggle for Pakistan: A Muslim Homeland and Global Politics |year= 2014 |publisher=Harvard University Press |isbn=9780674052895 |access-date=16 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241010065215/https://books.google.com/books?id=xzGOBAAAQBAJ&pg=PA167&dq=%22bhutto+threatens+to+break+legs%22#v=onepage&q=%22bhutto%20threatens%20to%20break%20legs%22&f=false |archive-date=10 October 2024 |url-status=live |via=Google Books}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Sobhan |first=Rehman |author-link=Rehman Sobhan |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=8qeMCwAAQBAJ&dq=%22bhutto+threatens+to+break+legs+1971%22&pg=PT300 |title=Untranquil Recollections: The Years of Fulfilment |date=2015 |publisher=Sage Publications India |isbn=9789351503200 |access-date=16 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241010065216/https://books.google.com/books?id=8qeMCwAAQBAJ&pg=PT300&dq=%22bhutto+threatens+to+break+legs+1971%22 |archive-date=10 October 2024 |url-status=live |via=Google Books}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=23 September 2017 |title=Special report: The Breakup of Pakistan 1969–1971 |url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1359141 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171216060125/https://www.dawn.com/news/1359141 |archive-date=16 December 2017 |access-date=7 November 2022 |work=Dawn}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=17 December 2018 |title="Udhar tum, idhar hum": When Bhutto pushed Bangladesh to the edge of Pakistan |url=https://tribune.com.pk/article/75627/udhar-tum-idhar-hum-when-bhutto-divided-pakistan-into-east-and-west |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221107234706/https://tribune.com.pk/article/75627/udhar-tum-idhar-hum-when-bhutto-divided-pakistan-into-east-and-west |archive-date=7 November 2022 |access-date=7 November 2022 |work=The Express Tribune}}</ref> However, [[Khan Abdul Wali Khan]] of the [[Awami National Party]] from [[North West Frontier Province]] was open to accepting an Awami League government and travelled to Dhaka to meet with Mujib.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Islam |first=Zyma |date=3 October 2013 |title=He rallied for Mujib, against Yahya |url=https://www.thedailystar.net/news/he-rallied-for-mujib-against-yahya |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221107204316/https://www.thedailystar.net/news/he-rallied-for-mujib-against-yahya |archive-date=7 November 2022 |access-date=7 November 2022 |work=The Daily Star}}</ref> Many in Pakistan's [[Establishment (Pakistan)|establishment]] were opposed to Mujib becoming Pakistan's prime minister. At the time neither Mujib nor the Awami League had explicitly advocated political independence for East Pakistan, but smaller nationalist groups were demanding independence for ''Bangladesh''.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Ahmed |first=Salahuddin |title=Bangladesh: Past and Present |date=2004 |publisher=APH Publishing |isbn=978-8176484695 |page=63}}</ref> After the election victory, Mujib was ornamented as "''Sher-e-Pakistan''" (Lion of Pakistan) on a newspaper ad published on [[The Daily Ittefaq]] on 3 January 1971.<ref>{{Cite web |date=1971-01-03 |title=Site is undergoing maintenance |script-title=bn:শেখ মুজিব "শের ই পাকিস্তান" |url=https://songramernotebook.com/archives/163311 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240801105549/https://songramernotebook.com/archives/163311 |archive-date=1 August 2024 |access-date=1 August 2024 |website=Songramer Notebook}}</ref>

Both Bhutto and Yahya Khan travelled to Dhaka for negotiations with the Awami League. Mujib's delegation included the notable lawyer and constitutional expert [[Kamal Hossain]]. The Bengali negotiating position is extensively discussed in Kamal Hossain's autobiography ''Bangladesh: Quest for Freedom and Justice''.<ref name="autogenerated12">{{Cite book |last=Hossain |first=Kamal |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=yW1angEACAAJ |title=Bangladesh: Quest for Freedom and Justice |date=2013 |publisher=Oxford University Press |isbn=978-0-19-906853-1 |access-date=16 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241010065217/https://books.google.com/books?id=yW1angEACAAJ |archive-date=10 October 2024 |url-status=live |via=Google Books}}</ref> The Pakistani government was represented by former chief justice [[Alvin Robert Cornelius]]. At the [[InterContinental Dhaka]], Bengali chefs refused to cook food for Yahya Khan.<ref name="autogenerated12" /> Governor [[Sahabzada Yaqub Khan]] requested the Awami League to end the strike of the chefs at the InterContinental Hotel.<ref name="autogenerated12" />

Bhutto feared civil war, and sent a secret message to Mujib and his inner circle to arrange a meeting with them.<ref name="Hassan">{{Cite book |last=Hassan |first=Mubashir |author-link=Mubashir Hassan |title=The Mirage of Power: An Inquiry Into the Bhutto Years |date=2000 |publisher=Oxford University Press |isbn=978-0195793000 |page=3}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Liton |first=Shakhawat |date=12 July 2016 |title=Who was a liar – Yahya or Bhutto? |url=http://www.thedailystar.net/op-ed/who-was-liar-yahya-or-bhutto-200383 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170803211656/http://www.thedailystar.net/op-ed/who-was-liar-yahya-or-bhutto-200383 |archive-date=3 August 2017 |access-date=3 August 2017 |work=The Daily Star |type=Op-ed}}</ref> [[Mubashir Hassan]] met with Mujib and persuaded him to form a coalition government with Bhutto. They decided that Bhutto would serve as president, with Mujib as Prime Minister. These developments took place secretly and no Pakistan Armed Forces personnel were kept informed. Meanwhile, Bhutto increased the pressure on Yahya Khan to take a stand on dissolving the government.<ref>{{Cite book |title=The Mirage of Power: An Inquiry Into the Bhutto Years |publisher=Oxford University Press |year=2000 |isbn=978-0195793000 |page=107}}</ref>

== Imprisonment ==
===1938–1941===
In 1938, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman went to the house of Gopalganj Hindu Mahasabha president Suren Banerjee when his classmate friend Abdul Malek was beaten up. Sheikh Mujib was arrested for the first time in a case filed by the leaders of the Hindu Mahasabha when the scuffle took place there.<ref name="First TBS">{{Cite news |work=The Business Standard |date=17 March 2020 |script-title=bn:বঙ্গবন্ধুর যত প্রথম |url=https://tbsnews.net/bangla/%E0%A6%AB%E0%A6%BF%E0%A6%9A%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%B0/%E0%A6%AC%E0%A6%99%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%97%E0%A6%AC%E0%A6%A8%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%A7%E0%A7%81%E0%A6%B0-%E0%A6%AF%E0%A6%A4-%E0%A6%AA%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%B0%E0%A6%A5%E0%A6%AE |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210411022947/https://www.tbsnews.net/bangla/%E0%A6%AB%E0%A6%BF%E0%A6%9A%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%B0/%E0%A6%AC%E0%A6%99%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%97%E0%A6%AC%E0%A6%A8%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%A7%E0%A7%81%E0%A6%B0-%E0%A6%AF%E0%A6%A4-%E0%A6%AA%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%B0%E0%A6%A5%E0%A6%AE |archive-date=11 April 2021 |access-date=20 December 2020 |publisher=দ্য বিজনেস স্ট্যান্ডার্ড}}</ref> After seven days in jail, Sheikh Mujib was released when the case was dropped through settlement.<ref name="4682 BDNEWS">{{Cite news |work=bdnews24.com |date=10 October 2020 |script-title=bn:কারাগারে বঙ্গবন্ধুর ৪৬৮২ দিন |url=https://m.bdnews24.com/bn/detail/mujib100/1825119 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210112032034/https://m.bdnews24.com/bn/detail/mujib100/1825119 |archive-date=12 January 2021 |access-date=20 December 2020 |publisher=বিডিনিউজ২৪}}</ref> In addition, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was temporarily arrested twice for making a speech and staying at the meeting place during disturbances while being the vice-president of the Faridpur district branch of the All Bengal Muslim Chhatra League in 1941.<ref name="4682 BDNEWS" />

===1948–1972===
[[File:Sheikh Mujibur Rahman arrival at Tejgaon Airport 1972-01-10 (PID-h002).jpg|thumb|150px|left|Mujib after his release in 1972]]
After the establishment of Pakistan, Sheikh Mujib was in jail for five days from 11 to 15 March 1948. He was arrested on 11 September of the same year and released on 21 January 1949. He spent 132 days in prison during this period. Then on 19 April 1949, he was again taken to jail and was released on 28 June after serving 80 days of imprisonment.<ref>{{Cite news |date=7 January 1972|title=Waiting for Mujib, Bengalis Delay Key Decisions|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1972/01/07/archives/waiting-for-mujib-bengalis-delay-key-decisions.html|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241010064711/https://www.nytimes.com/1972/01/07/archives/waiting-for-mujib-bengalis-delay-key-decisions.html|archive-date=10 October 2024|access-date=30 August 2024|work=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref> At that point he spent 27 days in prison. In the same year, i.e., 63 days from 25 October to 27 December 1949 and 787 consecutive days from 1 January 1950 to 26 February 1952.<ref name="4682 BDNEWS" />

Sheikh Mujib had to spend 206 days in prison even after winning the United Front elections in 1954. Sheikh Mujib was arrested again on 11 October 1958 after Ayub Khan imposed martial law. At this time, he had to spend 1 thousand 153 consecutive days in prison. Then he was arrested again on 6 January 1962 and released on 18 June of that year. He spent 158 days in prison. Then in 1964 and 1965 he was in prison for 665 days in different terms. After making the six-point proposal, he was arrested at the place where he went to hold the rally. At that time, he held 32 public meetings and spent 90 days in prison for different periods. Then he was arrested again on 8 May 1966 and was released on 22 February 1969 through a popular uprising. At that time he was in prison for 1,021 days. He was arrested by the Pakistan government soon after declaring independence in the early hours of 26 March 1971. During this period he was in prison for 288 days.<ref name="4682 days">{{Cite news |work=Prothomalo |date=7 March 2017 |script-title=bn:সংসদে তোফায়েল আহমেদ: বঙ্গবন্ধু ৪ হাজার ৬৮২ দিন কারাগারে ছিলেন |url=https://www.prothomalo.com/politics/%E0%A6%AC%E0%A6%99%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%97%E0%A6%AC%E0%A6%A8%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%A7%E0%A7%81-%E0%A7%AA-%E0%A6%B9%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%9C%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%B0-%E0%A7%AC%E0%A7%AE%E0%A7%A8-%E0%A6%A6%E0%A6%BF%E0%A6%A8-%E0%A6%95%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%B0%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%97%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%B0%E0%A7%87-%E0%A6%9B%E0%A6%BF%E0%A6%B2%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%A8 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240627201927/https://www.prothomalo.com/politics/%E0%A6%AC%E0%A6%99%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%97%E0%A6%AC%E0%A6%A8%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%A7%E0%A7%81-%E0%A7%AA-%E0%A6%B9%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%9C%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%B0-%E0%A7%AC%E0%A7%AE%E0%A7%A8-%E0%A6%A6%E0%A6%BF%E0%A6%A8-%E0%A6%95%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%B0%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%97%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%B0%E0%A7%87-%E0%A6%9B%E0%A6%BF%E0%A6%B2%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%A8 |archive-date=27 June 2024 |access-date=20 September 2020 |publisher=প্রথম আলো}}</ref><ref name="4682 BDNEWS" />

==Establishment of Bangladesh==
{{POV section|date=November 2024}}
{{Main|Non-cooperation movement (1971)|7 March Speech of Bangabandhu|Bangladesh Liberation War|Provisional Government of Bangladesh}}

===Civil disobedience===
[[File:Mujibur Rahman 7th March Speech Race Course Maidan 1971-03-07 (PID-h003).jpg|thumb|Mujib's [[7 March Speech of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman|7 March Speech]]]]

The National Assembly was scheduled to meet in Dhaka on 3 March 1971. President Yahya Khan indefinitely postponed the assembly's first sitting, which triggered an uprising in East Pakistan. The cities of Dhaka, [[Chittagong]], [[Rajshahi]], [[Rangpur, Bangladesh|Rangpur]], and [[Khulna]] were engulfed with protests. Amid signs of an impending crackdown, Mujib addressed the people of East Pakistan on 7 March 1971 at the Ramna Race Course Maidan.{{sfn|Kaushik|Patnayak|1995|p=296}}<ref name="thedailystar.net">{{Cite news |date=11 March 2013 |title=Bangabandhu's March 7 speech Bangladesh's inspiration to rise: PM |url=http://www.thedailystar.net/news/bangabandhus-march-7-speech-bangladeshs-inspiration-to-rise-pm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160911194751/http://www.thedailystar.net/news/bangabandhus-march-7-speech-bangladeshs-inspiration-to-rise-pm |archive-date=11 September 2016 |access-date=25 May 2013 |work=The Daily Star}}</ref><ref name="autogenerated18">{{Cite web |last=Hossain |first=Amir |date=7 March 2013 |title=Historic 7th March speech of Bangabandhu |url=http://www.bangabandhu.com.bd/2013/03/07/historic-7th-march-speech-of-bangabandhu/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130615192547/http://www.bangabandhu.com.bd/2013/03/07/historic-7th-march-speech-of-bangabandhu/ |archive-date=15 June 2013 |access-date=25 May 2013 |website=Bangabandhu – The Man Behind the Nation |type=Blog}}</ref><ref name="youtube.com">{{Cite web |title=1971 March 7th shek mujibur rahman |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ep74MqbXEWU |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120828042547/http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ep74MqbXEWU&feature=share |archive-date=28 August 2012 |access-date=25 May 2013 |via=YouTube}}</ref> In his speech, Mujib laid out the political history of Pakistan since partition and told the crowd that "[w]e gave blood in 1952; we won a mandate in 1954; but we were still not allowed to take up the reins of this country".<ref name="autogenerated13">{{Cite web |title=Sheikh Mujib's March 7 Speech – English Text |url=https://www.cbgr1971.org/index.php/sheikh-mujib-s-march-7-speech-english-text |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221110120548/https://www.cbgr1971.org/index.php/sheikh-mujib-s-march-7-speech-english-text |archive-date=10 November 2022 |access-date=10 November 2022 |website=cbgr1971.org}}</ref> While Mujib stopped short of declaring outright independence, he stated that the goal of the Awami League from then on would be eventual independence. He declared that the Awami League would collect taxes and form committees in every neighbourhood to organise resistance. He called on the people "to turn every house into a fortress".<ref name="autogenerated13" /> His most famous words from the speech were the following.

<blockquote>This time the struggle is for our liberation! This time the struggle is for our independence!<ref name="thedailystar.net" /><ref name="youtube.com" /><ref name="Time">{{Cite magazine |date=20 December 1971 |title=The World: Bangladesh: Out of War, a Nation Is Born |url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,878969,00.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070112032245/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,878969,00.html |archive-date=12 January 2007 |access-date=25 May 2013 |magazine=Time}}</ref><br /><small>(For more info, see: ''[[7 March Speech of Bangabandhu]]'')</small><ref>{{Cite book |last=Sen Gupta |first=Jyoti |url={{GBurl|id=DedtAAAAMAAJ}} |title=History of freedom movement in Bangladesh, 1943–1973: some involvement |date=1974 |publisher=Naya Prokash |location=Calcutta |pages=325–326 |access-date=18 February 2013}}</ref></blockquote>

Following the speech, 17 days of civil disobedience known as the [[Non-cooperation movement (1971)|non-cooperation movement]] took place across East Pakistan.{{sfn|Kaushik|Patnayak|1995|p=296}}<ref name="thedailystar.net" /><ref name="autogenerated18" /><ref name="youtube.com" /> The Awami League began to collect taxes while all monetary transfers to West Pakistan were suspended. East Pakistan came under the ''de facto'' control of the Awami League. On 23 March 1971, [[flag of Bangladesh|Bangladeshi flags]] were flown throughout East Pakistan on Pakistan's Republic Day as a show of resistance. The Awami League and the Pakistani military leadership continued negotiations over the transfer of power. However, West Pakistani troops were being flown into the eastern wing through [[Pakistan International Airlines|PIA]] flights while arms were being unloaded from [[Pakistan Navy]] ships in Chittagong harbour.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Hamid |first=Major General Syed Ali |date=30 August 2019 |title=PIA at War |url=https://www.thefridaytimes.com/2019/08/30/pia-at-war/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221110120552/https://www.thefridaytimes.com/2019/08/30/pia-at-war/ |archive-date=10 November 2022 |access-date=10 November 2022 |work=The Friday Times}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=26 March 2013 |title='Swat ' draws full house in Chittagong |url=https://www.thedailystar.net/news/swat-draws-full-house-in-chittagong |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221110120546/https://www.thedailystar.net/news/swat-draws-full-house-in-chittagong |archive-date=10 November 2022 |access-date=10 November 2022 |work=The Daily Star}}</ref> The Pakistani military was preparing for a crackdown.

===Outbreak of war===
{{See also|Proclamation of Bangladeshi Independence|Arrest and in-camera trial of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman}}
[[File:Bangabandhu Waiving Flag on 23 March 1971 at Dhanmondi 32.jpg|thumb|Mujib hoisting the [[Flag of Bangladesh]] in his residence at 32 Dhanmondi on 23 March 1971]]
[[File:Sheikh Mujib under Pakistani military custody in 1971.jpg|thumb|Sheikh Mujib under Pakistani military custody after he was arrested and flown to West Pakistan during the [[Bangladesh Liberation War]]<ref>{{Cite news |date=15 August 2023|title=Immortal Bangabandhu|url=https://www.daily-sun.com/printversion/details/706268/Immortal-Bangabandhu|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231105084500/https://www.daily-sun.com/printversion/details/706268/Immortal-Bangabandhu|archive-date=5 November 2023|work=[[Daily Sun (Bangladesh)|Daily Sun]]}}</ref><ref name="autogenerated14">{{Cite web |title=First Schedule|url=http://bdlaws.minlaw.gov.bd/upload/act/2022-04-18-13-27-54-Scheudle__367.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240805104027/http://bdlaws.minlaw.gov.bd/upload/act/2022-04-18-13-27-54-Scheudle__367.pdf|archive-date=5 August 2024|website=Laws of Bangladesh}}</ref> ]]

Talks broke down on 25 March 1971 when Yahya Khan left Dhaka, declared martial law, banned the Awami League and ordered the Pakistan Army to arrest Mujib and other Bengali leaders and activists.<ref name="thedailystar.net" /> The [[Pakistan Army]] launched [[Operation Searchlight]]. Mujib sent telegrams to [[Chittagong]] where [[M. A. Hannan]] from the Awami League and Major [[Ziaur Rahman]] from the [[East Bengal Regiment]] announced the [[Bangladeshi declaration of independence]] on Mujib's behalf. The text of Mujib's telegram sent at midnight on 26 March 1971 stated the following:

{{blockquote|This may be my last message, from today Bangladesh is independent. I call upon the people of Bangladesh wherever you might be and with whatever you have, to resist the army of occupation to the last. Your fight must go on until the last soldier of the Pakistan occupation army is expelled from the soil of Bangladesh and final victory is achieved.<ref name="autogenerated14" />|}}

Shortly after having declared the independence of Bangladesh,<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Ludden |first=David |year=2011 |title=The Politics of Independence in Bangladesh |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/23017911 |url-status=live |journal=Economic and Political Weekly |volume=46 |issue=35 |pages=79–85 |issn=0012-9976 |jstor=23017911 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220820193156/https://www.jstor.org/stable/23017911 |archive-date=20 August 2022 |access-date=20 August 2022 }}</ref> Mujib was arrested without charges and flown to prison in West Pakistan after midnight. Mujib was moved to West Pakistan and kept under heavy guard in a jail near [[Faisalabad]].<ref name="Time" /> Sheikh Mujib was later moved to [[Central Jail Mianwali]] where he remained in [[solitary confinement]] for the entirety of the war.<ref name="Pakistani jailer remembers incarcerated Bangabandhu">{{Cite news |last=Badrul Ahsan |first=Syed |date=15 August 2018 |title=Pakistani jailer remembers incarcerated Bangabandhu |url=https://www.dhakatribune.com/opinion/op-ed/2018/08/15/pakistani-jailer-remembers-incarcerated-bangabandhu |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211225190534/https://www.dhakatribune.com/opinion/op-ed/2018/08/15/pakistani-jailer-remembers-incarcerated-bangabandhu |archive-date=25 December 2021 |access-date=25 December 2021 |work=Dhaka Tribune}}</ref><ref name="Bangabandhu in Mianwali Jail">{{Cite news |last=Samad |first=Saleem |author-link=Saleem Samad |date=17 March 2021 |title=Bangabandhu in Mianwali Jail |url=https://www.tbsnews.net/bangladesh/bangabandhu-mianwali-jail-217729 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211225192035/https://www.tbsnews.net/bangladesh/bangabandhu-mianwali-jail-217729 |archive-date=25 December 2021 |access-date=25 December 2021 |work=[[The Business Standard]]}}</ref> [[Kamal Hossain]] was also arrested and flown to West Pakistan while many other League leaders escaped to India.<ref>{{Cite magazine |date=20 December 1971 |title=Search results of From Jan 01, 1971 to Dec 31, 1971 |url=http://search.time.com/results.html?Ntt=Bangladesh&Nf=p_date_range%7cBTWN+19710101+19711231 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151017154151/http://search.time.com/results.html?Ntt=Bangladesh&Nf=p_date_range%7cBTWN+19710101+19711231 |archive-date=17 October 2015 |magazine=Time}}</ref> Pakistani general [[Rahimuddin Khan]] was appointed to preside over Mujib's [[court-martial]] trial, the proceedings of which have never been made public.<ref>{{Cite news |date=20 December 2005 |title=Second Opinion: An honest look at the Dhaka debacle Khaled Ahmed's TV Review |url=http://archives.dailytimes.com.pk/editorial/20-Dec-2005/second-opinion-an-honest-look-at-the-dhaka-debacle-khaled-ahmed-s-tv-review |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150109162831/http://archives.dailytimes.com.pk/editorial/20-Dec-2005/second-opinion-an-honest-look-at-the-dhaka-debacle-khaled-ahmed-s-tv-review |archive-date=9 January 2015 |access-date=27 January 2006 |work=Daily Times |location=Lahore |quote=Brig Siddiqi, commenting on his latest book on the fall of East Pakistan, said that the morale of the Pakistani troops was extremely low in 1970–71, but General Rahimuddin had tried East Pakistan's charismatic leader Mujibur Rehman in Faisalabad. (General Yahya did not confirm it.)}}</ref> Mujib was sentenced to death but his execution was deferred on three occasions.<ref name="Pakistani jailer remembers incarcerated Bangabandhu" />

The Pakistan Army's operations in East Pakistan were widely labelled as [[genocide]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=17 August 1971 |title=Kennedy, in India, Terms Pakistani Drive Genocide |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1971/08/17/archives/kennedy-in-india-terms-pakistani-drive-genocide.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221110122719/https://www.nytimes.com/1971/08/17/archives/kennedy-in-india-terms-pakistani-drive-genocide.html |archive-date=10 November 2022 |access-date=10 November 2022 |work=The New York Times}}</ref><ref name="SelectiveGenocide">Blood, Archer, [http://www.gwu.edu/~nsarchiv/NSAEBB/NSAEBB79/BEBB1.pdf Transcript of Selective Genocide Telex] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090612052659/http://www.gwu.edu/~nsarchiv/NSAEBB/NSAEBB79/ |date=12 June 2009 }}, Department of State, United States</ref> The Pakistan Army carried out [[Bangladesh genocide|atrocities]] against Bengali civilians. With help from [[Jamaat-e-Islami|Jamaat]] militias like the [[Razakars (Pakistan)|Razakars]], [[Al-Badr (East Pakistan)|Al-Badr]] and [[Al-Shams (East Pakistan)|Al-Shams]], the army targeted Bengali intellectuals, professionals, politicians, students, and other ordinary civilians. Many Bengali women suffered [[Rape during the Bangladesh Liberation War|rape]]. Due to the deteriorating situation, large numbers of Hindus fled across the border to the neighbouring Indian states of [[West Bengal]], Assam and [[Tripura]].<ref name="usstatedept_south_asia_crisis">US State Department, ''Foreign Relations of the United States, 1969–1976'', Vol. XI, ''South Asia Crisis, 1971'', p. 165</ref> Bengali army and police regiments soon [[mutiny|revolted]] and League leaders formed the [[Provisional Government of Bangladesh]]. A major insurgency led by the [[Mukti Bahini]] arose across East Pakistan. Despite international pressure, the Pakistani government refused to release Mujib and negotiate with him. Mujib's family was kept under house arrest during this period. [[General Osmani]] was the key military commanding officer in the Mukti Bahini. Following [[Indo-Pakistani War of 1971|Indian intervention]] in December, the [[Pakistani Instrument of Surrender|Pakistan Army surrendered]] to the allied forces of Bangladesh and India.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Faiquzzaman |first=Mohammad |title=Banglapedia: National Encyclopedia of Bangladesh |publisher=Asiatic Society of Bangladesh |year=2012 |editor-last=Sirajul Islam |editor-link=Sirajul Islam |edition=2nd |chapter=Mujibnagar Government |access-date=29 December 2017 |editor-last2=Jamal |editor-first2=Ahmed A. |chapter-url=http://en.banglapedia.org/index.php?title=Mujibnagar_Government |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161208122432/http://en.banglapedia.org/index.php?title=Mujibnagar_Government |archive-date=8 December 2016 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Instrument of Surrender of Pakistan forces in Dacca, December 16, 1971 |newspaper=Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India |url=http://www.mea.gov.in/bilateral-documents.htm?dtl/5312/Instrument+of+Surrender+of+Pakistan+forces+in+Dacca |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210224211634/http://www.mea.gov.in/bilateral-documents.htm?dtl/5312/Instrument+of+Surrender+of+Pakistan+forces+in+Dacca |archive-date=24 February 2021 |access-date=8 January 2020}}</ref>

===Homecoming===
{{external media|video1=[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PsTOIiJr7so US media coverage on Mujib's homecoming]|width=210px|float=right}}
[[File:Sheikh Mujibur Rahman returns to Bangladesh 1972-01-10 (PID-h0047).jpg|left|thumb|upright=0.8|Public reception for Sheikh Mujibur Rahman following his release from Pakistani imprisonment in 1972.]]
[[File:Sheikh Mujibur Rahman return to Bangladesh embrace by wife Fazilatunnesa and interaction with nephew Sheikh Moni 1972-01-10 (PID-h001).jpg|thumb|upright=0.8|Mujib with his wife and family]]
Upon assuming the presidency after Yahya Khan's resignation, Zulfikar Ali Bhutto responded to international pressure and released Mujib on 8 January 1972.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Gandhi |first=Rajmohan |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=OVqP54UEe4QC |title=Revenge and Reconciliation |date=1999 |publisher=Penguin Books India |isbn=978-0-14-029045-5 |page=331 |language=en |access-date=16 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241010065327/https://books.google.com/books?id=OVqP54UEe4QC |archive-date=10 October 2024 |url-status=live}}</ref> Kamal Hossain was also released. Bhutto and [[Aziz Ahmed (civil servant)|Aziz Ahmed]] secretly met Mujib and Kamal Hossain in [[Rawalpindi]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Malcolm Browne |date=28 December 1971 |title=Bhutto Meets With Mujib; Says He'll Continue Talrs |url=https://mobile.nytimes.com/1971/12/28/archives/bhutto-meets-with-mujib-says-hell-continue-talks-bhutto-meets-with.html |url-access=limited |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171205194743/https://mobile.nytimes.com/1971/12/28/archives/bhutto-meets-with-mujib-says-hell-continue-talks-bhutto-meets-with.html |archive-date=5 December 2017 |access-date=5 December 2017 |work=The New York Times}}</ref> Bhutto proposed a last minute attempt at mediation through the [[Mohammad Reza Pahlavi|Shah of Iran]], who was scheduled to arrive the next day.<ref name="autogenerated12" /><ref name="autogenerated15">{{Cite web |date=28 November 2015 |title=History Wars: Kamal Hossain Interview (Part 2) |url=https://alalodulal.org/2015/11/27/kamal-hossain-2/}}</ref> Mujib declined the offer after consulting with Kamal Hossain. Mujib requested a flight to London.<ref name="autogenerated12" /><ref name="autogenerated15" /><ref>{{Cite news |date=15 November 2014 |title=In their words: Bhutto and Mujib, December, 1971 |url=https://www.thedailystar.net/in-their-words-bhutto-and-mujib-december-1971-50468 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170820150110/http://www.thedailystar.net/in-their-words-bhutto-and-mujib-december-1971-50468 |archive-date=20 August 2017 |work=The Daily Star}}</ref> Both Mujib and Hossain were then flown to London. En route to London, their plane made a stopover in [[Cyprus]] for refuelling.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Hossain |first=Dr Kamal |date=10 January 2020 |title=A journey from darkness to light |url=https://www.thedailystar.net/supplements/bangabandhus-homecoming-day/news/journey-darkness-light-1852066 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221110234502/https://www.thedailystar.net/supplements/bangabandhus-homecoming-day/news/journey-darkness-light-1852066 |archive-date=10 November 2022 |access-date=10 November 2022 |work=The Daily Star}}</ref> In London, Mujib was welcomed by British officials and a policeman remarked "Sir, we have been praying for you".<ref>{{Cite news |title=British policeman to Bangabandhu: 'We had been praying for you.' |url=https://www.thefinancialexpress.com.bd/national/british-policeman-to-bangabandhu-we-had-been-praying-for-you-1610259469 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221110234454/https://www.thefinancialexpress.com.bd/national/british-policeman-to-bangabandhu-we-had-been-praying-for-you-1610259469 |archive-date=10 November 2022 |access-date=10 November 2022 |work=The Financial Express}}</ref> Mujib was lodged at [[Claridge's Hotel]] and later met with British Prime Minister [[Edward Heath]] at [[10 Downing Street]]. Heath and Mujib discussed Bangladesh's membership of the [[Commonwealth of Nations|Commonwealth]]. Crowds of Bengalis converged on Claridge's Hotel to get a glimpse of Mujib.<ref>{{Cite web |date=31 January 2011 |title=Press Conference of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in London 8 January 1972 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2kcpVhptDuQ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221110234455/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2kcpVhptDuQ |archive-date=10 November 2022 |access-date=10 November 2022 |via=YouTube}}</ref>
Mujib held his first press conference in nine months and addressed the international media at Claridge's Hotel. He made the following remarks at the press conference.

<blockquote>I am free to share the unbounded joy of freedom with my fellow countrymen. We have won our freedom in an epic liberation struggle.<ref>{{Cite web |date=20 November 2013 |title=Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman at a press conference in London |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Gi5VkMxLsA |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221111003058/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Gi5VkMxLsA |archive-date=11 November 2022 |access-date=11 November 2022 |via=YouTube}}</ref></blockquote>

Mujib was provided an [[Royal Air Force|RAF]] plane by the British government to take him back to newly independent Bangladesh. He was accompanied on the flight by members of the Provisional Government of Bangladesh, as well as an emissary of India's premier Indira Gandhi. The emissary was Indian Bengali diplomat Shashank Banerjee, who recounted Mujib smoking his trademark smoking pipe with Erinmore tobacco.<ref name="autogenerated19">{{Cite news |title=13 historic hours in air |url=https://en.prothomalo.com/bangladesh/13-historic-hours-in-air |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221110234451/https://en.prothomalo.com/bangladesh/13-historic-hours-in-air |archive-date=10 November 2022 |access-date=10 November 2022 |work=Prothom Alo}}</ref> During the flight, both men agreed that Bangladesh would adopt the [[Westminster]] style of parliamentary government. On Indira Gandhi's hopes for Bangladesh, Banerjee told Mujib that "on India's eastern flank, she wished to have a friendly power, a prosperous economy, and a secular democracy, with a parliamentary system of government".<ref>{{Cite news |date=15 February 2021 |title=Mujibur Rahman's First Secret Meeting with an Indian Officer – Me |newspaper=South Asia@Lse |url=https://blogs.lse.ac.uk/southasia/2021/02/15/mujibur-rahmans-first-secret-meeting-with-an-indian-officer-me/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221110234452/https://blogs.lse.ac.uk/southasia/2021/02/15/mujibur-rahmans-first-secret-meeting-with-an-indian-officer-me/ |archive-date=10 November 2022 |access-date=10 November 2022}}</ref> Regarding the presence of Indian troops in Bangladesh, Mujib requested Banerjee to convey to the Indian government that Indian troops should be withdrawn as early as possible.<ref name="autogenerated19" /> The RAF [[de Havilland Comet]] made a stopover in the Middle East en route to Dhaka.<ref name="autogenerated19" />

The RAF plane then made a stopover in New Delhi. Mujib was received by Indian President [[Varahagiri Venkata Giri|V. V. Giri]] and Prime Minister [[Indira Gandhi]], as well as the entire Indian cabinet and chiefs of armed forces. Delhi was given a festive look as Mujib and Gandhi addressed a huge crowd where he publicly expressed his gratitude to Gandhi and the Indian public.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Rahman |first=Aziz |date=13 January 2017 |title=Historic Homecoming of Bangabandhu |url=https://daily-sun.com/printversion/details/198019/Historic-Homecomingof-Bangabandhu |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241010065246/https://www.daily-sun.com/printversion/details/198019/Historic-Homecomingof-Bangabandhu |archive-date=10 October 2024 |access-date=29 December 2017 |work=Daily Sun}}</ref>

After a few hours in Delhi, the RAF plane flew Mujib to Dhaka in independent Bangladesh. Before the plane landed, it circled the city to view the million people who converged on [[Tejgaon Airport]] to greet Mujib.<ref>{{Cite web |date=13 August 2011 |title=Bangabandhu returns home...coverage by ABC news at 10-01-1972.mp4 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T9aeq1WfnIY |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221110234451/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T9aeq1WfnIY&gl=US&hl=en |archive-date=10 November 2022 |access-date=10 November 2022 |via=YouTube}}</ref> In Dhaka, Mujib's homecoming was described as "one of the most emotional outbursts in that emotional part of the world".<ref name="autogenerated17">{{Cite web |date=23 December 2013 |title=Sheikh Mujib's Return to Bangladesh – January 10, 1972 Monday |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PsTOIiJr7so |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160317043314/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PsTOIiJr7so |archive-date=17 March 2016 |access-date=10 November 2022 |via=YouTube}}</ref> Crowds overwhelmed the airport tarmac and breached the security cordon as cabinet ministers went inside the plane to bring Mujib out. Mujib was given a [[guard of honour]] by members of the nascent [[Bangladesh Army]], [[Bangladesh Navy]], and [[Bangladesh Air Force]].<ref name="autogenerated17" /> Mujib was driven in an open truck through the dense crowds for a speech at the Ramna Race Course, where ten months earlier he had announced the liberation movement.{{efn|Multiple references:<ref name="autogenerated17" /><ref>{{Cite news |date=24 January 1972 |title=Bangladesh: A Hero Returns Home |url=http://content.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,905654,00.html |url-access=limited |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170914133432/http://content.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,905654,00.html |archive-date=14 September 2017 |access-date=8 August 2017}}</ref><ref name="Bangabandhu">{{Cite news |last=Haque |first=Junaidul |date=10 January 2014 |title=The return of Bangabandhu |url=http://www.thedailystar.net/the-return-of-bangabandhu-6167 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170815234109/http://www.thedailystar.net/the-return-of-bangabandhu-6167 |archive-date=15 August 2017 |access-date=15 August 2017 |work=The Daily Star}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=10 January 1972: Home Coming of Bangabandhu, NBC News Report | date=22 December 2016 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GYMThcUJ5cs |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221110140201/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GYMThcUJ5cs |archive-date=10 November 2022 |access-date=10 November 2022 |via=YouTube}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=25 March 2012 |title=Sheik Mujibur Rahman declares region Independent Republic, ABC, March 26, 1971 – MMR Jalal |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0tQk4r0FtmY |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130328070211/http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0tQk4r0FtmY&gl=US&hl=en |archive-date=28 March 2013 |access-date=10 November 2022 |via=YouTube}}</ref>}} Mujib's emotional speech to the million-strong crowd was caught on camera by [[Marilyn Silverstone]] and [[Rashid Talukdar]]; the photos of his homecoming day have become iconic in Bangladeshi political and popular culture.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Sheikh Mujibur Rahman (Bangabandhu) – return of Bangabandhu, re-building Bangladesh – biography of Muslim and Bengali |url=http://www.londoni.co/index.php/64-history-of-bangladesh/biography/sheikh-mujibur-rahman-bangabandhu/324-sheikh-mujibur-rahman-bangabandhu-return-of-bangabandhu-re-building-bangladesh-biography-of-muslim-and-bengali |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201101005210/http://londoni.co/index.php/64-history-of-bangladesh/biography/sheikh-mujibur-rahman-bangabandhu/324-sheikh-mujibur-rahman-bangabandhu-return-of-bangabandhu-re-building-bangladesh-biography-of-muslim-and-bengali |archive-date=1 November 2020 |access-date=16 August 2023}}</ref>

== Governing Bangladesh ==
{{See also|Premiership of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman}}
[[File:The Bangladesh Gazette, July 6, 1972.pdf|thumb|The ''[[Bangladesh Gazette]]'' of 6 July 1972. The gazette officially published decisions and new laws of the government.]]
[[File:Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman with Bangladesh Air Force personnel (03).png|thumb|Mujib inspecting a guard of honour from [[Bangladesh Air Force]] personnel]]
Mujib briefly assumed the provisional presidency and later took office as the prime minister.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Butterfield|first=Fox|date=16 January 1972|title=Bangladesh|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1972/01/16/archives/a-big-bag-of-problems-for-mujib.html|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241010064712/https://www.nytimes.com/1972/01/16/archives/a-big-bag-of-problems-for-mujib.html|archive-date=10 October 2024|access-date=30 August 2024|work=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref> In January 1972 ''[[Time (magazine)|Time]]'' magazine reported that "[i]n the aftermath of the Pakistani army's rampage last March, a special team of inspectors from the World Bank observed that some cities looked "like the morning after a nuclear attack". Since then, the destruction has only been magnified. An estimated 6,000,000 homes have been destroyed, and nearly 1,400,000 farm families have been left without tools or animals to work their lands. Transportation and communications systems are totally disrupted. Roads are damaged, bridges out and inland waterways blocked. The rape of the country continued right up until the Pakistani army surrendered a month ago. In the last days of the war, West Pakistani-owned businesses{{snd}}which included nearly every commercial enterprise in the country{{snd}}remitted virtually all their funds to the West. Pakistan International Airlines left exactly 117 rupees ($16) in its account at the port city of Chittagong. The army also destroyed bank notes and coins, so that many areas now suffer from a severe shortage of ready cash. Private cars were picked up off the streets or confiscated from auto dealers and shipped to the West before the ports were closed.<ref>{{Cite magazine |date=17 January 1972 |title=Banhladesh: Mujib's Road from Prison to Power |url=https://content.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,877626,00.html |url-access=limited |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170820201244/http://content.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,877626,00.html |archive-date=20 August 2017 |access-date=1 September 2017 |magazine=[[Time (magazine)|Time]]}}</ref><ref name="theasian">{{Cite news |last=Habib |first=Mohshin |date=4 August 2017 |title=Bangabandhu cared about the poor |url=http://dailyasianage.com/news/77958/bangabandhu-cared-about-the-poor |access-date=15 August 2017 |work=The Asian Age}}</ref>
{{check quotation}}
The new government of Bangladesh quickly converted East Pakistan's state apparatus into the machinery of an independent Bangladeshi state. For example, a presidential decree transformed the High Court of East Pakistan into the [[Supreme Court of Bangladesh]].<ref name="autogenerated5">{{Cite web |date=16 March 2020 |title=Mujib Administration's Policy Action Timeline |work=WhiteBoard is a Quarterly Policy Magazine |url=https://whiteboardmagazine.com/1874/mujib-administrations-policy-action-timeline/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221105033118/https://whiteboardmagazine.com/1874/mujib-administrations-policy-action-timeline/ |archive-date=5 November 2022 |access-date=5 November 2022}}</ref> The Awami League successfully reorganised the bureaucracy, framed a [[written constitution]], and rehabilitated war victims and survivors. In January 1972, Mujib introduced a [[parliamentary republic]] through a presidential decree.<ref name="autogenerated5" /> The emerging state structure was influenced by the [[Westminster]] model in which the Prime Minister was the most powerful leader while the President acted on the government's advice. MPs elected during the 1970 general election became members of the [[Constituent Assembly of Bangladesh]]. The Constitution Drafting Committee led by Dr. [[Kamal Hossain]] produced a draft constitution which was adopted on 4 November 1972 and came into force on 16 December 1972. In comparison to the prolonged constitution-making process in Pakistan during the 1950s, the Awami League was credited for swiftly enacting the [[Constitution of Bangladesh]] within just one year of independence. However, the League is criticised for this swift enactment because the Constituent Assembly was largely made up of members from the League itself; the few opposition lawmakers included [[Manabendra Narayan Larma]], who demanded the term "[[Bangladeshis|Bangladeshi]]" to describe the new country's citizens instead of "[[Bengalis|Bengali]]" since not all Bangladeshis were Bengalis.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Ahmed |first=Hana Shams |date=5 September 2010 |title=Our constitution |url=https://www.thedailystar.net/news-detail-153616 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180921040025/https://www.thedailystar.net/news-detail-153616 |archive-date=21 September 2018 |access-date=5 November 2022 |work=The Daily Star}}</ref> Critics argued that in reality "the Awami League sought to rule by Mujib's charisma and build a political process by dicta".<ref>{{Cite news |last=Khan |first=Salimullah |date=4 November 2022 |title=Bangladesh began badly: Remembering the roots of the impasse |url=https://www.thedailystar.net/supplements/50-years-our-constitution-original-ideals-vs-reality/news/bangladesh-began-badly-remembering-the-roots-the-impasse-3160271 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221105024615/https://www.thedailystar.net/supplements/50-years-our-constitution-original-ideals-vs-reality/news/bangladesh-began-badly-remembering-the-roots-the-impasse-3160271 |archive-date=5 November 2022 |access-date=5 November 2022 |work=The Daily Star}}</ref>

Mujib introduced a quota for backward regions to get access to public sector jobs.<ref name="autogenerated5" /> Bangladesh also faced a [[gun control]] problem because many of its guerrilla fighters from the Liberation War were roaming the country with guns. Mujib successfully called on former guerrillas to surrender their arms through public ceremonies which affirmed their status as freedom fighters during the Liberation War.<ref name="autogenerated5" /> The President's Relief and Welfare Fund was created to rehabilitate an estimated 10 million displaced Bangladeshis. Mujib established 11,000 new primary schools and nationalised 40,000 primary schools.{{sfn|Mujibur Rahman|2012|p=xxvi}}

===Withdrawal of Indian troops===
One of Mujib's first priorities was the withdrawal of Indian troops from Bangladesh. Mujib requested the Indian government to ensure a swift withdrawal of Indian military forces from Bangladeshi territory. A timeline was drawn up for rapid withdrawal. The withdrawal took place within three months of the surrender of Pakistan to the allied forces of Bangladesh and India. A formal ceremony was held in Dhaka Stadium on 12 March 1972 in which Mujib inspected a guard of honour from the 1st [[Rajput Regiment]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=13 March 1972 |title=India's Soldiers Quit Bangladesh |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1972/03/13/archives/indias-soldiers-quit-bangladesh-ceremonies-in-dacca-mark-pullout.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221111000430/https://www.nytimes.com/1972/03/13/archives/indias-soldiers-quit-bangladesh-ceremonies-in-dacca-mark-pullout.html |archive-date=11 November 2022 |access-date=11 November 2022 |work=The New York Times}}</ref> The withdrawal of Indian forces was completed by 15 March.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Sajen |first=Shamsuddoza |date=15 March 2020 |title=Indian Army withdraws from Bangladesh |url=https://www.thedailystar.net/backpage/news/indian-army-withdraws-bangladesh-1880827 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221111000421/https://www.thedailystar.net/backpage/news/indian-army-withdraws-bangladesh-1880827 |archive-date=11 November 2022 |access-date=11 November 2022 |work=The Daily Star}}</ref> Many countries established diplomatic relations with Bangladesh soon after the withdrawal of Indian troops.<ref name="autogenerated16">{{Cite journal |last=O'Mahoney |first=Joseph |date=7 April 2017 |title=Making the Real: Rhetorical Adduction and the Bangladesh Liberation War |url=https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/international-organization/article/making-the-real-rhetorical-adduction-and-the-bangladesh-liberation-war/D7396F6DFDE0914CD3C1C8D7A7141BF9 |url-status=live |journal=International Organization |volume=71 |issue=2 |pages=317–348 |doi=10.1017/S0020818317000054 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221111000430/https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/international-organization/article/making-the-real-rhetorical-adduction-and-the-bangladesh-liberation-war/D7396F6DFDE0914CD3C1C8D7A7141BF9 |archive-date=11 November 2022 |access-date=11 November 2022 |via=Cambridge University Press}}</ref> India's intervention and subsequent withdrawal has been cited as a successful case of humanitarian intervention in international law.<ref name="autogenerated16" />

===War criminals===
[[File:Old Highcourt Bhaban (1).JPG|thumb|The war crimes tribunal was set up in 1973. In 1974, Bangladesh hosted the 3rd International Criminal Law Conference.]]

In 1972, Mujib told [[David Frost]] that he was a strong man but he had tears in his eyes when he saw pictures of the [[1971 Bangladesh genocide]].<ref name="auto">{{Cite web |date=26 August 2020 |title=Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman with David Frost |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gHxL6hhY4fc |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221105034854/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gHxL6hhY4fc |archive-date=5 November 2022 |access-date=5 November 2022 |via=YouTube}}</ref> He told Frost that "I am a very generous man. I always believe in forgive and forget but this is impossible on my part to forgive and forget. This was cold blooded murder in a planned way; [[genocide]] to kill my people. These people must be punished".<ref name="auto" /> Speaking about a potential war crimes trial, Mujib said "the world powers arranged the [[Nuremberg trial]]s against the war criminals of fascist Germany. I think they should come forward and there should be another trial or inquiry under the United Nations".<ref name="auto" /> Mujib pledged to hold a trial for those accused in wartime atrocities. An estimated 11,000 local collaborators of the Pakistan Army were arrested.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Zia freed 11,000 jailed collaborators: Quamrul |url=https://en.prothomalo.com/bangladesh/Zia-freed-11-000-jailed-collaborators-Quamrul |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221123041721/https://en.prothomalo.com/bangladesh/Zia-freed-11-000-jailed-collaborators-Quamrul |archive-date=23 November 2022 |access-date=23 November 2022 |work=Prothom Alo}}</ref> Their cases were heard by the Collaborators Tribunal.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Collaborators Tribunal Order, 1972 |url=https://en.banglapedia.org/index.php?title=Collaborators_Tribunal_Order,_1972 |website=Banglapedia}}</ref> In 1973, the government introduced the International Crimes (Tribunal) Act to prosecute 195 Pakistani [[PoW]]s under Indian custody.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The International Crimes (Tribunals) Act, 1973 |url=https://ihl-databases.icrc.org/applic/ihl/ihl-nat.nsf/0/0618daaa2660e9b3c125771a00264b13/$FILE/International%20Crimes%20(Tribunals)%20Act,%201973%20(as%20amended%20in%202009).pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220901070144/https://ihl-databases.icrc.org/applic/ihl/ihl-nat.nsf/0/0618daaa2660e9b3c125771a00264b13/$FILE/International%20Crimes%20(Tribunals)%20Act,%201973%20(as%20amended%20in%202009).pdf |archive-date=1 September 2022 |website=International Humanitarian Law Databases}}</ref> In response, Pakistan filed a case against India at the International Court of Justice.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Case Concerning Trial of Pakistani Prisoners of War |url=https://www.icj-cij.org/public/files/case-related/60/9461.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220816194320/https://icj-cij.org/public/files/case-related/60/9461.pdf |archive-date=16 August 2022 |access-date=23 November 2022 |website=International Court of Justice}}</ref> The [[Delhi Agreement]] struck a compromise between India, Pakistan and Bangladesh after the three countries agreed to transfer PoWs to Pakistani custody. However, the foreign minister of Bangladesh stated that "the excesses and manifold crimes committed by those prisoners of war constituted, according to the relevant provisions of the UN General Assembly resolutions and international law, [[war crime]]s, [[crimes against humanity]] and genocide, and that there was universal consensus that persons charged with such crimes as [the] 195 Pakistani prisoners of war should be held to account and subjected to the due process of law".<ref>{{Cite news |date=2 March 2008 |title=Text of the tri-patriate agreement of Bangladesh-Pakistan-India |newspaper=Bangladesh Genocide Archive |url=https://www.genocidebangladesh.org/text-of-the-tri-patriate-agreement-of-bangladesh-pakistan-india/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230102082927/https://www.genocidebangladesh.org/text-of-the-tri-patriate-agreement-of-bangladesh-pakistan-india/ |archive-date=2 January 2023 |access-date=23 November 2022}}</ref> In 1974, the Third International Criminal Law Conference was held at the [[Bangladesh Institute of Law and International Affairs]]; the meeting supported calls for the creation of an international penal court.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Bilia Home Page |url=https://library.biliabd.org/details/7204 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221123052525/https://library.biliabd.org/details/7204 |archive-date=23 November 2022 |access-date=23 November 2022 |website=library.biliabd.org}}</ref>

===Economic policy===
[[File:Petrobangla Building.jpg|thumb|Mujib set up [[Petrobangla]] as the national oil and gas company.]]

Mujib declared [[socialism]] as a national policy. His land reforms restricted land ownership to less than 25 ''bighas'' of land which effectively ended all traces of the ''[[zamindar]]i'' system. Land owners with more than 25 ''bighas'' were subjected to taxes.{{sfn|Mujibur Rahman|2012|p=xxvi }} Farmers had to sell their products at prices set by the government instead of the market. Mujib [[nationalised]] all banks, insurance companies, and 580 industrial plants.{{sfn|Mujibur Rahman|2012|p=xxvi }} There was little foreign investment. The stock exchange remained closed. In 1974, the government sought to invite international oil companies to explore the [[Bay of Bengal]] for oil and natural gas. [[Royal Dutch Shell|Shell]] sold five gas fields to the Bangladeshi government which set the stage for the creation of [[Petrobangla]].<ref>{{Cite news |title=National Energy Security Day today |url=https://www.newagebd.net/article/178014/national-energy-security-day-today |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221105024611/https://www.newagebd.net/article/178014/national-energy-security-day-today |archive-date=5 November 2022 |access-date=5 November 2022 |work=New Age}}</ref> The national airline [[Biman]] was set up with planes from [[British Caledonian]], the Indian government and the [[World Council of Churches]]. In the industrial sector, the Bangladeshi government built the Ghorashal Fertilizer Factory.{{sfn|Mujibur Rahman|2012|p=xxvi }} Work began on the [[Ashuganj Power Station]]. Operations in the [[Port of Chittagong]] were restored after the [[Soviet Navy]] conducted a clearing operation for [[naval mine]]s.<ref>{{Cite news |title=50 years of Soviet naval operation in Ctg Port |url=https://www.daily-sun.com/post/615862/50-years-of-Soviet-naval-operation-in-Ctg-Port |work=Daily Sun}}</ref>

Industrial activity was eventually restored to pre-1971 levels.<ref name="whiteboardmagazine.com">{{Cite web |date=17 March 2020 |title=Mujib's economic policies and their relevance today |url=https://whiteboardmagazine.com/471/mujibs-economic-policies-and-their-relevance-today/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230906123652/https://whiteboardmagazine.com/471/mujibs-economic-policies-and-their-relevance-today/ |archive-date=6 September 2023 |access-date=6 September 2023}}</ref> Banking services rapidly expanded in rural areas.<ref name="whiteboardmagazine.com" /> Mujib recruited CEOs from the private sector to run state-owned companies.<ref name="whiteboardmagazine.com" /> The first Five Year Plan was adopted by the Planning Commission, which was headed by the Harvard-trained economist [[Nurul Islam (economist)|Nurul Islam]].<ref name="whiteboardmagazine.com" /> The Planning Commission sought to diversify Bangladesh's exports. In trade with India, the Planning Commission identified fertilizer, iron, cement and natural gas as potential export sectors in Bangladesh. The Planning Commission, with Mujib's approval, wanted to transform Bangladesh into a producer of value added products generated from imported Indian raw materials.<ref name="whiteboardmagazine.com" /> In addition to state-owned firms, many private sector companies emerged, including the [[BEXIMCO|Bangladesh Export Import Company]] and [[Advanced Chemical Industries]]. These companies later became some of Bangladesh's biggest conglomerates.

The Mujib government faced serious challenges, which included the resettlement of millions of people displaced in 1971, organisation of food supply, health services and other necessities. The effects of the 1970 cyclone had not worn off, and the economy of Bangladesh had immensely deteriorated due to the conflict.<ref>Lawrence B. Lesser. "Economic Reconstruction after Independence". [http://lcweb2.loc.gov/frd/cs/bdtoc.html ''A Country Study: Bangladesh''] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150711103712/http://lcweb2.loc.gov/frd/cs/bdtoc.html |date=11 July 2015 }} (James Heitzman and Robert Worden, editors). [[Federal Research Division]], Library of Congress (September 1988). ''This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.''[http://lcweb2.loc.gov/frd/cs/about.html About the Country Studies / Area Handbooks Program: Country Studies – Federal Research Division, Library of Congress] {{Webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20120710004153/http://lcweb2.loc.gov/frd/cs/about.html |date=10 July 2012 }}</ref> In 1973, thousands of Bengalis arrived from Pakistan while many non-Bengali industrialists and capitalists emigrated; poorer non-Bengalis were stranded in refugee camps. Major efforts were launched to help an estimated 10&nbsp;million former refugees who returned from India. The economy began to recover eventually.<ref name="JSTOR3">{{Cite journal |last=Jahan |first=Rounaq |author-link=Rounaq Jahan |date=February 1973 |title=Bangladesh in 1972: Nation Building in a New State |journal=Asian Survey |volume=13 |issue=2 |pages=199–210 |doi=10.2307/2642736 |jstor=2642736}}</ref> The five-year plan released in 1973 focused state investments into agriculture and cottage industries.<ref name="UNESCAP">{{Cite web |last=Farid |first=Shah Mohammad |title=Integration of Poverty Alleviation and Social Sector Development into the Planning Process in Bangladesh |url=http://www.unescap.org/drpad/publication/ldc6_2174/chap4.PDF |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080227002742/http://www.unescap.org/drpad/publication/ldc6_2174/chap4.PDF |archive-date=27 February 2008 |access-date=7 July 2006 |website=UNESCAP}}</ref> But a [[Bangladesh famine of 1974|famine]] occurred in 1974 when the price of rice rose sharply. In that month there was widespread starvation in [[Rangpur district]]. Government mismanagement was blamed.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Sen |first=Amratya |title=Poverty and famines: An essay and entitlement and deprivation |publisher=Oxford University Press |year=1982 |page=138}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Maidul Islam |title=Limits of Islamism |publisher=Cambridge University Press |year=2015 |isbn=978-1107080263 |page=172}}</ref> Many of Mujib's socialist policies were eventually overturned by future governments. The five years of his regime marked the only intensely socialist period in Bangladesh's history. Successive governments de-emphasised socialism and promoted a market economy. By the 1990s, the Awami League returned to being a centre-left party in economics.

===Legal reforms===
[[File:বাংলাদেশের সংবিধান ১৯৭২ (পৃষ্ঠা ১).jpg|thumb|First page of the Constitution of Bangladesh, which became the first modern Bengali constitution]]

The [[Constitution of Bangladesh]] became the first Bengali [[written constitution]] in modern history. The Awami League introduced a new [[bill of rights]], which was more broad and expansive than the laws of East and West Pakistan.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://legal.un.org/avl/faculty/Hossain.html|title=AVL Faculty: Dr. Kamal Hossain|website=legal.un.org}}</ref> In addition to freedom of speech and freedom of religion, the new constitution emphasized property rights, the right to privacy, the prohibition of torture, safeguards during detention and trial, the prohibition of forced labor, and freedom of association.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Constitution of the People's Republic of Bangladesh |url=http://bdlaws.minlaw.gov.bd/act-367.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221126173126/http://bdlaws.minlaw.gov.bd/act-367.html |archive-date=26 November 2022 |access-date=6 September 2023}}</ref> The Awami League repealed many controversial laws of the Pakistani period, including the Public Safety Act and Defense of Pakistan Rules. [[Women's rights]] received more attention than before. Discrimination on grounds of religion, ethnicity, gender, place of birth or disability was discouraged.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Constitution of the People's Republic of Bangladesh &#124; 28. Discrimination on grounds of religion, etc |url=http://bdlaws.minlaw.gov.bd/act-367/section-24576.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241010065828/http://bdlaws.minlaw.gov.bd/act-367/section-24576.html |archive-date=10 October 2024 |access-date=6 September 2023}}</ref>

===Secularism===
{{Main|Secularism in Bangladesh}}

While Pakistan adopted progressive reforms to Muslim family law as early as 1961,<ref>{{Cite news |date=2 September 2017 |title=Special report: The Changing of the Guard 1958–1969 |url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1355171 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221205233009/https://www.dawn.com/news/1355171 |archive-date=5 December 2022 |access-date=7 November 2022 |work=Dawn}}</ref> Bangladesh became the first constitutionally secular state in South Asia in 1972 when its newly adopted constitution included the word "secularism" for the first time in the region.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Struggle for the Soul of Bangladesh |url=https://institute.global/policy/struggle-soul-bangladesh |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221014052636/https://institute.global/policy/struggle-soul-bangladesh |archive-date=14 October 2022 |access-date=13 November 2022 |website=Institute for Global Change}}</ref> Despite the constitution's proclamation of secularism as a state policy, Mujib banned "anti-Islamic" activities, including gambling, horse racing and alcohol. He established the [[Islamic Foundation Bangladesh|Islamic Foundation]] to regulate religious affairs for Muslims, including the collection of ''[[zakat]]'' and setting dates for religious observances like Eid and Ramadan.{{sfn|Mujibur Rahman|2012|p=xxvi }} Under Mujib, Bangladesh joined the [[Organization of the Islamic Conference]] (OIC) in 1974. Bangladesh was not the only Muslim-majority secular republic in the OIC; others included [[Turkey]] and Nigeria. Secularism was later removed from the constitution by the military dictatorship in the late 1970s. Secularism was reinstated by the Supreme Court into the constitution in 2010.<ref>{{Cite news |date=5 October 2010 |title=Secularism is back in Bangladesh, rules High Court |url=https://www.deccanherald.com/content/102192/secularism-back-bangladesh-rules-high.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221108030834/https://www.deccanherald.com/content/102192/secularism-back-bangladesh-rules-high.html |archive-date=8 November 2022 |access-date=8 November 2022 |work=Deccan Herald |language=en}}</ref>

Mujib said "secularism doesn't mean irreligiosity. Hindus will practice their religion; Muslims will practice their religion; Christians, Buddhists{{snd}}everyone will practice their respective religions. No one will interfere in someone else's religion; the people of Bengal do not seek to interfere in matters of religion. Religion will not be used for political purposes. Religion will not be exploited in Bengal for political gain. If anyone does so, I believe the people of Bengal will retaliate against them".<ref name="Bangabandhu's Voice in Parliament" />

===Foreign policy===
[[File:1973-08 Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman meets Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip at Commonwealth Head of Government Conference Ottawa (PID-h0054).jpg|thumb|Mujib with Queen [[Elizabeth II]] and [[Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh]] in 1973]]
[[File:Mujib and Ford.jpg|thumb|Mujib with U.S. President [[Gerald Ford]] at the [[Oval Office]] in 1974]]

Sheikh Mujib's foreign policy maxim was "friendship to all, malice to none".<ref>{{Cite web |date=17 March 2020 |title=Friendship towards all was a masterstroke |url=https://whiteboardmagazine.com/346/friendship-towards-all-was-a-masterstroke/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230817171919/https://whiteboardmagazine.com/346/friendship-towards-all-was-a-masterstroke/ |archive-date=17 August 2023 |access-date=17 August 2023}}</ref> Mujib's priorities were to secure aid for reconstruction and relief efforts; normalizing diplomatic relations with the world; and joining major international organizations.

Mujib's major foreign policy achievement was to secure normalisation and [[diplomatic relations]] with most countries of the world. Bangladesh joined the [[Commonwealth of Nations|Commonwealth]], the UN, the [[OIC]], and the [[Non-Aligned Movement]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=18 April 2020 |title=Bangladesh enters Commonwealth |url=https://www.thedailystar.net/backpage/news/bangladesh-enters-commonwealth-1894048 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220926153013/https://www.thedailystar.net/backpage/news/bangladesh-enters-commonwealth-1894048 |archive-date=26 September 2022 |access-date=16 August 2023 |work=The Daily Star}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Admission of Bangladesh to the Commonwealth – Statement by the Prime Minister, The Rt Hon William McMahon CH MP |url=https://pmtranscripts.pmc.gov.au/sites/default/files/original/00002565.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230816164415/https://pmtranscripts.pmc.gov.au/sites/default/files/original/00002565.pdf |archive-date=16 August 2023 |access-date=16 August 2023 |website=pmtranscripts.pmc.gov.au}}</ref><ref name="auto1">{{Cite news |date=13 July 2009 |title=Non-aligned conference and Bangladesh |url=https://www.thedailystar.net/news-detail-96760 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230816164413/https://www.thedailystar.net/news-detail-96760 |archive-date=16 August 2023 |access-date=16 August 2023 |work=The Daily Star}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last=Ali |first=Mehrunnisa |date=20 August 1974 |title=The Second Islamic Summit Conference, 1974 |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/41393199 |url-status=live |journal=Pakistan Horizon |volume=27 |issue=1 |pages=29–49 |jstor=41393199 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230816164415/https://www.jstor.org/stable/41393199 |archive-date=16 August 2023 |access-date=16 August 2023}}</ref> His allies included Prime Minister [[Indira Gandhi]] of India and [[Marshal Tito]] of [[Yugoslavia]].<ref>{{Cite book |last=Uddin |first=Sufia M. |title=Constructing Bangladesh: Religion, Ethnicity, and Language in an Islamic Nation |publisher=Univ of North Carolina Press |year=2006 |isbn=978-0-8078-3021-5 |page=137}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=Recalling Bangabandhu in Belgrade |url=https://dailyasianage.com/news/200799/recalling-bangabandhu-in-belgrade |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230816164414/https://dailyasianage.com/news/200799/recalling-bangabandhu-in-belgrade |archive-date=16 August 2023 |access-date=16 August 2023 |work=The Asian Age |location=Bangladesh}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=20 October 2021 |title=Tito calls for political solution to Bangladesh problem |url=https://www.thedailystar.net/news/bangladesh/news/tito-calls-political-solution-bangladesh-problem-2202366 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230816164415/https://www.thedailystar.net/news/bangladesh/news/tito-calls-political-solution-bangladesh-problem-2202366 |archive-date=16 August 2023 |access-date=16 August 2023 |work=The Daily Star}}</ref>
Japan became a major aid provider to the new country. Mujib attended Commonwealth summits in Canada and [[Jamaica]], where he held talks with [[Queen Elizabeth II]], British Prime Minister [[Harold Wilson]], Canadian Prime Minister [[Pierre Trudeau]] and New Zealand Prime Minister [[Norman Kirk]].<ref name="Bangladesh p. 171-197">[[Kamal Hossain]], ''Bangladesh: Quest for Freedom and Justice'', pp. 171–197</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=PM mourns demise of Queen Elizabeth II |url=https://www.bssnews.net/news-flash/81571 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221105024607/https://www.bssnews.net/news-flash/81571 |archive-date=5 November 2022 |access-date=5 November 2022 |work=Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha}}</ref> The [[Soviet Union]] supplied several squadrons of [[MiG-21]] planes for the Bangladesh Air Force.{{sfn|Heitzman|Library of Congress|Nyrop|Worden|1989|pages=226, 234}} China initially blocked Bangladesh's entry to the UN in 1972, but withdrew its veto in 1974 which allowed Bangladesh to join the UN.<ref name="Bangladesh p. 171-197" /> The United States recognized the independence of Bangladesh on 4 April 1972 and pledged US$300 million in aid.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Newsom |first=Phil |date=1 June 1972 |title=U.S. Strives to Improve Relations with Bangladesh |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=bLEiAAAAIBAJ&sjid=PbMFAAAAIBAJ&pg=5951,588675&dq=bangladesh+embassy+united+states&hl=en |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200605131656/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=bLEiAAAAIBAJ&sjid=PbMFAAAAIBAJ&pg=5951%2C588675&dq=bangladesh+embassy+united+states&hl=en |archive-date=5 June 2020 |access-date=17 August 2023 |work=Beaver County Times |location=Beaver, Pennsylvania |agency=United Press International}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=5 April 1972 |title=U.S. recognizes Bangladesh |url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/494346155 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241010065722/https://www.proquest.com/docview/494346155 |archive-date=10 October 2024 |access-date=17 August 2023 |work=Chicago Daily Defender |page=14 |agency=United Press International |id={{ProQuest|494346155}}}}</ref> Britain, Malaysia, Indonesia, West Germany, Denmark, Norway and Sweden were among the several countries which recognized Bangladesh in February 1972.<ref name="ReferenceA">[[Kamal Hossain]], ''Bangladesh: Quest for Freedom and Justice'' (UPL) pp. 171–197</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=5 February 1972 |title=British Establish Bangladesh Ties |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1972/02/05/archives/british-establish-bangladesh-ties-west-germany-israel-and-7-others.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230817171915/https://www.nytimes.com/1972/02/05/archives/british-establish-bangladesh-ties-west-germany-israel-and-7-others.html |archive-date=17 August 2023 |access-date=17 August 2023 |work=The New York Times}}</ref>

[[File:Sheikh Mujibur Rahman giving speech at UN in 1974.jpg|thumb|In his first speech to the UN General Assembly, Mujib demanded an end to [[apartheid]] and the occupation of Palestine, as well as freedom for Namibia and Rhodesia.]]

====Africa====
Mujib was a firm opponent of [[apartheid]]. In [[1974 Speech of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman at the United Nations|his first speech to the United Nations General Assembly in 1974]], Mujib remarked that "In spite of the acceleration of the process of abolishing colonialism, it hasn't reached its ultimate goal. This is more strongly true of Africa, where the people of [[Rhodesia]] and [[Namibia]] are still engaged in the final struggle for national independence and absolute freedom. Although racism has been identified as a serious offence in this council, it's still destroying the conscience of the people".<ref name="autogenerated2">{{Cite news |title=Bangabandhu's historic 1974 UN speech |url=https://www.theindependentbd.com/post/253673 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221105024614/https://www.theindependentbd.com/post/253673 |archive-date=5 November 2022 |access-date=5 November 2022 |work=The Independent |location=Dhaka}}</ref><ref name="autogenerated3">{{Cite web |date=14 August 2016 |title=25th September 1974 Speech in UN by Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bzpb14fl73M |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230402125355/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bzpb14fl73M |archive-date=2 April 2023 |access-date=5 November 2022 |via=YouTube}}</ref> This was the first speech in the UN General Assembly to be spoken in [[Bengali language|Bengali]].

Bangladesh joined the Non Aligned Movement (NAM) during the [[4th Summit of the Non-Aligned Movement]] in [[Algiers]].<ref name="auto1"/><ref>{{Cite news |title=Bangladesh: A strong supporter of Non-Aligned Movement |url=https://www.newagebd.net/article/119336/bangladesh-a-strong-supporter-of-non-aligned-movement |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230817171927/https://www.newagebd.net/article/119336/bangladesh-a-strong-supporter-of-non-aligned-movement |archive-date=17 August 2023 |access-date=17 August 2023 |work=New Age}}</ref> Mujib told Nigerian leader [[Yakubu Gowon]] that "if we had remained in Pakistan, it would be a strong country. Again, if India had not been divided in 1947, it would be an even stronger country. But, then, Mr. President, in life do we always get what we desire?".<ref>{{Cite news |title=The statesman in Bangabandhu |url=https://www.thedailystar.net/magazine/2009/08/02/tribute.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230817171917/https://www.thedailystar.net/magazine/2009/08/02/tribute.htm |archive-date=17 August 2023 |access-date=17 August 2023 |work=The Daily Star}}</ref> The comment was in response to Gowon questioning the need for the break up of Pakistan.<ref>{{Cite news |date=16 March 2011 |title=Bangabandhu was our Druid |url=https://www.thedailystar.net/news-detail-177836 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230817171926/https://www.thedailystar.net/news-detail-177836 |archive-date=17 August 2023 |access-date=17 August 2023 |work=The Daily Star}}</ref> Mujib met Zambian leader [[Kenneth Kaunda]] and Senegalese president [[Léopold Sédar Senghor]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Photo Archive &#124; 100 Years of Mujib |url=https://mujib100.gov.bd/pages/mujib/photo-archive.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230817171921/https://mujib100.gov.bd/pages/mujib/photo-archive.html |archive-date=17 August 2023 |access-date=17 August 2023}}</ref> He developed a good rapport with President [[Anwar Sadat]] of Egypt, who gifted 30 tanks to the Bangladeshi military in return for Mujib's support to Egypt.{{sfn|Heitzman|Library of Congress|Nyrop|Worden|1989|page=226}}<ref>{{Cite news |title=The Way an Egyptian Tank Was Used in Mujib's Assassination |url=https://en.shampratikdeshkal.com/bangladesh/news/200810067/the-way-an-egyptian-tank-was-used-in-mujibs-assassination |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230914220338/https://en.shampratikdeshkal.com/bangladesh/news/200810067/the-way-an-egyptian-tank-was-used-in-mujibs-assassination |archive-date=14 September 2023 |access-date=9 September 2023 |work=Shampratik Deshkal English}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Trade Registers |url=https://armstrade.sipri.org/armstrade/page/trade_register.php |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091126192819/https://armstrade.sipri.org/armstrade/page/trade_register.php |archive-date=26 November 2009 |access-date=9 September 2023 |website=armstrade.sipri.org |publisher=Stockholm International Peace Research Institute}}</ref> Algerian president [[Houari Boumédiène]] brought Mujib to the [[Organization of Islamic Cooperation|OIC Summit]] in Lahore on his plane.<ref name="ReferenceA" />

====Middle East====
[[File:OIC Leaders in Shalimar Gardens, Lahore.jpg|thumb|Sheikh Mujibur Rahman (center) with Algerian President [[Houari Boumédiène]] (far left), Pakistani Prime Minister [[Zulfikar Ali Bhutto]] (left), and [[Sultan bin Abdulaziz|Prince Sultan of Saudi Arabia]] (right) at the [[Shalimar Gardens, Lahore]]]]

While addressing the UN General Assembly in 1974, Mujib said "injustice is still rampant in many parts of the world. Our Arab brothers are still fighting for the complete eviction of the invaders from their land. The equitable national rights of the [[Palestinian people]] have not yet been achieved".<ref name=autogenerated2/><ref name=autogenerated3/> While Israel was one of the first countries to recognize Bangladesh,<ref>{{Cite book |last=Husain |first=Syed Anwar |title=Bengal and Bangladesh: Politics and Culture on the Golden Delta |publisher=Asian Studies Center, Michigan State University |year=1990 |editor-last=Tepper |editor-first=Elliot L. |page=103 |chapter=Bangladesh and Islamic Countries, 1972–1983 |quote=In April 1972, Israel also extended recognition to Bangladesh. |editor-last2=Hayes |editor-first2=Glen A.}}</ref> the Mujib government dispatched an army medical unit to support Arab countries during the [[Arab-Israeli War of 1973]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Dr Rounaq Jahan |date=10 April 2021 |title=OP-ED: A champion of peace, freedom, and humanity |url=https://www.dhakatribune.com/opinion/op-ed/244471/op-ed-a-champion-of-peace-freedom-and-humanity |work=Dhaka Tribune}}</ref> This was Bangladesh's first dispatch of military aid overseas.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Chowdhury |first=Umran |date=14 July 2023 |title=Bangladesh's Palestine policy |url=https://www.dhakatribune.com/opinion/op-ed/320335/bangladesh%E2%80%99s-palestine-policy |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230817115236/https://www.dhakatribune.com/opinion/op-ed/320335/bangladesh%E2%80%99s-palestine-policy |archive-date=17 August 2023 |access-date=17 August 2023 |work=Dhaka Tribune}}</ref> [[Kuwait]] sent its foreign minister [[Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah]] to persuade Mujib to join the OIC Summit in Lahore in 1974.<ref name="autogenerated2" /><ref>{{Cite news |title=President of Algeria in Dhaka |url=https://www.daily-sun.com/post/468598/President-of-Algeria-in-Dhaka |work=Daily Sun}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=February 2020 |title=Bangabandhu at OIC Summit in Lahore |url=https://www.daily-sun.com/post/463468/Bangabandhu-at-OIC-Summit-in-Lahore |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230817115224/https://www.daily-sun.com/post/463468/Bangabandhu-at-OIC-Summit-in-Lahore |archive-date=17 August 2023 |access-date=17 August 2023 |work=Daily Sun}}</ref> The Lebanese foreign minister accompanied Sabah during the visit to Dhaka.<ref>[[Kamal Hossain]], ''Bangladesh: Quest for Freedom and Justice'', p. 233</ref> Bangladesh enjoyed strong relations with the secular Arab government of [[Iraq]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Iraq: Sheikh Mujibur Rahman of Bangladesh Visits Iraq |url=https://www.britishpathe.com/asset/200210/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240324000422/https://www.britishpathe.com/asset/200210/ |archive-date=24 March 2024 |access-date=24 March 2024}}</ref><ref name="Bangabandhu in Iraq">{{Cite news |date=October 2020 |title=Bangabandhu in Iraq |url=https://www.daily-sun.com/printversion/details/510481/Bangabandhu-in-Iraq |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240324000420/https://www.daily-sun.com/printversion/details/510481/Bangabandhu-in-Iraq |archive-date=24 March 2024 |access-date=24 March 2024 |work=Daily Sun}}</ref> Mujib had a warm rapport with [[Sheikh Zayed]] of the [[United Arab Emirates|UAE]], with the two men joking about their names.<ref>{{Cite news |date=15 August 2011 |title=He was our Caesar |url=https://www.thedailystar.net/news-detail-198705 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240324000420/https://www.thedailystar.net/news-detail-198705 |archive-date=24 March 2024 |access-date=24 March 2024 |work=The Daily Star}}</ref>

Egyptian president Anwar Sadat visited Bangladesh on 25 February 1974 to thank Mujib for his support during the 1973 war.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Bangladesh: Egyptian President Anwar Sadat Visits Bangladesh – Urges It to Forget the Past |url=https://www.britishpathe.com/asset/113351/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241010065723/https://www.britishpathe.com/asset/113351/ |archive-date=10 October 2024 |access-date=24 March 2024}}</ref> Sadat became a close friend of Mujib.<ref>{{Cite news |date=February 2020 |title=Anwar Sadat's Sojourn in Dhaka |url=https://www.daily-sun.com/post/465158/Anwar-Sadat%E2%80%99s-Sojourn-in-Dhaka- |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240324000420/https://www.daily-sun.com/post/465158/Anwar-Sadat%E2%80%99s-Sojourn-in-Dhaka- |archive-date=24 March 2024 |access-date=24 March 2024 |work=Daily Sun}}</ref> Algerian president Houari Boumédiène was instrumental in getting Bangladesh into the OIC. Mujib met with [[Takieddin el-Solh]], the Prime Minister of Lebanon.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Bangabandhu in the international Sphere (1974–75) : Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Memorial Museum |url=https://bangabandhumuseum.org.bd/en/gallery/details/52/21 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240324000420/https://bangabandhumuseum.org.bd/en/gallery/details/52/21 |archive-date=24 March 2024 |access-date=24 March 2024}}</ref> He also met [[Hafez al-Assad]], the President of [[Syria]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Bangabandhu in the international Sphere (1974) : Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Memorial Museum |url=https://bangabandhumuseum.org.bd/en/gallery/details/51/21 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190831024230/http://bangabandhumuseum.org.bd/en/gallery/details/51/21 |url-status=dead |archive-date=31 August 2019}}</ref> Mujib visited Iraq, Egypt, and Algeria. During his trip to Iraq, crowds of several thousand Iraqis welcomed him on the streets of [[Baghdad]], Karbala and Babylon.<ref name="Bangabandhu in Iraq" />

====South Asia====
Mujib and Indira Gandhi signed the 25-year [[Indo-Bangladeshi Treaty of Friendship, Cooperation and Peace]].{{sfn|Frank|2001|p=343}}<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Shamim |first=Choudhury M. |year=2001 |title=The Bangladesh-India Friendship Treaty: A Critical Analysis |url=https://archive.org/stream/BangladeshIndiaTreaty/bangladesh_djvu.txt |journal=Journal of Bangladesh Studies |volume=3 |issue=1 |pages=1–14 |doi=10.1163/27715086-00301002}}</ref> India and Bangladesh developed extremely cordial relations based on shared political values, a common nonaligned worldview and cultural solidarity. In February 1972, Mujib visited the Indian city of [[Calcutta]] in West Bengal to thank the people of India for their support during the liberation war. Mujib was immensely popular in India. Many of India's leading film directors, singers, writers, actors and actresses came to meet with Mujib, including [[Satyajit Ray]], [[Hemanta Mukherjee]] and [[Hema Malini]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=26 March 2018 |title=On Bangladesh independence day, rare photographs of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman with Indian personalities |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/research/bangladesh-independence-day-sheikh-mujibur-rahman-photographs-5111723/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230817222012/https://indianexpress.com/article/research/bangladesh-independence-day-sheikh-mujibur-rahman-photographs-5111723/ |archive-date=17 August 2023 |access-date=17 August 2023 |work=The Indian Express}}</ref> In Pakistan, a constitutional amendment was passed to establish diplomatic relations with Bangladesh.<ref>Raza, Syed Rasul (2008). Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto; The Architect of New Pakistan. Karachi, Sindh Province, Pakistan: Printwise publication. {{ISBN|978-969-8500-00-9}}. pp. 15–17</ref> In the [[Delhi Agreement]] of 1974, Bangladesh, India and Pakistan pledged to work for regional stability and peace. The agreement paved the way for the return of interned Bengali officials and their families stranded in Pakistan, as well as the establishment of diplomatic [[Bangladesh-Pakistan relations|relations between Bangladesh and Pakistan]].{{sfn|Ahmed|1983|pp=202–205}} However, Bangladesh had to concede on the issue of putting 195 Pakistani [[PoW]]s on trial for war crimes, after the three countries agreed by consensus to transfer the 195 PoWs to Pakistani custody.<ref>[[Kamal Hossain]], ''Bangladesh: Quest for Freedom and Justice'' (UPL) pp. 217–259</ref>

Mujib and Gandhi also signed a Land Boundary Treaty concerning the [[India-Bangladesh enclaves]]. The treaty was challenged in court.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Berubari Case: The Third Amendment in the Constitution of Bangladesh |url=http://lawsden.info/2020/05/10/berubari-case-the-third-amendment-in-the-constitution-of-bangladesh/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221105024605/http://lawsden.info/2020/05/10/berubari-case-the-third-amendment-in-the-constitution-of-bangladesh/ |archive-date=5 November 2022 |access-date=5 November 2022}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last1=Chakma |first1=Parban |last2=Saumik |first2=Rafid Azad |date=4 November 2022 |title=50 Years of Bangladesh Constitution In a nutshell |url=https://www.thedailystar.net/law-our-rights/news/50-years-bangladesh-constitution-nutshell-3160281 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221105024603/https://www.thedailystar.net/law-our-rights/news/50-years-bangladesh-constitution-nutshell-3160281 |archive-date=5 November 2022 |access-date=5 November 2022 |work=The Daily Star}}</ref> The government attempted to ratify the treaty without consulting parliament. Chief Justice [[Abu Sadat Mohammad Sayem]] ruled that parliament had to ratify the treaty in accordance with the constitution, otherwise the government's actions were illegal and unconstitutional. The Chief Justice dissented with the government's actions. The treaty was subsequently ratified by parliament. In his decision, Justice Sayem referred to the [[Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties]].<ref>Kazi Mukhlesur Rahman v Bangladesh and Others (1974) 26 DLR (AD) 44</ref> The land boundary treaty was finally implemented in 2015.<ref>{{Cite news |date=31 July 2015 |title=History at midnight: India, Bangladesh exchange enclaves |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india/history-at-midnight-india-bangladesh-exchange-enclaves/story-gLtjOSQWFhbnCFsR0S1RaI.html |work=Hindustan Times}}</ref>

===Left-wing insurgency===
{{Main|Jatiya Rakkhi Bahini}}

At the height of Mujib's power, left-wing insurgents from the [[Gonobahini]] fought against Mujib's government to establish a [[Marxist]] government.<ref>{{Cite news |title=JS sees debate over role of Gono Bahini |url=http://www.thedailystar.net/js-sees-debate-over-role-of-gono-bahini-31691 |access-date=9 July 2015 |work=The Daily Star}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=15 June 2016 |title=Rizvi now blasts Inu at press briefing |url=http://www.thedailystar.net/politics/rizvi-now-blasts-inu-press-briefing-1240042 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200517145945/https://www.thedailystar.net/politics/rizvi-now-blasts-inu-press-briefing-1240042 |archive-date=17 May 2020 |access-date=12 July 2016 |work=The Daily Star |agency=UNB}}</ref> The government responded by forming an elite paramilitary force called [[Jatiya Rakkhi Bahini]] on 8&nbsp;February 1972. Many within the Bangladeshi military viewed the new paramilitary force with suspicion.<ref name="books.google_a">{{Cite book |last1=Bangladesh |url={{GBurl|id=zGIKAQAAIAAJ}} |title=Jatiya Rakkhi Bahini Act |last2=Hossain |first2=Hamza |last3=Kamrul Islam |first3=A. T. M |date=1974}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Ahamed |first=Emajuddin |url=http://press-files.anu.edu.au/downloads/press/p33231/pdf/ch0731.pdf |title=The military and democracy in Bangladesh |publisher=Australian National University Press |year=2004 |location=Sydney |pages=108–110 |access-date=22 January 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160811030523/http://press-files.anu.edu.au/downloads/press/p33231/pdf/ch0731.pdf |archive-date=11 August 2016 |url-status=live}}</ref> The new paramilitary force was responsible for [[human rights abuses]] against the general populace, including [[extrajudicial killing]]s,<ref>{{Cite web |date=18 March 2009 |title=Ignoring Executions and Torture : Impunity for Bangladesh's Security Forces |url=https://www.hrw.org/sites/default/files/reports/bangladesh0509webwcover.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170317221538/https://www.hrw.org/sites/default/files/reports/bangladesh0509webwcover.pdf |archive-date=17 March 2017 |access-date=16 August 2013 |publisher=Human Rights Watch}}</ref><ref name="amrdesh">{{Cite news |date=16 January 2011 |script-title=bn:রক্ষীবাহিনীর নৃশংসতা মধ্যযুগীয় বর্বরতাকেও হার মানিয়েছিল |url=http://www.amardeshonline.com/pages/details/2011/01/15/63217 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110117040756/http://www.amardeshonline.com/pages/details/2011/01/15/63217 |archive-date=17 January 2011 |work=Amar Desh |language=bn}}</ref><ref name=":3" /> shootings by [[death squads]],<ref name="hp18Feb2013">{{Cite news |last=Chowdhury |first=Atif |date=18 February 2013 |title=Bangladesh: Baptism By Fire |url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/atif-choudhury/bangladesh-no-justice-wit_b_4455782.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160822113717/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/atif-choudhury/bangladesh-no-justice-wit_b_4455782.html |archive-date=22 August 2016 |access-date=12 July 2016 |work=HuffPost}}</ref> and rape.<ref name=":3">{{Cite book |last1=Fair |first1=Christine C. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=SpFaBwAAQBAJ&q=Rape+by+Rakkhi+Bahini&pg=PA30 |title=Political Islam and Governance in Bangladesh |last2=Riaz |first2=Ali |date=2010 |publisher=Routledge |isbn=978-1136926242 |pages=30–31 |access-date=19 June 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241010065826/https://books.google.com/books?id=SpFaBwAAQBAJ&pg=PA30&q=Rape+by+Rakkhi+Bahini#v=snippet&q=Rape%20by%20Rakkhi%20Bahini&f=false |archive-date=10 October 2024 |url-status=live}}</ref> Members of the Jatiya Rakkhi Bahini were granted immunity from prosecution and other legal proceedings.<ref name="JSTOR">{{Cite journal |last=Maniruzzaman |first=Talukder |date=February 1976 |title=Bangladesh in 1975: The Fall of the Mujib Regime and Its Aftermath |journal=Asian Survey |volume=16 |issue=2 |pages=119–129 |doi=10.2307/2643140 |jstor=2643140}}</ref><ref name="US">{{Cite web |last=Country Studies |first=Bangladesh |date=12 September 2006 |title=Mujib's fall |url=http://countrystudies.us/bangladesh/19.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110805012545/http://countrystudies.us/bangladesh/19.htm |archive-date=5 August 2011 |access-date=12 September 2006}}</ref> The force swore an oath of loyalty to Mujib.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Pike |first=Francis |title=Empires at War: A Short History of Modern Asia Since World War II |publisher=I.B. Tauris |year=2011 |isbn=978-1848850798 |page=569}}</ref>

===One-party state===
{{further|Bangladesh Krishak Sramik Awami League|Second Revolution (Bangladesh)}}
Mujib's political philosophy dramatically changed in 1975. Elections were approaching in 1977 after the end of his five-year term. Mujib sensed growing dissatisfaction with his regime. He changed the constitution, declared himself president, and established a [[one party state]]. Ahrar Ahmed, commenting in ''[[The Daily Star (Bangladesh)|The Daily Star]]'', noted that "Drastic changes were introduced through the adoption of the 4th amendment on Jan[uary] 25, 1975, which radically shifted the initial focus of the constitution and turned it into a single-party, [[President (government title)|presidential]] system, which curtailed the powers of the parliament and the [[judiciary]], as well as the space for free speech or public assembly".<ref>{{Cite news |last=Ahmad |first=Ahrar |date=4 November 2022 |title=Constitutional supremacy: The dangers within |url=https://www.thedailystar.net/supplements/50-years-our-constitution-original-ideals-vs-reality/news/constitutional-supremacy-the-dangers-within-3160241 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241010065725/https://www.thedailystar.net/supplements/50-years-our-constitution-original-ideals-vs-reality/news/constitutional-supremacy-the-dangers-within-3160241 |archive-date=10 October 2024 |access-date=5 November 2022 |work=The Daily Star}}</ref> Censorship was imposed in the press. Civil society groups like the [[Committee for Civil Liberties and Legal Aid]] were suppressed. The [[Bangladesh Krishak Sramik Awami League]] (BAKSAL), meaning the "Bangladesh Farmers Workers Peoples League", became the only legal political party. Bureaucrats and military officers were ordered to join the single party. These actions profoundly impacted Mujib's legacy. Many Bangladeshis opposed to the Awami League cite his creation of BAKSAL as the ultimate hypocrisy. The one party state lasted for 7 months till Mujib's [[Assassination of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman|assassination]] on 15 August 1975.

== Assassination ==
{{Main|Assassination of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman|15 August 1975 Bangladeshi coup d'état|Indemnity Ordinance, 1975}}

{{See also|3 November 1975 Bangladeshi coup d'état}}
[[File:Secretary Kerry Looks at Stairs Where a Founder was Gunned Down in Dhaka (28692593883).jpg|thumb|The staircase where Mujib was assassinated]]
Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was assassinated along with most of his family in his [[Bangabandhu Memorial Museum|personal residence]] on 15 August 1975 during a military coup by renegade army officers.<ref>{{Cite news |date=23 August 1975 |title=Bangladesh Coup: A Day of Killings |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1975/08/23/archives/bangladesh-coup-a-day-of-killings-account-depicts-how-young.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231118222143/https://www.nytimes.com/1975/08/23/archives/bangladesh-coup-a-day-of-killings-account-depicts-how-young.html |archive-date=18 November 2023 |access-date=31 July 2024 |work=The New York Times}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=15 August 2018 |title=15 August 1975: Bloodbath on road 32 |url=https://www.thedailystar.net/news/frontpage/bloodbath-road-32-1621003 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221105171100/https://www.thedailystar.net/news/frontpage/bloodbath-road-32-1621003 |archive-date=5 November 2022 |access-date=5 November 2022 |work=Daily Star}}</ref> His wife, brother, three sons, two daughters-in-law, and hosts of other relatives, personal staff, police officers, a brigadier general of the Bangladesh Army and many others were killed during the coup.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Factbox: Aug 15 victims |url=https://bdnews24.com/bangladesh/bangabandhu-appeals/factbox-aug-15-victims |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241010070227/https://bdnews24.com/bangladesh/bangabandhu-appeals/factbox-aug-15-victims |archive-date=10 October 2024 |access-date=5 November 2022 |work=bdnews24.com}}</ref><ref name="Channel-i" /> More than 40 people got injured.<ref name="Channel-i">{{Cite news |last=জাহিদ |first=সুমন |title=Checking your browser |script-title=bn:শোকাবহ আগস্টে কিছু সরল জিজ্ঞাসা |url=https://www.channelionline.com/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230405201033/https://www.channelionline.com/amp/%E0%A6%B6%E0%A7%8B%E0%A6%95%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%AC%E0%A6%B9-%E0%A6%86%E0%A6%97%E0%A6%B8%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%9F%E0%A7%87-%E0%A6%95%E0%A6%BF%E0%A6%9B%E0%A7%81-%E0%A6%B8%E0%A6%B0%E0%A6%B2-%E0%A6%9C%E0%A6%BF/ |archive-date=5 April 2023 |access-date=7 June 2024 |work=Channel i}}</ref> The army chief [[K. M. Shafiullah]] was caught unaware and failed to stop the coup.<ref name="The Mournful Day" /> Mujib was shot on the staircase of his house.<ref name="The Mournful Day">{{Cite news |date=13 August 2023 |title=The Mournful Day |url=https://www.tbsnews.net/bangladesh/mournful-day-681882 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240806145022/https://www.tbsnews.net/bangladesh/mournful-day-681882 |archive-date=6 August 2024 |access-date=16 August 2023 |work=The Business Standard}}</ref> [[Curfew]] was imposed after his death was announced on [[Bangladesh Betar|Bangladesh Radio]] nationwide.<ref>{{Cite news |date=15 August 2016 |title=Dalim goes on air |url=http://www.thedailystar.net/frontpage/dalim-goes-air-1270015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161109220658/http://www.thedailystar.net/frontpage/dalim-goes-air-1270015 |archive-date=9 November 2016 |access-date=9 November 2016 |work=The Daily Star}}</ref>

Mujib was warned by many including the [[Research and Analysis Wing|Indian intelligence]] about a possible coup.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Sheikh Mujibur Rahman had ignored RAW alert ahead of bloody 1975 coup |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/sheikh-mujibur-rahman-had-ignored-raw-alert-ahead-of-bloody-1975-coup/articleshow/48483920.cms?from=mdr |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221105171100/https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/sheikh-mujibur-rahman-had-ignored-raw-alert-ahead-of-bloody-1975-coup/articleshow/48483920.cms?from=mdr |archive-date=5 November 2022 |access-date=5 November 2022 |work=The Economic Times}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=17 March 2021 |title=Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, from an Indian perspective |url=https://www.tbsnews.net/bangladesh/sheikh-mujibur-rahman-indian-perspective-217738 |work=The Business Standard}}</ref> Mujib shrugged off these warnings by saying his own people would never hurt him.<ref>{{Cite news |date=14 August 2021 |title=August 15: Coup plotters were looking for a stalking horse |url=https://archive.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/2021/08/15/coup-plotters-were-looking-for-a-stalking-horse |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221105171102/https://archive.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/2021/08/15/coup-plotters-were-looking-for-a-stalking-horse |archive-date=5 November 2022 |access-date=5 November 2022 |work=Dhaka Tribune}}</ref> Moreover, being the president, he did not stay in [[Bangabhaban]] but stayed in his unguarded house at 32 Dhanmondi.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Syed Tawsif Monowar |date=15 August 2022 |script-title=bn:সাক্ষাৎকার: স্থপতি এহসান খান; চিরায়ত স্থাপত্যে চিরন্তন মুজিব |trans-title=Interview: Architect Ehsan Khan; Eternal Mujib in traditional architecture |url=https://www.ittefaq.com.bd/610011/চিরায়ত-স্থাপত্যে-চিরন্তন-মুজিব |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220815135304/https://www.ittefaq.com.bd/610011/%E0%A6%9A%E0%A6%BF%E0%A6%B0%E0%A6%BE%E0%A7%9F%E0%A6%A4-%E0%A6%B8%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%A5%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%AA%E0%A6%A4%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%AF%E0%A7%87-%E0%A6%9A%E0%A6%BF%E0%A6%B0%E0%A6%A8%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%A4%E0%A6%A8-%E0%A6%AE%E0%A7%81%E0%A6%9C%E0%A6%BF%E0%A6%AC |archive-date=15 August 2022 |access-date=15 August 2022 |work=[[The Daily Ittefaq|Ittefaq]] |language=bn}}</ref> German politician and [[chancellor of West Germany|federal chancellor]] [[Willy Brandt]] 'reportedly' said, "Bengalis can no longer be trusted after the killing of Sheikh Mujib. Those who killed Mujib can do any heinous act."<ref name=ekushey/>

===Funeral and memorials===
[[File:বঙ্গবন্ধু শেখ মুজিবুর রহমান এর সমাধিসৌধ.jpg|thumb|[[Mausoleum of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman]]]]
[[File:3.জাতীয় স্মৃতিসৌধ.jpg|thumb|One of the 7 pillars of [[National Martyrs' Memorial]] represents the [[Six Point Movement]] of Mujib]]
On 16 August 1975, Mujib's coffin was taken to his birthplace Tungipara in an army helicopter. He was buried next to his parents after his funeral led by Sheikh Abdul Halim.<ref name="Burial" /> However, public attendance at the funeral was kept limited and strictly regulated by the police and military forces, with many being obstructed on their way to the funeral.<ref>{{cite news |date=15 August 2016 |title=How Bangabandhu was buried |url=https://www.banglatribune.com/national/131421 |work=Bangla Tribune |language=bn}}</ref> Others were buried in the [[Banani graveyard]] of Dhaka.<ref name="Burial">{{Cite book |last=SA Karim |url=https://thefinancialexpress.com.bd/special-issues/special-on-national-mourning-day-2022/burial-in-his-native-village-1660496194 |title=Sheikh Mujib: Triumph and Tragedy |publisher=[[The University Press Limited]] |year=2005 |location=[[Dhaka]] |chapter=The End of the Mujib Regime |access-date=16 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220816190813/https://thefinancialexpress.com.bd/special-issues/special-on-national-mourning-day-2022/burial-in-his-native-village-1660496194 |archive-date=16 August 2022 |url-status=live}}</ref> The national flag was kept at half-mast by the locals in several government and non-government institutions in honour of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib.<ref name="jnews">{{Cite news |last1=Com |first1=Jagonews24 |script-title=bn:শোকাবহ আগস্ট ও বঙ্গবন্ধু হত্যার প্রতিবাদ |url=https://www.jagonews24.com/opinion/article/521057 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190819111332/https://www.jagonews24.com/opinion/article/521057 |archive-date=19 August 2019 |access-date=19 August 2019 |work=Jago News 24 |language=bn |type=Opinion}}</ref> During the time, the [[Bangladesh national football team]] was in the [[Merdeka Tournament]] in Kuala Lumpur, the capital of [[Malaysia]].<ref name=jnews/> There the national flag of Bangladesh was kept at half-mast on the day of Bangladesh's match. Prior to the match, the players observed a minute's silence for Mujib and his eldest son [[Sheikh Kamal]], who was a keen sportsman and the founder of [[Abahani Limited Dhaka]].<ref name=jnews/>

Today, Mujib rests beside his parents' graves in a white marble tomb in his native Tungipara.<ref name="jugantor">{{Cite news |last=Sheikh Abdur Rahim |date=15 March 2022 |script-title=bn:টুঙ্গিপাড়া একটি অমর সমাধি |trans-title=Tungipara: An immortal tomb |url=https://www.jugantor.com/todays-paper/features/out-of-home/530900/%E0%A6%9F%E0%A7%81%E0%A6%99%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%97%E0%A6%BF%E0%A6%AA%E0%A6%BE%E0%A7%9C%E0%A6%BE-%E0%A6%8F%E0%A6%95%E0%A6%9F%E0%A6%BF-%E0%A6%85%E0%A6%AE%E0%A6%B0-%E0%A6%B8%E0%A6%AE%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%A7%E0%A6%BF |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220315060432/https://www.jugantor.com/todays-paper/features/out-of-home/530900/%E0%A6%9F%E0%A7%81%E0%A6%99%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%97%E0%A6%BF%E0%A6%AA%E0%A6%BE%E0%A7%9C%E0%A6%BE-%E0%A6%8F%E0%A6%95%E0%A6%9F%E0%A6%BF-%E0%A6%85%E0%A6%AE%E0%A6%B0-%E0%A6%B8%E0%A6%AE%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%A7%E0%A6%BF |archive-date=15 March 2022 |access-date=16 August 2022 |work=[[Jugantor]] |language=bn}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Haq |first=Naimul |date=15 August 2023 |title=What happened at Bangabandhu's Burial Site |url=https://www.thedailystar.net/supplements/national-mourning-day-2023/news/what-happened-bangabandhus-burial-site-3394191 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240805035436/https://www.thedailystar.net/supplements/national-mourning-day-2023/news/what-happened-bangabandhus-burial-site-3394191 |archive-date=5 August 2024 |access-date=4 August 2024 |work=The Daily Star}}</ref> His Dhaka residence where he was assassinated along with most of his family members, later became [[Bangabandhu Memorial Museum]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Ali |first=Tawfique |date=5 February 2009 |title=100 heritage sites listed: Gazette notification soon to conserve those |url=https://www.thedailystar.net/news-detail-74498 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220901005511/https://www.thedailystar.net/news-detail-74498 |archive-date=1 September 2022 |access-date=1 September 2022 |work=[[The Daily Star (Bangladesh)|The Daily Star]]}}</ref> It was [[Demolition of Dhanmondi 32|demolished]] during [[2025 Bulldozer march|demonstrative riots]] in Bangladesh in 2025.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.tbsnews.net/bangladesh/mujibs-dhanmondi-32-house-burnt-demolished-1062146 |title=Mujib's Dhanmondi 32 house burnt, demolished |date=6 February 2025 |website=[[The Business Standard]] |access-date=6 February 2025}}</ref>

===Reactions===
Following the news of Sheikh Mujib's death, protests and clashes broke out in various parts of the country.<ref name="jnews"/> Protest rallies were organized in several cities, including [[Chittagong]], [[Khulna]], [[Jessore]], and [[Mymensingh]].<ref name="jnews"/> [[Absentee funeral prayer (Islam)|Absentee funeral prayer]] were held in the [[Eidgah]] field of [[Jessore]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=August 2017 |script-title=bn:গায়েবানা জানাজার কারণে নির্যাতন চলে যশোরে |url=https://www.kalerkantho.com/print-edition/pochattor-er-protibad/2017/08/15/531795 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240510063631/https://www.kalerkantho.com/print-edition/pochattor-er-protibad/2017/08/15/531795 |archive-date=10 May 2024 |access-date=2017-08-15 |work=Kaler Kantho |language=bn}}</ref><ref name="dw">{{Cite news |script-title=bn:মুজিব হত্যার প্রতিবাদ |url=https://www.dw.com/bn/%E0%A6%AE%E0%A7%81%E0%A6%9C%E0%A6%BF%E0%A6%AC-%E0%A6%B9%E0%A6%A4%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%AF%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%B0-%E0%A6%AA%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%B0%E0%A6%A5%E0%A6%AE-%E0%A6%AA%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%B0%E0%A6%A4%E0%A6%BF%E0%A6%AC%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%A6-%E0%A6%B9%E0%A7%9F%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%9B%E0%A6%BF%E0%A6%B2-%E0%A7%A8%E0%A7%A6%E0%A6%B6%E0%A7%87-%E0%A6%85%E0%A6%95%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%9F%E0%A7%8B%E0%A6%AC%E0%A6%B0/a-17021398 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240512150627/https://www.dw.com/bn/%E0%A6%AE%E0%A7%81%E0%A6%9C%E0%A6%BF%E0%A6%AC-%E0%A6%B9%E0%A6%A4%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%AF%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%B0-%E0%A6%AA%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%B0%E0%A6%A5%E0%A6%AE-%E0%A6%AA%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%B0%E0%A6%A4%E0%A6%BF%E0%A6%AC%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%A6-%E0%A6%B9%E0%A7%9F%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%9B%E0%A6%BF%E0%A6%B2-%E0%A7%A8%E0%A7%A6%E0%A6%B6%E0%A7%87-%E0%A6%85%E0%A6%95%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%9F%E0%A7%8B%E0%A6%AC%E0%A6%B0/a-17021398 |archive-date=12 May 2024 |access-date=2013-08-15 |work=Deutsche Welle}}</ref> The students of [[Dhaka University]] held a silent procession across the Dhaka city and special prayer at the assassination site on 4 November 1975, attended by thousands of civilians, marking a major public defiance against the assassination.<ref name="dw" /><ref name="cn">{{Cite news |title=The War of Resistance after the Assassination of Bangabandhu |script-title=bn:বঙ্গবন্ধু হত্যা পরবর্তী প্রতিরোধ যুদ্ধ |url=https://www.channelionline.com/%E0%A6%AC%E0%A6%99%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%97%E0%A6%AC%E0%A6%A8%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%A7%E0%A7%81-%E0%A6%B9%E0%A6%A4%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%AF%E0%A6%BE-%E0%A6%AA%E0%A6%B0%E0%A6%AC%E0%A6%B0%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%A4%E0%A7%80/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240605051758/https://www.channelionline.com/%e0%a6%ac%e0%a6%99%e0%a7%8d%e0%a6%97%e0%a6%ac%e0%a6%a8%e0%a7%8d%e0%a6%a7%e0%a7%81-%e0%a6%b9%e0%a6%a4%e0%a7%8d%e0%a6%af%e0%a6%be-%e0%a6%aa%e0%a6%b0%e0%a6%ac%e0%a6%b0%e0%a7%8d%e0%a6%a4%e0%a7%80/ |archive-date=5 June 2024 |access-date=2016-08-08 |work=Channel i |language=bn}}</ref> Heads of state, political figures and media of several countries including United States, United Kingdom, India, [[Iraq]] and [[Palestine (region)|Palestine]] mourned Mujib's death.<ref name="ekushey">{{Cite news |script-title=bn:মুজিব হত্যায় বিশ্বনেতা ও গণমাধ্যমের প্রতিক্রিয়া |url=https://ekushey-tv.com/%E0%A6%AE%E0%A7%81%E0%A6%9C%E0%A6%BF%E0%A6%AC-%E0%A6%B9%E0%A6%A4%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%AF%E0%A6%BE%E0%A7%9F-%E0%A6%AC%E0%A6%BF%E0%A6%B6%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%AC%E0%A6%A8%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%A4%E0%A6%BE-%E0%A6%93-%E0%A6%97%E0%A6%A3%E0%A6%AE%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%A7%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%AF%E0%A6%AE%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%B0-%E0%A6%AA%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%B0%E0%A6%A4%E0%A6%BF%E0%A6%95%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%B0%E0%A6%BF%E0%A7%9F%E0%A6%BE/15540 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231127205953/https://ekushey-tv.com/%E0%A6%AE%E0%A7%81%E0%A6%9C%E0%A6%BF%E0%A6%AC-%E0%A6%B9%E0%A6%A4%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%AF%E0%A6%BE%E0%A7%9F-%E0%A6%AC%E0%A6%BF%E0%A6%B6%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%AC%E0%A6%A8%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%A4%E0%A6%BE-%E0%A6%93-%E0%A6%97%E0%A6%A3%E0%A6%AE%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%A7%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%AF%E0%A6%AE%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%B0-%E0%A6%AA%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%B0%E0%A6%A4%E0%A6%BF%E0%A6%95%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%B0%E0%A6%BF%E0%A7%9F%E0%A6%BE/15540 |archive-date=27 November 2023 |access-date=2017-08-15 |work=Ekushey TV}}</ref> Cuban prime minister [[Fidel Castro]] stated upon Mujib's death, "The oppressed people of the world have lost a great leader of theirs in the death of Sheikh Mujib. And I have lost a truly large-hearted ally."<ref name=ekushey/>

===Aftermath===
After the coup, a [[martial law]] regime was established. Four allies of Mujib who led the [[Provisional Government of Bangladesh]] in 1971 were arrested and eventually [[Jail Killing Day|executed]] on 3 November 1975. Mujib's killers included 15 junior army officers with ranks of [[colonel]]s, majors, lieutenants and havildars. They were backed up by Awami League politician [[Khondaker Mostaq Ahmad]], who usurped the presidency. On the day of the coup, the junior officers ordered their soldiers to take over the national radio and television stations.<ref name="The Mournful Day" /> They were all later toppled by yet another coup led by [[Brigadier General]] [[Khaled Mosharraf]] on 3 November 1975.<ref>{{Cite news |date=3 November 2014 |title=Jail killing: An attempt to cripple Bangladesh |url=http://www.thedailystar.net/jail-killing-an-attempt-to-cripple-bangladesh-48566 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201012093346/https://www.thedailystar.net/jail-killing-an-attempt-to-cripple-bangladesh-48566 |archive-date=12 October 2020 |access-date=22 January 2018 |work=The Daily Star }}</ref> In protest against the assassination of Mujib, the [[Kader Bahini|Kaderia army]] carried out an armed rebellion against the then [[military junta]] for 22 consecutive months.<ref name="jnews"/>

According to American [[Investigative journalism|investigative journalist]] Lawrence Lifschultz, the army's deputy chief [[Ziaur Rahman]] was approached by the coup plotters and expressed interest in the proposed coup plan, but refused to become the public face of the coup.<ref>{{Cite news |date=20 August 2020 |title=Zia was one of Bangabandhu killing masterminds: Researchers |url=https://www.tbsnews.net/bangladesh/zia-was-one-bangabandhu-killing-masterminds-researchers-122071 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230816161509/https://www.tbsnews.net/bangladesh/zia-was-one-bangabandhu-killing-masterminds-researchers-122071 |archive-date=16 August 2023 |access-date=16 August 2023 |work=The Business Standard}}</ref><ref name="google1">{{Cite book |last=Mascarenhas |first=Anthony |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=VoZ0QgAACAAJ |title=Bangladesh: A Legacy of Blood |publisher=Hodder and Stoughton |year=1986 |isbn=9780340394205 |page=88 |access-date=5 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241010070230/https://books.google.com.bd/books?id=VoZ0QgAACAAJ&redir_esc=y |archive-date=10 October 2024 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Bangladesh A Legacy of Blood |url=https://sanipanhwar.com/Bangladesh%20A%20Legacy%20of%20Blood.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230816161505/https://sanipanhwar.com/Bangladesh%20A%20Legacy%20of%20Blood.pdf |archive-date=16 August 2023 |access-date=16 August 2023 |website=sanipanhwar.com}}</ref> Zia did not deny meeting with the coup plotters, according to [[Anthony Mascarenhas]]. Zia was legally obliged to prevent a mutiny against the country's legally appointed president but did not stop the impending mutiny despite having knowledge of it.<ref>[[Anthony Mascarenhas]], Chapter V: A Summer of Tigers, ''[[Bangladesh: A Legacy of Blood]]'' p. 73</ref> The only survivors from Mujib's family were his daughters [[Sheikh Hasina]] and [[Sheikh Rehana]], who were visiting Hasina's physicist husband in [[West Germany]] at the time. After the coup, they were barred from returning to Bangladesh and were granted asylum by India. Sheikh Hasina lived in New Delhi in exile before returning to Bangladesh on 17 May 1981.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Ahmed |first=Helal Uddin |title=Banglapedia: National Encyclopedia of Bangladesh |publisher=[[Asiatic Society of Bangladesh]] |year=2012 |editor-last=Islam |editor-first=Sirajul |editor-link=Sirajul Islam |edition=Second |chapter=Hasina, Sheikh |access-date=21 June 2024 |editor-last2=Jamal |editor-first2=Ahmed A. |chapter-url=http://en.banglapedia.org/index.php?title=Hasina,_Sheikh |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201012093315/http://en.banglapedia.org/index.php?title=Hasina%2C_Sheikh |archive-date=12 October 2020 |url-status=live}}</ref>

===Trial===
On 26 September 1975, the martial law regime introduced the [[Indemnity Ordinance, 1975]], which gave legal immunity to all persons involved in the coup of 15 August 1975.
[[File:Indemnity Act (Bangladesh).jpg|thumb|The [[Indemnity Ordinance, 1975|Indemnity Ordinance]] shielded Mujib's assassins from prosecution for 26 years. It was repealed in 1996.]]
His assassins continued to enjoy immunity from prosecution for 26 years. The Indemnity Ordinance was repealed in 1996 after his daughter Sheikh Hasina was elected as prime minister. A murder case was subsequently initiated in the courts of Bangladesh. Several of the 15 assassins, including coup leader [[Sayed Farooq-ur-Rahman]], were arrested and put on trial. Others like [[Khandaker Abdur Rashid]] became fugitives. The 15 were given the death penalty by a court in 1998.<ref>{{Cite news |date=21 April 2000 |title=Call to execute Bangladesh assassins |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/721941.stm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221105171102/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/721941.stm |archive-date=5 November 2022 |access-date=5 November 2022 |work=BBC News}}</ref> Five of the convicts were hanged in 2010.<ref>{{Cite news |date=27 January 2010 |title=Bangladesh hangs killers of independence leader Mujib |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/8483988.stm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241010070228/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/8483988.stm |archive-date=10 October 2024 |access-date=5 November 2022 |work=BBC News}}</ref> A sixth convict was hanged in 2020.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Sheikh Mujibur Rahman: Army officer hanged for murder of Bangladesh's founding president |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-52258557 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200414100828/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-52258557 |archive-date=14 April 2020 |access-date=5 November 2022 |work=BBC News}}</ref> Of the remaining fugitives, a few have died or are in hiding. In 2022, the Bangladeshi government reported that five fugitives are still on the run, including coup leader Rashid.<ref>{{Cite news |date=15 August 2022 |title=5 fugitive killers of Bangabandhu: Little progress in bringing them back |url=https://www.thedailystar.net/news/bangladesh/news/little-progress-bringing-them-back-3095336 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241010070229/https://www.thedailystar.net/news/bangladesh/news/little-progress-bringing-them-back-3095336 |archive-date=10 October 2024 |access-date=5 November 2022 |work=The Daily Star}}</ref> One of the convicted assassins is living in Canada.<ref>{{Cite news |date=17 February 2011 |title=Convicted assassin living freely in Etobicoke |url=https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2011/02/17/convicted_assassin_living_freely_in_etobicoke.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241010070230/https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/convicted-assassin-living-freely-in-etobicoke/article_14173338-5537-533c-8cdd-636b4fc67e86.html |archive-date=10 October 2024 |access-date=5 November 2022 |work=Toronto Star}}</ref> One of the convicts is living in the United States.<ref>{{Cite web |date=24 July 2020 |title=He thought he had asylum. Now, he could face a death sentence |url=https://www.politico.com/news/2020/07/24/rashed-chowdhury-asylum-death-sentence-381075 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240412215129/https://www.politico.com/news/2020/07/24/rashed-chowdhury-asylum-death-sentence-381075 |archive-date=12 April 2024 |access-date=5 November 2022 |website=Politico}}</ref> Bangladesh has requested Canada and the United States to deport the fugitives following the precedent set by the deportation of [[A. K. M. Mohiuddin Ahmed]] in 2007.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Bangabandhu's Convicted Killer Muhiuddin deported from US |url=https://www.voabangla.com/a/a-16-2007-06-17-voa1-94419064/1394502.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221105171105/https://www.voabangla.com/a/a-16-2007-06-17-voa1-94419064/1394502.html |archive-date=5 November 2022 |access-date=5 November 2022 |work=VOABangla.com}}</ref>

==Principles and ideology==
{{Main|Mujibism}}

Mujib's statements, letters and life have attracted much political and scholarly analysis of his principles, ideology and beliefs, including what influenced him. These consist of four fundamental policies:
* [[Nationalism]]
* [[Socialism]]
* [[Democracy]]
* [[Secularism]]<ref>{{Cite book |last=Blood |first=Peter R. |url=http://countrystudies.us/bangladesh/ |title=Bangladesh: A Country Study |date=1989 |publisher=Federal Research Division, Library of Congress |editor-last=Heitzman |editor-first=James |location=Washington, D.C. |pages=31–32 |chapter=Historical Setting |access-date=31 August 2016 |editor-last2=Worden |editor-first2=Robert |chapter-url=http://countrystudies.us/bangladesh/18.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110622211513/http://countrystudies.us/bangladesh/21.htm |archive-date=22 June 2011 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Dastogir |first=K. A. Golam |title=Bangabandhur Rajnoitik Dorshon |publisher=Adorsho |year=2013 |location=Dhaka |pages=10 |language=bn |script-title=bn:বঙ্গবন্ধুর রাজনৈতিক দর্শন |trans-title=Political views of Bangabandhu}}</ref>

When the [[Constitution of Bangladesh]] was adopted in 1972, the four policies became the four fundamental state policies of Bangladesh.<ref>{{Cite book |title=Bangabandhur Manobadhikar Darshon |publisher=National Human Rights Commission |year=2013 |editor-last=Hossain |editor-first=Abu Md. Delwar |location=Dhaka |pages=16–25}}</ref>

== Electoral history ==
{{Main|Electoral history of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman}}

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Year
! Constituency
! colspan="2" |Party
! Vote
! %
! Result
|-
|[[1954 East Bengal Legislative Assembly election|1954]]
| Gopalganj South Muslim
| {{Full party name with color|United Front (East Pakistan)}}
| 19,362
| N/A
|{{won}}
|-
| rowspan="2" |[[1970 Pakistani general election|1970]]
| NE-111 Dacca-VIII{{efn|Never took oath as he was arrested on 26 March 1971.}}
|{{Full party name with color|All-Pakistan Awami League|rowspan=2}}
| 164,071
| N/A
| {{Won}}
|-
| NE-112 Dacca-IX{{efn|Vacated.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Notification |url=https://www.ecp.gov.pk/Documents/GE%2007-12-1970.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181225095947/https://www.ecp.gov.pk/Documents/GE%2007-12-1970.pdf |archive-date=25 December 2018 |website=[[Government of Pakistan]]}}</ref>}}
| 122,433
| N/A
| {{Won}}
|-
| rowspan="2" |[[1973 Bangladeshi general election|1973]]
| [[Dacca-12]]
|{{Full party name with color|Bangladesh Awami League|rowspan=2}}
| 113,380
| N/A
| {{won}}
|-
| [[Dacca-15]]{{efn|Vacated.<ref name="1973results">{{Cite web |last=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |title=List of 1st Parliament Members |url=http://www.parliament.gov.bd/images/pdf/formermp/1st.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180909153327/http://www.parliament.gov.bd/images/pdf/formermp/1st.pdf |archive-date=9 September 2018 |access-date=13 August 2014 |website=Bangladesh Parliament |language=bn}}</ref>}}
| 81,330
| N/A
| {{Won}}
|-
|}

== Legacy ==
{{Update section|date=November 2024}}
{{See also|List of artistic depictions of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman|List of things named after Sheikh Mujibur Rahman}}
[[File:Eternal FlameKazi Nazrul Islam Ave, Dhaka.jpg|thumb|300x300px|The Eternal Flame in [[Suhrawardy Udyan]], where Mujib delivered his historic 7 March speech.]]
[[File:Mujibnogor smritisoudho.jpg|thumb|The [[Mujibnagar Memorial]] in [[Mujibnagar]], where the founding [[Provisional Government of Bangladesh]] was formed under the presidency of Mujib.]]Mujib continues to be a revered, popular, divisive, and controversial figure in Bangladesh. Opponents of the League are fierce critics of Mujib's [[populism]] and reported 'authoritarianism', including his [[Second Revolution (Bangladesh)|Second Revolution]] hypothesis. However, they have also been accused of propagating maliciously fabricated claims intended to discredit Mujib and his family.<ref name="cn"/> League supporters and other Bangladeshis credit Mujib for successfully leading the country to independence in 1971. However, Mujib's socialist and economic policies after 1971 are largely frowned upon{{citation needed|date=February 2025}} except among his most loyal supporters and family members.

In 2004, listeners of the [[BBC Bangla]] radio service ranked Mujib first among the ''[[Greatest Bengali of all time|20 Greatest Bengalis]]'', ahead of Asia's first Nobel laureate [[Rabindranath Tagore]]; Bangladesh's national poet [[Kazi Nazrul Islam]]; and other Bengali icons like [[Subhash Chandra Bose]], [[Amartya Sen]], [[Titumir]], [[Begum Rokeya]], [[Muhammad Yunus]], and [[Ziaur Rahman]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=14 April 2004 |title=Listeners name 'greatest Bengali' |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/3623345.stm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181225011709/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/3623345.stm |archive-date=25 December 2018 |access-date=10 June 2016 |publisher=BBC}}</ref>

===Cult of personality===
{{Main|Sheikh Mujibur Rahman's cult of personality}}

[[File:Mrityunjayee Prangan.jpg|thumb|300x300px|Sheikh Mujibur Rahman's sculpture at the ''[[Mrityunjayee Prangan]]'' in [[Bijoy Sarani]], [[Dhaka]]. This sculpture was demolished by the protesters after the Student–People's uprising.]]
During his daughter [[Sheikh Hasina]]'s rule from 2009 to 2024, the Awami League had ruled Bangladesh based on a [[cult of personality]] around [[Sheikh Mujibur Rahman's cult of personality|his legacy]].{{efn|Multiple references:<ref>{{Cite news |date=17 October 2024 |script-title=bn:বঙ্গবন্ধু এই জাতির নেতা: আওয়ামী লীগ |url=https://www.ittefaq.com.bd/703851/%E0%A6%AC%E0%A6%99%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%97%E0%A6%AC%E0%A6%A8%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%A7%E0%A7%81-%E0%A6%8F%E0%A6%87-%E0%A6%9C%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%A4%E0%A6%BF%E0%A6%B0-%E0%A6%A8%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%A4%E0%A6%BE-%E0%A6%86%E0%A6%93%E0%A7%9F%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%AE%E0%A7%80-%E0%A6%B2%E0%A7%80%E0%A6%97 |work=[[The Daily Ittefaq]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=4 January 2024 |title=Ode to the father: Bangladesh's political personality cult |url=https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20240104-ode-to-the-father-bangladesh-s-political-personality-cult |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240805120455/https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20240104-ode-to-the-father-bangladesh-s-political-personality-cult |archive-date=5 August 2024 |work=[[France 24]] |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=5 January 2024 |title=Bangladesh's growing political personality cult around 'Father of the Nation' |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/bangladeshs-growing-political-personality-cult-around-father-of-the-nation/article67706051.ece |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240518174518/https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/bangladeshs-growing-political-personality-cult-around-father-of-the-nation/article67706051.ece |archive-date=18 May 2024 |work=[[The Hindu]] |language=en-IN}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=20 October 2024 |title=By Revoking Some National Holidays, Bangladesh Signals Shift Away from Cult Worship of Sheikh Mujib |url=https://thewire.in/south-asia/by-revoking-some-national-holidays-bangladesh-signals-shift-away-from-cult-worship-of-sheikh-mujib |work=[[The Wire (magazine)|The Wire]] |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Chowdhury |first=Jennifer |date=15 August 2024 |title=In Bangladesh, a Personality Cult Gives Way After Student Protests |url=https://newlinesmag.com/argument/in-bangladesh-a-personality-cult-gives-way-after-student-protests/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240921075020/https://newlinesmag.com/argument/in-bangladesh-a-personality-cult-gives-way-after-student-protests/ |archive-date=21 September 2024 |work=New Lines Magazine |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=20 August 2024 |title=Lessons from the fall of Bangladeshi icons Hasina and Mujib |url=https://www.dailymirror.lk/opinion/Lessons-from-the-fall-of-Bangladeshi-icons-Hasina-and-Mujib/172-289861 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240922155643/https://www.dailymirror.lk/opinion/Lessons-from-the-fall-of-Bangladeshi-icons-Hasina-and-Mujib/172-289861 |archive-date=22 September 2024 |work=[[Daily Mirror (Sri Lanka)|Daily Mirror]] |language=English}}</ref><ref name="charliecampbell">{{Cite magazine |last=Campbell |first=Charlie |date=25 July 2024 |title=Mass Protests Challenge Bangladesh's Past{{snd}}and Threaten to Rewrite Its Future |url=https://time.com/7003130/bangladesh-student-protests-police-job-quota-hasina-awami-league-razakars/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240728014629/https://time.com/7003130/bangladesh-student-protests-police-job-quota-hasina-awami-league-razakars/ |archive-date=28 July 2024 |access-date=6 August 2024 |magazine=[[Time (magazine)|Time]] |quote=In lieu of a true popular mandate{{snd}}the U.S. deemed January's election, which returned the Awami League for a fourth straight term but was boycotted by the main opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), as neither free nor fair{{snd}}Hasina increasingly leans upon the cult of personality she's constructed around her father.}}</ref>}} His [[Birthday of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman|birthday]], along with the [[Children's Day (Bangladesh)|National Children's Day]],<ref>{{Cite news |date=17 March 2019 |title=Nation celebrates Bangabandhu's birthday |url=https://en.banglatribune.com/national/news/34282/Nation-celebrates-Bangabandhu%E2%80%99s-birthday |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191028001408/http://en.banglatribune.com/national/news/34282/Nation-celebrates-Bangabandhu%E2%80%99s-birthday |archive-date=28 October 2019 |access-date=13 June 2023 |work=[[Bangla Tribune]]}}</ref> and [[National Mourning Day (Bangladesh)|assassination day]] were designated as an official public holiday. Many roads, institutions, military bases, bridges and other places in Bangladesh were named or renamed after him during Sheikh Hasina's tenure. Under the Awami League's rule, Mujib's picture was printed on the national currency [[Bangladeshi taka]]. Even [[Bangabandhu-1|a space satellite]] was named after him. In 2020, the Hasina government organised [[Mujib Year|a year-long grand programme]] to mark the centenary of his birth.<ref>{{Cite web |title=100 Years of Mujib |url=https://mujib100.gov.bd/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210706041518/https://mujib100.gov.bd/ |archive-date=6 July 2021 |access-date=18 December 2020 |website=mujib100.gov.bd}}</ref>

This, combined with his mismanagement of the country post-independence, has led to an "anti-Mujib" sentiment among a large part of the people including the Awami League opposition in the country. Statues, murals and buildings related to Sheikh Mujib were [[2024 Bangladesh post-resignation violence|vandalised]] after the [[Student–People's uprising]], which witnessed the fall of Hasina.<ref name="vandalize">{{Cite news |date=5 August 2024 |title=Bangabandhu Memorial Museum, Awami League offices set ablaze in Dhaka |url=https://www.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/353741/bangabandhu-memorial-museum-awami-league-offices |access-date=6 August 2024 |work=[[Dhaka Tribune]]}}</ref> Following the violent overthrow of Sheikh Hasina in August 2024, the cult of personality around Mujib is being systematically dismantled.<ref>{{Cite news |date=16 October 2024 |title=Bangladesh government cancels national holidays introduced by Hasina regime |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/bangladesh-government-cancels-national-holidays-introduced-by-hasina-regime/article68759906.ece/ |access-date=17 October 2024 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}</ref> The [[Yunus ministry|interim government]] formed after the fall of Hasina renamed some institutions previously named after Mujib.<ref name="charliecampbell"/><ref>{{cite news |title=14 govt hospitals renamed by removing names of Sheikh Mujib, Hasina, family |url=https://www.tbsnews.net/bangladesh/14-govt-hospitals-renamed-removing-names-sheikh-mujib-hasina-family-983786 |work=[[The Business Standard]] |date=4 November 2024 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Bangladesh has ousted an autocrat. Now for the hard part |url=https://www.economist.com/leaders/2024/08/08/bangladesh-has-ousted-an-autocrat-now-for-the-hard-part |newspaper=[[The Economist]] |date=8 August 2024}}</ref>

=== International influence ===
[[File:Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and Fidel Castro in Cuba (PID-h0056).jpg|thumb|Mujib with [[Fidel Castro]]]]
Mujib is remembered in India as an ally. [[Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Road]] in New Delhi and an avenue in [[Kolkata]] in the Indian state of West Bengal are named in his honour. The [[Palestinian Authority]] named a street in [[Hebron]] in honour of Mujib.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Palestine city names street after Mujib |url=https://www.newagebd.net/article/129865/palestine-city-names-street-after-mujib |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241010070230/https://www.newagebd.net/article/129865/palestine-city-names-street-after-mujib |archive-date=10 October 2024 |access-date=5 November 2022 |work=New Age}}</ref> [[Bangabandhu Boulevard]] in [[Ankara]], Turkey<!-- DO NOT LINK, see [[MOS:GEOLINK]] for further guidance --> is named after Mujib. There is also a Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Street in [[Port Louis]], Mauritius.<ref>{{Cite news |date=17 December 2020 |title=Mauritius names street after Bangabandhu |url=https://www.tbsnews.net/bangladesh/mauritius-names-street-after-bangabandhu-172885 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221105040413/https://www.tbsnews.net/bangladesh/mauritius-names-street-after-bangabandhu-172885 |archive-date=5 November 2022 |access-date=5 November 2022 |work=The Business Standard}}</ref> Sheikh Mujib Way in Chicago in the United States is named after him.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Bangladeshis |url=http://www.encyclopedia.chicagohistory.org/pages/107.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241010070802/http://www.encyclopedia.chicagohistory.org/pages/107.html |archive-date=10 October 2024 |access-date=5 November 2022 |website=encyclopedia.chicagohistory.org}}</ref>

[[Archer Blood]] described Mujib as charismatic.<ref name="autogenerated7">{{Cite book |last=Bass |first=Gary J. |author-link=Gary J. Bass |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=9PnNZTp3BQYC |title=The Blood Telegram: Nixon, Kissinger, and a Forgotten Genocide |publisher=Alfred A. Knopf |year=2013 |isbn=978-0-307-70020-9 |page=24 |access-date=16 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241010070732/https://books.google.com/books?id=9PnNZTp3BQYC |archive-date=10 October 2024 |url-status=live}}</ref> [[Gary J. Bass]] wrote that "Mujib's very appearance suggested raw power," cabled Blood, "a power drawn from the masses and from his own strong personality." He was tall and sturdy, with rugged features and intense eyes. Blood found him serene and confident amid the turmoil, but eager for power. "On the rostrum he is a fiery orator who can mesmerize hundreds of thousands in a pouring rain," Blood wrote. "Mujib has something of a [[Messiah complex|messianic complex]] which has been reinforced by the heady experience of mass adulation. He talks of 'my people, my land, my forests, my rivers.' It seems clear that he views himself as the personification of Bengali aspirations." According to ''[[Time magazine|Time]]'' magazine, "A man of vitality and vehemence, Mujib became the political Gandhi of the Bengalis, symbolizing their hopes and voicing their grievances. Not even Pakistan's founder, Mohammed Ali Jinnah, drew the million-strong throngs that Mujib has attracted in Dacca. Nor, for that matter, has any subcontinent politician since Gandhi's day spent so much time behind bars for his political beliefs".<ref name="autogenerated4">{{Cite magazine |title= Star Weekend Magazine |url=https://www.thedailystar.net/magazine/2008/08/04/chintito.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170817044150/http://www.thedailystar.net/magazine/2008/08/04/chintito.htm |archive-date=17 August 2017 |access-date=1 September 2017 |magazine=Star Weekend Magazine}}</ref>

{| style="margin:auto"
| [[File:Sheikh Mujib statue London 02.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|[[Bust (sculpture)|Bust]] of Mujib in [[East London]]]]
| [[File:Sheikh Mujibur Rahman 2020 stamp of India.jpg|thumb|upright|Mujib on a 2021 postage stamp of India]]
| [[File:মহাত্মা গান্ধী ও শেখ মুজিবুর রহমান.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|Mujib and [[Mahatma Gandhi]] in [[Kolkata]]]]
|}

An Egyptian journalist noted that "Sheikh Mujibur Rahman does not belong to Bangladesh alone. He is the harbinger of freedom for all Bengalis. His Bengali nationalism is the new emergence of Bengali civilization and culture. Mujib is the hero of the Bengalis, in the past and in the times that are".<ref name="autogenerated4" /> [[Fidel Castro]] remarked that "I have not seen the Himalayas. But I have seen Sheikh Mujib. In personality and in courage, this man is the Himalayas. I have thus had the experience of witnessing the Himalayas".<ref name="autogenerated4" /> Mujib cited [[Abraham Lincoln]], [[Mao Zedong]], [[Winston Churchill]], [[John F. Kennedy]], [[Sukarno]], [[Mustafa Kemal Atatürk|Kemal Atatürk]], [[Mahatma Gandhi]], [[Jawaharlal Nehru]], [[Huseyn Shaheed Suhrawardy|Suhrawardy]], [[Subhas Chandra Bose]], and [[A. K. Fazlul Huq]] as the individuals he admires during an interview with [[David Frost]].{{sfn|Kādira|2004|p=422}}

=== Honours ===
[[File:Bangladesh Air Force Formation Flight (Fly Past) to Celebrate The Birth Centenary of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.jpg|thumb|[[Bangladesh Air Force]] formation flight during celebration of [[Mujib Year|Mujib's birth centenary]] on 17 March 2021]]

{| class="wikitable"
|+
|-
! Prize !! Year !! Reference
|-
| [[World Peace Council prizes|Joliot-Curie Medal of Peace]] || 1973 ||<ref>{{Cite news |date=21 May 2020 |title=47 years of Bangabandhu's Joliot-Curie Medal Saturday |url=https://www.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/2020/05/21/47-years-of-bangabandhu-s-joliot-curie-medal-saturday |work=Dhaka Tribune}}</ref>
|-
| [[Independence Award]] || 2003 ||<ref>{{cite web |title=List of Independence Awardees |website=[[Cabinet Division]], Bangladesh |language=bn |url=http://www.cabinet.gov.bd/view_award.php?year_select=2003&Submit=GO&lang=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130514084601/http://www.cabinet.gov.bd/view_award.php?year_select=2003&Submit=GO&lang=en |archive-date=14 May 2013 }}</ref>
|-
| [[Gandhi Peace Prize]] || 2020 ||<ref>{{Cite web |date=22 March 2021 |title=Gandhi Peace Prize for the Year 2020 announced |url=https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1706590 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241010070736/https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1706590 |archive-date=10 October 2024 |access-date=23 March 2021 |publisher=PIB}}</ref>
|-
| [[SAARC Literary Award]] || 2023 || <ref>{{Cite news |title=FOSWAL confers 'Special Literary Award' to Bangabandhu for his trilogy |url=https://thefinancialexpress.com.bd/national/foswal-confers-special-literary-award-to-bangabandhu-for-his-trilogy |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240304145655/https://thefinancialexpress.com.bd/national/foswal-confers-special-literary-award-to-bangabandhu-for-his-trilogy |archive-date=4 March 2024 |access-date=2023-03-26 |work=The Financial Express}}</ref>
|}

==== Father of the Nation ====
Many consider Mujib as the "[[Father of the Nation]]" of Bangladesh although it is debated.{{efn|Multiple references:<ref>{{Cite news |date=1975-01-27 |title='Father' of Bangladesh |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1975/01/27/archives/father-of-bangladesh-mujibur-rahman.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230618195215/https://www.nytimes.com/1975/01/27/archives/father-of-bangladesh-mujibur-rahman.html |archive-date=18 June 2023 |access-date=2019-05-18 |work=[[The New York Times]] |issn=0362-4331}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Lifschultz |first1=Lawrence |last2=Bird |first2=Kai |year=1979 |title=Bangladesh: Anatomy of a Coup |journal=Economic and Political Weekly |volume=14 |issue=49 |pages=1999–2014 |issn=0012-9976 |jstor=4368204}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last=Jahan |first=Rounaq |year=1973 |title=Bangladesh in 1972: Nation Building in a New State |journal=Asian Survey |volume=13 |issue=2 |pages=199–210 |doi=10.2307/2642736 |issn=0004-4687 |jstor=2642736}}</ref>}} Origin of this title is traced back to a public meeting on 3 March 1971 (during [[Non-cooperation movement (1971)|Non-cooperation movement]]) where [[A. S. M. Abdur Rab]] referred Mujib as "The Father of the Nation".<ref>{{Cite news |script-title=bn:আ স ম আবদুর রব |url=https://www.priyo.com/people/a-s-m-abdur-rab |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180422034145/https://www.priyo.com/people/a-s-m-abdur-rab/ |archive-date=22 April 2018 |access-date=18 September 2020 |work=[[Priyo.com|Priyo]] |language=bn}}</ref> However, later claimed that [[Tajuddin Ahmad]], the first [[Prime Minister of Bangladesh]], was the first to refer Mujib as "The Father of the Nation".<ref>{{Cite news |date=2021-03-26 |script-title=bn:বঙ্গবন্ধুকে জাতির পিতা উপাধি দেন তাজউদ্দীন |url=https://www.bhorerkagoj.com/national/83342 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240617055212/https://www.bhorerkagoj.com/national/83342 |archive-date=17 June 2024 |work=[[Bhorer Kagoj]] |language=bn}}</ref> The 1972 [[Constitution of Bangladesh]] declared Mujib to be "Father of the Nation".<ref>{{Cite news |title=Country profile: Bangladesh |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-south-asia-12650940 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081111022801/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/country_profiles/1160598.stm |archive-date=2008-11-11 |access-date=2008-11-09 |url-status=live |work=BBC News}}</ref> In the article "Birth of a Nation" published in 1974, Major General [[Ziaur Rahman]], the sector commander during the liberation war and the then Deputy Chief of Army Staff, referred to Sheikh Mujibur Rahman as the "Father of the Nation".<ref>[http://ghatok-dalal.tripod.com/zia.html Bichitra, 1974]</ref> On 8 March 1975, [[Abdul Hamid Khan Bhashani|Maulana Abdul Hamid Khan Bhashani]] in a college foundation stone ceremony in Kagmari also addressed Mujib as "Father of the Nation".<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Com |first1=Jagonews24 |date=2021-03-16 |script-title=bn:বিস্তৃত পরিচিতির পরও ভাসানীর কাছে বিনয়ী ছিলেন বঙ্গবন্ধু |url=https://www.jagonews24.com/country/news/651296 |work=[[Jago News 24]] |language=bn}}</ref> It is known that in 1979, while serving as the President of Bangladesh, Ziaur Rahman had a positive attitude towards bringing a proposal in the National Parliament to officially recognize Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman as the "Father of the Nation", but backed down from the decision due to opposition from the then Prime Minister [[Shah Azizur Rahman]] and Speaker [[Mirza Ghulam Hafiz]].<ref>[https://www.bhorerawaj.com/2025/02/03/%E0%A6%AC%E0%A6%99%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%97%E0%A6%AC%E0%A6%A8%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%A7%E0%A7%81%E0%A6%B0-%E0%A6%AA%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%B0%E0%A6%A4%E0%A6%BF-%E0%A6%9C%E0%A6%BF%E0%A6%AF%E0%A6%BC%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%89%E0%A6%B0/print/ Daily Bhorer Awaj, 3 February 2025]</ref> In 2004, the constitutional declaration of "Father of the nation" was removed by the [[Third Khaleda ministry|BNP government]] led by [[Khaleda Zia]], despite protests from the then opposition party Bangladesh Awami League, led by Mujib's daughter Sheikh Hasina.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-south-asia-12650940|title=Country profile: Bangladesh |publisher=BBC News|access-date=2008-11-09 | date=2009-10-23}}</ref> Former Bangladesh army officer [[Khandaker Abdur Rashid]], one of the accused in the Sheikh Mujibur Rahman assassination case and sentenced to death, said in an interview given in 2007 that Sheikh Mujibur Rahman should be respected for his role in achieving independence and that he has no objection to term Mujib as the Father of the Nation.<ref>[https://www.thedailystar.net/news-detail-10738 "Bangabandhu should be father of the nation" : Rashid]</ref> In 2011, the Awami League-led [[parliament of Bangladesh]] passed the [[Amendments to the Constitution of Bangladesh|15th amendment]] to the country's constitution which referred to Mujib as the "Father of the Nation" in attached fifth, sixth, and seventh schedules covering his 7 March Speech, the declaration of independence on 26 March 1971, and the Proclamation of Independence issued by the Provisional Government on 10 April 1971.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Appendix I |url=http://bdlaws.minlaw.gov.bd/upload/act/2020-10-14-17-08-19-Appendix.pdf |website=Laws of Bangladesh}}</ref> [[Hussain Muhammad Ershad]] said in the National Parliament that he has the regret that he could not declare Bangabandhu as the Father of the Nation during his presidency.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5-N7mfPnfhw "I have a regret, I could not declare Bangabandhu as the Father of the Nation" : Ershad]</ref> But after the [[July Revolution (Bangladesh)|political upheaval]] in 2024, on 17 December [[Fifteenth Amendment to the Constitution of Bangladesh|15th amendment]] was declared illegal by the [[Supreme Court of Bangladesh]] during the [[Interim government of Muhammad Yunus]].<ref>{{cite news |title=15th amendment to constitution declared illegal |url=https://thefinancialexpress.com.bd/national/15th-amendment-to-constitution-declared-illegal |work=[[The Financial Express (Bangladesh)|The Financial Express]]|date=17 December 2024 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=15th amendment to abolish caretaker govt is illegal, HC verdict |url=https://www.observerbd.com/news/503317 |work=[[The Daily Observer (Bangladesh)|The Daily Observer]]|date=17 December 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241217063750/https://www.observerbd.com/news/503317 |archive-date=17 December 2024 }}</ref> On 16 October 2024, [[Nahid Islam]], an [[Adviser (Interim government of Bangladesh)|adviser]] to the interim government stated that Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib is not the only founder as many people contributed for the country's independence.<ref>{{Cite news |date=16 October 2024 |title=Govt doesn't consider Bangabandhu the Father of the Nation |url=https://www.thedailystar.net/news/bangladesh/news/govt-doesnt-consider-bangabandhu-the-father-the-nation-nahid-islam-3728976 |work=The Daily Star |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=16 October 2024 |title=Interim govt doesn't acknowledge Sheikh Mujib as Father of the Nation: Adviser |url=https://www.tbsnews.net/bangladesh/interim-govt-doesnt-acknowledge-sheikh-mujib-father-nation-adviser-nahid-968336 |work=[[The Business Standard]] |language=en}}</ref> Among others [[Abdul Kader Siddique]] criticised the words saying, "Bangabandhu will remain the father of Bangladesh"<ref>[https://www.prothomalo.com/bangladesh/district/4skut6ggpb "Bangabandhu will remain the father of Bangladesh" : Kader Siddique]</ref>

=== Portrayals ===
==== Song ====
* "[[Shono Ekti Mujiburer Theke]]", a 1971 song about him, was inspiration for freedom fighters during [[liberation war of Bangladesh]].
* A song was written about him in 1990 and recorded in 1991 named "[[Jodi Raat Pohale Shona Jeto]]" became popular during election.
* In 2020 ''"Tumi Banglar Drubotara" (You are the star of Bengal)'', a song composed by poet [[Kamal Chowdhury]] on the occasion of [[Mujib Year]] was released.

==== Literature ====
* [[Humayun Ahmed]] included Sheikh Mujib in two of his historical novels, 2004's ''[[Jochona O Jononir Golpo]]'' and 2012's ''[[Deyal (novel)|Deyal]]''.
* [[Neamat Imam]]'s novel ''[[The Black Coat]]'' depicts Mujib as a dictator.<ref>Jha, Aditya Mani. [http://www.sunday-guardian.com/bookbeat/the-black-coat-by-neamat-imam "In the famine-ravaged fields of Bangla, we are all Mujib"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170901162037/http://www.sunday-guardian.com/bookbeat/the-black-coat-by-neamat-imam |date=1 September 2017 }}, ''[[The Sunday Guardian]]'', 15 June 2013</ref>
* In 2015, the [[Centre for Research and Information]] (CRI) department of [[Bangladesh Awami League]] published a four-part children's comic book named ''Mujib'' based on Sheikh Mujib's two autobiographies.
* In March 2022, ''Muktidata Sheikh Mujib'' (Liberator Sheikh Mujib), a memoir of Mujibur Rahman, was published.<ref>{{Cite news |date=14 March 2022 |title='মুক্তিদাতা শেখ মুজিব' গ্রন্থের মোড়ক উন্মোচন করলেন প্রধানমন্ত্রী {{!}} কালের কণ্ঠ |url=https://www.kalerkantho.com/online/corporatecorner/2022/03/14/1129084 |access-date=14 March 2022 |work=Kalerkantho |language=bn}}</ref>

==== Documentaries ====
* In 1972, ''David Frost Program in Bangladesh'', a documentary based on interviews with Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was released. British journalist [[David Frost]] made it based on the political life of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2013-09-21 |title=Frost documentary - Bangabandhu |url=https://www.banglanews24.com/english/international/news/bd/7263.details |access-date=2023-10-27 |work=banglanews24.com |language=bn}}</ref>
* In the 1973 Japanese Documentary ''"Bengaru no chichi: Râman" (Rahman, The Father of Bengal)'', produced by Japanese director Nagashi Oshima, depicts Sheikh Mujibur Rahman's personal life, daily activities and subsequent plans.
* In 1973 ''Welcome Bangabandhu'', a documentary based on Sheikh Mujibur Rahman's state visit to Japan, was produced by Mainichi Productions of Japan.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Welcome Bangabandhu 1973 (বঙ্গবন্ধুর জাপান সফর ১৯৭৩) |url=https://www.bd.emb-japan.go.jp/itpr_en/11_000001_00592.html |access-date=2022-09-08 |website=Embassy of Japan in Bangladesh}}</ref>
* In 1996 ''"Chironjib Bangabandhu" (Immortal Bangabandhu)'', a documentary on the life and work of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was produced.
* In the 2018 documentary film ''[[Hasina: A Daughter's Tale]]'', Sheikh Mujib's daughter [[Sheikh Hasina]] spoke about the assassination of her father.<ref name="SOON">{{Cite news |last=[[Elita Karim]] |date=29 September 2018 |title='Hasina: A Daughter's Tale' to Premiere Soon |url=https://www.thedailystar.net/frontpage/news/hasina-daughters-tale-premiere-soon-1640251 |publisher=[[The Daily Star (Bangladesh)|The Daily Star]]}}</ref>
* In 2021 ''"Bangabandhur Rajnoitik Jibon O Bangladesher Obbhudoy" (Bangabandhu's Political Life and the Rise of Bangladesh)'', a documentary on the life of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and the independence of Bangladesh, won the [[45th Bangladesh National Film Awards]] in the 'Best Documentary' category.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2022-02-15 |script-title=bn:জাতীয় চলচ্চিত্র পুরস্কার ২০২০ ঘোষণা করেছে সরকার |url=https://www.bssnews.net/bangla/news-flash/30740 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220216164332/https://www.bssnews.net/bangla/news-flash/30740 |archive-date=2022-02-16 |access-date=2022-03-12 |work=Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha |language=bn}}</ref>
* On 17 November 2023, ''[[The Assassin Next Door (documentary)|The Assassin Next Door]]'', an episode of Canadian documentary series [[The Fifth Estate (TV program)|The Fifth Estate]] was released on [[Noor Chowdhury]], the assassin of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.<ref>{{Cite news |date=21 November 2023 |title=The assassin next door |url=https://www.cbc.ca/newsinteractives/features/the-assassin-next-door |publisher=[[CBC News]]}}</ref>

==== Films ====
* In the 1974 Bangladeshi film ''[[Sangram (1974 film)|Sangram]]'', Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was portrayed by himself.
* In the 2014 British-Bangladeshi film ''"[[Shongram]]"(Struggle)'', about [[Bangladesh Liberation War]], loosely based around key events and dates, such as Sheikh Mujibur Rahman after the [[7th March Speech of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman|war speech on 7 March 1971]], just before his arrest, the first day of attack on the Bengali civilian population on 25 March 1971, while also explaining the atrocities that took place.<ref name="flavourmag">{{Cite news |last=Raybe |first=Tovonya |date=11 January 2012 |title=Shongram |url=http://www.flavourmag.co.uk/shongram/ |access-date=1 March 2014 |publisher=Flavour Magazine}}</ref>
* In the 2014 Indian film ''[[Children of War (2014 film)|Children of War]]'', Prodip Ganguly portrayed of Sheikh Mujib.
* On 30 March 2021, ''[[Tungiparar Miya Bhai]]'', a biopic of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was released.
* On 15 August 2021, ''[[August 1975 (film)|August 1975]]'', a Bangladeshi political drama film based on the immediate aftermath of [[assassination of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman]] was released.
* On 31 December 2021, ''[[Chironjeeb Mujib]]'', another biopic of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was released.
* In the 2023 short film ''"Bangamata" (Mother of Bengal)'', on the life of [[Sheikh Fazilatunnesa Mujib]], wife of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. Mujib is portrayed by Monir Ahmed Shakeel.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news |date=2023-08-08 |script-title=bn:মুক্তি পেল 'বঙ্গমাতা' |url=https://www.prothomalo.com/entertainment/dhallywood/r3fs0f36ho |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230809195526/https://www.prothomalo.com/entertainment/dhallywood/r3fs0f36ho |archive-date=2023-08-09 |access-date=2023-08-09 |work=Prothom Alo |language=bn}}</ref>
* On 29 September 2023, ''Dusshahoshi Khoka'', a film was released that depicts Sheikh Mujibur Rahman's birth to adolescence and youth (1920–1938).<ref>{{Cite news |date=28 September 2023 |script-title=bn:শুক্রবার মুক্তি পাচ্ছে 'দুঃসাহসী খোকা' |url=https://www.somoynews.tv/news/2023-09-28/JGJy3OtU |access-date=27 November 2023 |work=Somoy News |language=bn}}</ref>
* On 13 October 2023, ''[[Mujib: The Making of a Nation]]'', a biopic of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman directed by [[Shyam Benegal]] was released.

==== Television ====
* In 2007, With funding from the "Sheikh Mujib Research Center London", writer and journalist [[Abdul Gaffar Chowdhury]] made a television film ''"Palashi Theke Dhanmondi"'' based on his autobiographical political novel of the same name, starring [[Pijush Bandyopadhyay]] as Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.<ref>{{Cite news |last=পাণ্ডে |first=গৌতম |date=2016-08-11 |script-title=bn:সেলুলয়েডে বঙ্গবন্ধু |url=https://www.dailyjanakantha.com/details/article/209812/%E0%A6%B8%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%B2%E0%A7%81%E0%A6%B2%E0%A7%9F%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%A1%E0%A7%87-%E0%A6%AC%E0%A6%99%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%97%E0%A6%AC%E0%A6%A8%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%A7%E0%A7%81/ |access-date=2020-09-18 |publisher=দৈনিক জনকণ্ঠ}}</ref>

==== Animations ====
* On 28 September 2021, ''[[Khoka Theke Bangabandhu Jatir Pita]]'', an animated biopic of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was released.<ref>{{Cite news |date=17 March 2021 |script-title=bn:অ্যানিমেশন: 'খোকা থেকে বঙ্গবন্ধু জাতির পিতা' |url=https://www.kalerkantho.com/online/national/2021/03/17/1014908 |access-date=28 November 2023 |work=[[Kaler Kantho]] |language=bn}}</ref>
* On 1 October 2021, ''[[Mujib Amar Pita]]'', another animated film about Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was released.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Joya |first=Sharmin |date=2 October 2021 |title=Meet the director of Bangladesh's first animated theatrical release, 'Mujib Amar Pita' |url=https://www.thedailystar.net/entertainment/tv-film/news/meet-the-director-bangladeshs-first-animated-theatrical-release-mujib-amar-pita-2188951 |work=The Daily Star}}</ref>
* On 23 June 2023, ''[[Mujib Bhai]]'', another animated film about Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was released.<ref>{{Cite news |date=25 June 2023 |title=Animated film 'Mujib Bhai' premiers at Star Cineplex |url=https://www.tbsnews.net/splash/animated-film-mujib-bhai-premiers-star-cineplex-655694 |publisher=[[The Business Standard]]}}</ref>
* On 26 October 2023, ''[[Amader Choto Russel Shona]]'', an animated film about [[Sheikh Russel]] was released where Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was portrayed as father of Russel.

===Descendants===
[[File:Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib with family (PID-h0060).jpg|thumb|200px|upright|Sheikh Mujib family]]

The Mujib couple had two daughters{{snd}}[[Sheikh Hasina]] and [[Sheikh Rehana]]{{snd}}and three sons{{snd}}[[Sheikh Kamal]], [[Sheikh Jamal]], and [[Sheikh Russel]].{{sfn|Kādira|2004|p=440}} Kamal was an organiser of the Mukti Bahini guerrilla struggle in 1971 and received a [[Battlefield promotion|wartime commission]] in the Bangladesh Army during the Liberation War.<ref>[http://dailyasianage.com/news/78103/sheikh-kamal Sheikh Kamal] ''[[The Asian Age]]''. 5 August 2017</ref> Jamal was trained at the [[Royal Military Academy Sandhurst]] in Great Britain and later joined the [[Bangladesh Army]] as a [[Commissioned Officer#Commissioned officers|Commissioned Officer]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Sheikh Jamal |url=http://www.bongobondhuinfocenter.org/personal-life/sheikh-jamal |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180818201320/http://www.bongobondhuinfocenter.org/personal-life/sheikh-jamal |archive-date=18 August 2018 |access-date=24 January 2017}}</ref><ref name="jamal_1">{{Cite web |title=Sheikh Jamal profile |url=http://www.albd.org/bangabandhu/August15Show.pps |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091104093255/http://www.albd.org/bangabandhu/August15Show.pps |archive-date=4 November 2009 |access-date=2 September 2009 |publisher=Bangladesh Awami League}}</ref>{{sfn|Gupta|1981|p=5}} The [[Sheikh–Wazed family|Sheikh family]] was under house arrest during the Bangladesh Liberation War until 17&nbsp;December,<ref>{{Cite news |date=8 August 2011 |title=Sheikh Fazilatunnesa Mujib's 81st birth anniversary today |url=http://archive.thedailystar.net/newDesign/news-details.php?nid=197727 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160215115255/http://archive.thedailystar.net/newDesign/news-details.php?nid=197727 |archive-date=15 February 2016 |access-date=10 February 2016 |work=The Daily Star}}</ref> Sheikh Kamal and Jamal found the means to escape and cross over to a liberated zone, where they joined the struggle to free the country. Almost the entire Sheikh family was assassinated on 15 August 1975 during a military coup d'état. Only [[Sheikh Hasina]] and [[Sheikh Rehana]], who were visiting [[West Germany]], survived. Mujib is the maternal grandfather of [[Tulip Siddiq]], British MP<ref>{{Cite news |title=UK vote could create cross-border dynasty |url=http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/features/2014/01/uk-vote-could-create-cross-border-dynasty-2014113112342206325.html |publisher=Al Jazeera}}</ref> for Hampstead and Kilburn since the 2015 UK general election.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Hampstead and Kilburn MP Tulip Siddiq set to back Owen Smith in Labour leadership contest |url=http://www.camdennewjournal.com/tulipsiddiq-owensmith |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160904145159/http://www.camdennewjournal.com/tulipsiddiq-owensmith |archive-date=4 September 2016 |access-date=24 January 2017 |website=Camden New Journal}}</ref> [[Sajeeb Wazed]] is his eldest grandson.

==Bibliography==
[[File:Sculpture of bangabandhu at ekushe boimela 2023 2.jpg|thumb|A bust of Sheikh Mujib at the [[Ekushey Book Fair]]]]

Mujib is today celebrated as a political [[diarist]]. He kept a diary during his early political career in the 1940s and 50s. This diary was translated into English by [[Fakrul Alam]] and published as ''[[The Unfinished Memoirs]]''. The book was published in both India and [[Pakistan]] by [[Penguin Books]] and [[Oxford University Press]] respectively.<ref name="autogenerated20" /> The book has since been translated into French, Spanish, Korean, Arabic, and many other languages.{{efn|Multiple references:<ref>{{Cite news |title=PM unveils Spanish version of The Unfinished Memoirs |url=https://en.prothomalo.com/bangladesh/PM-unveils-Spanish-version-of-The-Unfinished |work=Prothom Alo}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=26 March 2017 |title='The Unfinished Memoirs' published in French |url=https://archive.dhakatribune.com/feature/writing/2017/03/27/unfinished-memoirs-published-french |work=Dhaka Tribune}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=2 July 2021 |title=Bangabandhu's autobiography translated to Korean |url=https://www.thedailystar.net/asia/news/bangabandhus-autobiography-translated-korean-2122101 |work=The Daily Star}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=Bangabandhu's unfinished memories now in Arabic |url=https://www.daily-sun.com/post/191224/Bangabandhus-unfinished-memories-now-in-Arabic |work=Daily Sun}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=21 June 2012 |title=Autobiography of Mujibur handed over to Hasina |url=https://www.gulf-times.com/story/114559/autobiography-of-mujibur-handed-over-to-hasina|access-date=12 September 2012 |work=Gulf Times|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250109062701/https://www.gulf-times.com/story/114559/autobiography-of-mujibur-handed-over-to-hasina |archive-date=9 January 2025 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Ahsanuzzaman |first=Ahmed |date=20 May 2017 |title=Karagarer Rojnamcha: A Jail Diary with a Difference |url=http://www.thedailystar.net/book-reviews/karagarer-rojnamcha-jail-diary-difference-1407826 |access-date=3 August 2017 |work=The Daily Star}}</ref>}}
Mujib also started writing his autobiography while in prison between 1967 and 1969; this diary was published in Bengali as ''[[The Prison Diaries]]''. Mujib wrote a [[Travel literature|travelogue]] of his visits to China during the 1950s. This travelogue was published as the book ''The New China as I Saw''.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2 February 2020 |title=Cover of 'Amar Dekha Naya Chin's by Bangabandhu unveiled |url=https://www.daily-sun.com/post/458961/Cover-of-Amar-Dekha-Naya-Chin%E2%80%99-by-Bangabandhu-unveiled |access-date=18 December 2020 |work=Daily Sun}}</ref>
* {{Cite book |title=The Unfinished Memoirs |title-link=The Unfinished Memoirs |date=2012 |publisher=The University Press Limited, Penguin Books and Oxford University Press |isbn=978-9845061100 |language=en}}
* {{Cite book |title=The Prison Diaries |title-link=Karagarer Rojnamcha |date=2017 |publisher=Bangla Academy |isbn=978-0470602645 |language=en}}
* {{Cite book |title=Amar Dekha Noya Chin |date=2020 |publisher=Bangla Academy |isbn=978-9840759880 |language=bn}}

== Footnotes ==
=== Notes ===
{{notelist}}

=== Citations ===
{{reflist|colwidth=30em}}

=== References ===
* {{Cite book |last=Mujibur Rahman |first=Sheikh |title=The Unfinished Memoirs |title-link=The Unfinished Memoirs |publisher=The University Press Limited |year=2012 |isbn=9789845061100 |location=Dhaka}}
* {{Cite book |last=Kādira |first=Muhāmmada Nūrula |title=Independence of Bangladesh in 266 days: history and documentary evidence |date=2004 |publisher=Mukto Publishers |isbn=978-984-32-0858-3 |location=Dhaka}}
* {{Cite book |last=Karim |first=S. A. |title=Sheikh Mujib: Triumph and Tragedy |publisher=The University Press Limited |year=2005 |isbn=9789840517374}}
* {{Cite book |last=Milam |first=William B. |title=Pakistan and Bangladesh: Flirting with Failure |publisher=Columbia University Press |year=2009 |isbn=978-0-231-70066-5}}
* {{Cite book |last1=Kaushik |first1=S. L. |title=Modern Governments and Political Systems: governments and politics in South Asia |last2=Patnayak |first2=Rama |date=1995}}
* {{Cite book |last=Frank |first=Katherine |author-link=Katherine Frank (biographer) |url=https://archive.org/details/indiralifeofindi00fran |title=Indira: The Life of Indira Nehru Gandhi |date=2001 |publisher=HarperCollins |isbn=978-0-395-73097-3 |url-access=registration}}
* {{Cite book |last=Ahmed |first=Moudud |author-link=Moudud Ahmed |title=Bangladesh: Era of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman |publisher=The University Press Limited |year=1983 |isbn=978-984-506-226-8}}
* {{Cite book |last=Ahmed |first=Salahuddin |title=Bangladesh: Past and Present |publisher=A.P.H. Publishing Corporation |year=2003 |isbn=9788176484695 |location=New Delhi}}
* {{Cite book |title=Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and Struggle for Independence: UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office, De-classified Documents, 1962–1971 |publisher=Hakkani Publishers |year=2013 |isbn=978-7-02-140067-5 |editor-last=Enayetur Rahim and Joyce L. Rahim}}
* {{Cite book |last=Meghna Guhathakurta and Willem van Schendel |title=The Bangladesh Reader: History, Culture, Politics |publisher=Duke University Press |year=2013 |isbn=9780822353188}}
* {{Cite book |last=Maidul Islam |title=Limits of Islamism |publisher=Cambridge University Press |year=2015 |isbn=9781107080263}}
* {{Cite book |last=Jahan |first=Rounaq |title=Bangladesh: promise and performance |publisher=Zed Books |year=2000 |isbn=9781856498258}}
* {{Cite book |last=Gupta |first=Jyoti Sen |title=Bangladesh, in Blood and Tears |publisher=Naya Prokash |year=1981}}
* {{Cite book |last1=Heitzman |first1=James |url=https://www.loc.gov/item/89600298/ |title=Bangladesh : a country study |last2=Library of Congress |first2=Federal Research Division |last3=Nyrop |first3=Richard F. |last4=Worden |first4=Robert L. |work=The Library of Congress |series=DA pam |date=1989 |publisher=Library of Congress |location=Washington, D.C.}}

== External links ==
{{Sister project links|auto=1|d=1}}
* {{URL|www.mujibnagar.com/bangladesh-history/6-bongobondhu-sheik-mujibur-rahaman-in-1971-1975|Sheikh Mujib (1971–1975)}}
* {{Banglapedia|Rahman,_Bangabandhu_Sheikh_Mujibur}}
* {{IMDb name|id=nm0706730|name=Sheikh Mujib}}
* {{Internet Archive short film|id=gov.archives.arc.652014|name=Interview with Bangladesh Prime Minister Mujbur Rahman {{noitalic|(1972)}}}}
* Japanese documentary film {{YouTube|we4EuvkKlGw|''Rahman – The Father of Bengal'' (1973)}}
* {{YouTube|B_wg_pVExWQ|''Welcome Bangabandhu'' (1973)}}
* {{YouTube|7xl90y37_24|"Coverage of the declaration of Bangladeshi independence on US media"}}
* {{YouTube|VdbMGCi20Qg|"A french documentary on Mujib's homecoming (Bengali subtitled)"}}
* {{NPG name|id=166530}}

{{s-start}}
{{s-off}}
{{s-new|office}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[President of Bangladesh]]|years=1971–1972}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Syed Nazrul Islam|Nazrul Islam]]<br /><small>Acting</small>}}
{{s-break}}
{{s-bef|before=[[Tajuddin Ahmed]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[Prime Minister of Bangladesh]]|years=1972–1975}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Muhammad Mansur Ali]]}}
{{s-break}}
{{s-bef|before=[[Mohammad Mohammadullah]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[President of Bangladesh]]|years=1975}}
{{s-aft|after={{nowrap|[[Khondaker Mostaq Ahmad]]}}}}
{{s-end}}

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