Indomitable March: Indira pledges support for Bangladesh
On March 31, 1971, Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi moved a resolution in parliament strongly criticising the military action in Bangladesh.
30 March 2024, 18:00 PM
Indomitable March: The battle of Kushtia
At 4:00am on March 30, 1971, Bangladeshi forces, comprising East Pakistan Rifles (EPR), police and civilians under the leadership of Abu Osman Chowdhury, then a major and commander of the fourth wing of EPR, attacked the Pakistan occupation army in Kushtia from three sides.
29 March 2024, 18:00 PM
Indomitable March: Bangabandhu flown to Karachi
In the evening, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was flown via helicopter from the cantonment, where he was detained, to the Tejgaon Airport. Afterwards, he was flown to Karachi by a special military aircraft.
28 March 2024, 18:00 PM
Indomitable March: Pak atrocity continues
On March 28, 1971, American Consul General in Dhaka, Archer K Blood, sent a telegram to Islamabad and Washington captioned “selective genocide”. He reported that they were “mute and horrified by a reign of terror by the Pakistan military” in East Pakistan. Pointing towards various pieces of evidence, Blood suggested that Awami League supporters and Hindus were being systematically targeted by the martial law administrators.
27 March 2024, 18:00 PM
Indomitable March: Archer K blood’s situation report
American Consul General Archer K Blood in a situation report submitted on March 27, 1971, wrote that according to numerous accounts, including eye witness reports, the Pak military crackdown on Bangalee nationalists has been carried out throughout Dacca swiftly, efficiently (despite heavy resistance from some quarters, including pro-Awami League police and East Pak Rifles), and often with ruthless brutality.
26 March 2024, 18:00 PM
Indomitable March: The gates of hell cast open
Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in a press statement issued today, called for a general strike throughout Bangladesh on March 27 against the army’s action in certain places in East Pakistan including Saidpur, Rangpur and Joydevpur.
24 March 2024, 18:00 PM
Indomitable March: Final meeting
There was a final meeting between Awami League’s team and Yahya’s advisers on March 24, 1971, at 6:00pm.
23 March 2024, 18:00 PM
Indomitable March: ‘Let us hope for best and remain prepared for worst’
The representatives of president Yahya Khan and an Awami League team met twice today.
22 March 2024, 18:00 PM
Bangabandhu declares independence
Just before his arrest, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman sent a message declaring the independence of Bangladesh. This message was broadcast from Swadhin Bangla Betar Kendro on 26 March, 1971, and was widely reported in newspapers around the world.
25 March 2021, 18:00 PM
The gates of hell cast open
Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in a press statement issued today called for a general strike throughout Bangladesh on March 27 against the army’s action in certain places in East Pakistan including Saidpur, Rangpur and Joydebpur.
24 March 2021, 18:00 PM
The telephone call that never came
There was a final meeting between Awami League’s team and President Yahya Khan’s advisers on March 24 at 6:00pm. The reading of all the clauses and schedules of the draft proclamation, initially prepared by Yahya’s advisers and subsequently modified by AL representatives, was concluded.
23 March 2021, 18:00 PM
‘Let’s hope for the best and prepare for the worst’
The representatives of President Yahya Khan and an Awami League team met twice today. The AL team arrived at the President’s House flying the Bangladesh flag -- a sight which clearly disturbed the junta. However, an agreement on the implementation of the principles embodied in the Six Points was ultimately achieved.
22 March 2021, 18:00 PM
The trio meets
On the morning of March 22, 1971, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman called on President Yahya Khan. Zulfikar Ali Bhutto was also present at the meeting.
21 March 2021, 18:00 PM
Bhutto faces mass opposition in Dhaka
In an unscheduled meeting, Yahya today told Mujib and Tajuddin that Bhutto had been informed that the representatives of the Awami League and the government had reached an agreement on the formation of central cabinet and that Bhutto should be present for discussion on the interim constitutional instrument and cabinet formation.
20 March 2021, 18:00 PM
Bangabandhu sees progress in Dhaka talks
The fourth round of talks between Yahya Khan and Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was held today. Bangabandhu was joined by his colleagues -- Syed Nazrul Islam, Tajuddin Ahmed, Khondokar Moshtaque Ahmed, M Mansur Ali and Kamal Hossain.
19 March 2021, 18:00 PM
Dhaka talks at a crucial stage
The fateful talks between President Yahya Khan and the Awami League Chief, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, were resumed at the President’s House today.
18 March 2021, 18:00 PM
Operation searchlight inked
On the morning of March, 18, 1971, Major General Khadim Hussain Raja, then general officer commanding of 14 Division in East Pakistan, and Major General Rao Farman Ali,
17 March 2021, 18:00 PM
Fateful talks
On the morning of March 17, the Mujib-Yahya talks resumed. Today was Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s 51st birthday. Bangabandhu reiterated his demand for the withdrawal of martial law and the immediate transfer of power to elected representatives.
16 March 2021, 18:00 PM
Road to Freedom: This Day in Bangladesh Liberation War History
Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman met President Yahya Khan this morning. He arrived at the President’s House in a car flying a black flag to mourn the death of those killed during the ongoing non-cooperation movement. It was an hourlong discussion.
15 March 2021, 18:00 PM
President Yahya arrives
President Yahya Khan arrived in Dhaka today. No local political leader went to the airport to meet him. All the entries of the airport were heavily guarded. Siddiq Salik, then public relations officer in the Pakistan army in Dhaka, recounts,
14 March 2021, 18:00 PM
Bhutto suggests power share
Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, chairman of the Pakistan People’s Party, said today at a public meeting in Karachi that if power was to be transferred to the people before any constitutional settlement, as demanded by Bangabandu, it should be transferred to the Awami League in the East and the PPP in the West.
13 March 2021, 18:00 PM
Bhutto cornered
Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s demands received wide approval in both wings of Pakistan.
12 March 2021, 18:00 PM
Will Bangabandhu call on Yahya?
BBC today reported that Pakistan President Yahya Khan would visit Dhaka soon with a “package deal” to resolve the ongoing crisis in East Pakistan. The report also indicated a handover of power to elected representatives before the commencement of the National Assembly session.
11 March 2021, 18:00 PM
Bhutto’s telegram to Bangabandhu
In a telegram sent to Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman on March 11, 1971, Bhutto expressed his willingness to come to Dhaka immediately to work out a solution so that the National Assembly session could be held soon. He urged Bangabandhu to work together to build a “new system” where there would be no discrimination among provinces as well as among citizens.
10 March 2021, 18:00 PM
Bangabandhu’s appeal to U Thant
In a press statement issued on March 10, 1971, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman urged the UN Secretary General to take action to avert the threat of genocide in East Pakistan.
9 March 2021, 18:00 PM
Bhashani’s support for non-cooperation movement
Maulana Abdul Hamid Khan Bhashani addressed a mass gathering at Paltan Maidan on March 9. In his address, he proclaimed full support to the ongoing non-cooperation movement and called upon the people to continue the struggle unless success was achieved.
8 March 2021, 18:00 PM
Tikka Khan refused oath
Tikka Khan was handed over responsibilities of both the governor and martial law administrations in East Pakistan. He was also the commander
7 March 2021, 18:00 PM
Thus spoke Mujib
It was the afternoon of March 7, 1971, the day Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman made the historic speech that would resonate throughout the annals of history, changing its course forever.
6 March 2021, 18:00 PM