From 1757 to 1947, the British governed Bengal. Before 1911, Calcutta was the capital of British-

India. In 1905, the British rulers divided Bengal into the Hindu western part and the Muslim eastern

part. After massive protests of the population, the British were forced to reunite the country in 1912.

During the great Bengal famine in 1943/1944, roughly 3.5 million people died.

In 1947, India became independent. The subcontinent was divided into India and Pakistan. Pakistan

consisted of two provinces: East Pakistan (today’s Bangladesh) and West Pakistan (today’s Pakistan).

In 1970, the Awami League of East Pakistan won an absoulute majority in the first free parliamentary

elections. The government of West Pakistan clamped down on the Bengal people and started severe

oppressions. Roughly 10 million people fled to neighboring India. During a bloody war of liberation,

the Bengals, with Indian support, defeated the Pakistani military. On December 16, 1971, Bangladesh

became independent, the People’s Republic was proclaimed.

In 1975, the first Bengal president Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was murdered and the political system

existing at the time was overthrown. This was the beginning of a military dictatorship. A massive

public protest in 1990 forced the ruling general Hussein Md. Ershad to resign.

Between 1991 and 1996, Bangladesh returned to parliamentary democracy. After new elections and

the success of her party, Khaleda Zia, the chairwoman of the Bangladesh National Party (BNP),

became Prime Minister.

Between 1996 and 2001, several new elections were held following domestic political protests against

the victorious BNP. The Awami League became the strongest political force and its president, Sheikh

Hasina, became Prime Minister.

After the parliamentary elections in 2001, the Islamist Jamaat-e-Islami participated in the government

of the country.

A military-supported interim government was superseded in 2008 by the newly elected government

led by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

Over the past 40 years, Bangladesh has made considerable social and economic achievements. The

country has revolted against military dictatorships and returned to democratic structures again and

again. Deficits undoubtedly continue existing. However, the statement made in 1974 by the USamerican

Secretary of State Henry Kissinger, that Bangladesh is a hopeless case, can certainly no

longer be adhered to.