Creation of Bangladesh (1971)

Vocabulary practice flashcards covering the political, economic, geographical, cultural, and military factors that led to the creation of Bangladesh in 1971.

Geographical separation

The physical divide of roughly $1{,}000\text{ miles}$ of Indian territory separating East and West Pakistan, which created severe communication, administrative, and defense obstacles.

22 industrial families

A small group of predominantly West Pakistani families during Ayub Khan's government that controlled $66\%$ of the country's industrial assets and $80\%$ of its banking and insurance services.

Jute export revenue disparity

An economic injustice in which foreign exchange earned from exporting East Pakistan's jute was channeled into West Pakistan's development projects and industries.

Bengali representation in the armed forces

The unequal military participation where the Bengali share comprised only $10\%$ of the Pakistan armed forces.

Bengali share in central government services

The disproportionately low bureaucratic representation of Bengalis in Pakistan's central government posts, which stood at only $15\%$.

National language controversy

The state decision to make Urdu—spoken by only $6\%$ of Pakistan's population—the national language instead of Bengali, which was spoken by $54\%$ of the total population.

Six-Point Formula (1966)

A political programme presented by Sheikh Mujibur Rahman demanding substantial provincial autonomy for East Pakistan, including regional control over taxation, trade, finance, and security.

Awami League

The East Pakistani political party led by Sheikh Mujibur Rahman that mobilized public opposition against West Pakistani injustices and won a decisive majority in the 1970 general election.

1970 Bhola cyclone

A catastrophic tropical cyclone in East Pakistan whose inadequate and slow relief response from the central government reinforced perceptions of neglect and intensified political resentment.

Power-transfer crisis (1970–1971)

The political deadlock following the 1970 elections involving Yahya Khan, Sheikh Mujib, and Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, where personal political ambitions and the refusal to hand over power prevented a peaceful democratic transition.

Alleged role of Hindu teachers

The claim in Pakistani accounts that Hindu educators dominating East Pakistan's schools generated student unrest and anti-government sentiment by criticizing central economic policies.

Indian military intervention (1971)

The decisive cross-border deployment of sophisticated Indian army regiments supporting East Pakistan during the climax of the conflict, leading to the surrender of the Pakistan army in mid-December 1971.