Bangladesh and Global Studies - Notes

  • In classes nine and ten, Bangladesh and Global Studies is a subject that covers sociology, history, civics, economics, and population issues in an integrated manner.

  • The aim is to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of Bangladesh's society, environment, history, tradition, culture, and socio-economic and political conditions.

  • The course also aims to build their status and identity on a global scale and to equip them to be responsible global citizens who can contribute to the development of society.

  • The textbook for this course has been revised for the academic year 2025, with meticulous attention paid to making it learner-friendly and error-free.

Chapter 1: Political Movement in East Bengal and the Rise of Nationalism (1947-1970)

  • British rule ended in the Indian Subcontinent in 1947, leading to the creation of two independent states: Pakistan (August 14) and India (August 15).

  • Pakistan was divided into two parts: East Bengal (later East Pakistan) and West Pakistan.

  • Administrative power was concentrated in West Pakistan, leading to discrimination against East Pakistan in language, literature, culture, economy, and politics.

  • The people of East Pakistan protested against this injustice, leading to movements like the language movement to defend Bangla.

  • The Jukta Front (United Front) in 1954 and the Awami League in 1970 won significant elections, paving the way for an exploitation-free state, Bangladesh.

  • A national unity was formed based on language, history, tradition, culture, and nationalism, leading to the establishment of Bangladesh in 1971 after a nine-month liberation war.

Section 1.1: The Role of the Language Movement for Flourishing the Bengali Nationalism

  • Even before the creation of Pakistan, there was debate about the official language. Mohammad Ali Jinnah proposed Urdu as the official language of the Muslim League in 1937, but Sher-e-Bangla A K Fazlul Haque protested against it.

  • In 1947, the debate arose again, with Chowdhury Kaliquzzaman and Dr. Ziauddin Ahmed proposing Urdu as the state language of Pakistan.

  • Intellectuals like Dr. Muhammad Shahidullah, Abdul Haque, and Abul Mansur Ahmad protested against this proposal.

  • Tamaddun Majlis, a cultural organization, was formed at the University of Dhaka in 1947, proposing Bangla as a medium of education and court proceedings.

  • Fierce protests broke out when a decision was taken in an education conference in Karachi in December 1947 that Urdu should be the state language of Pakistan.

  • In December, Rasrtabhasha Sangram Porishad was formed to demand Bangla as the state language.

  • Dhirendranath Dutta demanded Bangla as the medium of proceedings in the Pakistan Assembly in February 1948.

  • Rastrabhasha Sangram Porishad was reformed on March 2, and March 11 was declared 'A Call for Bangla Language Day'.

  • An eight-point-agreement was signed between Khawja Nazimuddin, the Chief Minister of Pakistan, and the Rastrabhasha Sangram Porishad, which included:

    • Unconditional release of all detainees in connection with the language movement.

    • A thorough investigation of the police atrocities.

    • A proposal of declaring Bangla as one of the state languages would be tabled in the Bangal Legislative Assembly.

    • Bangla would replace English as the official language of East Pakistan, the medium of instruction also will be Bangla.

    • All restrictions would be withdrawn from the newspapers.

    • No legal action would be taken against the participants of the language movement.

    • Section 144 imposed since 29 February would be withdrawn.

    • Confessing the guilt about the issue the Chief Minister would unequivocally state that the language movement was not provoked by the enemies of the state.

  • Mohammad Ali Jinnah declared in Dhaka in March 1948 that 'Urdu and only Urdu shall be the state language of Pakistan', which was met with protests.

  • The Pakistan Government proposed to write Bangla by using the Arabic alphabet, which was also met with strong opposition.

  • The language movement was a manifestation of support for Bangalee Nationalism, with people realizing the importance of their development as a nation.

  • In January 1952, Khawja Najimuddin announced Urdu as the state language of Pakistan.

  • Rastrabhasha Sangram Porishad was newly reorganised with Abdul Matin as its new convener.

  • Students observed an agitation on 4 February in Dhaka and a general hartal on 21 February.

  • The government imposed Section 144, banning all meetings, rallies and procession for a month.

  • On 21 February, students of Dhaka University violated Section 144 and were fired upon by police, resulting in the deaths of Abul Barkat, Jabbar, Rafique, Salam, and others.

Key Figures

  • Language Martyrs: Abdus Salam, Abul Barkat, Abdul Jabber, Shafiur Rahman, Rafiquddin Ahmed
    Shafiur Rahman became a martyr on 22nd February due to the police assault after a mourning procession was brought out at Dhaka.

  • A Shahid Minar (memorial) was erected in front of the Dhaka Medical College on 23 February to make the martyrs' memory immortal, but it was demolished by the police on 24 February.

  • Poet Mahbub-ul-Alam of Chattogram composed the first poem on the killing of 21 February,