Bangladesh studies : Class Test Topic

1. Background of Famine 1943

The Bengal Famine of 1943 happened during the period of World War II,
when Bengal was under British colonial rule. Bengal was mainly an
agricultural land, where most people depended on rice farming for survival.
However, the war created an unstable situation. The Japanese army occupied
Burma in 1942, which was the main rice-supplying country for Bengal. When
the supply line was cut, Bengal faced a sudden food crisis.

Apart from this, in 1942, natural disasters such as cyclone and flood
destroyed crops in Bengal. At the same time, diseases also affected livestock
and agricultural laborers. Farmers could not recover from this damage. So
the production of rice fell quickly.

The British rulers were more focused on war than on the well-being of the
people. They stockpiled rice for their soldiers and navy. As a result, common
people were left with shortages. This mix of natural disasters, war-time
politics, and British negligence created the background of the famine.

2. Concept of Famine 1943

A famine generally means a widespread shortage of food which leads to

starvation, malnutrition, and large-scale death. The famine of 1943 in Bengal
was not only a natural disaster but also a man-made tragedy. Many
historians say that there was enough food in India, but it was not distributed
properly to Bengal.

The British government continued exporting rice from India to support the
war effort. At the same time, traders hoarded rice, which increased food
prices. Poor and middle-class families could not buy rice even if it was
available in the market.

So the Bengal famine is considered as an example of how war policies and

colonial exploitation can turn a shortage into a full-scale famine. It is a
reminder that famine is not always about lack of food but also about lack of
access and poor governance.
 Bangladesh studies : Class Test Topic

3. Causes of Famine 1943 (Manmade and Military)

The famine had both man-made and military causes. A major military cause
was the Japanese occupation of Burma in 1942, which stopped rice imports
to Bengal. The British adopted the “Boat Denial Policy,” removing boats from
rivers to prevent a Japanese invasion. Unfortunately, this policy also
prevented local rice transportation, further worsening the food crisis.

Traders hoarded rice to sell later at higher prices, creating artificial scarcity.
Inflation caused rice prices to rise three to four times, making food
unaffordable for poor families. At the same time, the British government
failed to implement effective relief measures and did not control hoarding or
price gouging.

Natural disasters, such as floods, cyclones, and crop diseases, worsened the
situation. The combination of war-time military policies, hoarding by traders,
and administrative neglect transformed a manageable food shortage into a
full-scale famine. It is estimated that around 3 million people died due to
starvation and disease.

4. Economic Distress Impact of Famine

The famine caused severe economic distress in Bengal. Food prices

increased dramatically, and ordinary families could not afford to buy rice or
other essentials. Farmers sold land, cattle, and agricultural tools to survive,
resulting in a large number of landless laborers.

Agricultural production declined as laborers died or migrated to cities,

reducing rice output further. Industries faced worker shortages, and urban
economies weakened due to food scarcity and migration. Traders and
moneylenders became richer, increasing social and economic inequality.

Rural and urban poverty rose sharply. Markets collapsed, and trade was
disrupted. Long-term economic damage occurred as people lost savings,
property, and livelihoods. The famine exposed the vulnerability of Bengal’s
economy to administrative failure and war-time pressures.
 Bangladesh studies : Class Test Topic

5. Social Disaster of Famine 1943

The social consequences of the Bengal Famine of 1943 were catastrophic

and widespread. Millions of people faced extreme hunger, leading to the
death of an estimated 3 million individuals, including men, women, and
children. Families were torn apart as individuals migrated to cities like
Calcutta, Dhaka, and Chittagong in search of food and work. Villages were
abandoned, and communities that had existed for generations were
destroyed overnight.

Malnutrition severely weakened the population, making them highly

susceptible to diseases such as cholera, malaria, and smallpox.
Healthcare facilities were inadequate, and hospitals could not cope with the
overwhelming number of patients. The famine also led to a sharp increase in
child mortality, while many adults were too weak to continue working,
causing economic and social stagnation in rural areas.

The famine also created social unrest. People resorted to begging, theft, and
even the sale of family members to survive. Traditional social norms broke
down as desperation took hold. Women and children were particularly
vulnerable to exploitation and abuse, highlighting the human cost of
mismanagement and war-time policies.

Long-term, the famine created psychological trauma for survivors,

affecting generations. Social cohesion was weakened, trust within
communities diminished, and the gap between rich and poor widened. The
Bengal Famine became a stark example of how governance failure can
exacerbate natural disasters into profound social crises.

6. Political and Nationalist Awareness from Famine 1943

The Bengal Famine of 1943 had a profound effect on political consciousness

in Bengal. Ordinary people realized that the British colonial government
prioritized war over human welfare, fueling widespread resentment. The
failure of relief measures, the hoarding by traders, and the administrative
indifference made it clear that colonial authorities were incapable of
protecting local populations.

This famine fueled nationalist movements. The Indian National

Congress criticized the British for their exploitative policies, while the
 Bangladesh studies : Class Test Topic
Muslim League highlighted neglect toward Bengali Muslims. The suffering
of millions inspired leaders and ordinary citizens to demand political reform,
justice, and more equitable governance.

The famine became a catalyst for future political mobilization. Leaders

began advocating for autonomy, self-governance, and the protection of local
interests. It demonstrated that political neglect directly affects human
survival, and this realization contributed to the growing momentum for
independence and later movements that shaped the political landscape of
Bengal.

7. Background of Partition

The Partition of India in 1947 was a result of decades of political,

religious, and social tensions. Hindu-Muslim divisions had been increasing
since the late 19th century. The Muslim League, led by Muhammad Ali
Jinnah, argued that Muslims could not live safely under a Hindu-majority
government and demanded a separate state called Pakistan.

The Lahore Resolution of 1940 formalized this demand, advocating for

independent states in Muslim-majority regions. British colonial policies of
“divide and rule” deepened mistrust between Hindus and Muslims, while
political negotiations between the Congress and the League repeatedly
failed.

After World War II, Britain’s weakened state made it impossible to continue
ruling India effectively. Coupled with escalating communal riots and civil
unrest, the British decided to partition the country. This led to the creation of
India and Pakistan in 1947, displacing millions and causing widespread
human suffering. Partition fundamentally reshaped the political, social, and
cultural fabric of the subcontinent.

8. Ethnic Cleansing Patterns of Partition

Partition involved the largest forced migration in human history.

Between 12–15 million people moved across the newly formed borders,
with Hindus and Sikhs leaving East Pakistan and Muslims migrating from
India. The migrations were not peaceful; trains carrying refugees were
frequently attacked, and villages were massacred in regions like Punjab,
Bengal, and Bihar.
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Women and children were particularly vulnerable to abduction, forced
conversions, and sexual violence. Many families lost property, homes,
and livelihoods permanently. The violence created deep-seated mistrust
between communities, which affected inter-community relations for decades.

Ethnic cleansing during partition resulted in mass trauma and long-term

social consequences. Communities were uprooted, traditional ways of life
were destroyed, and millions of refugees struggled to rebuild their lives in
unfamiliar territories. Partition became a painful reminder of the destructive
power of political divisions and religious extremism.

9. Language Movement 1952

After the creation of Pakistan in 1947, the new government declared Urdu
as the sole state language, ignoring that Bengali was spoken by over
56% of the population, mostly in East Pakistan. This decision caused
widespread dissatisfaction among students, intellectuals, and common
people, as they felt their cultural and linguistic identity was being
ignored.

The movement started with peaceful protests and petitions demanding that
Bengali also be recognized as a state language. Students from Dhaka
University, Dhaka Medical College, and other institutions led rallies and
demonstrations. On 21 February 1952, police opened fire on protesters,
killing key activists such as Abul Barkat, Rafiq Uddin Ahmed, Salam,
and Abdul Jabbar. Their martyrdom became a rallying point for the Bengali
population.

The movement gained mass support, including from writers, journalists,

and cultural leaders, who wrote articles, poems, and songs to inspire
people. Demonstrations continued, and political pressure mounted. By 1956,
Bengali was finally recognized as one of the state languages of Pakistan.

The Language Movement was not only about language but also about
dignity, rights, and political recognition. It helped develop a sense of
unity and identity among Bengalis, sowing the seeds for future political
movements, including the struggle for autonomy and eventual
independence in 1971. Today, 21 February is observed as International
Mother Language Day to honor the martyrs of the movement.

10. Mass Movement 1969

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The Mass Movement of 1969 was a turning point in the political history of
East Pakistan. It emerged from growing dissatisfaction with Ayub Khan’s
military regime, which had ruled Pakistan since 1958. East Pakistanis were
frustrated with economic exploitation, political marginalization, and
unequal resource distribution. The movement united students, workers,
farmers, and political leaders against authoritarian rule.

Sheikh Mujibur Rahman became the central figure of the movement,

advocating his Six-Point Program, which demanded autonomy for East
Pakistan, control over taxation, trade, revenue, and foreign
currency earnings. The movement included large-scale strikes,
protests, and rallies, demonstrating the power of organized mass
resistance.

By March 1969, Ayub Khan’s regime faced immense pressure, and he

resigned, handing power to General Yahya Khan. The movement
demonstrated the strength of people’s unity and how widespread political
activism could challenge authoritarianism. It also laid the groundwork for the
1970 general elections, where Bengalis demanded greater political
representation.

The Mass Movement strengthened Bengali nationalism, uniting various

social groups under a common political cause. It highlighted the importance
of democracy, human rights, and regional autonomy, showing that
political change could be achieved through collective action.

11. Election 1970

The 1970 general election of Pakistan was the first free and fair election
in the country’s history. Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s Awami League won a
landslide victory, securing 167 out of 169 East Pakistan seats, giving
them a clear majority in the National Assembly. This victory reflected
the strong desire of East Pakistanis for political autonomy and self-
governance.

West Pakistani leaders, especially Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and the military elite,
were unwilling to accept the results. President Yahya Khan delayed
transferring power, causing widespread frustration and political unrest in
East Pakistan. The lack of recognition for the election results highlighted the
structural inequalities and political discrimination faced by East
Pakistan.
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The delay in power transfer led to mass protests, strikes, and civil
disobedience across East Pakistan. Political leaders warned of serious
consequences if democratic mandates were ignored. These tensions
escalated, eventually contributing to the 1971 Liberation War, as East
Pakistanis realized they could not achieve political equality within Pakistan.

The 1970 election was historically significant as it demonstrated the power

of democratic expression and the consequences of political injustice. It
united the Bengali population under the banner of autonomy and
strengthened the resolve for independence, making it a direct precursor to
Bangladesh’s liberation.

12. Liberation War 1971

The Liberation War of Bangladesh in 1971 began after escalating

political tensions following the 1970 election. On 25 March 1971, the
Pakistan Army launched Operation Searchlight, a brutal crackdown
targeting Dhaka’s students, intellectuals, and civilians. This marked the
beginning of systematic violence, mass killings, and widespread atrocities.
Thousands were killed, and key leaders, including Sheikh Mujibur Rahman,
were arrested and taken to West Pakistan.

The resistance movement, called Mukti Bahini, included students, defected

soldiers, and ordinary citizens. They conducted guerrilla warfare against
the Pakistani military in rural and urban areas. Millions of refugees fled to
India, where they were provided with training, shelter, and logistical
support, strengthening the resistance.

India formally intervened in December 1971, fighting alongside the Mukti

Bahini. After nine months of war, Pakistan surrendered on 16 December
1971, leading to the creation of independent Bangladesh. The war caused
enormous human suffering: an estimated 3 million deaths, 10 million
refugees, and widespread destruction of property and infrastructure.
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The Liberation War is remembered for immense sacrifice, resilience, and
the struggle for self-determination. It shaped the identity of Bangladesh
as a sovereign nation and highlighted the importance of human rights,
democracy, and national unity. The war remains a defining moment in
South Asian history, symbolizing the power of collective action and courage
against oppression.