Decolonization and the Global Cold War in the 1970s

Bengali Pamphlets

Since 1952, the popular movements for political and civil rights were continuously crushed by the West Pakistan controlled police and military establishment.

Though East Pakistan (formerly East Bengal) had formally gained Independence from colonial rule in 1947, many of the Bengali-speaking Pakistanis continued to be treated as second-class citizens. In 1970, the military dictator of Pakistan, Yahya Khan refused to let the democratically elected Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, a Bengali-speaking Pakistani to assume office and declared martial law, arresting and torturing many political and civil rights activists.

‹›

Indo-Pakistani War of 1971

Black-and-white drawing of a woman holding a gun, with text in the center.
Gerilā nārī : nārī muktiẏoddhādera smr̥tikathā (Title page)

The 1971 War was termed as a "war of genocide" where the Pakistani military and militia groups (armed by the United States) began a process of ethnic cleansing of the Bengali Hindus in East Bengal. The Mukti Bahini, a guerilla group emerged on the ground to resist the excesses of the Pakistani military resulting in a brutal civil war. With the support of the Indian Armed Forces, Bangladesh formally became independent on December 16th,  1971.

Some materials and descriptions may include offensive content. More info