East Pakistan

East Pakistan

Flag of East Pakistan

East Pakistan (

) was a geopolitical region that existed from 1955 until 1971, when it became the independent nation of Bangladesh. It was the eastern provincial wing of Pakistan and was created as a result of the Partition of India in 1947. East Pakistan was located in the eastern part of the Indian subcontinent, comprising the territory of the former Bengal province.

History

Formation

East Pakistan was formed following the Partition of India in 1947, which divided British India into two independent dominions: India and Pakistan. Pakistan was created as a separate state for Muslims and was divided into two geographically and culturally distinct regions: West Pakistan (present-day Pakistan) and East Pakistan (present-day Bangladesh). The two regions were separated by approximately 1,600 kilometers (1,000 miles) of Indian territory.

Political Tensions

The political relationship between East and West Pakistan was fraught with tension. Despite East Pakistan having a larger population, political power was concentrated in West Pakistan. This led to feelings of disenfranchisement and neglect among the Bengali population of East Pakistan. The Language Movement of the early 1950s, which demanded recognition of Bengali as one of the national languages of Pakistan, was an early sign of these tensions.

Economic Disparities

Economic policies favored West Pakistan, leading to significant economic disparities between the two regions. East Pakistan was primarily agrarian, while West Pakistan was more industrialized. The central government's economic policies often neglected the development needs of East Pakistan, exacerbating regional inequalities.

Struggle for Autonomy

The struggle for autonomy in East Pakistan gained momentum in the 1960s. The Awami League, led by Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, emerged as the dominant political force advocating for greater autonomy for East Pakistan. The Six Point Movement articulated demands for provincial autonomy and economic reforms.

1970 General Elections

The 1970 general elections were a turning point in the history of East Pakistan. The Awami League won a landslide victory, securing 167 out of 169 seats allocated to East Pakistan in the National Assembly. This gave them an overall majority in the assembly, but the central government, dominated by West Pakistan, was reluctant to transfer power.

Bangladesh Liberation War

The refusal to recognize the election results led to widespread civil disobedience in East Pakistan. On March 26, 1971, following a brutal military crackdown by the Pakistani army, East Pakistan declared independence, leading to the Bangladesh Liberation War. The conflict lasted until December 16, 1971, when the Pakistani military surrendered, and East Pakistan became the independent state of Bangladesh.

Geography

East Pakistan was located in the eastern part of the Indian subcontinent, bordered by India to the west, north, and east, and by the Bay of Bengal to the south. The region was characterized by its fertile deltaic plains, formed by the confluence of the Ganges, Brahmaputra, and Meghna rivers.

Culture

The culture of East Pakistan was predominantly Bengali, with a rich tradition of literature, music, and art. The Bengali language and culture played a significant role in the identity of the region, which was distinct from the Urdu-speaking West Pakistan.

Also see

• Bangladesh Liberation War
• Partition of India
• Awami League
• Sheikh Mujibur Rahman
• Language Movement