Lesson 1/33 min
From provisional rules to the Constituent Assembly
On 10 April 1971 the Mujibnagar government issued the Proclamation of Independence, often called the first provisional constitution. On 10 January 1972 Bangabandhu returned home, and the next day the Provisional Constitution Order was issued.
Steps before the constitution
| Date | What happened |
|---|---|
| 10 April 1971 | Proclamation of Independence issued; called the first provisional constitution |
| 11 January 1972 | Provisional Constitution of Bangladesh Order: a parliamentary (cabinet) system in place of the presidential one |
| 10 April 1972 | First session of the Constituent Assembly |
| 11 April 1972 | The Constitution Drafting Committee is formed |
The Constituent Assembly
- Made up of members elected in 1970 to the national and provincial assemblies
- President Abu Sayeed Chowdhury issued the Constituent Assembly Order
- Both books give the membership as 403
- Maulana Abdur Rashid Tarkabagish presided over the first session
- Speaker of the Assembly: Shah Abdul Hamid; Deputy Speaker: Mohammad Ullah
Watch out: Both books give 23 March 1972 for the Constituent Assembly Order, but one book also writes 22 March in one place. We could not confirm the day online, so be careful if both appear as options.
Check yourself
When was the Provisional Constitution Order issued?
At a glance
- 1
The Proclamation of Independence of 10 April 1971 is called the first provisional constitution.
- 2
The Provisional Constitution Order was issued on 11 January 1972, moving from presidential to parliamentary government.
- 3
The Constituent Assembly first met on 10 April 1972, with Tarkabagish presiding.
- 4
Speaker: Shah Abdul Hamid; Deputy Speaker: Mohammad Ullah.