Lesson 1/44 min
Martyred intellectuals
14 December 1971, two days before the surrender. Al-Badr and Pakistani soldiers take many intellectuals, among them teachers, journalists, doctors, artists and writers, from their homes in Dhaka. Their bodies are found on 15 December.
Key facts
- The Pakistan army carried out the killings, helped by the killer groups Al-Badr and Al-Shams
- The killing began after 25 March 1971; in Dhaka it peaked in the days before the surrender
- 14 December is Martyred Intellectuals Day; wreaths are laid at the Martyred Intellectuals Memorial in Mirpur
- More than 200 were taken that day in Dhaka (a widely quoted estimate; sources do not agree on an exact number)
Did you know?: After the war, a list of Bengali intellectuals was found on a page of Major General Rao Farman Ali's diary at the Governor's House. He himself confirmed that the list existed.
Killed by profession: Banglapedia's estimate
| Profession | Number |
|---|---|
| Educationists / teachers | 991 |
| Physicians | 49 |
| Lawyers | 42 |
| Journalists | 13 |
| Litterateurs, artists and engineers (together) | 16 |
| Estimated total | 1,111 |
Did you know?: Source: these figures are Banglapedia's estimate. The district-wise tallies of teachers and lawyers behind them were published in 1972. A complete list with names has still not been made.
Watch out: The 1972 district tally adds up to 989 teachers; Banglapedia's estimate is 991. The books print 991, so remember 991 for exams.
The government list
- In 2021 the Ministry of Liberation War Affairs published a first list of 191 martyred intellectuals
- Later phases were added, and by March 2024 four lists held 560 names in all
Watch out: Some books give 27 May 2021 for the 191-name list, while news reports date the gazette 7 April 2021. Only the year, 2021, is safe.
Some well-known martyrs
| Name | Who he or she was |
|---|---|
| Munier Chowdhury | Teacher and playwright; Bangla department, Dhaka University |
| Anwar Pasha | Teacher and writer; Bangla department, Dhaka University |
| Govinda Chandra Dev (G. C. Dev) | Teacher and philosopher; Philosophy department, Dhaka University |
| Jyotirmoy Guhathakurta | Teacher; English department, Dhaka University |
| Shahidullah Kaiser | Journalist and novelist |
| Selina Parvin | Journalist |
| Altaf Mahmud | Lyricist and composer |
| Dr. Fazle Rabbi | Physician (cardiologist) |
| Dhirendranath Datta | Lawyer, politician and language activist |
Watch out: Not every martyred intellectual was killed on 14 December. According to Banglapedia, G. C. Dev was killed on 26 March 1971, and Dhirendranath Datta was arrested on the night of 29 March 1971. Many books list them among the 14 December martyrs.
Check yourself
How many educationists does Banglapedia's estimate count among the dead?
At a glance
- 1
Martyred Intellectuals Day is 14 December; two days before the surrender, many intellectuals were taken from their homes in Dhaka.
- 2
The Pakistan army carried out the killings with help from Al-Badr and Al-Shams; the killing began after 25 March.
- 3
Banglapedia's estimate: 1,111 in all; 991 educationists, 49 physicians, 42 lawyers, 13 journalists, the other 16.
- 4
In 2021 the government's first list held 191 names; by March 2024 four lists held 560.
- 5
Not all martyrs were killed on 14 December; G. C. Dev was killed on 26 March 1971.