Lesson 3/33 min
26–27 March: the declaration of independence
On the night of 25 March 1971 the Pakistani army began an indiscriminate attack in Dhaka. In the first hours of 26 March, Bangabandhu's message of independence spread by wireless. From the Swadhin Bangla Betar Kendra at Kalurghat, Chattogram, the declaration was broadcast to the public.
The steps of the declaration
| When | What |
|---|---|
| 26 March 1971 | Bangabandhu's message: “This may be my last message, from today Bangladesh is independent…” |
| 26 March 1971 | Awami League leader M A Hannan reads the declaration from the Kalurghat radio centre |
| 27 March 1971 | From the same centre, Major Ziaur Rahman reads the declaration on behalf of Bangabandhu |
| 30 March 1971 | The Kalurghat centre is abandoned after heavy shelling by the Pakistan Air Force |
Points to remember
- The Liberation War began on 26 March 1971 and ended on 16 December 1971
- The Constitution places Bangabandhu's 26 March telegram of declaration in the Sixth Schedule
- After nine months of war Bangladesh became free on 16 December 1971
Watch out: Textbooks and exams differ on who read the declaration on 26 March and who on 27 March. According to Banglapedia, Bangabandhu declared independence on 26 March and Ziaur Rahman read the declaration on his behalf on 27 March. Check the options and the wording of the question.
Watch out: Zubair says Bangabandhu sent the wireless message while under arrest. According to Banglapedia the message went out on the EPR wireless shortly after midnight, and the arrest came at 1:30 am. Be careful if a question hinges on this.
Check yourself
Who read the declaration on behalf of Bangabandhu from the Kalurghat radio centre on 27 March 1971?
At a glance
- 1
Night of 25 March 1971: the army attacks; 26 March: the declaration of independence.
- 2
On 26 March M A Hannan read the declaration from the Kalurghat radio centre.
- 3
On 27 March Major Ziaur Rahman read it on behalf of Bangabandhu.
- 4
The Liberation War began on 26 March and ended on 16 December 1971.
- 5
The 26 March telegram of declaration is in the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution.