Lesson 1/24 min
The 1969 mass uprising
20 January 1969. Police fire on a student procession in Dhaka and Asad is killed. His blood-stained shirt becomes the movement's flag. Two months later Ayub Khan is forced from power.
How it unfolded
| Date | What happened |
|---|---|
| 4 January 1969 | The all-party Students' Action Committee is formed and declares its 11 points |
| 8 January 1969 | Political parties form the Democratic Action Committee on an 8-point programme |
| 20 January 1969 | Asad, a history student at Dhaka University, is killed |
| 24 January 1969 | Matiur, a student of Nabakumar Institution, is killed; the day is Mass Uprising Day |
| 15 February 1969 | Sergeant Zahurul Haq is killed in Dhaka Cantonment |
| 18 February 1969 | Dr. Shamsuzzoha, Proctor of Rajshahi University, is killed |
| 22 February 1969 | The Agartala Case is withdrawn |
| 25 March 1969 | Ayub Khan steps down; Yahya Khan declares martial law |
Watch out: Many books give 5 January for the forming of the Students' Action Committee. According to Banglapedia the date is 4 January 1969.
Worth remembering
- The students' 11 points included the Awami League's Six Points
- 20 January is Shaheed Asad Day; 18 February is Zoha Day
- Dr. Shamsuzzoha is called the country's first martyred intellectual
- Shamsur Rahman wrote the poem “Asader Shirt” in Asad's memory; Asad Gate in Dhaka was built in memory of the 1969 uprising
- A novel set against the uprising: “Chilekothar Sepai” by Akhtaruzzaman Elias
- The Governor of East Pakistan during the uprising was Monem Khan
- On 5 December 1969 Sheikh Mujibur Rahman named East Pakistan ‘Bangladesh’
Watch out: Asad was a student of the History department at Dhaka University, not Law. He took a law course at Dhaka City Law College, and some books mix the two up.
Check yourself
On which date is Mass Uprising Day?
At a glance
- 1
In January 1969 the all-party Students' Action Committee declared its 11-point programme.
- 2
Asad, a history student at Dhaka University, was killed on 20 January 1969.
- 3
Matiur was killed on 24 January; the day is Mass Uprising Day.
- 4
Dr. Shamsuzzoha was killed on 18 February 1969.
- 5
On 25 March 1969 Ayub Khan stepped down and Yahya Khan took power.
- 6
On 5 December 1969 Sheikh Mujibur Rahman named East Pakistan ‘Bangladesh’.