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[ Download Historical + post-1971 maps of Bangladesh ] [ View contemporary detailed map of Bangladesh ] Ancient Period The reconstruction of the history of Bengal in the pre-Muslim period is difficult due to paucity of sources. The difficulty is felt more acutely for the earlier period, down to the 4th century AD, when Bengal came under the Imperial Guptas. From about 5th century BC it pushed into Bengal from the west and it took about one thousand years to Aryanise the whole of Bengal. By the time Aryan influence reached Bengal, it had become feeble during its long march through the entire area of northern India. It was this item of southeastern Bengal, which in the 16th and 17th centuries AD earned worldwide fame as the 'Muslin' of Bengal, and specifically of Dhaka. We have evidence of widespread trade between Bengal and China as well as other countries. It is likely that on the eve of Gupta expansion under Samudragupta (4th century AD) Bengal remained divided into independent states. Under Gupta rule Bengal was an important province. This period is remarkable for its trade and commerce, in which Bengal had her due share. The Gupta School inspired the Bengal school of sculptural art. In the second half of the seventh century AD Bengal saw the emergence of two new lines of kings: the later Guptas in Gauda and Magadha (western Bengal and southern Bihar) and the khadgas in Vanga and Samatata (southern and southeastern Bengal). Neither of these dynasties, however, appears to have succeeded in establishing a strong rule in Bengal. The contemporary Pala record uses this significant term to describe the prevailing political situation in Bengal. The Pala Dynasty The dynasty founded by Gopala in the middle of the 8th century AD, ruled Bengal for about four hundred years through many vicissitudes. The Pala empire extended beyond the boundaries of Bengal and Bihar as far as Kanauj. Bengal could hold its own against powerful rivals. The terracotta art of Bengal reached its high-water mark during this period. The artistic genius of the Bengal sculptors found full expression in the Pala period. Considering all these achievements the Pala period can rightly be considered the most glorious period in the early history of Bengal. Dynasties of Southeastern Bengal Southeastern Bengal seems to have preserved an independent political entity for quite some time in the ancient period. It cannot be ascertained whether Shashanka's empire embraced southeastern Bengal. In the second half of the 7th century AD when the Later Guptas captured power in Gauda (western Bengal) southeastern Bengal saw the emergence of the Khadga kings. The rulers of southeastern Bengal could earn the necessary bullion for the issue of silver coins. The separate political entity of southeastern Bengal in the preceding four centuries must have had deep-rooted socio-cultural consequences in the history of Bengal. The Sena rulers were Hindus and their rule is considered to be a period of revival of Hinduism in Bengal. The scenario may have indirectly helped the cause of Islam in Bengal. The period saw the development of Sanskrit literature in Bengal. Bibliography Niharranjan Ray, Bangalir Itihas(Adiparva), Kolkata, 1400 BS; RC Majumdar (ed), History of Bengal, vol-1, Dhaka, 1948; Abdul Momin Chowdhury, Dynastic History of Bengal, Dhaka, 1968; RC Majumdar, History of Ancient Bengal, Kolkata, 1971. Early Sultanate Period The Muslim rule in Bengal had its beginning in the opening years of the thirteenth century (1204 AD). The process of Muslim expansion in Bengal began with the military exploits of Bakhtiyar Khalji. Besides administrative settlements Bakhtiyar also found time to lay the foundation of Muslim society in Bengal. The period from Bakhtiyar's death in 1206 to Iwaz's death in 1227 may be regarded as the initial period of Muslim rule in Bengal. The period from 1212 to 1227 was covered by the rule of Iwaz Khalji, the first notable ruler of Muslim Bengal who tried to expand and consolidate the Muslim rule in Bengal in a planned way. Iwaz ruled Lakhnauti for about two years (1208-1210 AD) as governor of Delhi. The territories of Jajnagar (Orissa), Bang (eastern Bengal), Kamarupa (Assam) and Tirhut (north Bihar) sent him tributes. Tamar Khan died in 1246. Taking advantage of his absence in eastern Bengal Malik Tajuddin Arslan Khan, governor of Kara, marched upon Lakhnauti and occupied it. Tughral's achievement was the conquest of east Bengal from the hands of the lingering Sena dynasty. House of Balban (1287-1301) Bughra Khan and Kaikaus ruled Bengal independently from 1287 to 1301. At the end of Bughra Khan's rule (1282-1290) the Muslim dominion in Bengal consisted of four distinct divisions: Bihar, the Lakhnauti-Devkot region of north Bengal, the Satgaon-Hughli in southwest Bengal and Sonargaon region in east Bengal. Bugra Khan was succeeded by his younger son ruknuddin kaikaus (1290-1301), whose reign witnessed the expansion of Muslim territory in Bengal in the eastern region and from the revenue 'Bang' he issued coins. Till his time Lakhnauti dominion was confined within Bihar, north and northwestern Bengal, and Lakhnor in southwestern Bengal. Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq reorganised the administration of Muslim dominion in Bengal; divided it into three administrative units of Lakhnauti, Satgaon and Sonargaon. Bahram Khan was made governor of Sonargaon and Satgaon. muhammad bin tughlaq, successor of Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq, thoroughly re-arranged the administration of Bengal. Qadar Khan was appointed governor of Lakhnauti. In 1338 Bahram Khan died. Bibliography JN Sarkar (ed), History of Bengal, vol. II, Dhaka, 1948; A Karim, Banglar Itihasa - Sultani Amal, (Bangla) Dhaka, 1977; Muhammad Mohar Ali, History of the Muslims of Bengal (1203-1757), Riyadh, 1985; Sukhamay Mukhopadhyaya, Banglay Muslim Adhikarer Adi Parba (Bangla), Calcutta, 1988. Iliyas Shahi Period The dynasty founded by iliyas shah ruled Bengal for nearly one hundred and fifty years (1342-1487 AD) with an interruption of about twenty-three years (1412-1435/36 AD). On his death, Azam Shah ascended the throne with the title of Sultan ghiyasuddin azam shah in 793 AH/ 1390-91 AD. Shihabuddin Bayazid Shah, the slave of Sultan Saifuddin Hamza Shah ruled Bengal from 814 AH/1411-12 AD to 817 AH/1414 AD. Ibrahim Sharqi left Bengal in 818 AH/1415 AD. It appears that this time Raja Ganesha ruled Bengal up to 821 AH/1418 AD under the title of Danuj Mardan Dev. Nasir Khan and Shadi Khan soon quarreled over the throne. Later Iliyas Shahi dynasty Following the murder of Shamsuddin Ahmad Shah, the nobles placed Nasiruddin, a descendant of Sultan Shamsuddin Iliyas Shah, on the throne of Bengal in 839 AH/1435-36 AD. The Habshi slaves, consequently, became a powerful factor in Bengal politics. Barbak Shah died in 879 AH/1474 AD and was succeeded by his son shamsuddin yusuf shah. Fath Shah assumed the title of jalaluddin fath shah. Fath Shah was murdered in 893 AH/1487 AD by one of his slaves, named Barbak. Conquests The period from 1342 to 1487 witnessed remarkable expansion of the territory of the Bengal Sultanate. As a result of this invasion Iliyas Shah was deprived of his conquests west of Lakhnauti, but he continued to rule Bengal as an independent sultan. Barbak Shah ruled over a vast territory comprising the regions of north, east, west, south and southeast Bengal and portions of Bihar. During the reign of Yusuf Shah the Bengal Sultanate was further extended in western and northern Bengal. Besides, a large part of eastern Bengal came under his control. Administration The administration of the Iliyas Shahi sultans opened a new chapter in the history of Bengal. For the efficiency of administration, the Iliyas Shahi sultans divided Bengal into a number of administrative units. After consolidation of his authority over Bengal, Iliyas Shah rightly realised the necessity of winning the support of the local people. Of all the sultans of the Iliyas Shahi dynasty the reign of Sikandar Shah is marked by architectural development such as Bengal had never witnessed before. 75 AD. Importance of the Iliyas Shahi period The rule of the Iliyas Shahi dynasty occupies a distinct and significant place in the history of Bengal. The Muslim Kingdom of Bengal, known as the Kingdom of Lakhnauti, was transformed into the Sultanate of Bangalah. During this period, for the first time the different parts of Bengal were united under the sole authority of Sultan Shamsuddin Iliyas Shah. Bengal's economy also made great strides during this time. Habshi Rule Towards the close of the reign of Sultan Jalaluddin Fath Shah, the Abyssinian (Ethiopian) slaves became a dangerously powerful element in the court of Bengal. The rule of the Habshis (Abyssinians) in Bengal lasted nearly six years (893 AH/ 1487 AD to 899 AH /1493 AD), during which four rulers (Barbak Shah Shahzada, Saifuddin Firuz Shah, Nasiruddin Mahmud Shah II and Shamsuddin Muzaffar Shah) ruled Bengal. On his accession Shahzada assumed the title of Sultan Barbak Shah. Barbak Shah's rule lasted only six months. Nasiruddin Mahmud Shah II succeeded Saifuddin Firuz Shah. Mahmud Shah's reign lasted a few months. With the murder of Muzaffar shah, Habshi rule in Bengal came to an end. Husain Shahi Rule (1494-1538 AD) occupies a significant place in the medieval history of Bengal. It marked the zenith of the Independent Sultanate in Bengal. The period saw the advent of the Europeans in Bengal. In that sense the period represents a 'formative period' of Bengal history. Towards the end of Husain Shah's reign a Portuguese mission came to Bengal to establish diplomatic links. Husain's reign ended in 1519 AD. Alauddin Husain Shah was succeeded in 1519 AD by his eldest son Nusrat, who assumed the title of Sultan Nasiruddin nusrat shah. Bengal's hold on Kamarupa and Kamta was probably unaffected till the end of Nusrat's reign. The portuguese were active during his reign in the Bay of Bengal. Khuda Baksh probably could hold out against Arakan and Tippera until sher shah finally occupied Bengal. Mahmud had sent an army under Ibrahim Khan to attack Bihar on behalf of Jalal Khan Lohani, the rival of Sher Khan in Bihar. Sher Khan appeared before gaur via jharkhand. This greatly enhanced the power of the Portuguese in Bengal. Administration The Husain Shahi period witnessed consolidation of the administration. The Bengal administration was possibly a close copy of the administration of the Sultanate of Delhi. The Husain Shahi period was characterised by a gradual rapprochement between the ruler and the ruled, and this ushered in a new socio-political phenomenon in Bengal. Bengal derived her wealth mainly from agriculture, trade and industry. Bengal had several ports, which greatly facilitated her sea-borne trade. Chittagong, located on the Karnafuli and facing the Bay of Bengal, held a precarious position in the commercial life of Bengal, for its possession was being disputed by the rulers of Bengal, Tippera and Arakan. Jump to page-top ↑
Since Bengal is primarily an agricultural country, a vast number of people belonged to the peasantry. Bengal used to produce innumerous varieties of paddy in plenty. The flourishing state of Bengal's sea-borne trade in the period presupposes the growth of internal trade also. The variety and richness of the textile manufactures of Bengal became famous. Fine cotton fabrics, jute fabrics and silk products of Bengal attracted foreign buyers. Sugar of fine quality was produced in Bengal. chaitanya bhagavata contains numerous references to famines that affected the life of the people of Bengal in the Husain Shahi period. The period witnessed the growth of the Pir cult in Bengal. Bengal had direct maritime connection with the Persian Gulf and Iraq. Barbosa found a good number of Persian merchants in Bengal in the early 16th century. The Dharma cult seems to have found a regular place in the religious life of 15th and 16th century Bengal. Nathism seems to have been one of the important religio-philosophical systems of Husain Shahi Bengal. During the Husain Shahi period Bengal's contributions to architecture and calligraphy were quite significant. By the time the Husain Shahi rulers came to power Bengal had already developed a tradition of architecture. The architecture of the period clearly reveals local influences and gives expression to Bengal's life and culture. Like the Sharqi sultans of Jaunpur, the sultans of Bengal too used to recruit Afghans in their services. So by the time Sher Shah conquered Bengal, the Afghans were no strangers. Bengal under the Sur governors (1539-53 AD) Realising justly the importance of Bengal for his empire building, Sher Shah paid his utmost attention for its proper administrative reorganisation. Islam Shah (1545-53 AD), son and successor of Sher Shah, wielded a very firm control over the whole of Bengal. Darya Khan Nuhani was succeeded by his son Bahar Khan Nuhani in Bihar. Very soon he wrested Bihar from Jalal who found political asylum with Nusrat Shah of Bengal. This catastrophic defeat of the Bengal forces, however, did not dampen its spirit. Khizir Khan, the eldest son of the late sultan, ascended the throne with the title Ghiyasuddin Abul Muzaffar Bahadur Shah. Sultan Bahadur Shah marched against Adil Shah to avenge his father's murder. Bahadur's death in 1560 AD brought his brother Jalal Shah to power and he exercised it till his death in 1563 AD. The fugitive Afghans from northern India turned towards Bihar and Bengal in large numbers. Taj Khan was succeeded by his brother Sulaiman Karrani in 1563 AD. Sulaiman then captured Kuch Bihar in 1568 AD. Munim Khan's death brought Husain Qhli Khan Jahan, nephew of the famous Bairam Khan, in the Mughal war-front as the new governor. Bibliography JN Sarkar (ed), History of Bengal, II, Dhaka, 1948; MA Rahim, History of the Afghans in India, Karachi, 1961; M Ibrahim, Afghan Rule in Eastern India (1535-1612), Unpublished PhD Thesis, Aligarh Muslim University, India, 1986. Mughal period upto 1757 Mughal rule was established in Bengal after the defeat of the Karrani Afghan Sultan Daud Khan in the battle of Rajmahal, 12 July 1576 at the hands of Khan Jahan. With Khan Jahan's victory over Daud Khan, the Mughals made determined and sustained efforts to establish their authority over Bengal, till ultimately in 1612, Islam Khan Chishti, the subahdar of jahangir, brought the whole of Bengal (except Chittagong) under the Mughal control. With Daud Khan's defeat ended the Sultanate rule in Bengal, but this in no way meant the end of Bengali resistance to the imperial power. During the last two years of Jahangir's reign, the Bengal administration had to face the Arakanese Magh raids into coastal Bengal. mir jumla, who had come to Bengal at the heels of Shah Shuja, was appointed subahdar. shaista khan was appointed the next subahdar of Bengal who belonged to the family of Nur Jahan. Shaista Khan ruled Bengal for twenty-two years with a break for a little more than one year during which time azam khan koka (Fidai Khan) and Prince muhammad azam became subahdar one after another. Shaista Khan first reached Bengal in March 1664 and completed his first term of office in early 1678. Shaista Khan was already 63 when he first came to Bengal, after 24 years when he left Bengal for good he was 87. Shaista Kahn's greatest fame in Bengal lay in his conquest of Chittagong. Shaista Khan was succeeded by Mir Malik Husain entitled Khan Jahan Bahadur, a foster brother of Aurangzeb. Zabardast Khan, son of Ibrahim Khan took the field on the side of the Mughals. Murshid Quli Khan, blessed by the support of Auranzeb, became the virtual ruler of Bengal subah. After the death of Aurangzeb during the reign of Shah Alam Bahadur Shah, he was transferred to south India, but he was appointed diwan of Bengal again in 1710. From this time onward he remained in Bengal till his death in 1727. He made the Bengal economy dynamic and paid imperial dues regularly. So, in 1716, Murshid Quli Khan became the subahdar of Bengal. During his subahdari Bengal flourished economically. Shujauddin Khan, at the time of his death, nominated his son Sharfaraz Khan to the masnad in 1739. Alivardi Khan's rule was marked by annual Maratha raids. Sirajuddaula, the new nawab was only 23 when he ascended the throne of Bengal. Revenue administration Mughal revenue administration in Bengal was elaborately chalked out. Later Nazims followed Murshid Quli Khan. Unlike the Bengal sultans, Mughal subahdars came to Bengal for particular terms. In trade and commerce, Bengal came to limelight in history by her international trade. During the early Muslim-period, Bengal's products could be sold for money to a small extent. The Dutch East India Company started their trade with Bengal from their base at Masaulipatam in the Coromandel coast in the beginning of the 17th century, the English East India Company followed them. Later came the Ostend Company and from 17th to 18th centuries Bengal's overseas trade increased by leaps and bounds. The companies exported from Bengal salt-petre, ingredients of making gunpowder, abundantly available in Lalganj, North-Bihar. Mughal rule thus saw enormous growth of Bengal's overseas trade. Money prices and money wages also rose sharply in Bengal. Before the Mughals, however, Bengal was notoriously famous as a rebel province. Mughal rule in Bengal opened an era of peace and prosperity. The success of the three great rulers of Bengal?Murshid Quli Khan (1701-1727), Shujauddin Khan (1727-1739) and Alivardi Khan (1740-1756) in achieving political stability and relative economic prosperity worked as an effective deterrent to the company's increasing influence. The succeeding two nawabs (Shaujauddin Khan and Alivardi Khan) were equally successful in maintaining the uneasy peace with the company. According to the terms of the treaty (12 August 1765) Emperor Shah Alam conferred on the English East India Company the Diwani of Bengal, Bihar and Orissa "as a free gift and altamga". Bengal had been traditionally exporting more and importing less. Clive's acquisition of the diwani of Bengal, Bihar and Orissa solved the problem. The Double Government was practically no government. For revenue and judicial administrations Hastings divided Bengal into many distircts. Reduction of Bengal to provinciality The rise of British India in the 19th century was only the blown up form of the company's Bengal kingdom. The expansion led to the absorption of Bengal into the imperial milieu. Even as a province, Bengal lost its pre-eminence in that unlike Madras and Bombay provinces, Bengal was not endowed with an autonomous Governor-in-Council. The Governor General of India acted as the governor of Bengal. One of the secretaries of the Central Secretariat remained in charge of Bengal administration. Making the Bengal administration more efficient was the apparent intention of the decision. Most educated Muslims of East Bengal had supported the partition. Their frustrations were reflected in the subsequent politics of Bengal. The idea under the circumstance was finally accepted by the Congress and the League and accordingly Bengal got partitioned and East Bengal (now Bangladesh) got independence from Britain (14 August 1947) within the framework of Pakistan. Bengal had been traditionally an exporting country. Within half a century of company rule Bengal lost its predominance in the export market. Even the industrial labour came from outside of Bengal. By the same stroke the province of Bengal was divided into East Bengal and West Bengal East Bengal became a part of Pakistan and West Bengal that of India. Sir Frederick Bourne was appointed the first Governor of East Bengal. When mohammad ali jinnah died in September 1948, Nazimuddin became the Governor General of Pakistan while nurul amin was appointed the Chief Minister of East Bengal. Nurul Amin continued as the Chief Minister of East Bengal until 2 April 1954. During the provincial elections of East Bengal in 1954, the question of language was incorporated in the 21-point election manifesto of united front. The first election for East Bengal Provincial Assembly was held between 8 and 12 March 1954. The ruling Muslim League got only 9 seats. The economy of East Bengal deteriorated during the period between 1947 and 1954, and the prices of essential commodities rose sharply. Voting for the United Front, the people of East Bengal had implicitly expressed their support for the autonomy of East Bengal. The number of Muslim League members in the Pakistan Constituent Assembly decreased due to this reduction in their number in East Bengal Legislative Assembly. As Home Minister, Fazlul Huq utilised his influence to bring his party to power in East Bengal. The position of Huq's party in the province got a boost when he was appointed the Governor of East Bengal on 5 March 1956. In order to keep the Awami League government in power in East Pakistan, the central government dismissed Fazlul Huq from the post of Governor (1 April 1958) and gave the charge of Governorship to the Chief Secretary of East Bengal. The new Governor reinstated the Awami League government (1 April 1958). Exactly two months after this, another Awami League government headed by ataur rahman khan was formed. Expelling Iskander Mirza, ayub khan seized all powers on 27 October. An innovation during Ayub Khan's autocratic military rule was basic democracy. The Pakistan People's Party (PPP) won 88 out of 144 National Assembly seats in West Pakistan. In the election for East Pakistan Provincial Assembly, the Awami League won 288 out of 300 seats. The people of East Pakistan erupted in anger at this announcement of Yahya Khan. [ Download Historical + post-1971 maps of Bangladesh ] [ View contemporary detailed map of Bangladesh ] ---------------------------------------
The War of Liberation of Bangladesh began on 26 March 1971 and ended with the liberation of Bangladesh on 16 December 1971. The general elections of 1970 had made Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the leader of the Awami League which bagged 167 seats out of 169 allotted for East Pakistan, the sole spokesman of the people of East Pakistan and majority leader in the Pakistan National Assembly. No sooner the talks failed, the genocide began, with the Pakistan army's crackdown on the people of East Pakistan on the midnight of 25 March 1971. The Bengali soldiers serving in the then Pakistan Armed Forces and para militia forces declared instantly their solidarity with the people's liberation war. The Pakistan Army was ordered to launch operation on Bengali people at midnight of 25 March. Lieutenant General Tikka Khan assumed the overall charge of the operation. On 26 March Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was taken prisoner by the Pakistan army. Colonel MAG Osmany was to command the liberation forces, later named as Mukti Bahini. All of Bangladesh was divided into eleven such sectors and different sub-sectors for operational purposes during the Sector Commander's conference held from 10 to 17 July 1971. Indian Border Security Force (BSF) opened Bangladesh-India border to allow the tortured and panick stricken Bengalis to have safe shelter in India. The students, peasants, workers and political activists joined the Mukti Bahini with high spirit to liberate Bangladesh from the Pakistan army. The headquarters of the Bangladesh Forces was established at 8 Theatre Road, Calcutta which started functioning from 12 April 1971. Besides Mukti Bahini, many other bahinis were organised inside Bangladesh at different places to fight Pakistan Army. These Bahinis included Kader Bahini of Tangail, Latif Mirza Bahini of Sirajganj, Akbar Hossain Bahini of Jhinaidah, Hemayet Bahini of Faridpur, Quddus Molla and Gafur Bahini of Barisal, Afsar Bahini of Mymensingh and Aftab Bahini of Mymensingh. Siraj Sikdar, leader of Sorbohara Party, also organised his force in Barisal. Mujib Bahini was trained at Dehradun. Mukti Bahini consisted of the regular and the irregular forces. The regulars were later called 'Niomita Bahini' (regular force) and the irregulars were called 'Gono Bahini' (people's Force). The irregular forces, which after initial training joined different sectors, consisted of the students, peasants, workers and political activists. Irregular forces were inducted inside Bangladesh territory to adopt guerilla warfare against the enemy. The regular forces were engaged in fighting in conventional way. The first conventional brigade named as 'Z' Force was created in July. This brigade consisted of 1, 3 and 8 East Bengal. Second regular brigade 'S' Force was created in October and consisted of 2 and 11 East Bengal. 'S' Force was named after the initial letter of the name of its commander Shafiullah. Similarly the 'K' Force created with 4, 9 and 10 East Bengal which was commanded by Khaled Mosharraf. Similarly, Bangladesh Navy was also established with the Naval troops deserted from the Pakistan Navy. The command structure of the Bangladesh Forces was fully organised with the regular brigades, sector troops and guerilla forces, the Bangladesh Airforce and the Navy. All Sector commanders were accordingly ordered to recruit, train and induct guerillas inside the country. The joint command of the Mukti Bahini and the Indian army was underway from November 1971. Lieutenant General Jagjit Singh Aurora, Commander, Eastern Command of Indian Army, became the commander of the joint forces. Immediately, the Indian armed forces were ordered to hit back the Pakistan army and thus the Indo-Pak war broke out. The Mukti Bahini and the Indian army continued advancing inside Bangladesh and the defeat and surrender of the Pakistan army became a matter of time. The Indian troops and the freedom fighters of No 11 Sector reached Tongi on 14 December and Savar in the morning of 16 December. Major General Jamshed, commander 36 Division of the Pakistan Army received Major General Nagra at Mirpur Bridge near Dhaka City. The Mukti Bahini and the Indian forces entered Dhaka city at 10.10 a. m. Major General Jacob, the Chief of Staff of the Indian Eastern command landed at Dhaka airport at 1 p.m. with the draft instrument of surrender. Group Captain AK Khandaker, Deputy Chief of Staff, Bangladesh Forces represented the Mukti Bahini. Lieutenant General AAK Niazi received Lieutenant General Aurora. Sectors of the War of Liberation In the War of Liberation in 1971 the whole geographical area of the then East Pakistan was strategically divided into eleven sectors with a sector commander for each of them. For better efficiency in military operations each of the sectors were divided into a number of sub-sectors under a commander. Sector 1 comprised the districts of Chittagong and Chittagong Hill Tracts, and the entire eastern area of the Noakhali district on the banks of the river Muhuri. The headquarters of the sector was at Harina. The sector commander was Major Ziaur Rahman, later replaced by Major Rafiqul Islam. The five sub-sectors of this sector (and their commanders) were: Rishimukh (Captain Shamsul Islam); Sreenagar (Captain Matiur Rahman, later replaced by Captain Mahfuzur Rahman); Manughat (Captain Mahfuzur Rahman); Tabalchhari (Subedar Ali Hossain); and Dimagiri (a Subedar, whose name is not known). A contingent of nearly ten thousand freedom fighters fought in this sector. Sector 2 comprised the districts of Dhaka, Comilla, and Faridpur, and part of Noakhali district. The sector commander was Major Khaled Mosharraf, later replaced by Major ATM Haider. About thirty five thousand guerilla fighters fought in this sector. The six sub-sectors of this sector (and their commanders) were: Gaugasagar, Akhaura and Kasba (Mahbub, later replaced by Lieutenant Farooq, and Lieutenant Humayun Kabir); Mandabhav (Captain Gaffar); Shalda-nadi (Abdus Saleq Chowdhury); Matinagar (Lieutenant Didarul Alam); Nirbhoypur (Captain Akbar, later replaced by Lieutant Mahbub); and Rajnagar (Captain Jafar Imam, later replaced by Captain Shahid, and Lieutenant Imamuzzaman). The sector commander was Major KM Shafiullah, later replaced by Major ANM Nuruzzaman. Nineteen guerilla bases operated in this sector. The ten sub-sectors of this sector (and their commanders) were: Asrambari (Captain Aziz, later replaced by Captain Ejaz); Baghaibari (Captain Aziz, later replaced by Captain Ejaz); Hatkata (Captain Matiur Rahman); Simla (Captain Matin); Panchabati (Captain Nasim); Mantala (Captain MSA Bhuyan); Vijoynagar (Captain MSA Bhuyan); Kalachhora (Lieutenant Majumdar); Kalkalia (Lieutenant Golam Helal Morshed); and Bamutia (Lieutenant Sayeed). The sector commander was Major Chittarajan Datta, later replaced by Captain A Rab. The freedom fighters in this sector included about nine thousand guerilla fighters and about four thousand regular members of the armed forces. The six sub-sectors of this sector (and their commanders) were: Jalalpur (Masudur Rab Sadi); Barapunji (Captain A Rab); Amlasid (Lieutenant Zahir); Kukital (Flight Lieutenant Kader, later replaced by Captain Shariful Haq); Kailas Shahar (Lieutenant Wakiuzzaman); and Kamalpur (Captain Enam). Sector commander was Major Mir Shawkat Ali. The headquarters of the sector was at Banshtala. The six sub-sectors of this sector (and their commanders) were: Muktapur (Subedar Nazir Hossain, freedom fighter Faruq was second in command); Dauki (Subedar Major BR Chowdhury); Shela (Captain Helal, who had two assistant commanders, Lieutenant Mahbubar Rahman and Lieutenant Abdur Rauf); Bholajanj (Lieutenant Taheruddin Akhunji who had Lieutenant SM Khaled as assistant commander); Balat (Subedar Ghani, later replaced by Captain Salahuddin and freedom fighter Enanmul Haq Chowdhury); and Barachhara (Captain Muslim Uddin). Sector 6 comprised Rangpur district and part of Dinajpur district. Wing Commander M Khdemul Bashar was the sector commander. The five sub-sectors of the sector (and their commanders were: Bhajanpur (Captain Nazrul, later replaced by Squadron leader Sadruddin and Captain Shahriyar); Patgram (initially, some junior commissioned officers of the EPR and later, Captain Matiur Rahman); Sahebganj (Captain Nawazesh Uddin); Mogalhat (Captain Delwar); and Chilahati (Flight Lieutenant Iqbal). Sector 7 comprised the districts of Rajshahi, Pabna, Bogra and part of Dinajpur district. The headquarters of the sector was at Taranngapur. About fifteen thousand freedom fighters fought in this sector. The eight sub-sectors of the sector (and their commanders were): Malan (initially some junior commanding officers and later, Captain Mohiuddin Jahangir); Tapan (Major Nazmul Haq, later replaced by some junior commanding officers of the EPR); Mehdipur (Subedar Iliyas, later replaced by Captain Mahiuddin Jahangir); Hamzapur (Captain Idris); Anginabad (a freedom fighter); Sheikhpara (Captain Rashid); Thokrabari (Subedar Muazzam); and Lalgola (Captain Gheyasuddin Chowdhury). Sector 8 In April 1971, the operational area of the sector comprised the districts of Kushtia, Jessore, Khulna, Barisal, Faridpur and Patuakhali. The sector commander was Major Abu Osman Chowdhury, later replaced by Major MA Manzur. The headquarters of the sector was at Benapole. About ten thousand freedom fighters fought in this sector. The seven sub-sectors of the sector (and their commanders) were: Boyra (Captain Khondakar Nazmul Huda); Hakimpur (Captain Shafiq Ullah); Bhomra (Captain Salahuddin later replaced by Captain Shahabuddin); Lalbazar (Captain AR Azam Chowdhury); Banpur (Captain Mostafizur Rahman); Benapole (Captain Abdul Halim, later replaced by Captain Tawfiq-e-Elahi Chowdhury); and Shikarpur (Captain Tawfiq-e-Elahi Chowdhury, later replaced by Lieutenant Jahangir). Sector 9 comprised the districts of Barisal and Patuakhali, and parts of the district of Khulna and Faridpur. The three sub-sectors of the sector were: Taki, Hingalganj, and Shamshernagar. Sector 10 This sector was constituted with the naval commandos. Eight Bengali officers of Pakistan Navy trained in France were the pioneers in forming this force. These officers were Ghazi Mohammad Rahmatullah (Chief Petty Officer), Syed Mosharraf Hossain (Petty Officer), Amin Ullah Sheikh (Petty Officer); Ahsan Ullah (M E-1), AW Chowdhury (RO-1), Badiul Alam (ME-1), AR Miah (EN-1), Abedur Rahman (Steward-1). The force was later commanded by Indian commander MN Sumanta. Sector 11 comprised the districts of Mymensingh and Tangail, Major M Abu Taher was the sector commander. The headquarters of the sector was at Mahendraganj. About twenty five thousand freedom fighters fought in this sector. The eight sub-sectors of the sector (and their commanders) were: Mankarchar (Squadron Leader Hamidullah); Mahendraganj (Lieutenant Mannan); Purakhasia (Lieutenant Hashem); Dhalu (Lieutenant Taher, later replaced by Lieutenant Kamal); Rangra (Matiur Rahman); Shivabari (some junior commanding officers of the EPR); Bagmara (some junior commanding officers of the EPR); and Maheshkhola (a member of the EPR).
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