The country�s history before independence is complex, and stretches back to the thirteenth century. The land which now forms Bangladesh was once part of India and more recently was part of Pakistan.
In the eighteenth century, India was ruled by the British. Their policies meant that most land in what is now Bangladesh came to be owned by wealthy Hindus. The rents were set so high that poor farmers were forced off the land. Those who remained were ordered to grow crops to sell overseas, rather than food to eat. This led to terrible food shortages and to riots.
The British left India in 1947. In August 1947 parts of India were divided off, creating Pakistan.
In 1970, part of Pakistan wanted to become independent and fought a �War of Liberation� against the State, causing thousands of refugees to flee across the border to India. In late 1971, the Indian government stepped in, and Pakistan�s government quickly surrendered. The newly-independent state was named Bangladesh.