BANGLADESH HISTORY & GOVERNMENT

	An Overview Bangladesh became independent and sovreign after a clarion call for liberation struggle was made following the brutal crackdown of the Pakistani Armed Forces at midnight of 25th March, 1971 on the innocent people of what was then East Pakistan. The struggle for liberation continued for about 9 months till the Pakistani occupation forces surrendered on 16th of December, 1971. Since then, 26th March is celebrated as the National and Independence day and 16th December as the Victory day. Bangladesh is a multiparty pluralist society where pluralism has been adopted as an integral part of political life of the people of Bangladesh. Back to top
	Historical Background The territory comprising Bangladesh was inhabited by the Proto-Australoids and the Proto-Mongoloids, later mingled by the Dravidians, Aryans and Mongolians. Muslim conquest of the region and continuous rule for about 500 years helped spreading of Islam in the region, started first by Arab traders and missionaries in the 11th Century. By the end of the 16th Century Europeans started arriving. By promoting treason and very little fighting Robert Clive of East India Company won the battle of Plassey, which marked the beginning of British rule in 1757 and continued till 1947 when the sub-continent was partitioned into India and Pakistan. The territory now comprising Bangladesh formed the eastern wing of Pakistan. The people of the then East Pakistan declared independence on 26th March, 1971 and won a nine-month long war of independence and became independent on 16th December, 1971. Back to top
	THE LAND Bangladesh became independent and sovreign after a clarion call Bangladesh known worldwide for 'Muslin' the handwoven gossamer fabric, is located in the north-eastern part of the South Asian subcontinent between latitude 20⁰34^'and 26⁰38' North and longitudes 88⁰01' and 92⁰41' East. It is bordered by India on the West, North and the East and by Myanmar (Burma) on the Southeast. To the South lies the Bay of Bengal. Bangladesh has a land area of 143, 393 square kilometre. Bangladesh has a rich cultural heritage and glorious past. It's flat alluvial plains comprise some of the world's most fertile agricultural lands. The land mass comprising mainly the delta of the three mighty rivers, the Ganges, the Brahmaputra and the Meghna, Bangladesh presents an encganting vista of vast green fields bounded by low hills. Back to top
	Climatic Condition Bangladesh has six marked seasons in a year of which Winter (November-February), pre-monsoon (June-September) and post-monsoon (October-November) are pre-dominent. The temperatures across the country ranges between 24 and 39⁰C during Summer months and between 18 and 23⁰C in Winter months. The annual rainfall varies from 120 cm in the western part to 250 cm in the South-eastern part. The highest average rainfall of 508 cm recorded in some north-eastern districts. The seasons have their special colours and sounds. Lightning across the horizon and the distant thunder herald the rains washing away the summer heat while autumn comes with clear blue skies and misty mornings. The dew on grass blades ushers in the Winter while Spring adorned by a blossoming flora rounds off the local Bangla calendar. Back to top
	Population & People The country's population, estimated at 120 million, calculates to an average density of about 740 people per square kilometre as per census. About 85 per cent of the Bangladeshis live in villages or semi-urban areas. Muslims constitute about 86.5 per cent of the population. Hindus 12.2 per cent, Buddhists 0.6 per cent, Christians 0.4 per cent and the rest belong to the other faiths. There are about 1.2 million tribal people who live mostly in the hilly areas in the Southeast. Prolonged foreign domination and exploitation had rendered the people of the region poor. Back to top
	DEMOCRATIC SYSTEM Bangladesh became independent and sovreign after a clarion call Bangladesh now has a multi-party democratic system with a parliamentary form of government. A sovereigntary parliament (Jatiya Sangsad) is elected by the people for a five-year term. It acts as the legislature and approves the annual national budget. It can amend the Constitution with the support of at least two-thirds of the 330 members in the House. A simple majority is, however, sufficient to approve laws and pass the budget. Three hundred Members of parliament are elected by direct franchise while 30 seats reserved for women are filled in through indirect election by elected MPs. Parliament has to sit every two months and is summoned into session by the President. It has a tenure of five years. Back to top
	GOVERNMENT Bangladesh has now switched on to a parliamentary form of government. It remains accountable to the people through a parliament elected by direct popular vote. The transparancy of all its transactions is ensured by Parliamentary Standing Committees for various ministries, consisting of members from all parties, which act as watchdogs over the government. The Prime Minister, who represents the majority in the House and other Ministers, drawn from MP's of the majority party, are responsible to the Parliament. Back to top
	ADMINISTRATIVE DIVISIONS The country is divided into five administrative divisions, each headed by a Divisional Commissioner. A division consists of a number of districts, each administered by a Deputy Commissioner. There are 64 such districts divided into 464 Thanas (sub-districts), 4,500 unions and over 68,000 villages. Every union, comprising several villages, has an elected body called the Union Parishad which is the local government at the lowest tier. Between the National Government and the Union Parishad is the district level Zilla Parishad. Big cities have municipal corporations headed by an elected Mayor and other towns have municipalities headed by an elected Chairman. Back to top
	INDEPENDENT JUDICIARY The highest judiciary in the country is the Supreme Court headed by the Chief Justice. The Supreme Court comprises the Appellate Division and the High Court Division. There are also courts at the district level to try civil and criminal cases. The entire judiciary is enjoying unprecedented freedom in the dispensation of justice under the present democratic government. Back to top
	Foreign Relations The country follows a forward looking, positive and constructive foreign policy based on friendship to all and malice towards none. An active member of the United Nations, Non-Align Movement, Organisation of Islamic Countries and the Commonwealth, Bangladesh pursues a policy of peace, stability and development in the world. Bangladesh believes that a balanced economic development of all countries of the world is a prerequisite for global peace and stability. It has, therefore, actively participated in efforts to create a more equitable and just economic order, particularly keeping in mind the requirements of the least developed countries. Back to top

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