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Ziaur Rahman ( ''Ziaur Rôhman'') ( January 19 1936 – May 30 1981 ) was the President Of Bangladesh and the founder of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party . Popularly called '''Zia''', he is also sometimes referred to as a '''Shaheed''' (''Martyr''). His widow Begum Khaleda Zia has served as Prime Minister Of Bangladesh three times. An officer in the Pakistan Army , Zia's unit captured the Kalurghat radio station at the onset of the Bangladesh Liberation War and declared the independence of Bangladesh on behalf of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman . Recognised as a war hero, he was honoured with the Bir Uttom in 1972. A high-ranking officer in the Bangladesh Army , Zia was appointed Chief Of Army Staff following the Assassination Of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in 1975. Although briefly overthrown in a Counter-coup , Zia returned to power in a military coup organised by Colonel Abu Taher . Declaring himself president in 1977, Zia won a referendum held in 1978. Founding the Bangladesh Nationalist Party, Zia won widespread popular support for stabilising the nation and leading it in a new direction. A Right-wing politician, Zia established Free-market Policies in a 19-point programme of industrialisation and development. He adopted policies bringing the government increasingly under Islam , which he included in the National Constitution . Zia controversially pardoned the assassins of Sheikh Mujib by signing the '' Indemnity Act '' and rehabilitated individuals who had supported the Pakistan Army. A popular yet controversial leader, Zia was Assassinated in 1981 in an abortive military coup. EARLY LIFE REBEL COMMANDER ]] Zia was appointed commander of Mukti Bahini (''Liberation Army'') forces in the Chittagong Hill Tracts , working under General M. A. G. Osmani , the supreme commander. He worked to provide support and resources to the Mukti Bahini guerilla force and coordinate attacks against the West Pakistani army. At a later phase of the war, Zia travelled across the border into India to receive military resources and training for his troops. Zia also helped coordinate the work of Bangladesh's government-in-exile of Mujibnagar . On June 1 1971 Zia became the commander of the first conventional Brigade of the Mukti Bahini, which was named "Z Force," after the first initial of his name. This brigade consisted of 1st, 3rd and 8th East Bengali regiments, enabling Zia to launch major attacks on Pakistani forces. During the war his family was placed under house arrest. The guerrilla war continued until the Direct Intervention of the Indian Army , which captured Dhaka and forced the surrender of Pakistani forces on December 16 1971 . Upon his release, Sheikh Mujib assumed charge of the new state's government, and the Indian Army transferred control to the newly-formed Bangladesh Army on March 17 1972 . Having earned a reputation for courageous leadership during the war, Zia was awarded the Bir Uttom , the second-highest military honour. He was given command of a brigade stationed in Comilla , and in June he was appointed deputy chief of army staff. He was later promoted to the rank of Major General by the end of 1973. As a high-ranking commander, Zia oversaw the training and development of the army. COUP OF 1975 AND ITS AFTERMATH PRESIDENT OF BANGLADESH Restoration of democracy Domestic and foreign policies Islam and nationalism Indemnity ASSASSINATION See Also: Assassination of Ziaur Rahman CRITICISM AND LEGACY SEE ALSO REFERENCES FURTHER READING
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