Bangladesh Army

The people of this land have made innumerable sacrifices over generations in an endless pursuit of freedom. For them, independence has been an article of faith, deeply ingrained in their national psyche. During the long stretches of colonial domination, the Bengalees kept up their struggle for independence.

The colonial rulers always viewed the Bengalees with suspicion and aversion. They could never accept Bengalee youths within their military establishments. But from time to time a few would be recruited mostly in the lower ranks.Bengalee members of the Indian Armed Forces under the British rule demonstrated a rare brand of heroism and bravery during the First andSecond World Wars.

After the partition of India in 1947, the Pakistani authorities began to show a similar antagonism and attitude towards the Bengalee community, which made it extremely difficult to develop and sustain a military heritage. But this inexplicable hostility and cynicism of the Pakistanis did not stand in the way of legendary performances by the valiant and courageous Bengalees. Even with a token presence in the Pakistan Army, the Bengalee soldiers created history by their exemplary courage and valour in the Indo‑Pak War of 1965.

The year 1971 saw the Bengalees in their finest glory. Although count­less number of people embraced martyrdom to liberate their Country, the year also saw unimaginable acts of bravery and courage, as well as meticulous military planning. The stigma of 'a martially inferior race' that was so unfairly and revengefully attached to the Bengalees by the Pakistanis finally disappeared in a blaze of glory.

Bengalees proved that although they were peace‑loving people, they could also rise to defend themselves whenever there was an attack on them and take the fight to the enemy's territory. After independence, a new journey began with small but sure steps to rebuild the military institutions and a defence structure. It was a gigantic task and a huge challenge to the competency of our planners.