1971 Liberation War

Nandan Unnikrishnan. Illustration: TBS
Thoughts

1971: When Delhi and Moscow came together

The 1971 Indo-Soviet Treaty of Peace, Friendship and Cooperation was probably the most seminal foreign policy arrangement entered into by India in the 20th century. It had a profound effect on the...

Indian Army Gen Jagjit Singh Aurora and Pakistani Army Gen Niazi sign the surrender document in Dhaka on December 16, 1971 Photo: Foreign Policy
Panorama

The many faces of Pakistani Gen Niazi, “the butcher” of Bangladesh

A starving refugee family counting their days for the war to end so they can return home. Photo: Collected
Panorama

1971 Exodus: Managing an astronomical 10 million refugees

Yakut Ara Ahmed is seen standing in front of Gagan-Ratan's House/Photo: Salahuddin Ahmed/TBS
Panorama

Why you need to know about the house of Gagan-Ratan

Congress leader AK Antony; Photo: Hindustan Times
South Asia

India's Congress forms panel to oversee 50th anniversary celebrations of Bangladesh war

Indian photojournalist Raghu Rai took this photo during the Liberation War in 1971.
Victory Day

Foreign friends of 1971 in retrospect

Farida Begum. Photo: Collected
Bangladesh

'I was overwhelmed with the thought that my child would be born in a free country'

Md Mahfuzul Islam. Photo: Collected
Bangladesh

'I actually did not expect the war to end so soon'

Nurjahan Begum. Photo: Collected
Bangladesh

'My father-in-law announced the news of victory on loudspeaker'

Shujeo Shyam. Photo: Collected
Bangladesh

'Swadhin Bangla Betar Kendra artists brought out a procession'

Selina Hossain. Photo: Collected
Bangladesh

'We were excited to be liberated, but also saddened for those we had lost'

A K M Kamal Uddin Majumder. Photo: Collected
Bangladesh

'I decided to go back to my village and find my parents'

Badiul Alam Majumdar. Photo: Collected
Bangladesh

'I feel a little guilty that I could not directly participate'