The dramatic departure of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina from Bangladesh in a helicopter on Monday, amid pressure from protesters and the military, is only the latest chapter in the South Asian nation’s turbulent history. Since gaining independence half a century ago, many of Bangladesh’s leaders have faced forced exile or violent ends to their terms in office. Here, we review five key points in the country’s history:
1975: Assassinations and coups
Formerly East Pakistan, Bangladesh emerged as a new nation in 1971 after a brutal war involving India. Independence hero Sheikh Mujibur Rahman became the country’s first prime minister and later introduced a one-party system, taking office as president in January 1975. However, his tenure was cut short when he, along with his wife and three sons, was assassinated by a group of soldiers on August 15. Khondaker Mostaq Ahmad, with support from part of the army, then took power, only to be overthrown in a coup led by army chief Khaled Mosharraf on November 3. Mosharraf was subsequently assassinated by rival mutineers, leading to a series of coups and counter-coups until General Ziaur Rahman assumed power on November 7.
1981-1983: Bloody rebellion and bloodless coup
After nearly six years in power, Ziaur Rahman was assassinated during an attempted revolt on May 30, 1981. His vice-president, Abdus Sattar, took over as interim president with the backing of General Hussain Muhammad Ershad. However, within a year, Ershad ousted Sattar in a bloodless coup on March 24, 1982. Ershad imposed martial law and installed Ahsanuddin Chowdhury as president. On December 11, 1983, Ershad proclaimed himself head of state, while Chowdhury went on to lead a political party loyal to Ershad.
1990: Ershad resigns after protests
In response to a wave of protests calling for democracy, Ershad resigned as president on December 6, 1990. He was arrested on December 12 and later jailed after being convicted of corruption. Justice Minister Shahabuddin Ahmed took over as interim leader until elections could be held the following year. Ershad was eventually released in January 1997.
1991: First free elections
Bangladesh held its first free elections in early 1991, with the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) emerging as the clear winner. Khaleda Zia, the widow of General Ziaur Rahman, became the country’s first woman prime minister. She was succeeded by her arch-rival Sheikh Hasina, daughter of Mujibur Rahman, after Hasina’s Awami League defeated the BNP in the 1996 elections. The BNP returned to power in 2001, with Zia once again becoming prime minister and completing her term in October 2006.
2007: Anti-corruption purge
In 2007, supported by the army, President Iajuddin Ahmed declared a state of emergency following anti-government demonstrations. A military-led transitional government launched an anti-corruption purge, imprisoning both Sheikh Hasina and Khaleda Zia on graft charges before their release in 2008.
These events underscore the ongoing political volatility and the recurring themes of military intervention and political rivalry that have shaped Bangladesh’s history.
