Bangladesh has made significant changes to its school textbooks for the 2025 academic year, revising how the country’s independence in 1971 is attributed. In the updated versions, Ziaur Rahman, a prominent military leader and later the country’s president, is now credited with declaring Bangladesh’s independence. This marks a shift from earlier textbooks, which attributed the declaration to Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, widely regarded as the founding leader of the nation.
The revised textbooks, intended for primary and secondary school students, have also removed the title “Father of the Nation” previously associated with Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. According to the updated narrative, Ziaur Rahman first declared independence on March 26, 1971, and issued a second declaration on March 27, stating that he was doing so on behalf of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
These changes reflect a re-evaluation of the events surrounding Bangladesh’s liberation from Pakistan in 1971, a topic that has remained a point of contention and political debate in the country. The revisions are likely to influence how future generations understand the history of their nation and the roles played by its key figures during the struggle for independence.
