Mujibur Rahman

Mujibur Rahman (mOOjēboor' rämän') [key], 1921–75, East Pakistan (now Bangladesh) political leader, prime minister of Bangladesh (1972–75), popularly known as Sheikh Mujib. Concerned that East Pakistan was unfairly dominated by West Pakistan, he helped found (1949) the Awami League to fight for East Pakistan's autonomy. His political stance led to prison terms, but also brought him immense popular support.

The conflict between East and West Pakistan climaxed after the Dec., 1970, elections, in which the Awami League won a majority. Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, leader of West Pakistan, refused to agree to demands for autonomy, and Mujib was imprisoned in West Pakistan. Civil war broke out in Mar., 1971, when Pakistani troops were sent to put down protests in East Pakistan. With the aid of India, East Pakistani guerrillas proclaimed an independent Bangladesh, and defeated the Pakistani army in late 1971 (see India-Pakistan Wars).

Released in early 1972, Mujib became prime minister of Bangladesh, and worked toward normalizing relations with Pakistan. In the face of growing opposition, he pushed through (Jan., 1975) a constitutional change making him president with dictatorial powers, but was slain in Aug., 1975, in a military coup. His daughter, Hasina Wazed. (hä"sēnä' wäzed') [key], 1947–, also has served (1996–2001) as prime minister of Bangladesh.

The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, 6th ed. Copyright © 2007, Columbia University Press. All rights reserved.

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