Mukti Bahini
Topic: India's External Relations, 1947-1999: Non-alignment, Wars and Nuclear Policy · NCERT: Beyond NCERT
Meaning
The Mukti Bahini was the Bangladeshi liberation force (freedom army). It was made up of Bengali soldiers and volunteers who fought the Pakistani army in East Pakistan in 1971. India trained and supported it. It matters because it fought alongside Indian forces in the war that created Bangladesh.
Example
In March 1971 Pakistan's army began a crackdown in East Pakistan, and about 80 lakh refugees fled to India. The Mukti Bahini fought back with Indian help. In December 1971 it fought together with the Indian army, and about 90,000 Pakistani troops surrendered in Dhaka on 16 December.
Don't confuse with
- Awami League: this was Sheikh Mujib's political party, which won the 1970 election in East Pakistan. The Mukti Bahini was the armed force that fought for freedom.
Related concepts
- Bangladesh Liberation War
- Indo-Soviet Treaty of Peace and Friendship
- Simla Agreement
- Line of Control