Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and Bangladesh : The Quest For a State 1937-71

The book explores the multiple factors that led to the birth of Bangladesh as a state. Primarily, it looks at the historic role of the peasantry in partnership with other classes that began with armed resistance to colonialism after 1757 and continued till the 20th century through state seeking politics. Over time, after nearly becoming an independent state in 1947, it finally reached the doors of 1971. Bangladesh assumed sub-state status in 1905 and was recognized as a separate state in 1940 (Lahore Resolution). It was later, downgraded to a province in 1946 (Delhi Resolution) and led a failed independent state making effort in 1947 (United Bengal Movement) and was pushed back to a provincestatus after 1947. By that time, it had become a 'subsumed” state. Bangladesh was not born as a reaction to mistreatment by Pakistan, it was rather forced by circumstances put under the flag of Pakistan as a single functional state. In this state making struggle of Bangladesh, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman played a critical role representing the continuity of state-making efforts from, before and after 1947. He came from the socioeconomic layer above the peasantry which was its closest ally in anti-colonial struggle. Sheikh Mujib represented the Margin; the coalition of identities of all oppressed people particularly the villagers who became the bastion of the Bangladesh war in 1971. It is a study of interactions between various social forces that combined to form a historic identity that birthed Bangladesh.