Geography and Location
Bangladesh is a country in South Asia with a population of almost 176 million people, making it the eighth-most populous country in the world. It is among the most densely populated nations, covering an area of 148,461 square kilometres (57,321 square miles). Bangladesh shares land borders with India to the north, west, and east, and Myanmar to the southeast. The country has a coastline along the Bay of Bengal to its south and is separated from Bhutan and Nepal by the Siliguri Corridor, as well as from China by the Indian state of Sikkim to its north.
Major Cities
Dhaka is the capital and largest city of Bangladesh, serving as the nation's political, financial, and cultural centre. Chittagong is the second-largest city and operates as the busiest port in the country.
Early and Medieval History
The territory of modern Bangladesh was home to many Hindu and Buddhist dynasties in ancient history. The first great indigenous empire to cover the region was the Maurya Empire (circa 320–185 BC). Following its decline, several kingdoms ruled the area, including the Gupta Empire and the Buddhist Pala Empire, which ruled from 750 to 1150 AD. The Pala Empire was eventually overthrown by the Hindu Sena dynasty.
The Muslim conquest of the region began in 1204 when Muhammad Bakhtiyar Khalji of the Ghurid dynasty led military campaigns that established Islamic rule. Bengal was subsequently incorporated into the Delhi Sultanate (1206–1526 AD), and in 1341, the independent Bengal Sultanate was established. By the medieval period, Bengal was regarded by European and Chinese visitors as the "richest country to trade with" due to its geographic expansion and economic prosperity.
The Mughal Empire conquered Bengal in 1576. By the 18th century, the Bengal Subah had emerged as the wealthiest province of the empire and was described as the "Paradise of Countries" and the "breadbasket of India." The region was a major global exporter and producer of cotton textiles (particularly muslin), silk, and shipbuilding. Citizens of Bengal maintained some of the best standards of living in the world during this period.
British Colonial Period
The Battle of Plassey on 23 June 1757 marked a turning point in the region's history. The state led by Siraj-ud-Daulah was defeated by the British East India Company in this battle, which was key in establishing colonial British rule over Bengal and the wider Indian subcontinent. British colonial rule lasted for nearly two centuries.
During the colonial period, Bengal experienced immense capital flight, which was used to finance the Industrial Revolution in Great Britain, while Bengal itself suffered economic decline and deindustrialisation. The region was devastated by deadly famines, including the catastrophic Great Bengal famine of 1770, which caused between one and ten million deaths, killing up to one-third of the total population of the Bengal Presidency.
Partition and Pakistan Era
Following the partition of India on 15 August 1947, the borders of modern Bangladesh were established with the partition of Bengal. The region became East Bengal as the eastern and most populous wing of the newly formed Dominion of Pakistan. East Bengal was renamed East Pakistan in 1956 as part of the One Unit Scheme under a new constitution.
East Pakistan and West Pakistan were geographically separated by over 1,000 miles, which became the root cause of deep economic inequality. The region experienced over two decades of political repression and systemic racism from the West Pakistan–based government. A significant turning point was the brutal government crackdown on the 1952 Bengali language movement, which sought to establish Bengali as an official language of Pakistan. This crackdown spurred Bengali nationalism and pro-democracy movements.
Independence and Modern History
Political tensions escalated with the 1971 non-cooperation movement in East Pakistan, which led to the Bangladesh Liberation War following a violent government military operation. The Mukti Bahini, with aid and assistance from Indian forces, waged a successful armed revolution against Pakistani rule. Despite the Bangladesh genocide carried out by Pakistan, Bangladesh became a sovereign nation on 16 December 1971.
Post-independence, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman led the country until his assassination in 1975. Presidency was later transferred to Ziaur Rahman, who himself was assassinated in 1981. The 1980s were dominated by the dictatorship of Hussain Muhammad Ershad, who was overthrown in a mass uprising in 1990. Following democratisation in 1991, the country's politics were defined by the rivalry between Khaleda Zia and Sheikh Hasina for the next 34 years. Sheikh Hasina was overthrown in a mass uprising on 5 August 2024.
Government and Politics
Bangladesh is a unitary parliamentary republic based on the Westminster system of governance.
Economy and International Status
Bangladesh is a middle power with the second-largest economy in South Asia. The country is home to the fourth-largest Muslim population in the world and maintains the third-largest military in South Asia. Bangladesh is the largest contributor to the peacekeeping operations of the United Nations.
Administrative Divisions
Bangladesh consists of eight divisions, 64 districts, 500 sub-districts, and 4,599 union councils.
Natural Features and Challenges
Bangladesh is home to the largest mangrove forest in the world. The country has one of the largest refugee populations in the world and continues to face challenges including endemic corruption, human rights abuses, political instability, and adverse effects of climate change.
International Membership
Bangladesh is a member state of SAARC and several other international organisations.
Etymology
The name "Bangladesh" means "Land of Bengal" or "Country of Bengal." The term combines "Bangla," which can refer to both the Bengal region and the Bengali language, with the Indo-Aryan suffix "Desh," derived from the Sanskrit word deśha, meaning "land" or "country." The origins of the term "Bangla" are unclear, though theories point to a Bronze Age proto-Dravidian tribe and the Iron Age Vanga Kingdom. The earliest known usage of the term is found on the Nesari plate from 805 AD.
The name Bangladesh gained prominence in the early 20th century, when Bengali patriotic songs such as "Aaji Bangladesher Hridoy" by Rabindranath Tagore (1905) and "Namo Namo Namo Bangladesh Momo" by Kazi Nazrul Islam (1932) used the term. Starting in the 1950s, Bengali nationalists used the term in political rallies in East Pakistan.