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Witness History: The birth of Bangladesh

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The birth of Bangaldesh

14/12/2021 GMT

The birth of Bangladesh

BBC World Service - Witness History, The birth of Bangladesh

How Pakistan's first elections sparked civil war and the creation of a new country

In 1970, Pakistan's first democratic elections since independence from British colonial rule, led to war, the breakup of Pakistan and the creation of a new country, Bangladesh.

In December 1970, Pakistan held its first democratic elections since the end of British colonial rule in 1947. The results would lead to war, the break-up of Pakistan and the creation of Bangladesh. Farhana Haider spoke to Rehman Sobhan, an economist and leading figure in the Bengali independence movement.

(Image: The flag of Bangladesh is raised at the Awami League headquarters in 1971. Credit: Getty Images)

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