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Geographically, historically, and culturally, Bangladesh forms the larger and
more populous part of Bengal,
the remainder of which constitutes the neighboring Indian state of West
Bengal. From 1947 to 1971 the area of Bangladesh was a province of Pakistan.
As such, its official designation was changed from East Bengal to East Pakistan
in 1955. On March 26, 1971, leaders of East Pakistan declared the province
independent as Bangladesh (Bengali for “land of the Bengalis”), and its
independence was assured on December 16, 1971, when Pakistani troops in the
region surrendered to a joint force of Bangladeshi and Indian troops. |
