Reprint. Originally published: Bloomington : Indiana University Press, 1974.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

The disintegration of Pakistan and the emergence of Bangladesh in 1971 is the sad story of the Pakistan army generals, the misconceived role as ‘guardian angles’ of national interest. After twelve years of dictatorship their plan to transfer power to the elected representatives of the people was a dismal failure and resulted in the break-up of Pakistan. The main reason for the failure to transfer power to the elected majority was the stark insincerity of General Yahya Khan, his cohorts, and the abetment of Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto of Pakistan People’s party. Together they connived not to submit to the will of the people reflected in the results of the 1970 general elections held in Pakistan. The people of East Pakistan were left with no other choice than to fight for their liberation against the war machine of Pakistan. From his unique personal experience, the late Professor Choudhury described and analyzed the internal and external developments from the day of resignation of Ayub Khan in March 1969 to the fall of Dhaka, and the Liberation of Bangladesh on December 16, 1971.

History & Philosophy

Dilruba Rahman

Md. Abdul Hakim