HistoryData
general1971

Massacre of the Bangladesh Liberation War

May 22, 1971

One of many targeted killings of Hindu civilians during the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War, with an estimated 370 people killed in a single day.

Quick Facts

Year
1971
Category
general

Key Facts

Date
22 May 1971
Estimated killed
370 people
Villages affected
Madhyapara, Kashabhog, Rudrakar
District at time of massacre
Faridpur District
Perpetrators
Pakistan Army
Target population
Unarmed Hindu residents

Location

Madhyapara, Bangladesh

Cause → Event → Consequence

Cause

During the Bangladesh Liberation War of 1971, the Pakistan Army conducted widespread operations against Bengali civilians, with Hindu communities in particular subjected to targeted violence. The villages of Madhyapara, Kashabhog, and Rudrakar under the Palong police station were predominantly Hindu, making them vulnerable to such attacks.

Event

On 22 May 1971, Pakistani Army forces allegedly killed an estimated 370 unarmed Hindu civilians across Madhyapara and nearby villages of Kashabhog and Rudrakar, located in the Madaripur sub-division of Faridpur District. Madhyapara itself was entirely Hindu-inhabited, and the massacre formed part of broader atrocities committed during the liberation conflict.

Consequence

The massacre resulted in the deaths of approximately 370 civilians and contributed to the mass displacement and destruction of Hindu communities in the region. The villages, once under Faridpur District, are now part of Shariatpur District, and the event is remembered as one of many documented atrocities against minority populations during the 1971 war.

Timeline Context

Timeline around 197119711968196919701972197319741971 treaty between Italy and Tunisia1971 European Athletics Championships — 1971 edition of the European Athletics Championships1971 CONCACAF Championship — 1971 edition of the CONCACAF Championship association football competition1971 Formula One season — sports seasonEurovision Song Contest 1971 — 16th edition of the Eurovision Song Contest1971–72 UEFA Cup — inaugural season of Europe's secondary club football tournament organised by UEFA1971–72 European Cup — 17th season of the UEFA club football tournament1971 World Women's Handball Championship — 1971 edition of the World Women's Handball Championshipmadhyapara-massacre-1971