Ziaur Rahman
Who was Ziaur Rahman?
Bangladeshi military officer and politician who served as President from 1977 until his assassination in 1981. He founded the Bangladesh Nationalist Party and was the husband of later Prime Minister Khaleda Zia.
Biographical data adapted from Wikipedia’s article on Ziaur Rahman (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Biography
Ziaur Rahman (19 January 1936 – 30 May 1981) was a Bangladeshi military leader and politician, serving as the sixth president of Bangladesh from 1977 until he was assassinated in 1981. Born in Gabtali, Bogura District, Zia rose to be a prominent figure in Bangladesh's early history after independence, thanks to his military service and political role. He got his early education at Bogura Zilla School and went on to attend Hare School and D. J. Science College before receiving military training at the Pakistan Military Academy in Abbottabad. Zia's military career started in the Pakistan Army, standing out during the Second Kashmir War against India, for which he received the Hilal-i-Jur'at. However, his major turning point came during Bangladesh's war of independence in 1971, when he declared independence on 27 March from the Swadhin Bangla Betar Kendra radio station in Kalurghat, Chittagong, earning him the title "Announcer of the Liberation." During the war, Ziaur led BDF Sector 1 at first, then BDF Sector 11, and later became the Brigade Commander of Z Force from mid-July. His leadership during this time made him an important military figure in the newly independent country. After independence, he quickly climbed the ranks in the Bangladesh Army, taking on roles such as brigade commander, Deputy Chief of Staff, and finally Chief of Staff. After the political chaos of 1975, which included the assassination of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and subsequent military coups, Ziaur secured power and became president in 1977. His presidency is noted for economic policies focused on liberalization and civic nationalism, helping Bangladesh economically recover during a challenging time. He founded the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), which became a major political entity in the country. Ziaur's presidency ended tragically when he was assassinated in Chittagong on 30 May 1981 during a military coup attempt, posthumously receiving the title "Shaheed President" (Martyr President). He was survived by his wife Khaleda Zia, who later became Prime Minister of Bangladesh and continued his political legacy through the BNP.
Before Fame
Ziaur Rahman started his journey in the Bogura District, born to a middle-class family in 1936. He attended Bogura Zilla School, then Hare School in Dhaka, and later D. J. Science College. Seeing his potential, he joined the Pakistan Military Academy in Abbottabad, where he received the military training that would shape his career. In the 1960s, as tensions between East and West Pakistan increased due to political and economic issues, Ziaur served in the Pakistan Army and gained combat experience during the Second Kashmir War, showing the leadership qualities that would later make him a key figure in Bangladesh's fight for independence.
Key Achievements
- Broadcast the declaration of independence for Bangladesh on 27 March 1971, earning the title 'Announcer of the Liberation'
- Served as a key military commander during Bangladesh's liberation war, leading multiple sectors and Z Force
- Became the sixth President of Bangladesh and implemented economic liberalization policies that aided national recovery
- Founded the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), which became a major political force in the country
- Received multiple military honors including Hilal-i-Jur'at, Bir Uttom, and international awards from Egypt and Yugoslavia
Did You Know?
- 01.He broadcast Bangladesh's declaration of independence from a radio station in Kalurghat, Chittagong, on 27 March 1971, initially announcing it in the name of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman before later declaring it on behalf of the provisional government
- 02.During his presidency, he introduced the policy of Bangladeshi nationalism as opposed to Bengali nationalism, emphasizing religious and cultural diversity within the nation
- 03.He survived multiple coup attempts during his presidency before being killed in the final successful one in Chittagong in 1981
- 04.His military command during the liberation war included leading Z Force, a significant combat unit named after his initial 'Z' from Ziaur
- 05.He was awarded the Order of the Nile by Egypt and the Order of the Yugoslav Star by Yugoslavia, reflecting his international diplomatic efforts
Family & Personal Life
Awards & Honors
| Award | Year | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Independence Award | — | — |
| Order of the Nile | — | — |
| Hilal-i-Jur'at | — | — |
| Order of the Yugoslav Star | — | — |
| Hero of the Republic | — | — |
| Bir Uttom | — | — |