Dhaka, March 26: Bangladesh is celebrating its 48th Independence Day, also called as National Day. Google has dedicated a doodle on the occasion of 48th Bangladesh Independence Day. The day in Bangladesh is celebrated with parades, ceremonies, and music and marks the liberation of the country from Pakistan. So how did Bangladesh come into existence and how did it achieve freedom? Below is a brief history of Bangladesh's freedom struggle which was previously known as East Pakistan.

The British colonial rule ended in India in the year 1947 with the partition of India and creation of two separate states, India and Pakistan. Pakistan comprise West Pakistan and East Pakistan (today known as Bangladesh after gaining Independence). In the year 1949, the Awami League is founded to campaign for a separate East Pakistan and for gaining autonomy from West Pakistan. In the year 1970, The Awami League which fought election under the leadership of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, won comprehensively giving them the right to form government. But the West Pakistan government refuses to accept the result which leads to large scale rioting in East Bangladesh (Bangladesh).

In the year 1971, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman is arrested and taken to West Pakistan. The leaders of Awami League, most of them in exile, declare independence from West Pakistan and proclaim the emergence of new country called Bangladesh. The Pakistani army, which begins a widespread mass killing movement to suppress the demand for independence is defeated after a 9 month-long guerilla war against the Pakistan Army. The Mukti Bahini, which played a major role in the independence struggle of Bangladesh with military help from USSR and India, defeated the Pakistan Army. The war ended on 16 December of 1971. In 1972, Sheikh Mujib returns and becomes the prime minister of Bangladesh.

Bangladesh is growing despite facing many challenges that developing countries face like overpopulation and unemployment. But the country is optimistic about its future. The Doodle commemorated Bangladesh Independence Day with a depiction of the Bangladesh flag waving proudly over the landscape. Happy Independence Day, Bangladesh!

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Mar 26, 2018 11:42 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).