History of Bangladesh in Timeline

Bangladesh, officially the People's Republic of Bangladesh, is a densely populated South Asian nation of over 174 million people within 148,460 square kilometers. It shares borders with India and Myanmar, and has a coastline on the Bay of Bengal. Dhaka is the capital and largest city, serving as the political, financial, and cultural center, while Chittagong is the second-largest city and its busiest port.

February 1905: Record Low Temperature

On 3 February 1905, Bangladesh recorded its lowest temperature of 1.1 °C (34.0 °F) in Dinajpur.

1905: Usage of Bangladesh in Bengali Patriotic Songs

In 1905, the term Bangladesh was used in Bengali patriotic songs, such as Aaji Bangladesher Hridoy by Rabindranath Tagore.

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1913: Picture House Operation Start

Between 1913 and 1914, Picture House, the first permanent cinema in Dhaka, began its operation.

1914: Picture House Operation Start

Between 1913 and 1914, Picture House, the first permanent cinema in Dhaka, began its operation.

1921: Establishment of University of Dhaka

In 1921, the University of Dhaka, the oldest public university in Bangladesh, was established.

1929: Release of Sukumari

In 1929, Sukumari (The Good Girl) was released as the first film produced in Bangladesh.

1931: Release of The Last Kiss

In 1931, The Last Kiss, the first full-length feature film, was released in Bangladesh.

1932: Usage of Bangladesh in Bengali Patriotic Songs

In 1932, the term Bangladesh was used in Bengali patriotic songs, such as Namo Namo Namo Bangladesh Momo by Kazi Nazrul Islam.

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August 1947: Partition of Bengal

In August 1947, the borders of modern Bangladesh were established with the partition of Bengal between India and Pakistan, when the region became East Bengal as part of the newly formed Dominion of Pakistan.

1947: Cinema Listings

By 1947, a total of 80 cinemas were listed in Bangladesh.

1947: Partition of India

In 1947, after the Partition of India, East Bengal became the eastern and most populous wing of the newly formed Dominion of Pakistan.

1949: Formation of All Pakistan Awami Muslim League

In 1949, the All Pakistan Awami Muslim League was formed.

1950: Land Reform in East Bengal

In 1950, the East Bengal Legislative Assembly enacted land reform, abolishing the Permanent Settlement and the zamindari system.

1952: Bengali Language Movement

In 1952, the brutal government crackdown on the Bengali language movement spurred Bengali nationalism and pro-democracy movements.

1953: Renaming of Awami Muslim League

In 1953, the Awami Muslim League was renamed as a more "secular" Awami League.

1954: Dissolution of the First Constituent Assembly

In 1954, the first constituent assembly was dissolved and the United Front coalition swept aside the Muslim League in a landslide victory in the East Bengali legislative election.

1956: Renaming of East Bengal to East Pakistan

In 1956, East Bengal was renamed East Pakistan as part of the One Unit Scheme under the new constitution.

1956: Release of Mukh O Mukhosh

In 1956, Mukh O Mukhosh (Face and Mask), the first Bengali-language film in East Pakistan, was released.

1956: Pakistan Adopts New Constitution

Pakistan adopted a new constitution in 1956.

1957: Foundation of East Pakistan Film Development Corporation

The Bangladesh Film Development Corporation was founded in Dhaka as the East Pakistan Film Development Corporation in 1957–1958.

1958: Imposition of Martial Law

In 1958, The Pakistan Armed Forces imposed martial law, following a coup d'état, with Ayub Khan establishing a dictatorship.

1958: Foundation of East Pakistan Film Development Corporation

The Bangladesh Film Development Corporation was founded in Dhaka as the East Pakistan Film Development Corporation in 1957–1958.

1959: Release of Akash ar Mati

In 1959, Akash ar Mati (Sky and Earth) was released as the second Bengali-language film in East Pakistan.

1961: Zahir Raihan's Film Kokhono Asheni

In 1961, Zahir Raihan made Kokhono Asheni.

1962: Introduction of New Constitution

In 1962, a new constitution was introduced, replacing the parliamentary system with a presidential and gubernatorial system known as "Basic Democracy" and Dhaka became the seat of the National Assembly of Pakistan.

1964: Release of Shangam

In 1964, Zahir Raihan's film Shangam, the first color film in Pakistan, was released.

1966: Six-Point Movement

In 1966, Awami League leader Sheikh Mujibur Rahman announced a six-point movement for a federal parliamentary democracy.

1966: Establishment of University of Chittagong

In 1966, the University of Chittagong, which has the largest campus in Bangladesh, was established.

1969: 1969 uprising in East Pakistan

In 1969, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was released during the uprising in East Pakistan which resulted in Ayub Khan's resignation. General Yahya Khan assumed power, reintroducing martial law.

November 1970: Abdul Hamid Khan Bhashani declares independence of East Pakistan

In November 1970, Abdul Hamid Khan Bhashani declared the independence of East Pakistan in a public rally.

December 1970: Awami League wins elections

In December 1970, the Awami League won 167 of 169 East Pakistani seats in the National Assembly.

1970: Release of Jibon Theke Neowa

In 1970, Zahir Raihan made the film Jibon Theke Neowa.

1970: Devastating Cyclone

In 1970, a particularly devastating cyclone hit Bangladesh.

March 1971: Operation Searchlight

In March 1971, the Pakistani government initiated Operation Searchlight and Mujib was arrested by the Pakistani Army. Major Ziaur Rahman broadcast the independence of Bangladesh.

July 1971: Shadhin Bangla football team Emergence

In July 1971, during the liberation war, the Shadhin Bangla football team emerged as the first national football team. On 25 July 1971, the team's captain, Zakaria Pintoo, hoisted the Bangladesh flag on foreign soil in India.

December 1971: Bangladesh Becomes a Sovereign Nation

In December 1971, after a nine-month liberation war and genocide carried out by Pakistan, Bangladesh became a sovereign nation following Pakistani surrender.

December 1971: Pakistani surrender

In December 1971, the culmination of the war established Bangladesh as a sovereign nation following Pakistani surrender.

1971: High poverty rate

In 1971, Bangladesh had a poverty rate of 80%.

1971: Pakistan denies the 1971 Bangladesh genocide

Since 1971, the relationship with Pakistan remains strained due to Pakistan's denial of the Bangladesh genocide that occurred that year.

November 1972: Enactment of the Constitution of Bangladesh

In November 1972, the Constitution of Bangladesh was enacted.

1972: Bangladesh Joins the Commonwealth of Nations

In 1972, Bangladesh joined the Commonwealth of Nations, marking a significant step in its integration into the international community.

1972: Release of Ora Egaro Jon

In 1972, the first movie post-Independence, Ora Egaro Jon, was directed by Chashi Nazrul Islam and released.

1973: National football team Debut

In 1973, the national football team of Bangladesh made its debut.

1974: Bangladesh Joins the United Nations and the OIC

In 1974, Bangladesh joined the United Nations and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), further solidifying its role in global diplomacy.

1974: Large Famine

In 1974, a large famine occurred.

1975: Mujib's Assassination

In 1975, Mujib's assassination occurred.

1975: Assassination of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman

In 1975, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was assassinated.

1975: Chittagong Hill Tracts Insurgency

In 1975, the Chittagong Hill Tracts region experienced unrest and an insurgency from its indigenous people, seeking autonomy.

1980: AFC Asian Cup Participation

In 1980, the national football team of Bangladesh participated in the AFC Asian Cup, becoming the second South Asian team to achieve this feat.

1981: Rahman's Assassination

In 1981, Rahman's assassination occurred.

1981: Assassination of Ziaur Rahman

In 1981, Ziaur Rahman was assassinated.

1985: Total Fertility Rate (TFR)

In 1985, Bangladesh's total fertility rate (TFR) was 5.5.

1988: Islam Declared State Religion

In 1988, Islam was declared the state religion.

1990: Overthrow of Hussain Muhammad Ershad

In 1990, Hussain Muhammad Ershad's dictatorship was overthrown in a mass uprising.

1990: Forest cover in Bangladesh

In 1990, forest cover in Bangladesh was 1,920,330 hectares.

1991: Democratisation

Following the democratisation in 1991, the Battle of the Begums between Khaleda Zia and Sheikh Hasina defined the country's politics for the next four decades.

1991: Restoration of Parliamentary Democracy

In 1991, after the restoration of parliamentary democracy, power alternated between Khaleda Zia and Sheikh Hasina.

May 1994: Ratification of Rio Convention on Biological Diversity

On May 3, 1994, Bangladesh ratified the Rio Convention on Biological Diversity, demonstrating its commitment to environmental conservation.

1995: Total Fertility Rate (TFR)

In 1995, Bangladesh's total fertility rate (TFR) declined to 3.7.

1995: Enactment of Bangladesh Environment Conservation Act

In 1995, the Bangladesh Environment Conservation Act was enacted, providing a legal framework for environmental protection and conservation efforts in the country.

1996: Peak Movie Production

Between 1996 and 2003, the Bangladesh film industry produced about 80 movies each year at its peak.

1997: Peace Accord in Chittagong Hill Tracts

In 1997, a peace accord was signed in the Chittagong Hill Tracts, though the region remained militarized.

1997: Legislation to Reserve Seats for Women

In 1997, legislation was passed in Parliament reserving three seats (out of 12) in every union for women, aiming to increase female representation in local government.

September 1998: Severe flooding

In September 1998, Bangladesh saw the most severe flooding in modern history.

1998: Bangladesh Joins the Convention against Torture

In 1998, Bangladesh joined the Convention against Torture, demonstrating its commitment to preventing torture and other cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment or punishment.

1999: South Asian Games Win

In 1999, Bangladesh's football team achieved victory in the South Asian Games.

1999: International Mother Language Day

In 1999, UNESCO declared 21 February as International Mother Language Day, in remembrance of the 1952 Bengali language movement.

1999: First Cricket World Cup Participation

In 1999, the national cricket team of Bangladesh participated in their first Cricket World Cup.

2002: Signing of Defence Cooperation Agreement with China

In 2002, Bangladesh and China signed a Defence Cooperation Agreement, strengthening their military ties.

2002: FIPRESCI Honor for Matir Moina

In 2002, Tareque Masud was honored by FIPRESCI at the Cannes Film Festival for his film Matir Moina (The Clay Bird).

2002: Arsenic Pollution in Drinking Water

In 2002, it was estimated that half of the drinking water in Bangladesh was polluted with arsenic, exceeding levels of 10 micrograms per litre.

2003: Peak Movie Production

Between 1996 and 2003, the Bangladesh film industry produced about 80 movies each year at its peak.

2003: SAFF Gold Cup Win

In 2003, Bangladesh's football team won the SAFF Gold Cup.

2004: Formation of the Anti Corruption Commission

In 2004, the Anti Corruption Commission was formed in Bangladesh to combat corruption within the country.

2006: Anti Corruption Commission Active During Political Crisis

During the 2006-08 Bangladeshi political crisis, the Anti Corruption Commission was active, indicting many leading politicians, bureaucrats, and businessmen for graft.

2007: Establishment of the National Human Rights Commission of Bangladesh

In 2007, the National Human Rights Commission of Bangladesh was established to promote and protect human rights within the country.

2007: South Asian Floods

In 2007, the South Asian floods ravaged areas across the country, leaving five million people displaced.

2008: Return of Awami League to power

Following the return of the Awami League to power after the 2008 general election, the country under Sheikh Hasina's leadership saw economic progress but also witnessed democratic backsliding.

2008: Citizenship for Stranded Pakistanis

In 2008, the Supreme Court granted citizenship to Urdu-speaking stranded Pakistanis.

2009: Electricity Crisis in 2009

In 2009, Bangladesh experienced daily blackouts several times a day, highlighting the country's electricity crisis at the time.

2009: Electricity Production Capacity

In 2009, Bangladesh's electricity production capacity was 5 gigawatts.

2009: 2009 Bangladesh Rifles revolt

In 2009, Hasina and the Awami League Government, aided by cooperation with India, organized the 2009 Bangladesh Rifles revolt to kill capable army officers whom Hasina deemed a threat to her power destabilizing the Bangladesh Army and solidifying de facto one party rule.

2010: Musa Ibrahim Conquers Mount Everest

In 2010, Musa Ibrahim became the first Bangladeshi climber to conquer Mount Everest.

2011: Hindu Population in Census

In the 2011 census, Hindus formed 8.54% of the population of Bangladesh.

2012: Asia Cup Final

In 2012, Bangladesh reached the final of the Asia Cup.

2012: Domestic Spending in Tourism

In 2012, domestic spending generated 97.7% of the direct travel and tourism gross domestic product (GDP) in Bangladesh.

2013: Enactment of the Torture and Custodial Death (Prevention) Act

In 2013, Bangladesh enacted its first anti-torture law, the Torture and Custodial Death (Prevention) Act, aiming to address the issue of torture and custodial deaths.

2013: UNESCO Classification of Jamdani

In 2013, Jamdani, a unique design on fine muslin woven on Persian motifs in Dhaka, was classified by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage.

2014: Revision of National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan

As of 2014, Bangladesh was set to revise its National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan, indicating ongoing efforts to update and improve its biodiversity conservation strategies.

2014: Hasina won her second consecutive terms in the general elections

Hasina won her second consecutive terms in the 2014 general elections, which was shams and neither free nor fair.

2015: Forest area under public ownership

In 2015, 100% of the forest area was reported to be under public ownership.

2015: Cricket World Cup Quarter-Final

In 2015, Bangladesh reached the quarter-final of the Cricket World Cup.

2015: Sectors with Most Bribery

In 2015, land administration was identified as the sector with the most bribery in Bangladesh, followed by education, police, and water supply.

2016: Asia Cup Final

In 2016, Bangladesh reached the final of the Asia Cup.

2016: Start of Rohingya Refugee Crisis

In 2016, relations with Myanmar were severely strained after a large influx of Rohingya refugees entered Bangladesh, marking the beginning of a major humanitarian crisis.

2016: UNESCO Recognition of Mangal Shobhajatra

In 2016, the annual Mangal Shobhajatra, the Bengali New Year parade organized by the Faculty of Fine Arts of the University of Dhaka, was enlisted as an Intangible Cultural Heritage by UNESCO.

2017: ICC Champions Trophy Semi-Final

In 2017, Bangladesh reached the semi-final of the ICC Champions Trophy.

2017: Continued Rohingya Refugee Crisis

In 2017, the Rohingya refugee crisis continued, with Bangladesh at the forefront of international criticism against Myanmar's military operations and demanding the refugees' right of return.

2017: Influx of Rohingya Refugees

Since 2017, Bangladesh has hosted over 700,000 Rohingya refugees, making it one of the countries with the largest refugee populations.

2018: Hasina won her third consecutive terms in the general elections

Hasina won her third consecutive terms in the 2018 general elections, which was shams and neither free nor fair.

2018: Bangladesh's Ranking on Transparency International's Corruption Perceptions Index

In 2018, Bangladesh ranked 146th among 180 countries on Transparency International's Corruption Perceptions Index, highlighting concerns about institutional corruption.

2018: Asia Cup Final and Women's Twenty20 Asia Cup Win

In 2018, Bangladesh reached the final of the Asia Cup, and the Bangladesh women's national cricket team won the 2018 Women's Twenty20 Asia Cup.

2018: WTTC Report on Job Generation

In 2018, the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) reported that the travel and tourism industry in Bangladesh directly generated 1,180,500 jobs, representing 1.9% of the country's total employment.

2019: Ratification of UN Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons

In 2019, Bangladesh ratified the UN Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, demonstrating its commitment to nuclear disarmament.

2019: Tourism Receipts and WTTC Report

In 2019, Bangladesh's international tourism receipts amounted to $391 million. The World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) also reported that the travel and tourism industry directly generated 1,180,500 jobs in 2018.

2019: South Asian Games Archery Gold Medals

In 2019, Bangladeshi archers Ety Khatun and Roman Sana won all 10 archery gold medals at the South Asian Games, in both individual and team events.

2019: Deaths Due to Air Pollution

The World Bank estimated that roughly 80,000–90,000 deaths occurred in Bangladesh in 2019 due to the drastic effects of air pollution, costing the country roughly 4–4.4% of its GDP.

2020: Maternal Mortality Rate

As of 2020, maternal mortality in Bangladesh remained high, clocking in at 123 per 100,000 live births.

2020: Population Density

In 2020, Bangladesh had a headline population density of 1,265 people per square kilometer.

2020: Forest cover in Bangladesh

In 2020, forest cover in Bangladesh was around 14% of the total land area, equivalent to 1,883,400 hectares.

2020: Under-19 Cricket World Cup Win

In 2020, the Bangladesh national under-19 cricket team won the men's Under-19 Cricket World Cup.

2020: First Conviction Under the Torture and Custodial Death (Prevention) Act

In 2020, the first conviction under the Torture and Custodial Death (Prevention) Act was announced, marking a significant step in enforcing the anti-torture law.

December 2021: Sanctions on Rapid Action Battalion by the United States

In December 2021, the United States Department of the Treasury announced sanctions on commanders of the Rapid Action Battalion for extrajudicial killings, torture, and other human rights abuses.

2021: Estimated number of enslaved people in Bangladesh in 2021

According to the 2023 Global Slavery Index, as of 2021, there were an estimated 1.2 million people enslaved in Bangladesh, marking one of the highest numbers globally.

2021: Literacy Rate

As of 2021, Bangladesh had a literacy rate of 76%: 79% for males and 71.9% for females.

2021: Healthcare Statistics

As of 2021, approximately 2.36% of Bangladesh's total GDP was allocated to healthcare. There were 5.3 doctors per 10,000 people.

July 2022: Temporary Halt of LNG Imports

In July 2022, Bangladesh temporarily stopped buying spot price LNG due to a steep price hike in the global market, despite constant load-shedding.

2022: Hindu Population in Census

According to the 2022 census, Hindus formed 7.95% of the total population of Bangladesh.

2022: Life Expectancy

As of 2022, the overall life expectancy in Bangladesh at birth was 74 years (72 years for males and 76 years for females).

2022: Achievement of 100% Electrification

Bangladesh achieved 100% electrification by 2022, a significant milestone in the country's development.

2022: Electricity Production Capacity increased

By 2022, Bangladesh increased electricity production capacity to 25.5 gigawatts.

2022: Bangladesh's Ranking in the Global Peace Index

In 2022, Bangladesh ranked 96th among 163 countries in the Global Peace Index.

2022: Population Census and Fertility Rate

In 2022, Bangladesh's population was recorded at 169.8 million in the census. The total fertility rate (TFR) declined to 1.9, which is below the sub-replacement fertility level.

2022: Access to Drinking Water

In 2022, roughly 60% of the population in Bangladesh had access to drinking water.

2022: SAFF Women's Championship Win

In 2022, the Bangladesh women's national football team won the SAFF Women's Championship.

2022: Poverty Rate

In 2022, the poverty rate was 18.7%.

February 2023: Resumption of LNG Imports

In February 2023, Bangladesh restarted buying spot price LNG as prices eased, ending the temporary halt from July 2022.

2023: Global Slavery Index Findings for Bangladesh

According to the 2023 Global Slavery Index, an estimated 1.2 million people were enslaved in Bangladesh as of 2021, which is among the highest in the world.

2023: Population and Urbanization

As of 2023, Bangladesh's population rose to 171.4 million, with 40% of the population living in urban areas. The median age was approximately 28 years.

2023: GDP Sector Contributions in 2023

As of 2023, the service sector in Bangladesh accounts for about 51.5% of total GDP, followed by the industrial sector (34.6%), and the agriculture sector (11%).

2023: U-19 Asia Cup Win

In 2023, the Bangladesh national under-19 cricket team won the U-19 Asia Cup.

2023: Repeal of Digital Security Act and Replacement with Cyber Security Act

In 2023, the widely criticised Digital Security Act was repealed and replaced by the Cyber Security Act, a move welcomed by the International Press Institute.

August 2024: Hasina overthrown in mass uprising

In August 2024, Sheikh Hasina was overthrown in a mass uprising.

August 2024: Formation of Interim Government

In August 2024, following a July uprising against the authoritarian government, Hasina was forced to resign and an interim government was formed, with Muhammad Yunus as the Chief Adviser.

November 2024: Cellphone Subscribers in November 2024

At the end of November 2024, Bangladesh had 188.78 million cellphone subscribers, indicating a rapidly growing telecommunications industry.

2024: Economic Status and Labour Force in 2024

As of 2024, Bangladesh has a labour force of 71.4 million, with an unemployment rate of 3.6%, and the diaspora contributed roughly $27 billion in remittances.

2024: Global Innovation Index Ranking

Bangladesh was ranked 106th in the Global Innovation Index in 2024.

2024: U-19 Asia Cup Win

In 2024, the Bangladesh national under-19 cricket team won the U-19 Asia Cup consecutively.

2024: SAFF Women's Championship Win

In 2024, the Bangladesh women's national football team won the SAFF Women's Championship consecutively.

2024: Bangladesh Armed Forces Personnel Strength in 2024

In 2024, the active personnel strength of the Bangladesh Armed Forces was around 230,000, including 21,000 in the Air Force and 27,000 in the Navy.

2025: World Press Freedom Index Ranking

Bangladesh ranked 149th out of the 180 countries listed in the 2025 World Press Freedom Index, indicating significant concerns about freedom of the press.

2025: Global Innovation Index Ranking

Bangladesh was ranked 106th in the Global Innovation Index in 2025.

2025: Expected Operation of Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant's First Unit

The first unit of the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant is expected to go into operation in 2025, marking a major step in Bangladesh's energy sector.

February 2026: BNP returns to power

In February 2026, after the 2026 general election the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) returned to power with Chairman Tarique Rahman being inaugurated as the Prime Minister of Bangladesh. Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami became the main opposition party.