The document summarizes the key causes that led to the separation of East Pakistan and the fall of Dhaka in 1971. The main causes included Hindu influence in the economy, the failure of Muslim League leadership to address East Pakistani concerns, delays in the constitution process that increased tensions, the imposition of a centralized presidential system instead of a more autonomous federal structure, Sheikh Mujeeb's six point agenda that demanded more autonomy, and the power struggle between Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and Sheikh Mujeeb which exacerbated tensions and weakened Pakistan politically. International factors like Soviet support for India and the war between India and Pakistan also contributed to the separation of East Pakistan.

1. SYEDA MAHEEN ALI
15051561-023
CAUSES OF FALL OF DHAKA

2. SEPERATION OF EAST PAKISTAN
 Political system in Pakistan broke down in 1971
because of output failure arising out of dissension
(disagreement that leads to discord.)and conflict
among East and West Pakistan.
 Though separation of East Pakistan occurred in
1971, the separation’s elements had begun to work
with the emergence of Pakistan in 1947. Following
were the main causes of the separation of East
Pakistan.

3. Causes of Fall of
Dhaka1. Hindu Influence
2. Failure of Muslim League leadership in East
Pakistan
3. The Delay in Constitution Making Process
4.. Presidential Form of Government
5. Six Point Agenda of Sh. Mujeeb
6. Presidential Form of Government
7.Role of International Community
8. The War of Power Between Bhutto and
Mujeeb

4. Hindu Influence
 The 14% Hindu population had full control over
the economy of East Pakistan.
 They were better educated than the native
Bengali Muslims. They owned press and mass
media.
 At First, the Hindus and Muslims were the
members of the Indian National Congress but
after partition they founded their own
organization, Pakistan National Congress (PAC).
 The members of PAC were, in fact, the political
agents of India in East Pakistan. i.e. Mahatma
Gandhi, Vallabhbhai Patel and Jawaharlal Nehru

5. Failure of Muslim League leadership in East
Pakistan
 The Cabinet did not pay due attention towards the
problems of the people, hence its capability became
zero in the eyes of people.
 The selfish politicians fought among themselves for
the lust of chair.
 The principal leaders and groups representing East
Bengal in the Muslim League came from upper-class,
land-owning, Urdu speaking families of Dhaka or the
mercantile group of Calcutta.
 Soon after the creation of Pakistan, the conflict
between those who claimed to represent popular and
more radical factors in Bengal and those more
conservative elements, began

6. The Delay in Constitution Making
Process
 The delay in Constitution making process gave
rise to suspicions and misunderstandings
between the people of two halves.
 The population of East Pakistan was 56%. The
Bengalis demanded their representation
according to the percentage of population in the
national assembly.

7. Mujeeb
 The government should be federal and
parliamentary in nature as it was discussed in
Lahore Resolution, its members to be elected
with legislative representation on the basis of
population.
 The federal government shall be responsible for
only foreign affairs and defense.
 There shall be two separate currencies mutually
or freely convertible in each wing for each region

8. Conti…
 The power of implementation & collection of taxes
would lie with the provinces. The F.G ‘will be
given enough shares to fulfill its tasks of foreign
and defense.
 There would be Separate accounts of foreign
exchange earnings for each of the federating
units.
 The East Pakistan would be given the authority
to have a paramilitary force to contribute towards
national security.
 Basically sheikh Mujeeb suggested for a
confederation in the cover of provincial autonomy
and started propagating against the federation of

9. Presidential Form of
Government
 A parliamentary system could have at least
partially offset West Pakistan dominance in the
civil and military services.
 Again the same mistake was made.
 Instead of opting for loose Confederate Form of
Government, the power elite decided in favor of
highly centralized presidential system.
 The opposition from East Pakistan was intense
and un-equivocal for progressive increase in the
amount of autonomy.

10. Role of International
Community
 Both, Soviet Union and America were in favor of
the disintegration of Pakistan.
 Soviet Union openly supported India’s attack on
East Pakistan.
 Whereas, America did not fulfill her promise to
support Pakistan.

11. Indian attack on East Pakistan:
 After weakening Pakistan in every field when
India felt that now Pakistan is weak enough to be
defeated, it attacked Pakistan directly on
24th Nov. 1971.
 Pakistan army resisted this attack for a month or
so but it was very difficult for army to fight without
air support and its public.
 Ultimately Pakistan army in spite of recording
great gestures of bravery surrendered on 16 Dec
1971 and was defeated at the hands of Indian
army.

12. After war effects of war of 1971
 We practically lost 55% of our country
 Over 90 thousand Pakistani military and civil personals
were imprisoned.
 New stories of tyranny over Bengalis were written.
 Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto came to power in remaining Pakistan.
 A commission under supervision of Chief Justice of
Pakistan justice Hamood Urehman was formed to
investigate the factors involved in fall of Dhaka, but its
report could never have been published.
 There was a huge wave of disappointment and tension
among Pakistanis as no one could believe that we had lost
the war as well as half of our country.
 On 2nd July 1972 Pakistan lost another war, this time on
table buy signing Simla Pa

13. The War of Power Between Bhutto
and Mujeeb
 The Awami League, by virtue of its over-whelming
majority in election, was entitled to establish its
government, but Mr. Z.A.
 Bhutto having the patronage from General Yahya
Khan boycotted the session of National Assembly
at Dhaka, which was postponed by General
Yahya Khan.
 Mr. Mujeeb-ur-Rehman alleged Yahya Khan with
partiality and began to agitate the people for civil
war

14. Conti…
 Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto, sheikh Mujeeb Ur Rehman,
and General Yahya, this triangle undoubtedly is
the biggest factor in fall of Dhaka.
 Pakistan could have been united today if these
three had thought of national interest and not of
their own personal interests.
 Yahya wanted to remain president and for that he
was ready to do anything,
 Bhutto wanted his share in government by giving
the concept of second largest party and Mujeeb
also showed rigidity in his attitude, and
thisresulted in the fall of Dhaka

15. Conclusions…
 Minor misunderstandings between East & West
Pakistan led to the major conflicts.
 Thad had brought an end to the united Pakistan
and Pakistan was disintegrated