1. In the 1970 elections, the Awami League won a majority of seats in Pakistan but was denied power, sparking a crisis. 2. Faced with repression, Sheikh Mujib called for independence in East Pakistan. The Pakistani military launched a violent crackdown. 3. With support from India, Bangladeshi and Indian forces defeated Pakistan, achieving independence for Bangladesh on December 16, 1971.

1. Fall of Dhaka and Causes behind the
War of 1971
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2. General Elections of 1970
The ever first general elections were held in united Pakistan which resulted in a divided
Pakistan. The elections were held on 7th December 1970.
The Awami League won 167 seats out of 169 53% in East Pakistan. Out of 144 seats in
West Pakistan, the PPP of Z.Z.Bhutto won 81 seats and later it became 88 when seven
independent members joined PPP. The total results showed that the elections became
the basis of regional representation as PPP represented only in Punjab and Sindh and
Balochistan and NWFP had the representation of the National Awami Party led by Khan
Abdul Wali Khan.
Awami League had full rights to form a govt and rule over Pakistan. However, the
leadership of West Pakistan denied the transfer of power to Awami League. Despite
political issues, the external factor still played a major factor in fall of Dhaka.

3. Constitutional Crisis
• The regional representation in both wings created a constitutional crisis. On the
one hand, it was Mujibur Rahman. On the other hand in the West wing Zulfiqar
Ali Bhutto.
• Role of Awami League
The Leader of the Awami League categorically declared the Prime Minister of
Pakistan.
Role of Pakistan Peoples Party
The leaders of the People Party had a cordial equation with General Yahya.

4. Poor Economic situation
One of the factors was that pace of economic development in East Pakistan was much
slower than in West. Pakistan’s main foreign exchange earner was jute known world over as
golden fiber followed by tea. Both were mainly grown in East Pakistan and Eastern wing
felt that they are not getting their justified share. Their other major grievance was lack of
proper representation of Bengalis in military and bureaucracy despite the fact they were in
majority. Shifting of capital from Karachi to Islamabad by Ayub Khan deepened a sense of
deprivation and ignited a strong nationalism among Bengali population.

5. The Geographical and Socio-Cultural
Differences
Immediately after independence, Pakistan’s two wings were set apart by one
thousand miles of enemy territory. Both air and maritime contact could be
blockaded by India at any time. This unique geographical position could pose a
grave threat to the integrity of the country. With the exception of religion and a
common struggle for independence, there was practically nothing common between
the two wings of the country. In short, Pakistan lacked all the usual bonds that unite
a nation, viz., social setup , culture, language, etc

7. The Language Issue
The language issue originated even before the creation of Pakistan. In the Lucknow
session of All India Muslim League in1937, the Bengali delegates strongly opposed
a resolution proposing Urdu as language of Muslim India and the official language
of Muslim league.
The Bengali Language Movement started almost immediately after independence,
demanding that Bengali should be the medium of instruction, language of the courts,
administration and mass communication in East Pakistan. They also demanded that
it should be one of the state languages of Pakistan along with Urdu.
The Bengalis opposed Urdu as the only state language on the plea that if Urdu is
made the state
language, the educated Bengalis will become illiterate and disqualified for
government services.

8. Indio-Pakistani War
• India joined the war on 3 December 1971, after which Pakistan
launched air strikes on northern India.
• Thirteen days after the war started, India achieved a clear upper hand,
the Eastern Command of the Pakistan military signed the instrument of
surrender
• On 16 December 1971 in Dhaka, marking the formation of East
Pakistan as the new nation of Bangladesh

10. Operation Searchlight
Operation Searchlight was the planned genocide that took place on the 25th of
March 1971 and was undertaken by the West-Pakistani government against its own
citizens of the Eastern Wing.
This plan was the result of the victory of Sheikh Mujib’s party in the General
Election of Pakistan in 1970. The West-Pakistani rulers had no intention to convey
the power to Sheikh Mujib and finally their National Assembly was dismissed. The
dismissal brought fierce reactions among the people of East-Pakistan and Sheikh
Mujib summoned a five day long strike and protests for an indefinite period.
Following the five-day strike, he exhorted the East-Pakistani people to embark on an
Independence struggle. Law and order collapsed as people broke curfews imposed
by the West-Pakistani Government.

11. Military Support from India
After Pakistan launched several attacks on Indian territory on the 3rd of December
1971, India joined Bangladesh in its military efforts against the Pakistani military.
With the support of India as well as commands from the military officers of East-
Pakistan, the West-Pakistani military was defeated. It eventually surrendered to the
joint forces of Bangladesh and India leading to victory for Bangladesh on 16th of
December 1971.

12. The Rise of Bengali Sub-Nationalism
• From the very beginning, the relations between the two wings were difficult and
complicated. The three main areas of conflicts between East and West Pakistan
were the language issue, differences regarding constitution making, and economic
centralism. The question of the status of Bengali language wasre solved by the
mid 1950s but no consensus could ever be reached on constitutional and economic
issues.
• The following were the factors that led to the rise of Bengali nationalism among
the people of East Pakistan