Its a brief discussion about the liberation war museum of Bangladesh - its importance, solemnity and the sacrifice, struggle and bravery of our brave freedom fighters for whom we are proud of.

1. Topic : Liberation War
Museum
Section : C2
ID: 181-23-5270
Course Code : BNS-101
Course Name : Bangladesh Studies

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Introduction :
A holding for collection, preservation
and display of the objects, artifacts
and all other materials related to
the war of liberation.
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Location :
Opposite to the Orthopedic
Hospital Plot F, 11A &11B,
Sher-e-Bangla Nagor, Dhaka.
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History :
The museum was first established in March
22, 1996 was a two storied building with six
galleries and an outdoor
theatre. the Liberation War Museum has in
store nearly 21,000 artefacts, only around
1,500 of those were on display in the six
galleries. A scarcity of space was becoming
an issue for the museum. Considering this
and understanding the need for a
modernized approach to displaying and
preserving, steps for expansion were
undertaken.
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History :
Back in 2009, a contest was held for the new
architectural design of the museum;
architects Tanzim Hasan Salim and Naheed
Farzana won the first prize for their designs.
Up until 2013, the design only existed as a
scale model. That was the year when around
an acre of land was acquired and
construction finally began. With nationwide
donation drives, fund raising campaigns and
pledge ceremonies, the Liberation War
Museum officially opened its doors at its
new home in Agargaon on April 16, 2017.
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6. Board of Trustees :
Dr. Sarwar Ali Aly Zaker Mofidul Hoque Ziauddin Tariq Ali
Arch. Rabiul Hussain Asaduzzaman Noor H. Akku Chowdhury Sara Zaker6
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7. Features :
1. Regular gallery space for displays: 3,500 sqm.
2. Temporary gallery for exhibitions, which meets the IMO and other international
specifications: 500 sqm.
3. Library and research center, 300 sqm.
4. Space for two Institutes, The Institute for Liberation War Studies and the Centre
for the Study in Genocide and Justice
5. Am amphitheater for holding school programs.
6. An covered and open space for assembly which can also be used as additional
viewing area with large-screen projectors in case of visitor overflow from the
auditorium
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8. Features :
7. Stage and auditorium, equipped with latest sound and light systems seating 260
people.
8. Three seminar rooms, the largest of which has space for 50 people.
9. Archive and processing lab. which meet international requirements for
archiving.
10. Gas suppression systems for the archive and the data storage areas and
sprinkler system for the rest.
11. Parking for 106 cars.
12. Kiosk, canteen and a space for “adda”.
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Object Collections :
Main asset of the museum are objects
relating to Bengali nation’s struggle for
democracy and national rights and
liberation war that led to the emergence of
independent Bangladesh.
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Purpose :
The museum is dedicated to all freedom
loving people and victims of mindless
atrocities and destructions committed in the
name of religion, ethnicity and sovereignty.
It encourage reflection upon the suffering
and heroism of Bangladesh liberation war
and its ideal. Liberation war Museum
endeavors to link this history with
contemporary pressing social problems and
humanitarian issues. Primary focus of
Liberation War Museum is to educate the
new generation with history of liberation
struggle so that they can feel proud of their
motherland and get imbued with the spirit
of patriotism and liberal democratic ideas.
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11. 1. Lack of signs and an absence of direction for entry.
2. Some of the gallery walls already bear scribbles, which is definitely not expected
at such a place.
3. Defacing public places like common hoodlums of the dark ages is still a habit of
the 21st century touch screen generation. The museum authority must keep a
close watch on this.
4. In its greys and stoic architectural approach, the museum at its new address has
captured the embedded sombre tones. But it still needs to recapture the
element of life and vibrancy from the old address as the museum continues its
quest to uncover the still untold stories.
Few Drawbacks :
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Few Drawbacks :
1. Lack of signs and an absence of direction
for entry.
2. Some of the gallery walls already bear
scribbles.
3. Defacing public places like common
hoodlums of the dark ages is still a habit
of the 21st century touch screen
generation. The museum authority must
keep a close watch on this.
4. In its greys and stoic architectural
approach, though it at its new address has
captured the embedded sombre tones but
still needs to recapture the element of life
and vibrancy from the old address as the
museum continues its quest to uncover
the still untold stories.
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The four Display Galleries :
Gallery l :
Present the history and rich heritage
of syncretistic culture of Bengal,
advent of the colonial rule of
uprisings against foreign domination,
communal tension culminating in
creation of Pakistan (1947).
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The four Display Galleries :
Gallery ll :
Present history of the Pakistan period
(1947-1971) and united struggle of
the people for secular democracy
upholding national culture with the
victory of nationalist forces in the
general election 1970.
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The four Display Galleries :
Gallery lll :
Depicts the event leading to the
Liberation War, the denial of election
verdict by Pakistani rulers, non-violent,
non-cooperation movement (March
1971), genocide unleashed by military
authority, declaration of independence
by Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and General
Ziaur Rahman, refugee camps, and
establishment of provisional
government by elected representatives.
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The four Display Galleries :
Gallery lV :
A present history of the armed struggle
led by Sector & Brigade Commanders,
objects used by martyrs and freedom
fighters, international support by
different governments, public leader
and media, role of the religious
fundamentalist collaborators of the
military regime, killing of the
intellectuals, excavated human remains,
final thrust of the Allied Forces and
victory in December 16, 1971.
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Programs :
1. Outreach program :
School student are brought to visit the
museum in groups. They watch video on
Bangladesh’s freedom struggle (1947-
1971); visit the museum galleries; appear in
quiz competition ending with an interactive
discussion on the liberation war and
implications with contemporary issues. This
program was initiated in 1997.
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Programs :
2.Freedom Festival :
Outreach participants meet annually at a
grand Freedom Festival addressed by
representative of government, public
leaders and cultural personalities. The
program had been imitated in 2001 and so
far has been participated by 12000
students.
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Programs :
3.Mobile Museum:
A big bus mounted with 360 photographs
and objects as a mini-museum is travel to
all parts of the country since 2001. Area
covered till 2009; 28 district town, visited
by 320812 students.
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Programs :
4.Combined Outreach/Mobile museum
expanded programs:
Under the project entitled “Human Rights and
Peace Education for Student in the Light of
history oh Liberation War”. The mobile
museum exhibits were redesigned and
interactive meetings with students arranged
throughout the country. The students were
encouraged to collect eye-witness account of
1971 days and send those to Liberation War
Museum (LWM) to build a central archive of
historical accounts. The museum has collected
about 12000 such stories in its archives.
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Programs :
5.Theme Based Exhibitions:
The museum holds regular special
exhibitions on different aspects of
Liberation War.
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22. Some moments from Liberation War Museum Tour :
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Conclusion :
The museum bring to view the untold stories of
courage and determination, victory and
defiance, heroics and heartbreaks. It is run by a
Board of Trustees with overwhelming support
of all sections of people and is the outcome of
citizen’s effort at all levels. It is now recognized,
nationally and internationally as a reliable and
credible institution protecting the history of the
emergence of Bangladesh. It also bring to view
the untold stories of courage and
determination, victory and defiance, heroics
and heartbreaks. So we should visit The
Liberation War Museum (LWM) to knowing
about the creation of Bangladesh and
Liberation War 1971.
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24. Thank You
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