Tajuddin Ahmad | Hero of Bangladesh Liberation

Life of Tajuddin Ahmad

Excerpts from the documentary:
Tajuddin Ahmad: An Unsung Hero
Script and direction by Tanvir Mokammel
Produced by Simeen Hussain Rimi
In Bengali with English subtitles, 14 mins

Biography of Tajuddin Ahmad
(Founder Prime Minister of Bangladesh)
(July 23, 1925 - November 3, 1975)

Tajuddin Ahmad was born on July 23, 1925, in the village Dardoria, in Kapasia Thana,of Gazipur district, which is 82 kilometers by road from the Capital city Dhaka, Bangladesh. The name of the village connotes "The River Gate" or "Flowing River" and may be associated with the river Shitalakhya on whose bank it stands.

Tajuddin’s father was Moulavi Muhammad Yasin Khan and his mother Meherunnesa Khanam. There were ten brothers and sisters--four brothers and six sisters. Being the child of a conservative Muslim family from a middle class, his education began at the village maktab (religious school) founded by his father. Later on he was enrolled in Bhuleswar Primary School, two kilometers from the family house. When he was in class (grade) four he was enrolled in Kapasia Minor English School, a distance of five kilometers from Dardoria. His enrollment at this school was due to the encouragement of his mother. While a student at Kapasia M.E. School Tajuddin drew the attention of three senior revolutionary leaders who had dedicated their lives to liberating their country from the British rule. They were impressed by Tajuddin’s merit and planted the seed of patriotism in young Tajuddin’s heart. They recommended to his teachers that their student be sent on to a better school. Accordingly he was admitted into St. Nicholas Institution in Kalinganj. At this school, as well, he so distinguished himself that the headmaster advised that he be admitted into Muslim Boys’ School in Dhaka, and then he went on to St. Gregory’s High School. During his studies in school Tajuddin Ahmad always stood first in his class. In the ME Scholarship exam he won the first place in Dhaka District. Tajuddin Ahmad was also a Hafez (one who is intensely well-versed in the Holy Quran and knows the Holy Quran by heart). In 1942, when the World War II was going on, he received training in civil defense.

In 1944, at the Matriculation exam, he won the twelfth place in the First Division, in Kolkata Board,the only existing board,in Bengal Province, during that period. In 1948 at the Intermediate (equivalent to HSC) exam he won the fourth place in the First Division,in Dhaka Board.He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1954 in Economics from Dhaka university. Being a full time political and social worker he could not devote enough time to education.Even so he excelled in academics. He earned a law degree in 1964. A political prisoner,he appeared in law exam while in prison, by obtaining a special permission from the board of education.

Tajuddin was all along associated with the Boy Scout movement.

Since his school days Tajuddin Ahmad had been involved in progressive movements, politics and social work. He had been imprisoned numerous times for his political activities for freedom, democracy and economic justice. In the Provincial Election of 1954 he ran on the ticket of the Jukta (United) Front and defeated the General Secretary of the Muslim League by a wide margin and was elected MLA. As a student of law he attended his classes regularly but took the final examination while in jail and obtained the LL.B. degree. The famine of 1943 and its trail of deaths moved Tajuddin Ahmad deeply. After the famine he organized the people of the village into setting up a storage system called "Dharmagola" which was a novelty at the village level. In harvest season food grain would be collected from the rich and deposited in the storage so that food could be supplied to the hungry in time of disaster. He would work relentlessly for service to the needy. When Tajuddin Ahmad was an MLA, a boy named Abdul Aziz in his village was wounded from a gunshot. He brought the boy to the hospital and himself donated 10 ounces of blood with the purpose of saving the life of the victim. Later, on hearing that the boy died, he was deeply grieved.

From the time of his student days Tajuddin Ahmad was connected with the kind of politics which aimed to emancipate the people of Bengal. From 1943 onward he was an activist of the progressive Muslim League. In 1944 he was elected Councilor of the then Bengal Muslim League. In 1947 India was partitioned into two States, namely India and Pakistan. The State of Pakistan was divided into two wings called East Pakistan and West Pakistan, which were separated by twelve hundred miles. After the partition of India, Tajuddin was actively associated with every movement that was organized in Pakistan to resist communalism and to support economic emancipation and the language movement. When East Pakistan Students League was formed on 4th January 1948 he was one of its founders and devotedly discharged his onerous responsibility in this regard. He was an active member of All-Party State Language Movement which aimed to establish Bengali, the language spoken by the majority in East Pakistan as the State Language of Pakistan. When the Awami League was formed on 23 June, 1949 Tajuddin Ahmad was one of its main organizers. From 1953 to 1957 he was General Secretary of Dhaka District Awami League. In 1955 he was elected Social Welfare and Cultural Secretary of Awami League. He visited the United States as a State guest in 1958. The same year he visited the United Kingdom.

Syeda Zohra Khatun (Lily) and Tajuddin were married on April 26, 1959.

Tajuddin found an ideal life partner in Zohra . Their marriage inspired Tajuddin to continue his struggle for freedom and democracy. In 1962 he was actively involved in the movement for restoration of democracy and was imprisoned. In 1964 Tajuddin Ahmad played a key role in the revival of Awami League. In 1964 after being elected Awami League’s Organizing Secretary he, under the leadership of Bangabandhu (the title Bangabandhu which means the Friend of Bengal was bestowed on Sheikh Mujibur Rahman by the people of Bangladesh), infused a new vigor into the party. In 1966 he attended with Bangabandhu the conference of opposition parties held in Lahore, (then) West Pakistan. At this conference Bangabandhu declared the Six Points, the charter of liberation of the Bangalees in (then) East Pakistan. Tajuddin was one of the key architects of the Six Points. By dint of his organizational skill and devotion he became a close associate of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. In the same year he was elected General Secretary of Awami League. While the movement for Six Points was ongoing he was arrested on May 8, 1966. He was released on February 12, 1969 in the face of mass upsurge. In the 1970 general election he was elected member of Pakistan’s National Assembly. In an attempt to deny the popular mandate and to foil by various stratagems, the Bangalees’ struggle to realize their rights, Pakistan’s military dictator President Yahya Khan suddenly declared postponement of the session of the National Assembly on 3rd March, 1971. The unprecedented Non-Cooperation Movement was launched under the leadership of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. In directing the organizational strategies of this movement and negotiating with the military rulers at the discussion table as a trusted associate of Bangabandhu, Tajuddin Ahmad proved his great talent and capabilities. While Bangabandhu could inspire people with hopes and dreams, it was Tajuddin who through his foresight and talent transformed those aspirations into realities. Indeed, Bangabandhu and Tajuddin were complimentary to each other.

On the night of 25 March, 1971 the Pakistani forces went on a genocide and arrested Bangabandhu and took him to West Pakistan the next day. Liberation war of the Bangalees began. The East Pakistan declared Independence from Pakistan and emerged as Bangladesh on March 26, 1971. In the absence of Bangabandhu the responsibility of leadership devolved on Tahuddin Ahmad. On April 10, 1971 the government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh was formed and Tajuddin became its Prime Minister by universal consent. This government took a formal oath of office in the presence of hundreds of local and foreign journalists and residents of the area on April 17, 1971. The Proclamation of Independence was read and the Oath took place in the Mango Orchard of Bayddanathtala in Kushtia, Bangladesh. Tajuddin renamed this place "Mujibnagar" which means the ‘City of Mujib’ after Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. He declared Mujibnagar as the official Capital of Bangladesh. Despite crippling obstacles he organized both the political and the military front within a short time. His abilities, sacrifice, devotion and patriotism inspired all. The successful leadership during the liberation war marked the finest period of Tajuddin Ahmad’s life. During the liberation war the office of the exile Mujibnagar Government was established at No. 8 Theatre Road in Kolkata, India. In two rooms at one corner of No.8 Theatre Road Tajuddin set up his office and his residence. All through the liberation war Tajuddin Ahmad worked day and night in that temporary office of theatre road. He passed night after night in discomfort, ate whatever food was supplied by the mess, even did his own washing. He took a vow that till Bangladesh was liberated he would not lead a family life. As the Prime Minister of a nation ridden in war and its freedom fighters’ away from their families Tajuddin wanted to share their sufferings as well as set an example. It is not possible to express in words the hard work that he did during the nine months of the war. During those months there was no rest for him. It was because of his capable leadership that the nation could win its independence within a record time of 266 days.

His firm resolve and commitment on the question of the country’s liberation had no parallel. He was far from an opportunist. He would never compromise the interest of the nation. It was his unbreakable spirit that helped the nation to wriggle out of the deep crisis into which it was thrown. With his idealism and firmness of resolve and unique qualities of leadership he was able to spurn all inducements and strove single-mindedly towards his goal. He was not willing to settle for anything less than full independence. No one could deflect him in the slightest degree from his firm resolve. Because of his clear pragmatic thinking and courage he could reach the cherished goal in due time. Tajuddin Ahmad possessed the rare ability to make the right decision with intelligence in a moment of crisis.

He was able to create enthusiasm in the 75 million people of Bangladesh across parties and ideologies for freedom. During the liberation war the force of his inspiring leadership and overpowering oratory made the 75 million people of Bangladesh, irrespective of party and persuasion, into determined freedom fighters--an achievement that might not have been possible with any other leader. He knew no nepotism and treated every one, including his opponents and those who caused him harm, with fairness and justice.

After the victory in the liberation war and till Bangabandhu’s return on 10 January 1972, Tajuddin directed the affairs of the state. He handed over the Prime Minister’s position to the Father of the Nation, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, on January 12,1972. After the transfer of power, he held the portfolios of Finance and Planning.He took great pains to build up a self-reliant and flourishing economy. He left a high mark as the Finance Minister of a newly independent nation. As a member of the constituion framing committee,Tajuddin was one of the key architects in framing the constitution of the newly liberated country. His pragmatic approach to problem solving and stand for truth and justice won him many friends. It also won him enemies who relentlessly conspired to put obstacles in his path.

He resigned as the Minister of Finance on 26 October 1974. On August 15, 1975 Bangabandhu with his family-members were assassinated by the usurpers. Tajuddin was house arrested on the morning of that day. He was taken to the central jail on August 22. On November 3, 1975,while in custody, Tajuddin Ahmad and his three colleagues and national leaders, Syed Nazrul Islam, M Mansur Ali and Kamruzzaman were brutally assassinated in violation of all prison rules and the law of the land. Besides wife Syeda Zohra Tajuddin, eldest daughter Sharmin Ahmad (Reepi), second daughter Simeen Hussain (Rimi), youngest daughter Mahjabeen Ahmad (Mimi) and the only son Tanjim Ahmad (Sohel), Tajuddin has left countless admirers. The Founder Prime Minister and the protagonist of the Bangladesh liberation war, Tajuddin Ahmad, who had dedicated his heart and soul to serving humanity and building Bangladesh into a happy, prosperous and independent nation, left this world as a martyr. He lived his life with highest integrity, and offered his life for the people’s welfare. He never sought publicity nor media attention for himself. This selfless statesman who was endowed with brilliance, humility, courage and respect for people, irrespective of caste, creed or color was mercilessly killed by the enemies of the country’s liberation. Yet, there is no death of an ideal. Tajuddin is immortalized in the history of Bangladesh and Bengalee peoples’ Liberation through his noble works and glorious deeds.

Translation from Bangla by Muhammad Nurul Quadir (Freedom Fighter and Lawyer)

Revised by Sharmin Ahmad. April 14, 2008.

Book sources:

Tajuddin Ahmad: Itihasher Pata Theke. Edited by Simeen Hussain Rimi.Dhaka: Pratibhas,2000.

Independence of Bangladesh in 266 Days:History and Documentary Evidence.Muhammad Nurul Quadir.Dhaka.Mukto Publishers,2004.

Treasured Memories

Memories are the wings of history and facts are its heart. Without wings and heart a nation cannot move on. When a nation forgets to treasure its people whose works illuminate our past, present and future, then certainly death creeps in. This is a different kind of death which eats away at our very conscience and kills our hopes and dreams. Our future becomes dark and desolate because we have closed all the doors through which light could enter. This very light, which is the soul of a nation, will only enter when we as people begin to honor our heroes and heroines, by remembering their contributions and sacrifices; by being transformed their ideals, values and principles which serve as a Guiding Light for a truly free and prosperous nation.

Our children have the right to know about their glorious past. And we have the duty to share with our children the stories of our great national ancestors so they feel proud of their heritage and learn to move forward with hopes and dreams. Hopefully in the near future, our people,individually and collectively, will shed light on the life and works of all our great men and women who have contributed toward the birthing of Bangladesh.

This website is a humble initiative in honoring and celebrating one of the great heroes of our nation, Tajuddin Ahmad, whose life deserves to be an inspiration and model for all truth and peace seekers of the world.

The following is a *Glimpse of Tajuddin's life, *the evolution of an extraordinary man and leader.

Beginning in his childhood years, Tajuddin was a very righteous, responsible and compassionate person. He spoke little, listened more and maintained moderation in his speech and action throughout his life.

The prizes Tajuddin received, for the first time in his life, were a nine paisa (local coins) pen and one and a half paisa ink pot for standing first in his class from grade one to grade two at Bhuleswar Primary School.

In the promotion exam from grade two to grade three, Tajuddin stood first,as expected. As first prize he received books of "Ninety Nine Attributes of Allah"(God) and "Ali Baba and Forty Thieves" from the Arabian Nights.

One day, when he returned from school, he found a bouquet of red roses placed on his bed. It was a gift from the revolutionary patriots who took notice of his talent. Since then red roses bore special significance and were among his favorite flowers.

As a child, his favorite foods were rice with cream and molasses.

His favorite song "Dhono Dhanno Pushpo Bhora Amaderi bashundhara…"(Lyric :
Dijendralal Roy) sings praise for his dear motherland Bangladesh.

He enjoyed tending the cattle and loved to take care of plants.

His love for animals was so much so that when the baby birds were born he would place baskets filled with soft cottons under the nests to protect them from injury from falling to the ground.

His love for animals persisted throughout his adult life. When a Bulbul (Nightingale) which made a nest in an outdoor hanging plant died in a storm he wept and grieved. He would shelter stray dogs from the street and join
his daughters to play with them.

When cholera broke out in the village nearby, young Tajuddin would readily go there to serve the sick and the afflicted.

He was a teetotaler throughout his life and in his teen years started a movement against the harmful effects of smoking. He was indeed much ahead of
his time and age for such an initiative!!!

Barely a middle school student, he walked as far as four to five miles to listen to the speech of prominent political leader such as Sher-e-Bangla(honorary title which means the Tiger of Bengal) A.K. Fazlul Haque.

As a Hafez (one who has memorized the entire Qur'an) in the Holy Qur'an he would occasionally lead during the Jumma (Friday prayer at midday) prayer at the Mosque. He would highlight in his sermons the importance of serving the
poor, needy and orphans. The sign of a truly devout person, he believed, is one's unconditional service to humanity.

Tajuddin shunned all forms of self glorifications. He never gave any importance to his day of birth and refrained from celebrating his birthdays.

Tajuddin and Zohra were married with flowers. At Zohra's request Tajuddin bought ornaments for her wedding made of fresh jasmine flowers. Gold jewelry
as was customary for the bride to wear during her wedding were abandoned in favor of a higher valued floral jewelry. Finally, Tajuddin found an ideal life partner in Zohra.

In early 1966, Pakistan's People's Party chairman (later president of
Pakistan) Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto challenged Sheikh Mujibur Rahman to a debate in which he intended to prove the futility of the Six Points Program that Mujib's party proposed to implement for the emancipation of the Bengalees,in East Pakistan. Bhutto came to Dhaka with his big entourage to debate Mujib in an open public meeting.Tajuddin,who was one of the main architects of the Six points Program,prepared all the facts. The day before the debate Tajuddin went on behalf of Mujib and met with Bhutto. They discussed the debate issues related to the Six Points Program. Bhutto was thoroughly impressed by Tajuddin's depth of knowledge, later relayed by senior Muslim League political party members. Next day, shortly before the debate would
start, news spread throughout Dhaka city of sudden departure of Bhutto to Pakistan. He just took off without giving prior notice. Bhutto never challenged Mujib to another debate.

On 25th March.1971, the Pakistan Military began the merciless killings of the Bengalees. Tajuddin narrowly escaped from getting caught by the military and went underground. Zohra, whose ready wit saved her life from getting killed by the military, went in hiding with her young children.On 27th March, a message written on a small piece of paper was delivered to her by a trusted compatriot.
The message was from Tajuddin. It read " Forgive me for not being able to say good bye. With children, become a part of seventy
five million people. I do not know when I will see you again---------After
Liberation." He put dash marks in between. Tajuddin was certain that his beloved country would be
liberated one day.

Pakistan's military began a smear campaign against the Bangladesh Government and the freedom loving people of Bangladesh. They spread false propaganda that the Government of Bangladesh and the freedom fighters were against
Islam.

In reality and according to all the documentary evidence ,Pakistan military had killed millions of Hindu, Muslim, Buddhist , and Christian civilians of Bangladesh, violated hundreds of thousands of girls and women and plundered
Bangladesh in the name of protecting Islam. While they claimed to be Muslims, they were killing the innocent people of Bangladesh ,majority of whom were Muslims. Their inhumane and brutal actions were against the principles of Islam and every religion of the world. Their false propaganda held no ground in face of these realities.

Tajuddin who was well versed in the Qur'an and knew Islam's core principles to be fairness, justice and compassion, resisted these false attacks through foresight and intelligence. As Prime Minister, who was also in charge of
Broadcasting and through his helpmates, he launched a radio program to define, in the light of Islam, the people's right to justice, liberty and human dignity.

Tajuddin conceived the future framework of a free Bangladesh as one in which the adherents of all religions would be able to practice their faiths freely and co-exist in harmony and peace with each other. His vision is reflected
in the Swadhin Bangla Betar (Free Bengal Radio Center) Kendra's daily presentations and recitations of the holy scriptures from the Bible, Qur'an, Gita and Tripitaka, from Chrisitian, Muslim, Hindu and Buddhist faiths groups.

Tajuddin's foresight is reflected in the agreement between the Government of India and the Government of Bangladesh in 1971. According to the conditions
of the agreement, India will enter Bangladesh as a supporting force along with our freedom fighters to battle the invading Pakistan military. Indian troops will enter the sovereign land as a friendly force, only after it has accorded due recognition to Bangladesh. India will withdraw its troops within three months from Bangladesh. Indian Government agreed to the conditions laid out by Bangladesh. These agreements, drawn out in the most crisis-ridden period, are deemed as the most honorable agreements ever made in the history of Bangladesh. Tajuddin was a man of honor who did all his works to enhance the honor and dignity of his country.

Tajuddin lead the war of liberation on behalf of Mujib, who was imprisoned in Pakistan and isolated from all information. When Bangladesh attained
victory on December 16, 1971, he was surrounded by journalists who asked him about his reaction. Tajuddin broke into tears and said that he had performed his duty merely as a midwife and that he felt sad for not being able to deliver the news of the child's birth to its father (Mujib). Tajuddin never took any credit for himself and shunned self promotion.

Father of the Nation, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, was released from the prison of Pakistan, primarily due to Tajuddin's relentless efforts, on national and international levels, to ensure his safety and release. Tajuddin knew that a liberated Bangladesh would pave the path toward his release and ensure his
return to the soil of an independent nation.

Mujib returned to an Independent Bangladesh on January 10, 1972. Tajuddin officially handed over the Prime Minister's position to Mujib on January 12,1972. When asked about his reaction, he was all smile and told the journalists, "It is the happiest day of my life."

Text: Sharmin Ahmad.April17,2008.

Sources:Author of this text interviewed the following persons:

Interview with Tajuddin's

wife Zohra Tajuddin. November 10,1992.

Primary school teacher Mafizuddin Master.July 11,1987.

Eldest sister Sufia Khatun.July 10.1987.

colleague Abdul Momen(Former Publicity Secretary of Awami Leage and Minister of Food).July 8,1987.

For further information please refer to the Resources page.