Mujib Battery

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Mujib Battery was the first artillery unit formed under the command of the Mukti Bahini during the Bangladesh Liberation War in 1971. [1] [2] It played a pivotal role in supporting the Mukti Bahini during operations against the Pakistan Army. [3] [4] [5] It was named in honor of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the founding president of Bangladesh. [6] [7]

Contents

History

Artillery from Mujib Battery at the Bangladesh Military Museum Bangladesh Military Museum - 3.7 inch howitzer.jpg
Artillery from Mujib Battery at the Bangladesh Military Museum

Mujib Battery was established on 22 July 1971 in Konaban, Tripura, India. [7] The unit was initially equipped with six 3.7-inch howitzers, two of which were provided by the Indian Army. [7] The artillery unit operated under the command of the "K Force" led by Major Khaled Mosharraf and was deployed primarily in Sector-2 of the battlefield. [8] [7] The first commander of Mujib Battery was Captain Abdul Aziz Pasha and later by Captain Anwarul Alam and Captain Mohammad Abdul Gaffar Halder. [9] [10]

The formation of the Mujib Battery marked a significant development in the Bangladesh Liberation War, as it provided much-needed artillery support to freedom fighters who were otherwise limited in terms of heavy weaponry. [7] It served under major Abu Salek Chowdhury in an operation to capture Saldanodi Railway Station. [11] As part of K Force, it provided artillery support for ground operations in eastern sectors of the conflict, particularly in areas near the Indian border and inside Bangladesh, including Feni and adjacent regions. [12] [7] It provided artillery support to the 9th East Bengal Regiment during the battle to capture Kasba. [13] It served under the end stages of the war under Brigadier General Anand Sarup of the Indian Army and fought to liberate Feni in December 1971. [14]

In 1975, Mujib Battery, led by Colonel Sayed Farooq-ur-Rahman was one the units which participated in the Assassination of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, president of Bangladesh, in 1975. [15]

Legacy

The Mujib Battery is the origin of the Artillery Corps of Bangladesh Army. [16]

In June 2011, the Government of India returned two of the original howitzers used by Mujib Battery as a goodwill gesture. [7] The cannons entered Bangladesh through the Benapole land port and were received by a 15-member Bangladesh Army team led by Major Morshed of the Jessore Cantonment. A 12-member delegation of the Indian Army, headed by Major Ariar, facilitated the handover. [7]

In April 2024, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina inaugurated the Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Battery Complex at the Bangladesh Army Artillery Centre and School at Halishahar, Chittagong. [17] A documentary on the Mujub Battery was screened at the event. [17] After the fall of the Sheikh Hasina led Awami League government, the Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Battery Complex was renamed to Artillery Centre and School. [18]

References

  1. ↑ Jacob, Lt Gen J. F. R. (2011-01-31). An Odyssey In War And Peace. Roli Books Private Limited. ISBN   978-81-7436-933-8.
  2. ↑ "Hasina opens 'Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Battery Complex' in Ctg". www.newagebd.net. Archived from the original on 2024-04-21. Retrieved 2025-04-05.
  3. ↑ Zahir, Quazi Sajjad Ali (2014). Honouring Friends of Bangladesh Liberation War: Acknowledging the Debt of a Grateful Nation. External Publicity Wing, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, [Government of Banglaesh]. p. 89.
  4. ↑ Sainik Samachar. Director of Public Relations, Ministry of Defence. 1972. p. 8.
  5. ↑ Ridwan-Al-Mahmood (2012). Bangladesh Army: Symbol of National Pride. Army Headquarters, Dhaka Cantonment. p. 32.
  6. ↑ Āhameda, Ākhatāra (2000). Advance to Contact: A Soldier's Account of Bangladesh Liberation War. University Press. p. 176. ISBN   978-984-05-1498-4.
  7. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 "Cannons used by Mujib Battery arrive". The Daily Star. 2011-06-22. Archived from the original on 2024-12-06. Retrieved 2025-04-05.
  8. ↑ Alam, Habibul (2006). Brave of Heart: The Urban Guerilla Warfare of Sector-2, During the Liberation War of Bangladesh. Academic Press and Publishers Library. p. 277. ISBN   978-984-08-0201-2.
  9. ↑ Zaman, Imamuz (2001). Bangladesh War of Liberation. Columbia Prokashani. p. 25.
  10. ↑ Nasim, A. S. M. (2002). Bangladesh Fights for Independence. Columbia Prokashani. p. 265.
  11. ↑ Zaman, Imamuz (2001). Bangladesh War of Liberation. Columbia Prokashani. p. 66.
  12. ↑ The Year that was. Bastu Prakashan. 1996. p. 291.
  13. ↑ Wahab, A. T. M. Abdul (2004). Mukti Bahini Wins Victory: Pak Military Oligarchy Divides Pakistan in 1971. Columbia Prokashani. p. 237. ISBN   978-984-713-044-6.
  14. ↑ Chandar (Retd), Col Y. Udaya (2018-01-02). Independent India's All the Seven Wars. Notion Press. ISBN   978-1-948473-22-4.
  15. ↑ Dasgupta, Sukharanjan (1978). Midnight Massacre in Dacca. Vikas. p. 65. ISBN   978-0-7069-0692-9.
  16. ↑ "History". kalkini.madaripur.gov.bd. Archived from the original on 2024-04-20. Retrieved 2025-04-05.
  17. 1 2 "PM opens Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Battery Complex in Chattogram". The Daily Star. 2024-04-21. Archived from the original on 2024-07-24. Retrieved 2025-04-05.
  18. ↑ "Bangladesh changes eight military facility names, 16 more under review". Bdnews24.com . Retrieved 2025-04-05.
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