Group    To 21/2/1952

Shaheed Minar martyrs

Categories: Tragedy

Countries: Bengal, Indian Sub-continent

Those killed during the Bengali Language Movement demonstrations in 1952. At this time Bangladesh was part of Eastern Pakistan and the rulers of Pakistan were seeking to impose Urdu on the Bengalis as the sole official language of the country. On 21st February 1952, at the University of Dhaka, the Pakistani police force opened fire and killed dozens of Bengali students and political activists who were protesting for state recognition of the mother tongue, Bangla, also known as Bengali. Afterwards, a makeshift memorial was erected at the site of the massacre, near Dhaka Medical College and Ramna Park, but this was soon removed by the Pakistani police force.

The Bengali Language Movement grew in strength and in 1956, after a prolonged struggle, Bangla was given the same status as Urdu. In 1957 work began on a new Shaheed Minar designed by Hamidur Rahman. Progress was delayed by the introduction of martial law and subsequently the memorial was demolished, this time by the Pakistani army.

Following the independence of Bangladesh, the monument was rebuilt and the Language Movement Martyrs are remembered at the Shaheed Minar every year.

Bengalis are the only race in the world known to have given blood and fought a liberation war which originated from a struggle to preserve their language and culture.

This text comes from information panels in Altab Ali Park,

Comments are provided by Facebook, please ensure you are signed in here to see them

This section lists the memorials where the subject on this page is commemorated:
Shaheed Minar martyrs

Commemorated ati

Shaheed Minar martyrs

This monument is a replica of the original monument constructed in Dhaka, Ban...

Read More

Other Subjects

Audrey Holland

Audrey Holland

Mother-in-law to Jane.

Person, Tragedy

1 memorial
PC Stephen Tibble

PC Stephen Tibble

Police officer. He had been in the police force for only six months. Although off-duty he gave chase on his motorcycle to Liam Quinn, who was fleeing after being approached by other officers. Tibbl...

Person, Emergency Services, Tragedy

1 memorial
Esther John

Esther John

Presbyterian evangelist from Pakistan, was allegedly killed by a Muslim fanatic.

Person, Religion, Tragedy, Pakistan

1 memorial
Yvonne Fletcher

Yvonne Fletcher

Semley, Wiltshire was the home of Yvonne Fletcher until she became a Police Constable in the Metropolitan Police. She was shot while on duty outside the Libyan Embassy in St James Square, London an...

Person, Emergency Services, Tragedy

2 memorials

Previously viewed

Bernard Schmidt

Bernard Schmidt

Organ builder. Born Germany. Came to England in about 1660. Known as Father Smith.

Person, Craft / Design, Music / songs, Germany

1 memorial
Paul Robeson

Paul Robeson

NW3, Branch Hill, Chestnuts, 1-2

English Heritage Paul Robeson, 1898 - 1976, singer and actor, lived here, 1929 - 1930.

1 subject commemorated, 1 creator
Thomas Young

Thomas Young

W1, Welbeck Street, 48

London County Council Thomas Young, 1773 - 1829, man of science, lived here.

1 subject commemorated, 1 creator
Wilkie Collins

Wilkie Collins

William Wilkie Collins was a writer of thriller novels such as The Woman in White, The Moonstone. Born 11 New Cavendish Street. A great friend of Charles Dickens, to the extent that they grew beard...

Person, Literature

3 memorials
Hammersmith and Fulham plaque erectors

Hammersmith and Fulham plaque erectors

We've found a number of plaques in a similar and distinctive style around the Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham, but we have not been able to determine who erects them.  If it's the council they ar...

Group, History

6 memorials