Bangladeshi military units called Mukhti Bahini (‘freedom fighters’) fought Pakistani troops throughout the country. Eventually, Bangladesh sought independence from Pakistan, largely on the basis of a cultural heritage and religious affiliation that was distinct from both Pakistan and the greater Bengal region respectively. Originally, Bangladesh was part of Pakistan, and was often referred to as ‘East Pakistan’. See the Religion section for more information on this point.Ī key historical moment in terms of identity is the Bangladesh Liberation War of 1971. ![]() Bangladesh’s national identity has become increasingly linked to Islam, and many hold the belief that Islam is what distinguishes Bangladesh from Bengal. For others (such as Islamic activists and secular thinkers), religion is an important factor within these discussions. Some people believe that Bangladeshi and Bengali are synonymous. Those who feel strongly attached to Bengal or belong to an ethnic minority may have widely differing viewpoints. Many of those who are not Bengali reside in the Chittagong Hill Tracts, the region where most of Bangladesh’s indigenous populations reside.Ĭitizens of Bangladesh are often engaged in an ongoing discussion over which term – ‘Bangladeshi’ or ‘Bengali’ – is a more accurate descriptor both on an individual and national level. This figure is contested, with some arguing that there are over 70 ethnic groups within the country. The government of Bangladesh also recognises 27 other ethnic minorities. Those who identify as Bengali typically speak Bangla, known as ‘Bengali’ among most non-natives. The term ‘Bengali’ is used to describe both an ethnicity and a language. ![]() The vast majority of Bangladeshis (98.0%) are identified as Bengali. Rather, longstanding cultural traditions and artistic expressions provide a great source of pride for many Bangladeshis. However, many Bangladeshis resist depictions of their culture that define it by recent hardships. ![]() Today, many foreigners continue to view Bangladesh through a lens of ‘development’. The region’s struggles with colonialism and the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War have shaped modern Bangladesh. Bangladesh is a relatively young sovereign state, however, it has an ancient heritage as part of the historic region of Bengal, located in South Asia.
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