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Mujib Battery

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

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]

History

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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

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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

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  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. ^ a b c d e f g h "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. ^ a b "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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