Fifty Years of Bangladesh, 1971-2021

This book, the first historical sociology of its kind concerning Bangladesh, examines the country's what-went-wrong-syndrome during the first fifty years of its existence, 1971-2021. The work is an exception to the traditional studies on modern and contemporary Bangladesh. The study is also a post-history of united Pakistan. Busting several myths, it sheds light on many known and unknown facts about the history, politics, society, and culture of the country. Besides being a twice-born country – liberated twice, from the British in 1947 and from West Pakistanis in 1971 – it is also an artificial entity suffering from acute crises of culture, development, governance, and identity. Hashmi attributes the culture and identity crises to the demographic byproducts of bad governance. In addition to being overpopulated, Bangladesh is also resource-poor and has one of the most unskilled populations, largely lumpen elements and peasants. According to Marx, these peoplerepresent “the unchanging remnants of the past”. The second round of independence empowered these lumpen classes, who suffer from an identity crisis and never learn the art of governance. The proliferation of pseudo-history about liberation has further divided the polity between the two warring tribes who only glorify their respective idols, Mujib and Zia. Pre-political and pre-capitalist peasants’ / lumpen elements’ lack of mutual trust and respect have further plagued Bangladesh, turning it into one of the least governable, corrupt, and inefficient countries. It is essential to replace the pre-capitalist order of the country run by multiple lumpen classes with capitalist and inclusive institutions.

“As of today, it is the only historical sociology of Bangladesh illustrating the nation's culture, development, governance, and identity crises from the perspectives of history, politics, sociology, and cultural anthropology. Excellent work.” (Kamal Siddiqui, Former Professor at the IDPM, Manchester University, UK)

“A must-read book to understand why 50 years after becoming independent, Bangladesh continues to be one of the most fractured countries in the world, its huge economic progress notwithstanding. Taj Hashmi has brilliantly examined the historical, political, economic, social and cultural contexts of Bangladesh’s disunity to conclude that it is still dysfunctional.” (M. Serajul Islam, Retired Bangladeshi Diplomat, Bangladesh)

“What a history Bangladesh has had in 50 years! Taj Hashmi captures it all in his beloved homeland! In his pessimism of the intellect and the optimism of the soul he pulls no punches and critiques his “sonar Bangla” in the starkest terms buthe remains optimistic and ever hopeful. In nine brilliantly and exhaustively researched chapters he covers all the nation’s fault-lines from its booming garment industry to its rural agricultural base, from its history under the Raj to its significant place in the 21st century global economy, from its Bengali and Islamic orientation to its Bangladeshi-Islamic identity, and from its reverence and criticism of its heroes from Pakistan’s founder Jinnah to Mujeeb and Zia and their descendants to the demographic and environmental catastrophes that beckon. It is thirty years since the erudite, well-travelled, and cosmopolitan Hashmi penned his Pakistan as a Peasant Utopia, and over twenty years since his Women and Islam in Bangladesh. Scholars and the public will recognize and appreciate his frank assessment as much as some will find it challenging and uncomfortable. Everyone will benefit from his forthright comments on the global economy and its social, political, and economic impact: but “Culture Matters”.” (Roger D. Long, Eastern Michigan University, USA)

“The narrative sweep of this book covers Bangladesh’s political culture, development, identity, and governance over the last fifty years of its independence since 1971. This appraisal is reminiscent of Taj Hashmi’s other recognized social history volumes on South Asia. I recommend this book for the fresh as well as the veteran readers of Bangladesh history.” (M. Rashiduzzaman, Professor Emeritus in Political Science at Rowan University, Glassboro, New Jersey, USA)

Taj Hashmi is retired Professor of History and Security Studies at the Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies (APCSS), USA.