Mukti Juddha Museum

Bangladesh Liberation War, also referred to as Mukti Juddha, began on 26 March 1971 and ended nine months later on 16 December 1971. Bangladesh was fighting for its freedom from India and West Pakistan, which would later become Pakistan. Bangladesh was originally known as East Pakistan. Not many people are aware of the full extent of the war, the suffering of the Bangladeshi people and the emotional scars left after their bitter sweet victory. Those who lived through the war tell their stories in the hope that the sacrifices made by ordinary people will not be forgotten.

It is also for this reason that the Mukti Juddha Museum was established, as monument to those who fought and those who lost their lives. Both soldiers and civilians sacrificed themselves, or were caught in the crossfire of the war. Thousands died, and the Mukti Juddha Museum ensures that no-one will forget the history of Bangladesh. The managing director of the Mukti Juddha Museum, Akku Chowdhury, also fought for the liberation of Bangladesh as a freedom fighter, and it was him, together with others like him, who saw the need for preserving this vital part of their heritage.

On 22 March 1996, the museum opened its doors to the public and it was overrun by local and international visitors who wanted to learn all there is to know about the Bangladesh Liberation War. The museum building is a double story structure that took extensive renovation before being able to house the museum. There are six galleries that look specifically at certain periods, such as the first gallery that concentrates on Bengali relics of ancient times, while the second gallery focuses on the years 1947 to 1970. The first wave of freedom fighting is captured in documents and on photographs in the third gallery, with the forth gallery looking at Bangladesh from all the angles during the war in 1971. In the second last gallery, visitors will discover the hardships and cruelty that was inflicted on everyday people, while the last gallery brings the war to an end.

There are more than ten thousand pieces in the museum’s collection, consisting of photographs, items used by soldiers during the war and various interesting and thought-provoking exhibits. A small bookstore sells a range of publications in regard to the war and refreshments are served under massive permanent outdoor umbrellas. The Mukti Juddha Museum is an informative and vital attraction to visit when in Dhaka, as it preserves significant memories and protects the legacy that the freedom fighters left behind