Mujibnagar , formerly known as Baidyanathtala is a town in the Meherpur District of Bangladesh. It is a common reference for the government in exile formed by the leaders of the Awami League, who were leading the guerrilla war for the independence of Bangladesh (then East Pakistan) from Pakistan in 1971.
Throughout the war with the Pakistan Army, the Mujibnagar government would serve as the nominal head of the pro-independence guerrilla militias, mainly the Mukti Bahini. Although the state gained independence only in December 1971, the Mujibnagar government is recognized as the first official government of Bangladesh.
The senior political leaders of the Awami League congregated at the town of Baidyanathtala, which was mainly a mango grove located in Meherpur, when it was a sub-district of Kushtia. Inaugurating the government of the People's Republic of Bangladesh on April 17, the national anthem Amar Sonar Bangla was sung in chorus. Although Sheikh Mujib was declared the first President, Syed Nazrul Islam was appointed acting president and hoisted the flag of Bangladesh. Tajuddin Ahmed was appointed the first prime minister.
The government-in-exile at Mujibnagar had an elaborate structure of administrative departments, agencies and activities. Even though elaborate agencies were established, the government's main work remained coordinating the guerrilla insurgency and to bolster popular support in East Pakistan by its political organizational work, media and propaganda.
* Sheikh Mujibur Rahman: President of Bangladesh
* Syed Nazrul Islam: Vice President; Acting President
* Tajuddin Ahmed: Prime Minister
* Khondaker Mostaq Ahmed: Foreign Affairs and Law Minister
* Muhammad Mansur Ali: Finance Minister
* A. H. M. Qamaruzzaman: Home, Relief and Rehabilitation Minister
* Muhammad Ataul Gani Osmani: Commander-in-Chief of the Mukti Bahini
* Major General Abdur Rab: Chief of Staff
* Abdul Mannan: Chief of the Department of Press, Information, Radio and Film
* Yusuf Ali: Chief of the Department of Relief and Rehabilitation
* Matiur Rahman: Chief of the Department of Commerce
* Amirul Islam: Chief of the Volunteer Corps
* Sheikh Mujibur Rahman: President of Bangladesh
* Syed Nazrul Islam: Vice President; Acting President
* Tajuddin Ahmed: Prime Minister
* Khondaker Mostaq Ahmed: Foreign Affairs and Law Minister
* Muhammad Mansur Ali: Finance Minister
* A. H. M. Qamaruzzaman: Home, Relief and Rehabilitation Minister
* Muhammad Ataul Gani Osmani: Commander-in-Chief of the Mukti Bahini
* Major General Abdur Rab: Chief of Staff
* Abdul Mannan: Chief of the Department of Press, Information, Radio and Film
* Yusuf Ali: Chief of the Department of Relief and Rehabilitation
* Matiur Rahman: Chief of the Department of Commerce
* Amirul Islam: Chief of the Volunteer Corps
The Mujibnagar government is officially regarded as the first government of independent Bangladesh. April 17, the day of its formation is celebrated in Bangladesh as Mujibnagar Day, a major milestone for the Bangladeshi nationalists and the Awami League. A national historical monument has been constructed at Mujibnagar, and the place remains the focus of nationalist sentiments and the memories of the liberation war amongst the Bangladeshi people.
