The Liberation War Museum( মুক্তিযুদ্ধ যাদুঘর):

The Liberation War Museum of Bangladesh started its journey in 1996. The museum upholds the heroic struggle of the people of Bangladesh for democracy and national rights. Later this struggle turned into an armed battle following the genocide unleashed by the military rulers of Islamic Republic of Pakistan, giving birth to a new nation as a Secular democratic state in December 1971.

The museum is in a two storied building having six different galleries presenting the valuable relics and memorable pictures of war time. Currently, the museum has in its collection 17,500 (July 2014) objects, which include rare photographs, documents, media coverage and materials used by freedom fighters and martyrs of the Liberation War. However the museum can display only around 1300 objects due to paucity of space. A proper museum with an area of about 20,000 sq. m. is being built endowed with modern concepts of display and archiving and is scheduled to be opened in July 2015. Liberation War Museum, excavated two killing fields in the Dhaka suburbs and preserves one site, and these human remains have added dimension to the displays.

 

Liberation War Museum is the outcome of a citizen’s effort and is run by a Board of Trustees. It is now recognized, nationally and internationally, as a credible institution on the history of Bangladesh’s independence. The museum, through its special programmers endeavors to link history of the Liberation War with contemporary pressing social and human right issues. LWM is a founder member of International Coalition of Sites of Conscience and is an institutional member of the American Association of Museums.

Visitors to the museum realize how through popular struggle and human sacrifices the fundamental principles of democracy, secularism and nationalism of the Bangladesh Constitution (1972) evolved. Attempts have been taken through displays and regular programmers to create a living museum where visitors/participants can draw contemporary relevance for building national unity and a tolerant society and fight abuses of human rights

The Six Display Galleries:

At the entrance to the museum is the eternal flame. A plaque borrows from the rich folkloric traditions of the land and declares:
“Witness is the blood stained earth of Bengal
Let the stars and moon also bear witness
we have not forgotten our fallen Shaheeds
we shall remember them all”.
The visitors are expected to pay their respects to the fallen heroes by observing a minute’s silence in front of the flame.

Gallery I:
• Displays some archaeological materials from as far back as 500 BC.
• Presents the history and rich heritage of the syncretistic lifestyle and culture of Bengal
• Advent of colonial rule and the various popular uprisings against foreign domination
• Communal tensions culminating in the creation of Pakistan (1947).
Gallery II:
• At the entry to gallery II there are two bricks from the Cellular Jail in the Andaman Islands and the names of those freedom fighters who were hanged there by the British.
• Presents history of the Pakistan period (1947 – 1971) and united struggle of the people for the adoption of Bengali as a state language and for a secular democracy, upholding national culture
• the victory of the United Front Government in 1954 and the crushing defeat of the Muslim League.
• The promulgation of Martial Law in 1958.
• The students’ movement of 1962 and the ongoing struggle for cultural freedom.
• The mass upsurge movement of 1969 and the Agartala Conspiracy Case
• Personal belongings of Bangabandhu
• The Cyclone of 1970, the opposition of Jamat-e Islami Party against these pro-peoples movement and the thumping victory of the nationalist forces in the 1970 elections.
• The important and significant role of women in these movements.
Gallery III:
• At the entrance to gallery III are some of the most famous posters used by the Bangladesh Government in exile. There also is a touch-screen, which gives the visitor an overview of the history of the struggle.
• The denial by the Pakistani Junta of the 1970 election verdict and the resulting uproar.
• The historical March 7 speech and the non-cooperation movement
• The so-called attempts of negotiations by the Pakistanis.
• The declaration of independence by Bangabandhu S. Mujibur Rahman on March 26, 1971. The announcement from the “Swadhin Bangla Radio Station” by Major Ziaur Rahman on March 27, 1971
• The exodus of people to India and the life in the refugee camps.
• The establishment of the government in exile by the elected representatives.
 Galleries IV, V & VI
At the entrance to gallery IV are displayed the strength and the organization of forces of both sides and the various sectors & the Sector Commanders of the Muktibahini.
Gallery IV
• Personal belongings of the Shaheed and the memorabilia of the Sector & Brigade Commanders.
• Memorabilia of the Government in exile and its functionaries including the Prime Minister & the other members of the Cabinet.
Gallery V
• At the entrance to gallery V is displayed documents relating to the international effort, the role of the governments of India & the Soviet Union & USA, the role played by the citizens of these countries & the European nations
• Documents & artifacts used by the Naval Commandos, the Free Bangladesh Radio and the Bangladesh Air Force
• Role played by the International media and cultural activists
• The role played by the religious fundamentalists and collaborators of the Pakistani Army inside the country
• The role played by women in the war
• Display of the arms used by the Muktibahini
Gallery VI
• The killing of the intellectuals
• Excavated human remains from two Killing Fields in Dhaka
• Artifacts and documents showing the atrocities on women & children
• The portraits of the “Bir Shreshthos”
• The final thrust of the Joint Forces Command
• The role & the sacrifices of the Indian Army
• Victory on December 16, 1971 and the surrender of the Pakistani Army to the Joint Command