Bangladesh: From A Nation To A State (Nations of the Modern World: Asia)

In 1996, Bangladesh celebrated its 25th anniversary. When the country became independent from Pakistan in 1971, it proclaimed itself a parliamentary democracy with four goals—democracy, secularism, socialism, and nationalism. This comprehensive introduction to Bangladesh's history, polity, economy, and society reassesses its successes and failures in reaching these goals after a quarter century of nationhood. Craig Baxter traces the development of national identity in the region, first as part of India and then of Pakistan, and the slow evolution toward statehood. He also explores the formative periods of Hindu, Buddhist, Muslim, and British government that preceded Pakistani rule and subsequent independence. Anyone wishing to understand this poor, populous, but ambitious young nation will find this book an invaluable reference. Cover -- Half Title -- Title -- Copyright -- Dedication -- Contents -- List of Tables and Illustrations -- Preface -- Acknowledgments -- 1 A DELTA AND ITS PEOPLE -- Ecological Setting -- The People -- Language -- Notes -- 2 HINDUS AND BUDDHISTS -- The Hindu Period -- The Palas and the Senas -- Notes -- 3 BENGAL UNDER MUSLIM RULE -- Under Mughal Rule -- The Arrival of the Europeans -- Notes -- 4 BENGAL UNDER THE COMPANY -- British Consolidation and Expansion -- Muslim and Hindu Reforms and Rebellion -- Notes -- 5 BENGAL UNDER THE RAJ -- Steps Toward Indian Participation -- Muslim Revival -- The Partition of Bengal -- Separate Electorates -- Dyarchy -- Forewarnings of Partition -- Notes -- 6 TOWARD INDEPENDENCE AND PARTITION -- Notes -- 7 A PROVINCE OF PAKISTAN -- East Pakistani Grievances -- Political Steps Toward the Dissolution of Pakistan -- Pakistan Under Ayub, 1958-1969 -- The Yahya Regime -- Notes -- 8 DEMOCRACY, AUTHORITARIANISM, LIMITED DEMOCRACY, 1972-1982 -- The Mujib Period, 1972-1975 -- Between Mujib and Zia -- The Zia Regime -- The Sattar Interlude -- Notes -- 9 MILITARY RULE AND DEMOCRACY RESTORED, 1982-1996 -- Ershad's Martial Law -- Ershad as a Civilian -- The Fall of Ershad -- Shahabuddin Interregnum -- The Begum Zia Government -- A Note on Government in Bangladesh -- Notes -- 10 ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT -- The Economy -- Social Issues -- Notes -- 11 BANGLADESH IN THE WORLD SYSTEM -- Bangladesh at Independence -- Regional Relationships -- The Islamic States -- The Great Powers -- International Organizations -- The Military -- Notes -- 12 DEMOCRACY OR AUTHORITARIANISM? DEVELOPMENT OR STAGNATION? -- The Needs of Democracy -- Development -- Notes -- Bibliographic Note -- About the Book and Author -- Index This book provides Bangladesh's history, polity, economy and society and reassesses its successes and failures in reaching the four goals-democracy, secularism, socialism, and nationalism-after a quarter century of nationhood.