Dhaka Central Jail was the largest jail in Bangladesh , located in the old section of Dhaka , the country's capital. The jail has been used to house criminals as well as political prisoners , especially during the Language Movement of 1952, the 6 Point Movement , and the Bangladesh Liberation War .
43-456: [REDACTED] Abu Taher [REDACTED] [REDACTED] Khaled Mosharraf † [REDACTED] Khondkar Nazmul Huda † [REDACTED] A.T.M. Haider † The 7 November 1975 Bangladesh coup d'état , also known as the Sipahi–Janata Revolution ( Bengali : সিপাহী–জনতার বিপ্লব , romanized : Sipāhī–Jônôtār Biplôb , lit. 'Soldier–People's Revolution'),
86-465: A "cold blooded assassination". On 22 March 2011, the High Court overturned the previous judgement that authorised Taher's execution by a military tribunal while the nation was under martial law. The military court judgement was declared illegal. The court observed Taher's execution had happened according to Major General Zia 's plan. Dhaka Central Jail However, the jail earned infamy after
129-465: A "traitor" and claimed that he was freed from detention under Taher's orders. The events of 7 November paved the path to the presidency for Ziaur Rahman. On this day following Mosharraf's death, President Sayem assumed the role of Chief Martial Law Administrator (CMLA) and Maj. Gen. Zia was made Deputy CMLA. A year later, President Sayem handed over CMLA duties to Zia and months after that stepped down on "health reason", and Zia became acting president in
172-557: A "vaguely socialist and egalitarian " organisation, formed by the JaSaD. On each night between 4 November and 6 November, BSS held regular secret meetings under it's leader Col. (retd.) Abu Taher . Taher was a retired army officer and freedom fighter who joined the JaSaD and led its armed branches. On 5 November, the BSS distributed thousands of leaflets among soldiers and urban workers accusing Mosharraf of being in leagues with India in taking over
215-568: A Medical Board Release. His leg was later amputated there, where he remained until February 1972. For his valour, he was awarded Bir Uttom . Following his return, Taher was reinstated into the Bangladesh Army in April for effective retirement following administrative procedure. He was retired with a legacy entitlement rank of Lieutenant Colonel and hence is widely known as Colonel Taher. Due to his left-leaning communist ideas of governance he joined
258-452: A result of the uprising. After Ziaur Rahman granted pay rise to the enlisted men, many of the soldiers lost interest in the uprising. On 24 November, Col. Abu Taher, the mastermind of the uprising, was arrested for high treason and murder and was put on trial, along with 33 other members of Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal. On 17 July 1976, Taher was sentenced to death and was executed on 21 July 1976. In his final letter, Taher described Ziaur Rahman as
301-419: The 3 November coup , ousting Khondaker Mostaq Ahmad and placing Zia under house arrest. Right before Zia was arrested, he reportedly made a phone call to Taher, urging him to save him. Every night between 4 and 6 November, secret meetings of enlisted men and non-commissioned officers were held under Taher's leadership. These troops belonged to Biplobi Shainik Sangstha (Revolutionary Soldier's Organisation), which
344-523: The Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (JaSaD), whose aim was to create a socialist state through armed revolution . His three-year long regime failed to deter the insurgency due to "his misplaced confidence on people's power". He was assassinated in the 15 August 1975 military coup and was replaced by Khondaker Mostaq Ahmad as the president. Khondaker Mostaq replaced the Bangladesh Army chief , Maj. Gen. K M Shafiullah , with Maj. Gen. Ziaur Rahman ,
387-649: The Jatiyo Samajtantrik Dal . The Jatiyo Samajtantrik Dal had split from the Bangladesh Chhatra League , the student wing of the Bangladesh Awami League and called for establishing socialism through an armed revolution. Taher became the head of its armed wing, the Gonobahini and led a violent insurgency campaign against the government of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman . Abu Taher welcomed
430-570: The assassination of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman on 15 August 1975, remarking, They've made a big mistake. They shouldn't have allowed Sheikh Mujib's burial. Now a shrine will be built there. His body should have been thrown into the Bay of Bengal . It was known that Jatiyo Samajtantrik Dal had plans for an insurrection against Sheikh Mujib's government. After the 15 August coup, JSD encouraged its followers to study Marx's The Class Struggles in France . On
473-466: The 10 Bengal Regiment. Although the soldiers of the 10 Bengal had no direct link to the Biplobi Shainik Sangstha, they learned of the mutiny. The commanding officer of the 10 Bengal Regiment, Col. Nawazesh Uddin , held a meeting with his fellow officers to decide whether Mosharraf and his companions should be allowed to come to the headquarters of the 10 Bengal Regiment. Two officers present at
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#1732891374004516-491: The 12 demands of the BSS. The uprising began soon after midnight on 7 November in Dhaka Cantonment , when Subedar Mehboob fired a single rifle shot, signalling the start of the uprising, which soon spread to other areas, including Rangpur and Chittagong . Crowds poured into the streets of Dhaka to support the soldiers and shouted slogans, such as "সিপাহী সিপাহী ভাই ভাই, অফিসারদের রক্ত চাই!" ("Soldiers are brothers, want
559-505: The Sylhet sector, Major Shafayat Jamil handed over the interim command of the sector to BDF. Sector 11. On 2 November 1971, Taher lost his leg from a small mine blast during a debriefing. Squadron Leader M. Hamidullah Khan was officially appointed Sector Commander of Sector 11 under direct orders through EAM from General Osmani, Bangladesh Interim Provincial Government Headquarters. Taher was flown to Pune , India. On 21 November Taher received
602-667: The United States in 1969. He was posted to the Quetta Staff College, Pakistan in 1970. Towards the end of August 1971, Major Taher, along with three other Bengali officers: Major Manzur , Major Ziauddin and Captain Bazlul Ghani Patwari defected from the Pakistani Army and crossed over the border near Abbottabad , West Pakistan , into India. After two weeks under Indian intelligence screening and debriefing, he
645-536: The absence of a vice president . In reminiscence to the uprising, 7 November is observed as the National Revolution and Solidarity Day in Bangladesh. The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), which was founded by Ziaur Rahman after he became president, commemorates the day and regards the military coup a "civil military uprising". While Taher's party, the JaSaD, observes it as "Sipahi–Janata Revolution Day". On
688-588: The army and Zia proved unwilling or unable to do so. As a result, Brig. Khaled and other officers including Col. Shafaat Jamil and Lt. Col. A. T. M. Haider staged 3 November 1975 coup , subsequently removing Khondaker Mostaq from power and detaining Zia at house. The coup was perceived to be Mujibist by the JaSaD and considered this a return of the previous regime. Khondaker Mostaq requested that those involved in Sheikh Mujib's assassination should be allowed to safely leave Bangladesh, which Khaled agreed to. Before
731-409: The assassination of Sheikh Mujib. The National Revolution and Solidarity Day is observed annually in Bangladesh on 7 November commemorating the event. After the 1971 Independence War , Awami League leader Sheikh Mujibur Rahman became the first president of Bangladesh , whose reign become increasingly unpopular among the people of the country. This led to the rise of a left-wing insurgency by
774-664: The assassins left, they killed four national leaders of Bangladesh, who were imprisoned in Dhaka Central Jail : Syed Nazrul Islam , Muhammad Mansur Ali , Abul Hasnat Muhammad Qamaruzzaman and Tajuddin Ahmed , the event which's known as the Jail Killing . Mostaq was replaced by Abu Sadat Mohammad Sayem , the first Chief Justice of Bangladesh . The uprising was planned and conducted by the Biplobi Shainik Sangstha (BSS),
817-410: The blood of the officers!"). The mood in the city was described as "exuberant" by Lawrence Lifschultz. Civilians and soldiers piled onto the tanks of the 1st Bengal Lancers Regiment, which came out into the streets in support of the revolt. Many people came out of the houses and celebrated the uprising with the soldiers. On the other side, Ziaur Rahman was freed from house arrest by soldiers and taken to
860-455: The country, and preparing a general uprising. Furthermore, the BSS issued a list of 12 demands , which included the establishment of a classless armed forces , to facilitate the creation of a classless society . On the evening of 6 November, a meeting was held to finalise the plans for the uprising. According to the plans of the meeting, there would be two stages in the revolt, firstly to free Ziaur Rahman from detention and secondly, to implement
903-478: The date informally known as " Jail killing day ." Before British rule , there was a Mughal fort at the site of the current jail. In 1788, the fort was renovated, and converted into a jail. Until 1836, the Kotowali Police station was also co-located here. Records from 1833 show that the capacity of the jail at that time was 800 inmates. However, the jail had an average of 526 inmates every day. The Dhaka jail
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#1732891374004946-460: The deputy Army chief. Mostaq formed his own ministry , comprising the members from the Awami League and the military. But the army officers involved in Sheikh Mujib's assassination broke the army's chain of command, as these young officers "began acting like generals" in the new Mostaq government. Brig. Khaled Mosharraf , the chief of general staff, had asked Zia to restore the chain of command in
989-548: The following year it was included under the Bangladesh National Museum . In 2015, a ruin from the period of Muslim rulers was found in the prison area, and the following year, an archaeological excavation was undertaken. The jail has been shifted to the new Dhaka Central Jail, Keraniganj in July, 2016. In 2017 a project was undertaken to preserve the prison grounds for historical needs. The design by Form Three Architects
1032-453: The government of Bangladesh appointed him with employment at Kumilla. Later Taher turned into a political activist and leader of the left-wing Jatiyo Samajtantrik Dal . He was responsible for the 7 November coup which was 3rd Coup of 1975 of Bangladesh. After freeing Ziaur Rahman and reinstating him as army chief , many personnel including Taher was found guilty of high treason and murder and executed. However, in 2011, his trial
1075-403: The headquarters of the 2nd Field Artillery regiment, where he met Taher. Witnesses claim that Zia embraced Taher and thanked him for saving his life. Khaled Mosharraf and his associates were at Bangabhaban when the uprising began. Upon realising that their 3 November coup had been undone, Mosharraf, A.T.M. Haider and Khondkar Nazmul Huda left Bangabhaban to seek safety at the headquarters of
1118-570: The killings of four political leaders — A. H. M. Qamaruzzaman , Tajuddin Ahmad , Syed Nazrul Islam and Captain Muhammad Mansur Ali — on the eve of a military counter-coup on November 3, 1975, against the regime of president Khondaker Mostaq Ahmad and army chief Ziaur Rahman , which had seized power on August 15 after the assassination of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman . The slain leaders are mourned by many supporters in Bangladesh today, with
1161-429: The killings of other army officers began on 8 November. Because many officers did not agree with the 12 demands of the BSS, which resulted in serious confrontations between officers and their troops. In Dhaka and Rangpur, 40 officers, mostly freedom fighters, were killed by their troops and enlisted men were reported to have ripped badges off officer's lapels. 65% of all officers in Bangladesh lost control of their troops as
1204-402: The meeting, Cap. Asad and Cap. M. A. Jalil , reportedly said "Let the bastards come in, we'll sort them out!" Col. Nawazesh received a phone call from Lt. Gen. Zia, who told Nawazesh to ensure the safety of Mosharraf and his companions. When Mosharraf, Haider and Huda arrived at the 10 Bengal Regiment headquarters, Col. Nawazesh ordered the soldiers not to harm the three officers. However, after
1247-475: The morning of the coup, Taher received several phone calls, urging him to go to Bangladesh Betar , the government radio station. Upon reaching the radio station, he met Major Rashid , one of the key organisers of Sheikh Mujib's assassination. Rashid took Taher to a room, where he saw Major Dalim , Taheruddin Thakur and Khondaker Mostaq Ahmad . Taher was invited to join the cabinet by Rashid, which he declined. Taher
1290-512: The other hand, the Awami League calls it Freedom Fighters Killing Day and views it negatively. The celebrations of the day were suppressed under the regime of Sheikh Hasina . Journalist Afsan Chowdhury described the uprising as the "closest that any Marxist force of whatever description in Bangladesh reached the doors of state power". Abu Taher Lt. Col. Abu Taher BU ( Bengali : আবু তাহের ; 14 November 1938 – 21 July 1976)
1333-597: The sector commander after him. He served in BDF from end of August to 2 November 1971. He was awarded the medal Bir Uttom for his gallantry in the liberation war. He was released from military service by Indian military medical board in Pune , India after his leg was amputated. After independence, he was inducted into the Bangladesh Army for administrative retirement with legacy rank of lieutenant colonel . After settling in with family,
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1376-422: The soldiers and shouted slogans, such as 'The people and soldiers have united'. Ziaur Rahman was freed from house arrest by soldiers and taken to the headquarters of the 2nd Field Artillery regiment, where he met Taher. Witnesses claim that Zia embraced Taher and thanked him for saving his life. Once Ziaur Rahman regained control of the army, he realized that the soldiers' mutiny had to be suppressed if discipline
1419-415: The support from the general masses, revolted against Khaled and other officers of Bangladesh Army and snatched the power. The coup resulted in the death of Brig. Gen. Khaled Mosharraf and many other officers. During the coup, Ziaur Rahman was freed from house arrest, enabling him to seize power and become the president . The coup ended the violent political chaos and power struggle that started after
1462-529: The uprising, the soldiers were defiant and refused to listen to Col. Nawazesh's orders. Fearing for his own life, Col. Nawazesh did nothing to stop the soldiers from killing Mosharraf. An eyewitness claimed that Cap. Asad and Cap. Jalil ordered their soldiers to kill the three officers. Mosharraf and Huda were dragged out of an office and killed by automatic gunfire, while Haider was killed by a single shot, after Haider tried to reach for his pistol. In Bangladesh: A Legacy of Blood , Anthony Mascarenhas wrote that
1505-479: Was a 'socialist and egalitarian' group which clandestinely existed within the Bangladesh Army. At these meetings, they finalised plans to organise an uprising of soldiers and civilians and free Zia from imprisonment. The coup was launched during the early hours of 7 November in Dhaka Cantonment and soon spread to other areas, including Rangpur and Chittagong. Crowds poured into the streets of Dhaka to support
1548-660: Was a Bangladeshi military officer and war hero . He first served in the Pakistan Army , and later defected to the Bangladesh Army during the Bangladesh Liberation War . He crossed into India around early August and reported to the Indian authorities. After a week screening at Dehradun, India , Taher reported to Kolkata , Bangladesh Provincial government at 8 Theatre Rd. He was ordered to report to Sector 11 of Mukti Bahini under command of Major Ziaur Rahman , he became
1591-470: Was converted into the central jail for East Bengal . After the proclamation of Bangladeshi Independence by Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in 1971, pro-independence guards working at the jail freed inmates from the prisons, prompting the Pakistani army to attack and take control of the jail. After the establishment of Bangladesh , the prison returned to its original form. A jail museum was opened here in 2013 and
1634-605: Was declared illegal by the high court of Bangladesh. Abu Taher was born in Badarpur , Assam Province of British India on 14 November 1938. His ancestral village was Kazla in Purbadhala , Netrokona District of Bangladesh . After the completion of higher secondary school from Murari Chand College in Sylhet , Taher joined the Pakistan Army in September 1960 as an officer candidate. He
1677-441: Was launched by left-wing soldiers ( Sipahi ) of Biplobi Shainik Sangstha (BSS) under the leadership of Col. (retd.) Abu Taher . The coup was primarily the result of the previous 3 November 1975 Bangladesh coup d'état , organised by Brig. Khaled Mosharraf against those involved in the assassination of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman , which BSS perceived to be counter-revolutionary. On 7 November, BSS affiliated soldiers, along with
1720-655: Was married to Lutfa Taher . Taher received his Commission in 1962 as a second lieutenant in the Pakistan Army. He joined the elite Pakistan Special Services Group (Commando Force) in 1965. Following his training, he participated in the Indo-Pakistani War of 1965 in the Sialkot sector of Kashmir . For his part, he received a war participation medal from the Pakistan Army. After the war, Taher took officers pre-qualification course on guerrilla warfare at Fort Benning in
1763-410: Was present at Khondaker Mostaq Ahmad's swearing-in ceremony. After the 15 August coup, the chain of command in the Bangladesh Army was disrupted, as the majors involved in Sheikh Mujib's assassination 'began acting like generals'. General Khaled Mosharraf urged General Ziaur Rahman to restore the chain of command, which he was either unwilling or unable to do. As a result, Khaled Mosharraf launched
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1806-486: Was sent to Bangladesh Armed Forces (BDF) HQ at 8 Theatre Road, Calcutta and subsequently posted to Sector 11. He was promoted to Major in September. Major Zia appointed Taher as Sub-Sector Commander No. 2 at Mahendraganj. Sector 11 was located across the Rangpur District , which comprised Mymensingh District , Tangail District and parts of the Rangpur District . On October 10, upon Major Zia's temporary transfer to
1849-428: Was to be restored. On 24 November 1975, he ordered Taher arrested on charges of high treason and murder . Taher was tried by a military tribunal inside the Dhaka Central Jail and sentenced to death on 17 July 1976. He was executed by hanging on 21 July 1976. His last meal consisted of mangoes and tea. The trial was later considered as illegal, unconstitutional and a farce. The Bangladesh High Court declared it as
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