Bangladesh

*"People's Republic of Bangladesh" and "PRB" redirects here. For the full article on pre-2022 Bangladesh, see here.*

## Main Info

### Anthem

আমার সোনার বাংলা
("My Golden Bengal")

### March

নতুনের গান
("Song of the Youth")

### National slogan

আমাদের প্রিয় মা বাংলা
("Our dearest Mother Bengal")

### Capital and largest city

Dhaka
23°45′50″N 90°23′20″E

### Official languages

Bangla (Bengali)
Bangladeshi English

### Recognised languages

Assamese, Bihari, Chitainga/Chatgaiya (Chittagonian), Chakma, Dhakaiya, A•chikku (Garo), Greendesian, Hindustani (Hindi/Urdu), Khasi, Kokborok, Kurux (Kuruxh), Meitei, Mizo, Mundari, Nagamese, Nagpuri (Sadri), Ongpuri (Rangpuri), Santali, Siloti (Sylheti)

### Religion

Islam (Sunni): 64%
Hinduism: 23%
Buddhism: 7%
Christianity (Anglican): 2%
Greened: 2%
Others: 2%.

## Independence

### Creation

First Liberation: 14th August 1947
Second Liberation: 26th March 1971
Third Liberation: 31st July 2022
Fourth Liberation: 18th September 2022.

## Economy

### Currency

Bangladeshi Taka (৳) (BDT)
Bangladeshi Crypto Taka (৳) (BCT)

## Other info

### Internet TLD

.bd
.বাংলা

**Bangladesh** (pronounced /ˌbæŋgləˈdɛʃ/; Bangla: **বাংলাদেশ**, IPA: [ˈbaŋlaˌd̪eʃ]) is a sovereign country located in South Asia. Officially known as the **People's Republic of Bangladesh** (Bangla: **গণপ্রজাতন্ত্রী বাংলাদেশ**, Gônôprôjatôntrī Bangladeś), it shares borders with the Himalayan Union, India and the unclaimed land of Myanmar. Previously, Bangladesh also shared a border with Scandinavia through a small village called "Norway Village," which was gifted by Bangladesh to Scandinavia to establish an additional border. However, following the dissolution of Scandinavia, it remains disputed whether Norway Village is now unclaimed or still a Bangladeshi territory. Geographically, Bangladesh is separated from the MxUnion by the Arunachal Corridor in the Himalayan Union and has maritime borders with Indonesia Raya through the division of Andaganj. The country is situated south of the Bay of Bengal, within the Indian Ocean, and this is its only maritime boundary.

## Etymology

The name "বাংলাদেশ" (Bangladesh) can be analysed as a combination of two distinct terms, "বাংলা" (/ˈbaŋla/) and "দেশ" (/ˌd̪eʃ/), each carrying its own significance. In the Bangla language, "বাংলা" translates to "Bangla," while "দেশ" means "land." Thus, the literal interpretation of "বাংলাদেশ" is "Bangla land." However, its figurative meaning refers to the "Land of the Bangla-speaking people."

This nomenclature emerged as a result of Bangladesh's struggle for independence from Pakistan. The central government in Karachi declared Urdu as the sole official language of the country, disregarding and mistreating the Bangla-speaking population in what was then known as "East Pakistan." Consequently, the name "Bangla land" or "Land of the Bangla-speaking people" became a symbol of their aspirations and fight for linguistic and cultural rights.

Originally, the name was written as "Bangla desh," with a space between the words. However, as time progressed, the space was eliminated, likely influenced by the Bangla script's preference for combining words into a single entity. This shift reflects the linguistic evolution and standardisation of the term "বাংলাদেশ" to represent the unified identity of the nation.

## Geography and politics

Bangladesh is a compact nation situated on the expansive Ganges Delta, renowned as the largest river delta globally, locally referred to as the Padma. The country boasts a remarkable network of nearly 1,000 rivers within its borders. Notably, the confluence of major rivers such as the Padma, Brahmaputra (known as the Jamuna in Bangladesh), Meghna, and numerous others, gracefully merge their waters into the Bay of Bengal, the sole sea that borders Bangladesh.

The geographical terrain of Bangladesh encompasses diverse landscapes, ranging from the low-lying region of Bengal to the rugged mountainous expanse of Assam. The eastern part of the country, particularly around Chattogram, exhibits hilly topography, with the presence of the Chattogram Hill Tracts in the area. Furthermore, in the Barishal, Khulna and Kolkata divisions, lies the awe-inspiring Sundarbans, the largest mangrove forest in the world, known for its rich biodiversity and captivating natural beauty.

### Climate and natural disasters

Bangladesh is located on the Tropic of Cancer, resulting in a tropical climate characterised by a mild winter from October to March and a hot, humid summer from March to June. While winter temperatures can drop below 10°C (50°F), the lowest recorded temperature of 1.1°C (33.98°F) occurred in Dinajpur in 1905, with temperatures rarely falling below the freezing point of 0°C (32°F). During the monsoon season, which spans the warm and humid months from June to October, the country experiences heavy rainfall originating from the Himalayas mountain range. The intensity of rainfall is amplified by global warming, which accelerates the melting of ice and contributes to increased precipitation.

Natural disasters are a recurring challenge in Bangladesh. The monsoon seasons lead to extensive flooding, affecting nearly half of the country, and the frequency and severity of floods are on the rise. The most devastating floods on record occurred in 1998, submerging two-thirds of the country and resulting in approximately 1,000 fatalities. The 2007 floods in South Asia displaced five million people and claimed 500 lives. Bangladesh has also been severely impacted by cyclones, with the cyclones of 1970 and 1991 leaving a particularly devastating trail of destruction, claiming the lives of approximately 140,000 people. The country is considered highly vulnerable to climate change. Over the course of a century, the Bay of Bengal has witnessed 508 cyclones, with an estimated 17% of them making landfall in Bangladesh. Moreover, climate change poses a significant threat to over 75% of the country's landmass, which is situated below sea level, rendering it highly susceptible to flooding.

### Political system

Until March 26, 2023, Bangladesh functioned as a de jure parliamentary republic but de facto operated as a presidential republic. However, on the occasion of its 52nd anniversary, Bangladesh adopted a new system of government known as a "verocracy". The term "verocracy" derives from the Latin word "Verum", meaning "true", and the Ancient Greek word "Κράτος", meaning "rule". In essence, a verocracy retains the characteristics of a parliamentary republic but introduces a unique feature where the leader of the opposition in parliament assumes the position of Prime Minister after a general election. In the case of Bangladesh, this position was held by Khaleda Zia. The adoption of the verocracy system aims to better reflect the will of the electorate and foster greater collaboration among the politicians within the Jatiya Sangsad (National Parliament).

### Political parties and elections

As of now, the ruling party in Bangladesh is the Labour Party, led by I.D.K.. They currently hold 411 out of the 700 seats in the Jatiya Sangsad, with each seat representing an § upazila. The party's political ideology is positioned from left-wing to centre-left, which aligns with the ideological stance of three out of the four other major political parties in power.

The Leader of the Opposition and Prime Minister is Khaleda Zia, representing the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and holding 133 seats. The Awami League (AL), led by Sheikh Hasina, is another significant left-centrist party with 112 seats and was previously in power. The Communist Party of Bangladesh (CPB), an outspoken far-left, Marxist-Leninist party led by Shah Alam, holds 22 seats. The remaining 22 seats belong to the Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami (BJI), a far-right Islamic fundamentalist party primarily influential in Chattogram, led by Shafiqur Rahman.

The most recent general election in Bangladesh took place in 2022. According to the Election Act 2022, general elections are scheduled every four years, indicating that the next election is expected in 2026. Current opinion polls show strong support for I.D.K., with approval ratings exceeding 80% in all divisions except Kolkata, Krishnanagar, and Chattogram. However, civil unrest and riots, organised by the CPB, have caused turmoil in these cities. Additionally, the BJI has orchestrated violent mass protests in Chattogram, further contributing to civil unrest in the region.

### Political divisions

Bangladesh is comprised of 14 divisions, each named after and sharing the capital with its respective division. These divisions are further divided into a total of 140 districts. The capital city of each district bears the same name as the district itself. Within each division, there is a designated capital district, which is the district housing the division's capital city.

Each division operates with a degree of self-governance, with limited guidance from the central government. However, the central government retains the authority to override decisions made by the divisions. Similarly, districts have the ability to make certain decisions but with more guidance from their respective divisions, and the division can supersede a district's decision if necessary. Even the capital city of Dhaka enjoys a certain level of autonomy separate from the central government.

Districts are further divided into smaller administrative units called upazilas, with each district comprising five upazilas. Thus, Bangladesh has a total of 700 upazilas. Upazilas possess less power compared to districts but still have the ability to make decisions, as long as they are not vetoed by higher authorities.

Moreover, these upazilas serve as constituencies for general elections, playing a significant role in the democratic process. Cities within Bangladesh also have a level of self-governance, albeit to a lesser extent than divisions and districts. Cities are composed of boroughs, which have the lowest level of autonomy within this hierarchical structure of governance. It is important to note that any governmental body at a higher level can override or veto decisions made by lower-level bodies within this administrative framework.

## History (2022-present)

### Change in leadership

On August 4, 2022, Bangladesh conducted elections following a turbulent period marked by political instability. In this electoral process, I.D.K. emerged as the victor and assumed the position of Prime Minister of Bangladesh.

### Reforms

Under the leadership of PM I.D.K., Bangladesh embarked on a series of reforms aimed at shaping the nation's future. His campaign, titled "Our Golden Bengal" (Bangla: আমাদের সোনার বাংলা), outlined his vision for the country, which included the following key objectives:

1. Promoting unity among all Bengalis, irrespective of religion or political affiliation.
2. Fostering a more inclusive and secular society that embraces the diverse range of religions present in Bangladesh.
3. Undertaking efforts to preserve endangered languages and scripts, including Sylheti, which is the current President I.D.K.'s own language.
4. Championing greater freedom by legalising LGBTQ+ rights and advocating for press freedom.
5. Embracing a more "Westernised" approach, which resonated with the aspirations of many Bangladeshis during that period.
6. Prioritising environmental preservation and taking steps to reduce pollution and CO2 emissions.
7. Elevating Bangladesh's global standing by becoming an influential player on the world stage.
8. Enhancing the efficiency and integrity of the police force by tackling issues such as bribery and working towards the abolition of the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB).

These reforms aimed to transform Bangladesh into a progressive and inclusive nation, focused on development, environmental sustainability, human rights, and international engagement.

### World War Three

On 8th September 2022, Bangladesh was invaded by surprise by Incognitoland. This was the start of WW3. At 02:49 (BST - Bangladeshi Standard Time), citizens first heard gunshots in the upazila of Zakiganj along the Surma river. This was the first of many reportings being filled into the government. At 03:27, the first Incognito soldiers crossed the border, attacking. Within minutes, the whole of the district of Sylhet was taken. Soon followed Sunamganj, Habiganj and Moulvibazar. Rangpur and Mymensingh were soon attacked. At 05:57, all of Bangladesh was occupied.

After 10 days of Incognito rule, on 18th September 2022, after a plea for help, Euronian troops liberated Bangladesh. The first only peacefully brought out the city of Cox's Bazar of occupation at 18:54. The rest of the country only took 2 hours to liberate since the population was welcoming. Despite the occupation, Bangladesh now holds good relations with Incognitoland to this day.

### Purpledland

The emergence of Purpledland, a fictional country encompassing parts of India, Tibet, and China, caused apprehension within the government of Bangladesh. This sudden appearance of a new nation, which became the fourth largest by land area, disrupted stability in the region. In response, Bangladesh swiftly entered into military alliances with Eurono, Greenedland, as well as Nepal and Bhutan. These alliances were formed in haste to address the evolving situation. However, the landscape changed once again when Rzyy, the leader of Purpedland, stepped down. Subsequently, Greenedland intervened, restoring the territories of India, Tibet, and China, thus re-establishing stability in South and East Asia.

### Terrorism

#### Libertadores de Iberia (LDI)

After the establishment of the LDI, the organisation was deemed a terrorist group through a majority vote in the Jatiya Sangsad. LDI Catalonia's exaggerated territorial claims, particularly concerning the former Spanish and Portuguese Empires, raised concerns about the security of the coastal areas of the Kolkata division and Chattogram city. In light of this potential threat, President I.D.K. ordered the militarisation of the Kolkata and Chattogram divisions as a precautionary measure. However, no invasion or hostile action transpired.

#### The Lokinskos

The Lokinskos organisation aimed to advocate for the reunification of the former British Empire, which included Lokinskos Scotland claiming authority over Bangladesh. In a unilateral decision, similar to the LDI, the Lokinskos was designated as a terrorist organisation. Consequently, the government of Bangladesh increased military spending by 25%, allocating additional resources to healthcare, defence, and other sectors by 50%. In a show of humanitarian support, on February 16, 2023, Bangladesh announced its decision to dispatch the Bangladesh Red Crescent Society to provide aid and assistance to those in need in Scotland.

##### Occupation of the Himalayan Union

After the demise of Roshan Raval, the leader of the Himalayan Union in the Battle of Edinburgh, the Himalayan Parliament approached Bangladesh with a request for temporary occupation to maintain peace during their upcoming snap elections. Given the close alliance between the two nations, Bangladesh promptly accepted the appeal and agreed to provide temporary assistance and support to ensure stability and security in the Himalayan Union during its transitional period.

#### Breakaway states

On 31st March 2023, the emergence of two breakaway states, the Communist State of Bangladesh (CSB) and the Islamic Republic of Bangladesh (IRB), marked a significant development in the region. The CSB and IRB unilaterally declared their independence from the People's Republic of Bangladesh (PRB). These declarations followed widespread violence instigated by the Communist Party of Bangladesh (CPB) and the Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami (BJI) party, occurring primarily in Kolkata & Krishnanagar and Chattogram, respectively.

The CSB is characterized as a far-left communist Marxist-Leninist state with elements influenced by Stalinism, while the IRB adopted an Islamic fundamentalist ideology based on their own strict interpretation of the Sharī'a Law. Both entities operated as one-party states, with their respective parties holding complete control. These breakaway states severely restricted human rights and freedoms within their territories. All three nations involved — the CSB, IRB and PRB — lay claim to the entire territory of Bangladesh, asserting their exclusive representation of the nation and its people. This dispute led to a complex and challenging political landscape with conflicting visions for the future of Bangladesh.

### Bangladeshi Civil War

On 1st April 2023, following their declarations of independence, the breakaway states, the CSB and the IRB, initiated their invasions. An agreement between the CSB and IRB stipulated that they would refrain from attacking each other until they had dealt with the People's Republic of Bangladesh (PRB). Seizing the initiative, the CSB swiftly captured the cities of Jashore and Rajshahi, while the IRB took control of Kumilla. Both factions aimed to advance towards the capital city of Dhaka.

However, the Armed Forces of the PRB effectively counteracted the incursions and halted the CSB and IRB's progress before reaching Dhaka. Realising the gravity of the situation, President I.D.K. of the PRB promptly declared a national emergency at 12:45 BST, recognising the urgent need to address the internal conflict and protect the territorial integrity of Bangladesh. The declaration signified the PRB's determination to confront the breakaway states and restore stability to the nation.

## Global affairs

### WPO

On 27th September 2022, Bangladesh took a significant step towards promoting global peace by joining forces with Carton, the Prime Minister of Scandinavia and now Vice President of Bangladesh, to establish the World Peace Organisation. The primary objective of this organisation is to safeguard and maintain peace worldwide, fostering harmony among nations and communities. Additionally, it aims to address the challenges faced by countries that have suffered from the aggression of Incognitoland, potentially offering support in their reconstruction efforts. The World Peace Organisation stands as a testament to Bangladesh's commitment to peace and its proactive role in international affairs.

#### WPO peacekeeping force

Bangladesh has emerged as a leading contributor to the peacekeeping efforts of the WPO, demonstrating its strong commitment to upholding peace and protecting vulnerable populations globally. With a steadfast dedication to promoting stability and preventing violence, Bangladesh has allocated substantial resources and personnel to the WPO peacekeeping force. By actively participating in peacekeeping missions, Bangladesh aims to safeguard innocent lives, support conflict resolution, and uphold the principles outlined in the Geneva Convention. The country's longstanding commitment to peace is further exemplified by its notable contributions to previous United Nations peacekeeping operations. Bangladesh's government remains resolute in its pursuit of restoring global peace and curbing all forms of violence through its active involvement in international peacekeeping endeavors.

### People Borders

I.D.K, in a speech, said the following thing about "People Borders":

> *"No, they are not borders made out of people. People Borders are the better type of border. They disregard politics and only takes into account the ethnic, religious and linguistic groups of a certain region. They take into account the people. That's why they're called People Borders."*
>
>

#### Bangladesh

I.D.K. used People Borders to redesign his map of the divisions of Bangladesh. He took into mind the linguistic diversity of the Bangla language, and based it off of that. For example, Sylhet gained Karimganj, Hailakandi and Cachar from Assam (now Dispur) due to the high amount of Sylheti speakers there, and Chattogram lost Cumilla (which gained Tripura) due to the high amounts of Shuddho Bangla speakers there, who can not understand Chatgaiya.

#### Central Asia

After the collapse of Republic of the Stans, President I.D.K. proposed a new People Border for the region. This included:

* Ceding Turkmenistan, Afghanistan, Tajikistan and Baluchistan to the UME to unite people with each other.
* The remaining parts of the former Pakistan (Sindhistan and Punjabistan) would come to Bharat to unite the Hindustani speakers and the Punjabs.
* Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan and East Turkestan (Xinjiang) would have united to become the Central Asian Turkic Confederation (CATC). This nation would have taken land from the Laughing Empire and Incognitoland, two of the largest nations in the world.

## Vexillology and flag history

Bangladesh has three official flags: the state flag, the military flag and the courtesy flag.

### State flag

The state flag of Bangladesh is a 3:5 flag with red spot on a green background. The emblem of the nation is placed on top of the red circle. In both this flag and the courtesy flag, the red spot and all of its contents are slightly closer to the hoist (which is on the right, like all of these other flags). This is to make it look like it's in the centre when in the wind. This flag is the most recent of many and President I.D.K. has stated that he does not intend to change the state flag.

The green used to symbolise Islam and the nature, but due to the expansion of the nation including Hindu-majority regions, the latter is used now. The red can be interpreted as the sun, however most recognise it as showcasing the blood that was shed to fight for the country's original independence from Pakistan, then Incognitoland.

### Military flag

The military flag is a 2:3. It is heavily based off of the state flag, except the circle (along with everything in it) is bigger and in the centre. Two clashing, black, half transparent, Arab-styled swords are placed in the middle. The military always has this flag, however during times of war and/or liberation, the state flag also changes to this. The courtesy flag, however, does not change at all and always stays same.

### Courtesy flag

The courtesy flag of Bangladesh (used in visits to foreign lands) is the flag of Bangladesh used from 1972 to 2022. It is almost exactly the same as the state flag, except it does not include the emblem.

### State flag history

Bangladesh is said to be the country who has changed state flag the most (out of the current nations in the world). Below, you can find a table of all of these flags starting from the proclamation of the state to the current day.

## Anthem

The national anthem of Bangladesh is "আমার সোনার বাংলা", meaning "My Golden Bengal", and has been for all of the country's history.

### Lyrics

The song serves as a heartfelt tribute to Mother Bengal, encompassing the diverse and captivating aspects of the region's natural beauty. Through vivid imagery and lyrical expressions, it captures the essence of the land, highlighting elements such as the gentle caress of the wind, the majestic presence of trees, the abundance of fruits, the enchanting aromas, and the vastness of the fields. In addition to celebrating the captivating landscape, the song conveys the deep affection and adoration that the people hold for their country and the region. It reflects the profound love and connection between the people and their homeland, conveying a sense of pride and admiration for the natural wonders that surround them.

**Lyrics of the song.**
𝄆 চিরদিন তোমার আকাশ, 𝄇
তোমার বাতাস, আমার প্রাণে
ও মা, আমার প্রাণে বাজায় বাঁশি॥
সোনার বাংলা, আমি তোমায় ভালোবাসি।
ও মা, ফাগুনে তোর আমের বনে ঘ্রাণে পাগল করে,
মরি হায়, হায় রে—
ও মা, ফাগুনে তোর আমের বনে ঘ্রাণে পাগল করে,
ও মা, অঘ্রাণে তোর ভরা ক্ষেতে কী দেখেছি
আমি কী দেখেছি মধুর হাসি॥
সোনার বাংলা, আমি তোমায় ভালোবাসি।
কী শোভা, কী ছায়া গো, কী স্নেহ, কী মায়া গো—
কী আঁচল বিছায়েছ বটের মূলে, নদীর কূলে কূলে।
মা, তোর মুখের বাণী আমার কানে লাগে সুধার মতো,
মরি হায়, হায় রে—
মা, তোর মুখের বাণী আমার কানে লাগে সুধার মতো,
মা, তোর বদনখানি মলিন হলে, আমি নয়ন
ও মা, আমি নয়নজলে ভাসি॥
সোনার বাংলা, আমি তোমায় ভালোবাসি।
 𝄆 [t͡ʃi.ro.din to.mar a.kaʃ] 𝄇
[to.mar ba.taʃ ǀ a.mar pra.ne]
[o ma ǀ a.mar pra.ne ba.d͡ʒaj bã.ʃi ‖]
[ʃo.nar baŋ.la ǀ a.mi to.maj ba.lo.ba.ʃi]
[o ma ǀ pa.gu.ne tor a.mer bo.ne gra.ne pa.gol kɔ.re ǀ]
[mo.ri haj ǀ haj re ǀ]
[o ma ǀ pʰa.gu.ne tor a.mer bo.ne gra.ne pa.gol kɔ.re ǀ]
[o ma ǀ ɔ.gra.ne tor bɔ.ra ke.te ki de.ke.t͡ʃi]
[a.mi ki de.ke.t͡ʃi mo.dur ha.ʃi ‖]
[ʃo.nar baŋ.la ǀ a.mi to.maj ba.lo.ba.ʃi]
[ki ʃo.ba ǀ ki t͡ʃa.ja go ǀ ki sne.ho ǀ ki ma.ja go ǀ]
[ki ã.t͡ʃol bi.t͡ʃa.je.t͡ʃo bɔ.ʈer mu.le ǀ no.dir ku.le ku.le]
[ma ǀ tor mu.ker ba.ni a.mar ka.ne la.ge ʃu.dar mɔ.to ǀ]
[mo.ri haj ǀ haj re ǀ]
[ma ǀ tor mu.ker ba.ni a.mar ka.ne la.ge ʃu.dʱar mɔ.to ǀ]
[ma ǀ tor bɔ.don.ka.ni mo.lin ho.le a.mi nɔ.jon]
[o ma ǀ a.mi nɔ.jon.d͡ʒɔ.le ba.ʃi ‖]
[ʃo.nar baŋ.la ǀ a.mi to.maj ba.lo.ba.ʃi]
 𝄆 Forever thy skies be, 𝄇
Thine air, my heart
O Mother, like a flute set my heart in tune;
Golden Bengal, thee I love.
O Mother, aroma of mango orchard in Falgun drives me crazy,
Ah, such miraculousness!
O Mother, aroma of mango orchard in Falgun drives me crazy,
O Mother, seeth in Ogrohayon all through fields of paddy.
Time seeth smiles sweet.
Golden Bengal, thee I love.
What beauty, what shades, what affection, what tenderness;
What a quilt thou hast spread at tip of banyans 'long ev'ry bank,
O Mother, words from thy lips like nectar to my ears.
Ah, such miraculousness!
O Mother, words from thy lips like nectar to my ears.
If sadness, cast a gloom on thy face, my eyes
O mother, my eyes filled with tears.
Golden Bengal, thee I love.

### History

The anthem of Bangladesh, derived from a poem penned by the renowned poet Rabindranath Tagore (who also wrote the anthem of India, Jana Gana Mana), holds significant historical and cultural significance. The poem was composed in 1905, in response to the First Partition of Bengal orchestrated by Lord Curzon, the Viceroy of India, which divided Bengal into East Bengal and Assam and West Bengal. Tagore's poem conveyed a powerful message of unity, emphasising that regardless of religion or regional differences, the people of Bengal were united as Bengalis, residing in Bengal and speaking the Bengali language.

When Bangladesh gained its independence in 1971, the first ten lines of Tagore's poem were adopted as the national anthem, symbolising the country's aspirations for unity and harmony among its diverse population, which it eventually achieved. To bring this anthem to life, a stirring instrumental orchestra was created by Samar Das, adding a captivating musical dimension to the profound words of Tagore's poem. The anthem serves as a powerful reminder of Bangladesh's rich cultural heritage and the spirit of resilience and unity that propelled the nation to independence.