Ziaur Rahman and the Making of a Statesman
Few figures evoke both reverence and debate like Ziaur Rahman—whose actions during and after the war shaped the country's history. But how did a military man leave such a lasting mark on civilian life?
স্বাধীনতার ঘোষণাপত্র হোক, কিংবা রাষ্ট্র পরিচালনার চ্যালেঞ্জ—জিয়াউর রহমানের রাজনৈতিক যাত্রা এখনো বিতর্ক ও আলোচনার কেন্দ্রবিন্দু। কিন্তু কীভাবে একজন সামরিক কর্মকর্তা হয়ে উঠলেন বাংলাদেশের ইতিহাসে অন্যতম গুরুত্বপূর্ণ একজন রাষ্ট্রনায়ক? আজকের বাস্তবতায় জিয়ার রাজনৈতিক সিদ্ধান্ত ও দৃষ্টিভঙ্গি পুনর্মূল্যায়নের দাবি রাখে।
Throughout history, true leaders have been called statesmen because they guide their nations through hard times and work for the people’s welfare. In ancient Rome, Cicero said a statesman should steer the “ship of state” towards prosperity and virtue. Today, a statesman is known as someone who shows strong leadership during crises, makes wise decisions for the country’s future, and works for stability, development, and public welfare. Ziaur Rahman was such a leader in Bangladesh. He was not born into power but rose through war and national struggle. As a military leader, president, and visionary, his decisions changed Bangladesh’s path—from strengthening the army and economy to creating national unity and diplomatic strength. This article explores how Ziaur Rahman proved himself as a true statesman whose work continues to shape Bangladesh today.
Ziaur Rahman’s emergence as a national figure began during the Liberation War, when he declared the independence of Bangladesh formally, stating, “This is Swadhin Bangla Betar Kendra. I, Major Ziaur Rahman…” from the Kalurghat radio station. He declared the independence of Bangladesh as the provisional head of state in the first declaration. His direct leadership in the war as the commander of Sector 1 and coordination of military activities in the Liberation War as the commander of ‘Z Force’ have awarded him the title of 'Bir Uttam.'
In terms of democracy and national identity, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the founding president of the country, introduced a one-party system (BAKSAL) through the Fourth Amendment Act. Ziaur Rahman, however, reinstated multi-party democracy, a crucial step in restoring democracy in Bangladesh. Ziaur Rahman issued "The Political Parties Ordinance" in 1978, and this law revived political parties and made them proactive. President Zia's understanding of global politics led him to create "state nationalism" rather than "ethnic nationalism" and develop the "Bangladeshi Nationalism" model, which is considered the foundation of modern Bangladesh.
President Zia boosted Bangladesh's international image and foreign policy dynamism. His foreign policy focused on a "non-alignment" policy, making him a global south leader. Bangladesh became the first non-permanent UN Security Council member under him. He was a world peace ambassador who used shuttle diplomacy to stop the Iraq-Iran war. Since taking office, President Zia has worked to improve relations with China and Muslim nations. Thus, Bangladesh quickly made true friendships with China, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, and the UAE. Ziaur Rahman's idea of regional collaboration, like SAARC, put him at the pinnacle of regional political decision-making. In 1977, he was the first to propose a South Asian alliance to strengthen regional cooperation, and he approached the King of Nepal, the Prime Minister of India, and the President of Pakistan.
Ziaur Rahman sought to establish a strong armed forces for Bangladesh. Sheikh Mujib prioritised the Rakkhi Bahini, a paramilitary force, over the Bangladesh Army, which obstructed the development of the Bangladesh Armed Forces. During the Mujib regime, the Bangladesh army comprised 5 divisions and approximately 60,000 members; Ziaur Rahman expanded the force to 9 divisions and increased the personnel to 90,000. He enhanced the military's confidence and dignity by providing advanced training, modern weapons, and standard salaries.
Many studies showed that Ziaur Rahman came to power in the most unstable time and overcame the situation by taking decisive moves and brought stability within a short time. He resolved multidimensional political, economic, and international crises with foresight and bold steps. The Rohingya Crisis and Repatriation in 1978 can be said to be the finest example, where thousands of Rohingya crossed the border as victims of 'Operation Dragon.' At that time, President Zia put pressure on and forced the Burmese government to sign a Rohingya repatriation agreement in 1978 and sent back about 187,000 Rohingyas by 1979. No other head of government or state has shown such a bold step regarding the Rohingya crisis since then. Similarly, he took the most pragmatic steps to resolve the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) problem. Due to Sheikh Mujib’s impractical policies, some small ethnic groups in CHT started armed activities, leading to bloodshed and endangering national security. In this crisis, President Zia realistically said, ‘We are Bangladeshis, not Bengalis,’ and deployed the military in CHT districts. This action eventually proved successful in keeping the CHT stable. We saw another bold step by Ziaur Rahman in 1981 when India deployed the naval forces near South Talpatti. The Bangladesh Foreign Ministry strongly protested the matter to the Indian government, and President Zia said, ‘All steps will be taken to resolve the South Talpatti problem.’ Finally, Indian forces were forced to leave the area.
Ziaur Rahman facilitated the development of Desh Garments in Chittagong with a joint venture with Daewoo and duty-free raw material imports, laying the groundwork for Bangladesh's economic growth. These efforts turned the garment industry into the highest-earning export industry. In 1976, Ziaur Rahman founded the Bureau of Manpower Employment and Training (BMET) and employed workers in the Middle East for remittances. President Zia's denationalised, free-market economy raised production, exported non-conventional items, and employed women. Due to his 'Green Revolution' policies, the country, which suffered a 1974 famine, was able to meet domestic demand and export rice, garments, and more.
President Zia's 19-point program provided a strategic pathway for agricultural development in Bangladesh. More than 1400 canals were excavated nationwide through voluntary labour, in which he actively participated. The Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute (BARI), the Wheat Research Centre, and the Bangladesh Rural Development Board, founded during his tenure, contributed to the agricultural and rural development of the country. Dr. Yunus's microfinance project received support from Ziaur Rahman. President Zia provided funding from the Bangladesh Bank to implement Dr. Yunus's microfinance initiative on a large scale.
The Zia government prioritised the provision of healthcare and education facilities to ensure everyone has access to the basic needs of life. Reaching healthcare to the doorsteps of the people, President Zia appointed 27,500 rural doctors and started vaccination programs against diseases like cholera, malaria, and smallpox. In education, Ziaur Rahman formed a National Education Advisory Committee to lead Bangladesh towards a mass-oriented education system and by his 'mass education' program, over four million people became literate.
President Zia's integrity is very noteworthy; even his critics never questioned his integrity. Humayun Ahmed stated in his novel 'Deyal,' "Zia was an honest man; there is no doubt about it. He was not just outwardly honest, but truly honest. After his death, it was seen that the Zia family had no savings." Zia became a worldwide figure in the developing world beyond his national leadership role. He received various honours, such as the ‘Hero of the Republic’ title from North Korean President Kim Il-sung, the ‘Order of the Nile’ from Egypt, and the ‘Order of the Yugoslav Star’ from Yugoslavia, in recognition of his contributions.
After examining Zia's actions and policies through Hans J. Morgenthau's political realism, on how leaders should carefully assess the probable implications of a policy on their nation's interests, we find full similarities. Even by the primary criteria of statesmanship—leading in national crises, restoring stability, and making far-sighted policies—Ziaur Rahman was an unparalleled statesman. For this reason, Professor Lawrence Ziring designated Ziaur Rahman “a people’s president.” Zia's unique and unmatched statesmanship can also be seen in the millions of people who attended his namaz-e-Janaza and the three days of national mourning in Egypt, Cuba, and the Maldives and two in Nepal and Pakistan. Finally, his outstanding contributions to state-building and people-friendly programs have ensured that Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman is forever remembered as a unique and unmatched statesman.
Ziaur Rahman did not merely hold office—he led a fractured nation through the maelstrom. He rebuilt institutional confidence, ushered Bangladesh into the world, and made the well-being of ordinary people the center of national growth. Whether through innovative foreign policy, reoccupying democratic space, securing greater food security, or sustaining global peace efforts, his policies reflected more than political expedience—they reflected purpose. His legacy is that of a leader whose stature was built not through self-aggrandizement but through service. Even years later, his decisions still have an impact. It is this lasting legacy that makes him, more than anything else, a statesman who shaped the fate of a country.
About the Author:
Mohammad Faisal Akber is a columnist and academician. He can be reached at smfaisalasia@gmail.com.
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect The Insighta's editorial stance. However, any errors in the stated facts or figures may be corrected if supported by verifiable evidence. | A guest post by
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