The Liberation War Museum

The Liberation War Museum (Muktijuddho Jadughor) chronicles the history of the Bangladesh Liberation War of 1971.

Located in Dhaka, the Liberation War Museum starts in the lead up to this nine-month long conflict, looking at different aspects of the war and its outcome. From photographs and newspaper extracts to personal belongings and even human remains, the Liberation War Museum has a range of artefacts and sources which tell the dramatic story of Bangladeshi independence from Pakistan.

History of The Liberation War Museum

The Liberation War Museum was founded after a group of eight trustees wanted to help to preserve the memory of the Liberation War of 1971.

These trustees sought financial donations from the general public as well as requested that they come forward with any personal belongings, weapons, and human remains relating to the war in order to create an archive of documents and personal histories.

As of 2016, the museum has collected some 21,000 artefacts, with many on display, and others stored in the archives. As a result, the museum describes its existence as ‘the outcome of a citizen’s effort’.

In 2009, an architectural contest was held for a new design of the museum, because it was recognised that there wasn’t enough space to hold all of the numerous artefacts that had been donated. The new Liberation War Museum was opened in 2017, providing the site with more than 3500 metres squared of space.

The Liberation War Museum Today

The Liberation War Museum’s galleries are extensive and detailed. They begin by covering the early history of Bangladesh and the Indian independence movement against British Raj in Bengal.

Another major section records the events of the Language Movement for the recognition of the Bengali language in Pakistan, which is regarded as the beginning of the movement for Bangladesh’s independence.

There are several galleries that highlight the rising conflict between West Pakistan and Bangladesh (formerly known as East Pakistan).

Coverage of the Liberation War includes the training and operations of the Mukti Bahini guerrilla army, while another gallery documents the genocide carried out by the Pakistani army against the Bengali population.

The humanitarian crisis caused by an estimated ten million refugees entering India is also explored.

Outside of the purely historical and factual information, part of the gallery is dedicated to the personal effects and weapons of the Mukti Bahini fighters. There are also displays of human skulls and bones which were retrieved from mass graves of civilians killed by Pakistani forces.

Getting to The Liberation War Museum

The Liberation War Museum is a 20 minute drive from the centre of Dhaka, via Bir Uttom Major General Azizur Rahman Road. There is also a regular bus service that departs from Sherwa every 5 minutes, and takes around an hour.