The Other Tales: Recovering the Role of Tribal Muktijodhhas from the Depths of Amnesia

Abstract

A historical event like war incurs huge human casualties, mostly on the common people who are the unacknowledged victims of political spectrums and policies of expansionism. The year 1971 marks the steadfast and uncompromising commitment of Bengalis of former East Pakistan led by their leader Sheikh Mujibur Rahman to achieve political freedom and economic independence for themselves. Needless to say, that the independence with which Bangladesh throttles her freedom song today was accomplished by unwavering struggle of not only Bengalis but also by various other communities, men and women who had paid the price of their families, homes, livelihood and sometimes the life itself to wake up in a new nation. However, the question remains whether history remembers the contribution of some while obliviating others? If Bangladesh Liberation War speaks of male bravados and “birangonas”, the efforts of the indigenous people should also not remain unsung. Does race has a role to play in such exclusion or does history bring to the light only the major events thereby neglecting the profound private contributions that are no way less vital than the former? During 1971, several sections of indigenous tribes like Oraon, Dalu, Malpahari, Chakma of Chittagong Hill Tract, Santhals of the North, Garo of Mymensingha, Hajong, Koch, Manipuris of Sylhet along with the tea estate workers took part shoulder to shoulder with the Muktijodhhas in the liberation war against the oppressive regime of West Pakistan. This paper aims at recovering the roles of those Muktijodhhas from the depths of amnesia.