1971: A People's History-PB

A beautifully written historical refection of how Bangladesh, Pakistan & India got embroiled in a war which has had lasting effects even today. Perhaps the Bangladeshis would never forgive the Pakistanis for the atrocities committed by the Pakistani army; perhaps the Pakistanis would never cease to believe the Indian hand in breaking up West & East Pakistan; and perhaps the future and successive Pakistani governments would never apologize for the genocide that took place. Based on these three pillars of factual assessments & the author's own travels in Bangladesh, this book provides a picture as vivid and as painful as the Indian sub-continent has been over the past 75-years.

Good effort and tabled some difficult questions. She tried to offer some space to the pakistani side of the story without changing the overall narrative and that is praiseworthy. What could have been better if she would have been able to offer a little insight into the analysis of pakistani mainstream thinking on the subject. Also this is more of a collection of accounts and relevant questions thereof and doesn’t dwell into the overall geopolitical and military aspects of the conflict, a fact that is acknowledged in the titled itself

We always know one side of the story - the side that we are fed. This book made me see that the narratives i thought were 100% correct are not always so. The author has, in a simple and candid manner, shown us the happenings of that fateful year through the tragic experiences.

This is the second writing by Anam Zakaria I had the opportunity to read after her excellent work on 1947 partition. As usual, she has presented the complete truth about 1971 in this work, an unbiased account of the happenings in this subcontinent in that year. A 360° narrative that presents the whole picture before us unlike many other versions available on the subject that cater to a particular agenda. A must read for all those interested in a truthful narrative of the event and believe in humanism ! It will be great if some good film maker takes it as a base to produce a film on the subject for wider audience that will help spreading the truth to a larger segment of people. Keep it up, Anam Beta !

SirI thank Madam Anam Zakaria for writing this book in military controlled Pakistan where it is difficult to use freedom of expression. She has worked hard to write this book, widely travelled in India, Bangladesh, and her own country Pakistan.It's a established truth that it was Indian Army which greatly defeated the Pakistani army . India established itself, first time in history to be a, regional power. Mukti Vahini might have troubled Pakistani army but not trounced as India did. General Niazi was humbled down. It was leadership of Mrs Indira Gandhi, assisted greatly by General SHFJ Manekshaw, Air Chief P C LAL, and Admiral S M Nanda, General Jagjeet Singh Arora, Lt General Sagat Singh, Major General Jacob. Indian intelligence agencies and Indian diplomatic corps also contributed to the liberation of East Pakistan.It is open secret that 3 million people were murdered, 4 lac women were raped and more than 1 crore persons destabilised from East Pakistan. There was no control and supervision of General Niazi over his army. Pakistani army crossed all limits of civilised behaviour. At the right moment, India striked it's enemy, humbled it out and the enemy bit the dust.It was Julfiqar Ali Bhutto, who helped to create Bangladesh as he incited General Yahya Khan not to handover power to elected Awami party. India even treated the POWs of Pak army well. India faced danger of America and China but faced both. Human Rights were violated in Bangladesh greatly which nobody bothered to notice.Mr Jai Prakash Narain travelled most of the countries, be of no avail.Only then Mrs Indira Gandhi took hard decision to strike hard Pakistan and it's degenerated army and India was successful in its mission. The whole world saw Pakistani army surrendering before Indian army. The greatest legacy of Indira Gandhi is dismemberment of Pakistan.The book doesn't cover atrocities committed by Pakistan army on Hindu minority, they tried almost to wipe out Hindus. Pakistani army lost its credibility all over world. The history would give it's verdict of atrocities committed by Pakistan army to bangali community, and Hindus in particular.This is first attempt by a Pakistani lady, although it is impossible to narrate 100 percent honestly. The world knows that it is Pakistani army who is running the country in unison with Pakistani beaurocracy.There is one mistake in the book and I hope it would be corrected in next edition.Page. 250 it is written" I firmly belief that a gentleman doesn't harm another... there were others who had really suffered in 1971" The verb believe should be in place of belief which is noun which is wrong.It is better, the book is published in India. The price is reasonable, paper used is good.There are no mistakes of facts and English language. The book is interesting and fascinating. I strongly recommend this for readers.

This is a masterpiece. In a war or conflict it’s the human life that suffere not the nationality, not the religious faiths, not the territory but the human life is massacared. And here it is described umbiased to nationality, religious values and birth territory. Thanks to the writer for her honest and dedicated hard work.

Great book.Thanks to the written.

Average reading.