The Role of Bangladesh’s Military in the July Revolution and Its Historical Legacy

Shafi Md Mostofa

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The military has been a central force in Bangladesh’s history, particularly in its tumultuous political landscape from independence in 1971 until the 1990s. This period was marked by coups, counter-coups, assassinations, and direct military rule. However, since the 1990s, the military’s overt role in politics has diminished, largely due to two factors: its participation in United Nations peacekeeping missions and its economic engagement through civilian and institutional roles. These dynamics have played a critical role in transforming the military’s function in state affairs, as evidenced by its restrained role during the July Revolution of 2024.

In the early years of Bangladesh, the military emerged as a powerful actor amid political instability. The assassination of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in August 1975 was a watershed moment, marking the first successful military coup in the country. The coup was followed by a counter-coup led by Major General Khaled Musharraf in November 1975, which briefly attempted to restore discipline within the military. However, Musharraf’s reign lasted only four days, as he was overthrown and killed in a subsequent counter-coup led by soldiers loyal to Major General Ziaur Rahman, who was under house arrest during this time.

Zia’s rise to power as the country’s military ruler set the stage for a period of military dominance. However, his presidency ended in 1981 when he was assassinated in a failed coup orchestrated by Major General Abul Manzoor. This assassination exposed the deep factionalism within the military, as officers vied for control amid competing loyalties and visions for the country’s future. The era of Lieutenant General Hussain Muhammad Ershad, who seized power in 1982, further entrenched military rule.

Ershad’s regime, lasting until 1990, represented the peak of military dominance in Bangladeshi politics. However, growing popular resistance and international pressure eventually forced his resignation, ushering in a return to parliamentary democracy.