Modern Bangladesh emerged as an independent nation in 1971 following its independence from Pakistan, achieved through the Bangladesh Liberation War. The country’s borders align with the eastern portion of the historic Bengal region, which has a civilization history spanning over four millennia, dating back to the Chalcolithic period. The history of Bangladesh is deeply intertwined with that of Bengal and the broader Indian subcontinent.

In its early documented history, the region was home to various Hindu and Buddhist kingdoms and empires, each vying for regional dominance. Islam was introduced during the 6th and 7th centuries AD and gradually became the dominant religion by the early 13th century, especially with the arrival of Muslim rulers and Sunni missionaries such as Shah Jalal. The establishment of Islamic rule led to the construction of mosques and the spread of Islamic teachings across the region.

From the 14th century onward, the Bengal Sultanate, founded by King Shamsuddin Ilyas Shah, ruled the region, marking a period of economic prosperity and military dominance. The Sultanate earned a reputation among Europeans as one of the richest trading nations of the time. In the following centuries, the region came under the control of the Mughal Empire, becoming its wealthiest province. Bengal Subah contributed nearly half of the Mughal Empire’s GDP and accounted for 12% of the global GDP, surpassing the economic output of Western Europe. This period saw significant proto-industrialization, and Dhaka, the capital, had a population exceeding one million people.

After the decline of the Mughal Empire in the early 1700s, Bengal became semi-independent under the Nawabs of Bengal, with Siraj ud-Daulah eventually leading the region. The British East India Company defeated the Nawabs at the Battle of Plassey in 1757, and Bengal became a key part of British India. The region played a significant role in Britain’s Industrial Revolution but also experienced deindustrialization as a result of British colonial policies.

The modern borders of Bangladesh were established in August 1947 when Bengal was divided during the Partition of India, and the eastern portion became East Pakistan within the newly formed state of Pakistan. This division left East Pakistan separated from West Pakistan by 1,600 km (994 mi) of Indian territory. Tensions between the two regions led to the Bangladesh Liberation War in 1971, sparked by the rise of Bengali nationalism and a self-determination movement in East Pakistan, during which the Bangladesh genocide occurred. The war resulted in the independence of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh.

After independence, Bangladesh faced significant challenges, including famine, natural disasters, widespread poverty, and political instability. Military coups further destabilized the country. However, the restoration of democracy in 1991 marked the beginning of a period of relative stability and rapid economic growth. Today, Bangladesh is a major global player in the textile industry, one of the world’s largest manufacturers in this sector.