From the 13th century A.D. the Buddhists and Hindus were swamped by the flood of Muslim conquerors and the tide of Islam up to 18th century. Sometimes there were independent rulers like the Hussain Shahi and Ilyas Shahi dynasties, while at other times they ruled on behalf of the Imperial seat of Delhi.

From the 15th century, the Europeans, namely Portuguese, Dutch, French and British traders exerted an economic influence over the region. British political rule over the region began in 1757 A.D., when the last Muslim ruler of Bengal was defeated at Palassey. In 1947 the subcontinent was partitioned into India and Pakistan. Present Bangladesh became the Eastern Wing of the then Pakistan. But the movement for autonomy of East Pakistan started within a couple of years because of language and cultural differences and economic disparity between the two wings.

The Language Movement The Language Movement of 1952 to recognize Bangla as a state language may be termed as the first step towards independence.

Political and economic deprivation of the Bengalees prompted Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the Father of the Nation, to put forward in 1966 his historic six points, the "Magna Carta" which in effect structured the foundation for East Pakistan's future independence.

Independence After nine months of war, the Pakistani occupation forces surrendered in Dhaka on 16th December. 1971 after killing an estimated three million people. Due to the heroic resistance and supreme sacrifices of the valiant freedom fighters Bangladesh finally became an independent sovereign state. Father of the Nation Bangahandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was the founder- president of Bangladesh. He was subsequently assassinated on 15th August, 1975 by a group of conspirators.

President: Abdul Hamid (2013); Prime Minister: Sheikh Hasina (2009); Land area: 51,703 sq mi (133,911 sq km); total area: 55,598 sq mi (144,000 sq km); Population (2012 est.): 161,083,804 (growth rate: 1.58%); birth rate: 22.53/1000; infant mortality rate: 48.99/1000; life expectancy: 70.06; density per sq km: 1,146; Capital and largest city (2009 est.): Dhaka, 14,251,000; Other large cities: Chittagong, 4,816,000; Khulna, 1,636,000; Rajshahi 853,000; Monetary unit: Taka