Bangladesh: A Legacy of Blood by Anthony Mascarenhas

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About the Book

Bangladesh: A Legacy of Blood is a gripping work of historical nonfiction by veteran journalist Anthony Mascarenhas, first published in 1986, chronicling the political turbulence, coups, and assassinations that marked Bangladesh's first decade as an independent nation. On the 16th of December 1971, the state of Bangladesh was born at the end of a nine-month liberation struggle, one of the twentieth century's great human triumphs of self-determination, yet also one of its great tragedies. Mascarenhas's book turns to what came next: the disillusionment and internal power struggles that followed independence.

Drawing on more than 120 interviews and official documents, the book focuses closely on the two towering, and ultimately tragic, figures of early Bangladeshi politics: Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the Founding Father of the nation, and General Ziaur Rahman, who later rose to lead the country. Both men's rule ended in assassination, and Mascarenhas traces in detailed, narrative style the political chaos that surrounded these events, including the killing of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman by a group of army officers, the subsequent "Jail Killings" under Khandaker Moshtaque, and the more than twenty coup attempts that eventually led to General Zia's own assassination. Written by a journalist who had been closely associated with Bangladesh's independence struggle since its earliest days, the book is often described as a compelling, deeply researched, if inevitably interpretive, account of a genuinely difficult period in Bangladesh's history. It's worth noting that the book has received a mixed critical reception over the years: while widely praised for its gripping narrative and insider access, some critics and historians have raised concerns about bias in its portrayal of certain figures, particularly Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, and about the sourcing of some specific claims. Readers may find it valuable to approach the book alongside other historical accounts for a fuller picture of this contested period.

Why Read Bangladesh: A Legacy of Blood?

• Written by a journalist deeply connected to Bangladesh's independence story: Mascarenhas was closely associated with the country's liberation struggle from its earliest days.
• Extensively researched: Draws on more than 120 interviews and official documents to reconstruct a detailed, insider account.
• Covers a pivotal, dramatic period: Chronicles the coups and assassinations that shaped Bangladesh's first ten years of independence.
• A gripping, narrative-driven style: Widely praised by readers for its compelling, page-turning storytelling.
• A significant, if debated, historical text: Frequently discussed and referenced in conversations about Bangladesh's early political history.

Note: This book presents one journalist's interpretation of a complex, contested period in Bangladesh's history, and some historians and readers have raised concerns about bias and sourcing in parts of the narrative, particularly regarding its portrayal of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. Readers seeking a fuller picture may wish to read it alongside other historical sources on this period.

About the Author: Anthony Mascarenhas

Anthony Mascarenhas (1928-1986) was a South Asian journalist widely recognized for his exposés on the brutality of the Pakistani military during the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War. His 1971 article "Genocide," published in The Sunday Times, has been described as one of the most influential pieces of South Asian journalism of the past half-century, credited with shifting international opinion during the conflict. In recognition of his contributions during the Liberation War, the Bangladeshi government later honored him among a list of foreign nationals who supported the country's independence. In addition to Bangladesh: A Legacy of Blood, he authored The Rape of Bangladesh (1971), documenting the atrocities of the independence war itself.

Who Should Read This Book

• Readers interested in Bangladesh's political history following independence
• Students and scholars of South Asian politics and modern history
• Anyone interested in the events surrounding the assassinations of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and General Ziaur Rahman
• Readers of investigative and narrative nonfiction on South Asian politics
• Those researching this period who intend to consult multiple historical sources for balance

Why Buy From Us?

• ✅ 100% original, high-quality print
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Order now and explore this gripping, deeply researched account of Bangladesh's turbulent first decade of independence.