Bangladeshi politician (1922-2011)
Mahmudur Rahman Mazumdar (25 December 1922[2]-19 December 2011) was a Bangladesh Army brigadier who was the most senior ethnic Bengali officer in Pakistan Army during the Bangladesh Liberation War.[3][4]
Early life and education
Mazumdar was born into a Bengali Muslim family on 25 December 1922 in the village of Chandinagar in Katigora Thana, Cachar district, Assam Province, British Raj. His ancestral home was in the village of Bolramer Chok in Kaskanakpur Union, Zakiganj Upazila, Sylhet District, Bangladesh. His father was Wajid Ali Mazumdar.[citation needed]
After completing his primary and secondary education locally, Mazumdar studied at the Murari Chand College in Sylhet where he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts.[5]
Career
In 1947, he joined the Pakistan Army. On 30 July 1949 he was commissioned in the Punjab Regiment of Pakistan Army.[6] During the Indo-Pakistani War of 1965, he commanded the Sialkot Sector. He earned the status of brigadier in 1969 making him the first Bengali in the Pakistan Army to earn that title.[citation needed]
Mazumdar defected from the Pakistan Army at the start of the Bangladesh Liberation War, becoming the commanding officer of East Pakistan Regiment Centre[4] He was arrested and charged with treason by the Pakistan Army during the war.[7] He was tortured in custody.[8]
Mazumdar after retiring from Bangladesh Army joined the Jatiya Party. He was elected to parliament from Sylhet twice.[7]
Death
Mazumdar died on 19 December 2011.[7]
References