Muhammad Ataul Gani Osmani, better known by General M.A.G. Osmani (1918-16 February 1984)was the supreme commander of Mukti Bahini and Bangladesh Armed Forces during the Bangladesh Liberation War. 1918 (MCMXVIII) was a common year starting on Tuesday of the Gregorian calendar (see link for calendar) or a common year starting on Wednesday of the Julian calendar. ... February 16 is the 47th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar. ... 1984 (MCMLXXXIV) is a leap year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Liberation War commemoration poster Mukti Bahini (Bangla: মুক্তি বাহিনী) (Liberation Army), was a guerilla force which fought against the Pakistan Army during the Bangladesh War of Independence in 1971. ... Official flag of Bangladesh Army Bangladesh Army, or Bānglādesh Shenā Bāhini (Bānglā: বাংলাদেশ সেনা বাহিনী) in Bangla, is a branch of Bangladesh Armed Forces. ... The Bangladesh Liberation War (two other names are also used occasionally) refers to an armed conflict between West Pakistan (now Pakistan) and East Pakistan (now Bangladesh) that lasted for roughly nine months in 1971. ...

Education

Osmani was born in Dayamir, Sunamganj District on 1 September 1918. He graduated from Sylhet Government High School in 1934. Later, he studied in Aligarh Muslim University, India. September 1 is the 244th day of the year (245th in leap years). ... 1918 (MCMXVIII) was a common year starting on Tuesday of the Gregorian calendar (see link for calendar) or a common year starting on Wednesday of the Julian calendar. ... 1934 (MCMXXXIV) was a common year starting on Monday (link will take you to calendar). ... Victoria gate, a prominent building at the university Aligarh Muslim University is a university located in Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh. ...

Early career

In 1939, Osmani started his military career as a Gentleman Cadet of the Royal Armed Forces. Upon finishing his training at the British Indian Military Academy in Dehradun, he joined the Royal Army as a commissioned officer in 1940, when the World War 2 was going on. As a commander of a British Army battalion, he served in the Burma sector and was promoted to a Major in 1942. Following the war and the Partition of India in 1947, Osmani joined the Pakistan Army on 7 October 1947, and was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel. He served as a aide to the Chief of General Staff in 1949. Later, he served as director of Rifle company in the 9th battalion of the 14th Punjab Regiment, additional commandant of the East Pakistan Rifles, and general staff officer of the army. Osmani was promoted to a Colonel in 1956 and held the post of deputy director of general staff and military operations. He retired from Pakistan Army on 16 February 1967. 1939 (MCMXXXIX) was a common year starting on Sunday (link will take you to calendar). ... Dehradun, previously called Dehra Dunn, (देहरादून) is the capital city of Uttaranchal state of India nestled between the Himalayas and Shivalik Hills. ... 1940 (MCMXL) was a leap year starting on Monday (link will take you to calendar). ... This is the current Improvement Drive collaboration! World War II was a truly global conflict with many facets: immense human suffering, fierce indoctrination, and the use of new, extremely devastating weapons such as the atomic bomb. ... This article is about the year. ... Britains holdings on the Indian subcontinent were granted independence in 1947 and 1948, becoming four new independent states: India, Burma (now Myanmar), Ceylon (now Sri Lanka), and Pakistan (including East Pakistan, modern-day Bangladesh). ... 1947 (MCMXLVII) was a common year starting on Wednesday (link will take you to calendar). ... Pakistan Army is the branch of the Pakistan Military responsible for land based military operations. ... October 7 is the 280th day of the year (281st in leap years). ... 1947 (MCMXLVII) was a common year starting on Wednesday (link will take you to calendar). ... In the U.S. Army, Air Force and Marine Corps, a lieutenant colonel is a commissioned officer superior to a major and inferior to a colonel. ... 1949 (MCMXLIX) is a common year starting on Saturday. ... Bangladesh Rifles is a paramilitary force in Bangladesh. ... Colonel is a military rank of a commissioned officer, with the corresponding ranks existing in nearly every country in the world. ... 1956 (MCMLVI) was a leap year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Pakistan Army is the branch of the Pakistan Military responsible for land based military operations. ... February 16 is the 47th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar. ... 1967 (MCMLXVII) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

Entry into politics

After his retirement, Osmani entered the politics of East Pakistan. He joined the Sheikh Mujib-led Awami League in 1970. As a candidate from Awami League, he was elected a member of the Pakistan national assembly in the 1970 elections in Pakistan. After the commencement of Bangladesh Liberation War, Osmani became a member of the provisional government-in-exile. It has been suggested that East Bengal (province) be merged into this article or section. ... Sheikh Mujibur Rahman; known as Bangabandhu (Friend of Bangladesh) to his people in Bangladesh. ... The Bangladesh Awami League (বাংলাদেশ আওয়ামী লীগ Bāŋlādeś Āowāmī Līg) or the Bangadesh Peoples League is the main opposition party in Bangladesh. ... 1970 (MCMLXX) was a common year starting on Thursday. ... The Bangladesh Awami League (বাংলাদেশ আওয়ামী লীগ Bāŋlādeś Āowāmī Līg) or the Bangadesh Peoples League is the main opposition party in Bangladesh. ... 1970 (MCMLXX) was a common year starting on Thursday. ... The Bangladesh Liberation War (two other names are also used occasionally) refers to an armed conflict between West Pakistan (now Pakistan) and East Pakistan (now Bangladesh) that lasted for roughly nine months in 1971. ...

Leadership during Bangladesh Liberation War

With the formation of Mujib's government on 17 April 1971, Osmani was appointed commander-in-chief of the Bangladesh Armed Forces and of the Liberation Forces (Mukhti Bahini). The Bangladesh Liberation War (two other names are also used occasionally) refers to an armed conflict between West Pakistan (now Pakistan) and East Pakistan (now Bangladesh) that lasted for roughly nine months in 1971. ...

Post-indpendence activities

Ataul Ghani Osmani joined the Awami League in 1970. He was elected a member of the Pakistan National Assembly in 1970 as a nominee of Awami League.

Activities after Independence

With the abolition of the post of Commander in Chief on 7 April 1972, Osmani retired from the service. He was then included in the cabinet of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman as Minister of Shipping, Inland Water Transport and Aviation. Osmani was elected a Member of the Parliament in 1973, and was included in the new cabinet with charge of the Ministries of Post, Telegraph and Telephone, Communication, Shipping, Inland Water Transport and Aviation. He resigned from the cabinet in May 1974. After the introduction of one-party system of government through the Fourth Amendment of the Constitution in 1975, he resigned from the Parliament and also from the primary membership of the Awami League.

MAG Osmani was appointed an Adviser to the President in charge of Defence Affairs by Khondaker Mostaq Ahmad on 29 August 1975. But he resigned immediately after the killing of four national leaders in the Dhaka Central Jail on 3 November.

The Jatiya Janata Party

Osmani launched a new political party styled as Jatiya Janata Party in September 1976 and was elected its president. He contested in the presidential elections in 1978 as a nominee of the Democratic Alliance. He contested in the presidential elections once again in 1981 as a nominee of Jatiya Nagarik Committee (National Citizens Committee).

Family Life

MAG Osmani lived as a bachelor, his entire life. As a result, his ancestral home now remains desreted, now the government's official property, with plans for a conversion to a museum.

Death

Osmani was diagnosed with cancer. He died on 16 February 1984 while under treatment for cancer in London, UK. His age was 66. He was buried in Dhaka.

Remembrance

General Osmani's legacy lived on as one of the greatest freedom fighters for Bangladesh. The airport in his hometown, Sylhet, is named after him as Osmani Antorjatik Biman Bondor (Osmani International Airport). Also, the state-run hospital in Sylhet has been named after him as 'Osmani Hoapital'. The now dilapitated house from where he hails has been revived by the government and a small group of tourists and visitors flock here at times for a picnic on the huge lawn, a swim in the huge pond or just to admire the ruins of the house that gave rise to one of Bangladesh's most prominent sons.

See also

• Bangladesh Liberation War
• Mukti Bahini
• Bangladesh Army

The Bangladesh Liberation War (two other names are also used occasionally) refers to an armed conflict between West Pakistan (now Pakistan) and East Pakistan (now Bangladesh) that lasted for roughly nine months in 1971. ... Liberation War commemoration poster Mukti Bahini (Bangla: মুক্তি বাহিনী) (Liberation Army), was a guerilla force which fought against the Pakistan Army during the Bangladesh War of Independence in 1971. ... Official flag of Bangladesh Army Bangladesh Army, or Bānglādesh Shenā Bāhini (Bānglā: বাংলাদেশ সেনা বাহিনী) in Bangla, is a branch of Bangladesh Armed Forces. ...

External links

• Banglapedia article on Osmani