Unquestionably, any saga about our glorious liberation war of 1971 is not only extremely rewarding, but also immensely educative. It is more so when the exercise is from someone, who is inextricably associated with the process in the sense that he was involved in the fighting for the freedom of the motherland during the tough and bloody period in 1971.True, over the last more than four decades, we have had quite a good number of books on the liberation war, which are not only precious, but valuable assets for the nation. Nevertheless, the number of such books from experiences of a freedom fighter in the battlefield is still scant.
The liberation war has various dimensions and obviously is a vast canvas that probably can not come in full circle with much details in a single publication. Hence, is the need for more books on the subject so that all the aspects of the most turbulent and historic phase of our great liberation war are contained in documents that would have invaluable significance for the people. A Qyauum Khan's endeavour definitely fits in that line and the book Bittersweet Victory - A Freedom Fighter's Tale is a fine contribution from the author, who had gone through the agonising and yet exceedingly exiting times during the liberation war and also afterwards that too followed as an corollary of the earlier developments regardless of the nature of the sequences of the events.
Even though the book is meant mainly for the liberation war and certain events as a sequel to that tumultuous time, the author quite expectedly touched upon the political and other conditions that eventually led the erstwhile East Pakistan to embark in the quest for its own distinct identity as a separate nation. In the process, Qyauum Khan had to trace his own life like his birth in the Khaje Dewan in old Dhaka, close to the famous Lalbag Fort. In his effort to build up the cherished chapters of what he wants to narrate, the author, not unexpectedly, dwelt in detail on his early life in the first chapter "East Pakistan". The book has seven chapters, "Bangladesh" being the last one. In my view, the chapters four, five and six appear to be most fascinating dealing with the "Mukti Bahini", "Murtee" and "Sector Seven".
As a freedom fighter, the author was trained in the Murtee camp in India and later was absorbed in the "Sector Seven" - one of the several sectors set up to facilitate the liberation war. Khan's description of the different characteristics of the overall situation including the joy, despair and on the top of all, the strong resolve to fight for the country have been uniquely portrayed in all these chapters. Going through these chapters, I remained glued to every detail. Suspense and excitement pervaded the turn of events that were both interesting and sensational in many ways. Indeed, narration of many of the developments and incidents broadly covering the liberation war has been really educative, at times causing scintillating feeling of both delight and otherwise.
Chapter 7 of the book forms the "Bittersweet Memory" - the title of the book and here one finds feelings and imagination on the eve of the liberation of the country as well as attainment of the freedom. He did not stop there and went to describe many events that followed one after another in Bangladesh bringing at times both merriment and disillusion. One can not and rather should not compromise with the sanctity of the events no matter whether those are relished or abhorred. Khan has been quite perfect in that area as he mentioned numerous incidents and developments with which most of the people are familiar with. However, some events may raise some eye brows, but most of the events seem rational and convincing.
The author, incidentally, has a topsy-turvy career, starting as a commissioned officer in the Bangladesh army during the liberation war to what finally came up for him as a scholar. His army career was cut short and he had gone through a difficult but interesting phase. Many of the matters bear important information. He has not confined himself to any pre-conceived idea about the shape of things and appears to have cared for the essence of truthfulness of the events. Many familiar names of different times and regimes in Bangladesh came up as ingredients of history. Some events also show the unbridled political and other intricacies devoid of principles.
The author has been quite modest by not mentioning "Dr" before his name although he has a doctorate from a leading American university. His graphic description of memorable events in our national life has been a commendable exercise that deserves to be praised. Khan's book will serve as an important document for those who would be keen to know about our most cherished liberation war. The nearly 300-page publication is a good product with a cover that depicts our spirit of liberation war in a sombre blackish background, indicating the grief for the martyrs who lost their lives and other repressions. The University Press Limited has brought out the book as a part of the "Road to Bangladesh series". This book is certainly a splendid effort in that direction.
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Bittersweet Victory - AÂ Freedom Fighters Tale
By A Qayyum Khan
The Unversity Press Limited
299 pages