Ziaur Rahman

Profession: Military Officer and President of Bangladesh

Biography: Ziaur Rahman was a Bangladeshi statesman and military officer who served as the President of Bangladesh from 1977 until his assassination in 1981. A prominent figure in the country's struggle for independence from Pakistan in 1971, Rahman rose through the military to play a key role in shaping Bangladesh's early years as a sovereign nation.

After the liberation of Bangladesh in 1971, Ziaur Rahman emerged as a war hero for his actions as a commander during the Independence War. He moved gradually into the political sphere, initially serving in various military roles, including Chief of Army Staff.

Bangladesh's political scene was fraught with instability and violence during its early years, including the assassination of its founding leader, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, in 1975. Rahman seized power in a coup in 1975, following this period of political turmoil.

After taking control, he worked to restore order and began the process of moving Bangladesh toward multi-party democracy. He lifted the martial law that had been in place and founded the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) in 1978, which remains a major political party today.

Rahman initiated key economic and infrastructural reforms to stabilize and modernize the country. Under his leadership, Bangladesh saw the introduction of policies aimed at liberalizing the economy and encouraging foreign investment. He was also known for his efforts to champion the cause of Muslim solidarity in the international arena.

His tenure was not without controversies, however, including allegations of political repression and human rights abuses. The country continued to struggle with turmoil and eventually, in 1981, Ziaur Rahman was assassinated in an attempted military coup.

Born: January 19, 1936
Birthplace: Bagbari, Bogra District, Bengal Presidency, British India

Generation: Silent Generation
Chinese Zodiac: Pig
Star Sign: Capricorn

Died: May 30, 1981 (aged 45)
Cause of Death: Assassinated by a group of army officers at Chittagong Circuit House