My Long March: The Autobiography of a Pakistani Soldier in the Liberation War" by General A. A. K. Niazi

 "My Long March: The Autobiography of a Pakistani Soldier in the Liberation War" is a compelling book that tells the story of General A. A. K. Niazi's experiences during the Bangladesh Liberation War. The book, published in 1999, offers a firsthand account of the war, from the perspective of a Pakistani general who led his troops in the conflict.

The book provides a detailed account of General Niazi's early life, including his upbringing and his entry into the Pakistan Army. It then moves on to his experiences during the 1971 war, which saw East Pakistan secede to become Bangladesh. General Niazi served as the commander of the Eastern Command of the Pakistan Army during the conflict, and his memoirs provide a unique insight into the events that led to the fall of Dhaka and the subsequent surrender of the Pakistani forces.

The book is divided into chapters that cover different aspects of the war, from the initial deployment of troops to the final surrender. General Niazi discusses the military strategy employed by the Pakistan Army, as well as the political and diplomatic factors that influenced the conflict. He also describes the various battles that took place, including the Battle of Hilli, which saw the Pakistani Army suffer a significant defeat.

One of the most fascinating aspects of the book is General Niazi's account of the negotiations that led to the surrender of his forces. He provides a detailed description of the talks that took place between himself and the Indian Army's General Jagjit Singh Aurora, who led the forces that defeated the Pakistanis. The negotiations were conducted under tense circumstances, with both sides aware that the fate of thousands of soldiers and civilians hung in the balance.

Throughout the book, General Niazi presents himself as a soldier who was committed to his duty and who fought for what he believed was right. He does not shy away from describing the mistakes that were made by the Pakistan Army during the conflict, but he also highlights the bravery and sacrifice of his troops. He also discusses the aftermath of the war, including his own imprisonment and the eventual rehabilitation of the soldiers who surrendered.

"My Long March" is an essential read for anyone interested in the Bangladesh Liberation War and the history of South Asia. General Niazi's memoirs offer a unique perspective on the conflict, and his candid accounts of the events that took place make for a compelling read. The book is also a valuable resource for scholars and historians who are studying the conflict and its aftermath.

The Battle of Hilli: General Niazi describes in detail the Battle of Hilli, which took place on November 22, 1971. The battle was a significant defeat for the Pakistani Army, with a large number of troops being killed, injured, or taken prisoner. General Niazi talks about how his troops were outnumbered and outgunned by the Indian Army, and how they fought valiantly despite the odds. He also discusses how the battle affected morale among the troops and how it was a turning point in the conflict.

Negotiations with General Aurora: General Niazi provides a fascinating account of the negotiations that took place between himself and General Jagjit Singh Aurora of the Indian Army. The negotiations were held in the aftermath of the fall of Dhaka and the surrender of the Pakistani forces. General Niazi talks about how he was taken aback by General Aurora's demands and how he initially refused to accept them. He also describes how the negotiations were conducted under tense circumstances, with both sides aware of the consequences of failure.

The Aftermath of the War: General Niazi talks about how he was taken prisoner by the Indian Army after the surrender of the Pakistani forces. He describes how he was initially held in a makeshift prison in Dhaka and how he was eventually transferred to India. He also discusses how he was treated by his captors and how he was eventually released and allowed to return to Pakistan. General Niazi also talks about the rehabilitation of the soldiers who surrendered and how they were eventually integrated back into society.

The Role of Politics: General Niazi discusses the role of politics in the Bangladesh Liberation War. He talks about how the conflict was influenced by the political situation in both Pakistan and India, and how political decisions affected the outcome of the war. He also talks about how the political situation in East Pakistan played a role in the conflict, and how the political landscape of the region changed in the aftermath of the war.

References to Sheikh Mujibur Rahman: General Niazi's book, "My Long March: The Autobiography of a Pakistani Soldier in the Liberation War," contains several references to Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the founder of Bangladesh and a key figure in the Bangladesh Liberation War. General Niazi was critical of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in his book "My Long March: The Autobiography of a Pakistani Soldier in the Liberation War." He blamed Sheikh Mujibur Rahman for dividing Pakistan and for instigating violence in East Pakistan.

General Niazi believed that Sheikh Mujibur Rahman's Six-Point Programme, which called for greater autonomy and federalism for East Pakistan, was the main cause of the conflict. He saw Sheikh Mujibur Rahman as a divisive figure who sought to create a separate state and who was willing to resort to violence to achieve his goals.

In his book, General Niazi criticizes Sheikh Mujibur Rahman for declaring independence and for his role in the formation of Bangladesh. He also accuses him of inciting violence and encouraging the formation of militant groups in East Pakistan. It's worth noting, however, that General Niazi's views on Sheikh Mujibur Rahman are not universally accepted, and there is ongoing debate about the causes of the Bangladesh Liberation War and the role played by various political and military figures. Here are some of the key points the book makes about Sheikh Mujibur Rahman:

• Role in East Pakistan Politics: General Niazi discusses how Sheikh Mujibur Rahman played a significant role in East Pakistan politics during the period leading up to the Bangladesh Liberation War. He talks about how Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was a prominent figure in the Awami League, a political party that advocated for greater autonomy for East Pakistan. General Niazi also talks about how Sheikh Mujibur Rahman's Six-Point Programme, which called for greater autonomy and federalism, was a major factor in the growing unrest in East Pakistan.
• The Declaration of Independence: General Niazi discusses how Sheikh Mujibur Rahman's declaration of independence on March 26, 1971, was a turning point in the Bangladesh Liberation War. He talks about how the declaration galvanized the independence movement and led to widespread unrest and violence.
• Efforts to Negotiate: General Niazi also talks about how Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was involved in efforts to negotiate a settlement to the conflict. He discusses how Sheikh Mujibur Rahman met with President Yahya Khan of Pakistan to discuss the situation in East Pakistan, and how negotiations between the two sides ultimately failed.
• Role in the Formation of Bangladesh: General Niazi acknowledges Sheikh Mujibur Rahman's role in the formation of Bangladesh. He talks about how Sheikh Mujibur Rahman became the first president of Bangladesh and how he played a key role in building the new nation.

General Niazi is critical of Yahya Khan: In his book "My Long March: The Autobiography of a Pakistani Soldier in the Liberation War," General Niazi is critical of Yahya Khan, the President of Pakistan during the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War. However, he does not blame Yahya Khan for dividing Pakistan.

General Niazi was critical of Yahya Khan's handling of the situation in East Pakistan, particularly his decision to launch a military crackdown against Bengali civilians and militants. General Niazi believed that Yahya Khan's actions had escalated the conflict and contributed to the eventual defeat of Pakistani forces.

However, General Niazi also acknowledged that Yahya Khan was under pressure from other members of the Pakistani military and political establishment, and that he was not solely responsible for the events of the war.

Overall, while General Niazi was critical of Yahya Khan's actions during the Bangladesh Liberation War, he did not blame him for the division of Pakistan. Instead, he saw the conflict as the result of a complex set of political and social factors, including the demand for greater autonomy by Bengali nationalists and the failure of the Pakistani government to address their concerns.

Zulfikar Ali Bhutto: General Niazi does not place direct blame on Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, the Prime Minister of Pakistan during the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War, for the division of Pakistan. However, he does criticize Bhutto for his role in the aftermath of the war.

General Niazi accuses Bhutto of negotiating a settlement with India that he believed was unfavorable to Pakistan. He also claims that Bhutto failed to adequately support the military during the conflict, and that his political maneuvering contributed to the eventual defeat of Pakistani forces.

While General Niazi does not blame Bhutto for the division of Pakistan, he is critical of the role Bhutto played in the aftermath of the war and the impact that his actions had on the Pakistani military and political establishment.

In conclusion, "My Long March: The Autobiography of a Pakistani Soldier in the Liberation War" is an informative and engaging book that sheds light on a crucial period in the history of South Asia. General Niazi's memoirs offer a unique insight into the Bangladesh Liberation War and provide a valuable resource for anyone interested in the subject.