Victory Day: Enrich knowledge through exploration

There is a wise saying, "Freedom—hard to get, but easy to lose."

We have a rich history behind the independence achieved in 1971. This is our freedom today after nine long months of sacrifices. We have to nurture this hard-earned freedom to enjoy it. The more you know, the stronger your feelings of freedom will be.

On the occasion of the 50th Victory Day on 16 December, we present you with few of our museums and national memorial.

Museum of Independence

Few kilometres away from the capital's Shahbagh intersection, the Museum of Independence is the first and only underground museum in the country.

The museum is part of a 67 acre complex at Suhrawardy Udyan, the site from where Sheikh Mujibur Rahman gave his historic speech declaring the struggle for independence, and where the Pakistani forces surrendered after the War of Liberation.

Collections: The museum has a collection of over 300 historic photographs in 144 glass panels that depict the history of Bangladesh.

There is a display of terracotta, pictures and paper clippings of the war of liberation.

The gallery also has a replica of the table, where the eastern zone commander of Pakistan Army Lieutenant General Amir Abdullah Khan Niazi signed the surrender document following their defeat.

Bangladesh Police Liberation War Museum

This museum was established in 2013 to commemorate the contribution of Bangladesh Police to the Bangladesh Liberation War.

It is located at Rajarbagh Police Lines on 1.5 bighas of land area. The museum possesses various materials and symbols which denote the sacrifice of police soldiers during the war.

Bangladesh Police Liberation War Museum remains open for visitors from 10am to 5pm every day except Wednesday.

Collections: Visitors can find here various materials used by the East Pakistan Rifles during the Liberation War of Bangladesh such as:

The telegram letter containing independence announcement by Bangabandhu, Radio (used for communication), Pagla Ghonta-Alarm Siren, three knot three rifles, mortar shell, copy of radio announcement of first inspector general of police (IGP) Abdul Khaleque, the cap of Martyr Aftab Uddin Ahmed, and wireless set of helicopter used in the war.

Liberation War Museum

The Liberation War Museum is located at Agargaon in the capital. It was inaugurated on March 22, 1996.

There are 4 galleries which display the history of Bengalis' struggle spanning from British regime to the Liberation War of 1971.

This museum is open on all weekdays except Sunday between 10am to 6pm. In winter it is open between 10am to 5pm.

Collection: Liberation War Museum has a collection amassed by Sheikh Ahmed (SA) Jalal who initiated a solidarity campaign and organized various activities including the mobilization of public opinion in Japan from the very beginning of the Liberation War.

The collection includes news items published in different newspapers around the world. There are 3416 newspaper items, preserved in 20 volumes and the other 8 volumes contain valuable documents regarding the Liberation War.

Liberation War Museum has a collection of Abdul Matin who collected clippings of Liberation War related news and news observations published in different dailies and magazines of Europe and America during the Liberation War.

It also has a collection by AMA Muhith consisting of news items published in different newspapers around the world. He also preserved the US Congressional Records (April, May, June, July1-August-6, September 8- November 11, November 16- December 17 of 1971 and some of 1972) regarding Liberation War of 1971 in different files.

Bangladesh Military Museum

This museum is run by the Bangladesh Army. It is located at Bijoy Sarani in the capital, Dhaka.

One can visit the museum from Saturday to Thursday between 10am to 6pm.

On Friday, it remained open for visitors from  3pm to 6pm while it remains closed on Wednesday.

Bangladesh Military Museum is closed on Government holidays without 16th December and 26th March.

Collections: The museum has a collection of Bangladesh's military history, heritage, success stories and various weapons and ammunition.

It has a collection of vehicles and weapons rescued from the then Pakistani army after the Liberation war of Bangladesh.

The vehicles include QF 3.7-inch mountain howitzer, used by "Mujib Battery" in 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War.

The car used by the then chief of army staff of Bangladesh Army Ziaur Rahman.

Jeep used by commander-in-Chief of Bangladesh Armed Forces general MAG Osmani during the liberation war in 1971.

An ex-Bangladesh Army (Obtained from the surrendered Pakistan Army in 1971) M40 recoilless rifle mounted on a Willys Jeep M38A1 on display in the Bangladesh Military Museum.

Decommissioned P 4-class torpedo boat of Bangladesh Navy Preserved at Bangladesh Military Museum.

Savar National Martyrs' Memorial

National Martyrs' Memorial or Jatiya Smriti Saudha is the national monument of Bangladesh. It was set up in the memory of those who died in the Bangladesh Liberation War of 1971.

The monument is located in Savar, about 35 km north-west of the capital, Dhaka.