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{{short description|Bangladeshi revolutionary and | {{short description|Bangladeshi revolutionary, politician, freedom fighter and military officer}} | ||
{{Use dmy dates|date=September | {{Use dmy dates|date=September 2015}} | ||
{{Infobox officeholder | {{Infobox officeholder | ||
| honorific_prefix = | | honorific_prefix = [[Lieutenant general (Bangladesh)|Lieutenant General]] | ||
|name= Mir Shawkat Ali | | name = Mir Shawkat Ali | ||
| honorific_suffix= [[Bir Uttom | | honorific_suffix = [[Bir Uttom|BU]] | ||
| | | image = Mir Shawkat Ali.png | ||
|image= | | caption = | ||
| | | office = Member of Parliament for [[Dhaka-8]] | ||
| | | predecessor = Anwar Hossain | ||
|predecessor | | primeminister = [[Khaleda Zia]] | ||
| primeminister = [[Khaleda Zia]] | | successor = [[Haji Mohammad Salim]] | ||
|successor | | term_start = 5 March 1991 | ||
| office1 | | term_end = 24 November 1995 | ||
| predecessor1 | | office1 = Bangladesh High Commissioner to the United Kingdom | ||
| president1 | | predecessor1 = [[Fakhruddin Ahmed (secretary)|Fakhruddin Ahmed]] | ||
| successor1 | | president1 = [[Hussain Muhammad Ershad]] | ||
|birth_date= | | successor1 = [[K M Shafiullah]] | ||
|birth_place=[[ | | term_start1 = 27 July 1986 | ||
|death_date= 20 November 2010 | | term_end1 = 30 July 1987 | ||
|death_place=[[Dhaka]] | | office2 = Ambassador of Bangladesh to Egypt | ||
| resting_place | | term_start2 = 5 September 1981 | ||
|nickname= | | term_end2 = 5 August 1982 | ||
|allegiance={{flag|Bangladesh}}<br />{{flag|Pakistan}} (before 1971) | | predecessor2 = [[Arshad-uz Zaman]] | ||
|branch={{ | | successor2 = M. Hedayat Ahmed<ref>{{cite web|url=https://cairo.mofa.gov.bd/en/site/page/roll-of-honour|title=Roll of honour|accessdate=2025-11-13|publisher=Bangladesh National Portal}}</ref> | ||
| office3 = President of [[Bangladesh Football Federation]] | |||
|serviceyears= | | term_start3 = 19 June 1976 | ||
| term_end3 = 27 December 1978 | |||
| predecessor3 = [[Gazi Golam Mostafa]] | |||
| successor3 = Siddique Ahmed | |||
|unit=[[East Bengal Regiment]] | | birth_date = 11 January 1938 | ||
| | | birth_place = [[Dacca]], [[Bengal Presidency|Bengal Province]], [[British India]] | ||
* Principal Staff Officer of the | | death_date = 20 November 2010 | ||
| death_place = [[Dhaka]], Bangladesh | |||
* | | resting_place = [[Banani graveyard]] | ||
| | | nickname = | ||
| allegiance = {{flag|Bangladesh}}<br />{{flag|Pakistan}} (before 1971) | |||
* [[ | | branch = {{ubl|{{army|Bangladesh}}|{{flagicon image|Flag of the Mukti Bahini-DeFacto.svg}} [[Mukti Bahini]]|{{army|Pakistan}}}} | ||
| awards | | branch_label = Branch | ||
| serviceyears = 1958–1981 | |||
| serviceyears_label = Service years | |||
| rank = [[File:Bangladesh-army-OF-8.svg|20px]] [[Lieutenant general (Bangladesh)|Lieutenant General]]<br />[[File:BD Army Lieutenant General Star Plate.svg|30px]] | |||
| unit = [[East Bengal Regiment]] | |||
| battles = {{ubl|[[Bangladesh Liberation War]]|[[Indo-Pakistani war of 1965]]|[[1976 Bogra mutiny]]}} | |||
| battles_label = Conflicts | |||
| commands = *Principal Staff Officer at [[Armed Forces Division|Supreme Command Headquarters]] | |||
*[[Chief of the General Staff (Bangladesh)|Chief of General Staff]] | |||
*GOC of [[9th Infantry Division (Bangladesh)|9th Infantry Division]] | |||
*GOC of [[55th Infantry Division (Bangladesh)|55th Infantry Division]] | |||
*Commander of {{nobr|[[24th Infantry Division (Bangladesh)|65th Independent Infantry Brigade]]}} | |||
*Commander of [[List of sectors in the Bangladesh Liberation War|Sector V]] | |||
| awards = [[File:Bir Uttom ribbon.svg|30px]] [[Bir Uttom]] | |||
}} | }} | ||
'''Mir Shawkat Ali''' | '''Mir Shawkat Ali'''{{efn|[[Bir Uttom|BU]], [[National Defence University, Pakistan|ndc]], [[Psc (military)|psc]]}} (11 January 1938 – 20 November 2010) was a Bangladeshi [[three star rank|three-star]] general and [[Bangladesh Nationalist Party]] politician. Shawkat fought during the [[Bangladesh Liberation War]] as one of sector commanders of [[Mukti Bahini]], which awarded him [[Bir Uttom]] the second highest gallantry award of Bangladesh.<ref>{{Cite news |date=21 November 2010 |title=Mir Shawkat no more |url=https://www.thedailystar.net/news-detail-163011 |access-date=11 November 2016 |newspaper=[[The Daily Star (Bangladesh)|The Daily Star]]}}</ref><ref name="hgfd">{{Cite web |last=Hossain |first=Urmee |title=Ali, Lt General Mir Shawkat |url=https://en.banglapedia.org/index.php?title=Ali,_Lt_General_Mir_Shawkat |access-date=11 November 2016 |website=[[Banglapedia]]}}</ref> Shawkat later served as the minister of [[Ministry of Food (Bangladesh)|food]] and [[Ministry of Labour and Employment (Bangladesh)|Ministry of Labour and Employment]] during the [[First Khaleda ministry]]. | ||
==Early life== | ==Early life== | ||
He was born in | He was born in [[Nazirabazar]], [[Dacca]] of then [[Bengal Presidency|Bengal Province]], British India (now in [[Dhaka Division]], Bangladesh) on 11 January 1938. He studied at Mahuttuli Free Primary School in Dhaka. He graduated from [[Armanitola Government High School]] in 1953 and [[Dhaka College]] in 1955. After graduation, he joined the [[Pakistan Military Academy]]. In 1958, he received his commission in [[Pakistan Army]].<ref name="hgfd" /> | ||
==Military career== | ==Military career== | ||
=== | === Pakistan === | ||
In 1956, Shawkat enlisted to [[Pakistan Military Academy]] in [[Kakol, Abbottabad|Kakol]] and was commissioned in the 2nd East Bengal Regiment with the 17th PMA Long Course on 27 April 1958. But served in a number of units including the military intelligence department. His first experience of battle came from the [[1965 Indo-Pak War]] in [[Rangpur District|Rangpur]] border. He joined the Eighth East Bengal Regiment in 1971 at [[Chittagong District|Sholasahar]], [[Chittagong Division|Chittagong]]. | |||
=== Bangladesh | ==== Bangladesh Liberation War ==== | ||
After [[Operation Searchlight | After [[Operation Searchlight]] on 25 March 1971, he revolted with his unit, the Eighth [[East Bengal Regiment]]. He joined the ''Bangladesh Liberation War''. On 30 March 1971, he was given command of the Entire Regiment.<ref name="hgfd" /> | ||
He commanded the | He commanded the Battle of Kalurghat in April 1971. After [[Kalurghat]] fell, he retreated to [[Bandarban District|Bandarban]] with his unit. He crossed the border into India. After the formation of Mujibnagar Government, he was appointed Sector-5 commander. He commanded 12 thousand men in his sector. In August 1971, he was promoted to [[Lieutenant Colonel]]. After the war, he was awarded [[Bir Uttom]] the second highest award in Bangladesh. | ||
=== Bangladesh === | |||
In 1972, Shawkat was promoted to colonel and inaugurated the [[24th Infantry Division (Bangladesh)|65th Independent Infantry Brigade]] at [[Kaptai Upazila|Kaptai]]. He was soon promoted to brigadier general in January 1974 and was appointed as commandant of [[School of Infantry and Tactics]]. During the [[3 November 1975 Bangladeshi coup d'état]], Shawkat remain loyal to the military administration and designated as [[Chief of General Staff|chief of general Staff]] succeeding brigadier general [[Khaled Mosharraf]] who took over as [[chief Martial Law Administrator]] of the country. On 18 November 1975, Shawkat was upgraded as major general and formed the [[9th Infantry Division (Bangladesh)|9th Infantry Division]] in [[Sher-e-Bangla Nagar]] which he served simultaneously along with his administrative duties. He was also chairman of [[Old Dhaka]] Development Committee and Chief Martial Law Administrator of Dhaka.<ref name="hgfd" /> In April 1974, when President [[Anwar Sadat]] of Egypt gifted 30 T-54 tanks to Bangladesh, he led a military delegation to collect them. In 1976, Shawkat was furthermore designated as president of [[Bangladesh Football Federation]] which he served till 1978.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Chowdhury |first=Moinul Hossain |title=Silent Witness of a General |date= |publisher= |year=2000 |isbn=978-984-410-175-3 |location=}}</ref> | |||
During the [[1976 Bogra mutiny|1976 Bogra Mutiny]], he pinned down the 9th Infantry Division with [[46th Independent Infantry Brigade]]. After the [[1977 Bangladesh Air Force mutiny|1977 Bangladesh air force mutiny]], he was posted to [[55th Infantry Division (Bangladesh)|55th Infantry Division]] while his colleague and rival major general [[Muhammed Abul Manzur]] succeeded him as the chief of general staff.<ref name=":2">{{Cite book |last=Mascarenhas |first=Anthony |title=Bangladesh: A Legacy of Blood |publisher=Hodder & Stoughton |year=1986 |isbn=978-0340394205 |publication-date=1 March 1986}}</ref> However after the [[Assassination of Ziaur Rahman|assassination of President Ziaur Rahman]], Manzur contacted him and gave him orders from a "revolutionary council". Ali refused to follow them and remained loyal to the civilian government. President [[Abdus Sattar (president)|Abdus Sattar]] appointed Shawkat as principal staff officer of supreme command headquarters which he served till July 1981. Shawkat was promoted to [[Brevet (military)|brevet]] lieutenant general and went to leave per retirement same year.<ref name=":2" /> | |||
== Political career == | == Political career == | ||
After retirement he served as ambassador to Egypt, Austria, United Kingdom, Sudan, Germany, and Portugal. He resigned his diplomatic post in protest against the dictatorship of [[Hussain Muhammad Ershad]]. | After retirement, he served as the ambassador to Egypt, Austria, United Kingdom, Sudan, Germany, and Portugal. He resigned his diplomatic post in protest against the dictatorship of [[Hussain Muhammad Ershad]]. | ||
He joined the [[Bangladesh Nationalist Party]] shortly afterwards. In 1991 he was elected to parliament from [[Dhaka-8]]. He was the state minister Food, and cabinet minister of Labour and Manpower .<ref name=":0">{{Cite news|url= | He joined the [[Bangladesh Nationalist Party]] shortly afterwards. In 1991, he was elected to parliament from [[Dhaka-8]]. He was the state minister Food, and cabinet minister of Labour and Manpower.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news |url=https://bdnews24.com/politics/shawkat-ali-attacks-bnp-s-alliance-with-jamaat-quits-party-post |title=Shawkat Ali attacks BNP's alliance with Jamaat, quits party post |website=[[Bdnews24.com]] |date=29 January 2007}}</ref> He was the vice president of Sector Commanders Forum.<ref name="hgfd" /> | ||
== War criminals trial == | == War criminals trial == | ||
As a freedom fighter he took issue with BNP's alliance with Jamaat-e-Islami since their top leaders were accused of war crime. He left BNP because of disagreements with chairperson [[Khaleda Zia]] regarding [[Jamaat-e-Islami]] inclusion in the [[Four Party Alliance]]'''.''' In a statement he said''' | As a freedom fighter, he took issue with BNP's alliance with Jamaat-e-Islami since their top leaders were accused of war crime. He left BNP because of disagreements with chairperson [[Khaleda Zia]] regarding [[Jamaat-e-Islami]] inclusion in the [[Four Party Alliance]]'''.''' In a statement, he said''':''' | ||
<blockquote>It hurts my conscience when I have to sit with Razakaar and al-Badrs at the same table. It reminds me of the days in 1971 when boys fought under my command and laid down their lives. | |||
</blockquote> | |||
He was one of the pioneers of war crimes trial movement. He campaigned countrywide to raise support for the trial.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1">{{Cite news |url=https://www.oneindia.com/2010/11/21/bangladeshwar-hero-to-be-buried-with-military-honors-onmon.html |title=Bangladesh war hero to be buried with military honors on Monday |website=[[Oneindia]] |date=21 November 2010}}</ref> | |||
== Death == | == Death == | ||
On 20 November 2010 he died in Dhaka, Bangladesh. He was buried with full military honors in Banani Military graveyard.<ref name="hgfd" /><ref name=":1" /> | On 20 November 2010, he died in Dhaka, Bangladesh. He was buried with full military honors in Banani Military graveyard.<ref name="hgfd" /><ref name=":1" /> | ||
==References== | ==References== | ||
{{ | '''Footnotes''' | ||
{{Notelist}} | |||
{{reflist|group=note}} | |||
'''Citations''' | |||
{{reflist}} | |||
{{DEFAULTSORT:Ali, Mir Shawkat}} | {{DEFAULTSORT:Ali, Mir Shawkat}} | ||
[[Category:Bangladesh Army generals]] | [[Category:Bangladesh Army generals]] | ||
[[Category:Bangladesh Nationalist Party politicians]] | [[Category:Bangladesh Nationalist Party politicians]] | ||
[[Category:High | [[Category:High commissioners of Bangladesh to the United Kingdom]] | ||
[[Category:National Defence University (Pakistan) alumni]] | |||
[[Category:Ambassadors of Bangladesh to Egypt]] | |||
[[Category:Ambassadors of Bangladesh to Austria]] | |||
[[Category:Ambassadors of Bangladesh to Sudan]] | |||
[[Category:Ambassadors of Bangladesh to Germany]] | |||
[[Category:Ambassadors of Bangladesh to Portugal]] | |||
[[Category:1938 births]] | [[Category:1938 births]] | ||
[[Category:2010 deaths]] | [[Category:2010 deaths]] | ||
| Line 93: | Line 111: | ||
[[Category:6th Jatiya Sangsad members]] | [[Category:6th Jatiya Sangsad members]] | ||
[[Category:Recipients of the Bir Uttom]] | [[Category:Recipients of the Bir Uttom]] | ||
[[Category: | [[Category:Presidents of the Bangladesh Football Federation]] | ||
[[Category:Bangladeshi football administrators]] | |||
Latest revision as of 19:54, 20 January 2026
Mir Shawkat Ali | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Member of Parliament for Dhaka-8 | |
| In office 5 March 1991 – 24 November 1995 | |
| Prime Minister | Khaleda Zia |
| Preceded by | Anwar Hossain |
| Succeeded by | Haji Mohammad Salim |
| Bangladesh High Commissioner to the United Kingdom | |
| In office 27 July 1986 – 30 July 1987 | |
| President | Hussain Muhammad Ershad |
| Preceded by | Fakhruddin Ahmed |
| Succeeded by | K M Shafiullah |
| Ambassador of Bangladesh to Egypt | |
| In office 5 September 1981 – 5 August 1982 | |
| Preceded by | Arshad-uz Zaman |
| Succeeded by | M. Hedayat Ahmed[1] |
| President of Bangladesh Football Federation | |
| In office 19 June 1976 – 27 December 1978 | |
| Preceded by | Gazi Golam Mostafa |
| Succeeded by | Siddique Ahmed |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 11 January 1938 Dacca, Bengal Province, British India |
| Died | 20 November 2010 Dhaka, Bangladesh |
| Resting place | Banani graveyard |
| Awards |  Bir Uttom |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  Bangladesh Pakistan (before 1971) |
| Branch | |
| Service years | 1958–1981 |
| Rank |  Lieutenant General |
| Unit | East Bengal Regiment |
| Commands |
|
| Conflicts | |
Mir Shawkat Ali[lower-alpha 1] (11 January 1938 – 20 November 2010) was a Bangladeshi three-star general and Bangladesh Nationalist Party politician. Shawkat fought during the Bangladesh Liberation War as one of sector commanders of Mukti Bahini, which awarded him Bir Uttom the second highest gallantry award of Bangladesh.[2][3] Shawkat later served as the minister of food and Ministry of Labour and Employment during the First Khaleda ministry.
Early life[edit | edit source]
He was born in Nazirabazar, Dacca of then Bengal Province, British India (now in Dhaka Division, Bangladesh) on 11 January 1938. He studied at Mahuttuli Free Primary School in Dhaka. He graduated from Armanitola Government High School in 1953 and Dhaka College in 1955. After graduation, he joined the Pakistan Military Academy. In 1958, he received his commission in Pakistan Army.[3]
Military career[edit | edit source]
Pakistan[edit | edit source]
In 1956, Shawkat enlisted to Pakistan Military Academy in Kakol and was commissioned in the 2nd East Bengal Regiment with the 17th PMA Long Course on 27 April 1958. But served in a number of units including the military intelligence department. His first experience of battle came from the 1965 Indo-Pak War in Rangpur border. He joined the Eighth East Bengal Regiment in 1971 at Sholasahar, Chittagong.
Bangladesh Liberation War[edit | edit source]
After Operation Searchlight on 25 March 1971, he revolted with his unit, the Eighth East Bengal Regiment. He joined the Bangladesh Liberation War. On 30 March 1971, he was given command of the Entire Regiment.[3]
He commanded the Battle of Kalurghat in April 1971. After Kalurghat fell, he retreated to Bandarban with his unit. He crossed the border into India. After the formation of Mujibnagar Government, he was appointed Sector-5 commander. He commanded 12 thousand men in his sector. In August 1971, he was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel. After the war, he was awarded Bir Uttom the second highest award in Bangladesh.
Bangladesh[edit | edit source]
In 1972, Shawkat was promoted to colonel and inaugurated the 65th Independent Infantry Brigade at Kaptai. He was soon promoted to brigadier general in January 1974 and was appointed as commandant of School of Infantry and Tactics. During the 3 November 1975 Bangladeshi coup d'état, Shawkat remain loyal to the military administration and designated as chief of general Staff succeeding brigadier general Khaled Mosharraf who took over as chief Martial Law Administrator of the country. On 18 November 1975, Shawkat was upgraded as major general and formed the 9th Infantry Division in Sher-e-Bangla Nagar which he served simultaneously along with his administrative duties. He was also chairman of Old Dhaka Development Committee and Chief Martial Law Administrator of Dhaka.[3] In April 1974, when President Anwar Sadat of Egypt gifted 30 T-54 tanks to Bangladesh, he led a military delegation to collect them. In 1976, Shawkat was furthermore designated as president of Bangladesh Football Federation which he served till 1978.[4]
During the 1976 Bogra Mutiny, he pinned down the 9th Infantry Division with 46th Independent Infantry Brigade. After the 1977 Bangladesh air force mutiny, he was posted to 55th Infantry Division while his colleague and rival major general Muhammed Abul Manzur succeeded him as the chief of general staff.[5] However after the assassination of President Ziaur Rahman, Manzur contacted him and gave him orders from a "revolutionary council". Ali refused to follow them and remained loyal to the civilian government. President Abdus Sattar appointed Shawkat as principal staff officer of supreme command headquarters which he served till July 1981. Shawkat was promoted to brevet lieutenant general and went to leave per retirement same year.[5]
Political career[edit | edit source]
After retirement, he served as the ambassador to Egypt, Austria, United Kingdom, Sudan, Germany, and Portugal. He resigned his diplomatic post in protest against the dictatorship of Hussain Muhammad Ershad.
He joined the Bangladesh Nationalist Party shortly afterwards. In 1991, he was elected to parliament from Dhaka-8. He was the state minister Food, and cabinet minister of Labour and Manpower.[6] He was the vice president of Sector Commanders Forum.[3]
War criminals trial[edit | edit source]
As a freedom fighter, he took issue with BNP's alliance with Jamaat-e-Islami since their top leaders were accused of war crime. He left BNP because of disagreements with chairperson Khaleda Zia regarding Jamaat-e-Islami inclusion in the Four Party Alliance. In a statement, he said:
It hurts my conscience when I have to sit with Razakaar and al-Badrs at the same table. It reminds me of the days in 1971 when boys fought under my command and laid down their lives.
He was one of the pioneers of war crimes trial movement. He campaigned countrywide to raise support for the trial.[6][7]
Death[edit | edit source]
On 20 November 2010, he died in Dhaka, Bangladesh. He was buried with full military honors in Banani Military graveyard.[3][7]
References[edit | edit source]
Footnotes
Citations
- ↑ "Roll of honour". Bangladesh National Portal. Retrieved 13 November 2025.
- ↑ "Mir Shawkat no more". The Daily Star. 21 November 2010. Retrieved 11 November 2016.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 Hossain, Urmee. "Ali, Lt General Mir Shawkat". Banglapedia. Retrieved 11 November 2016.
- ↑ Chowdhury, Moinul Hossain (2000). Silent Witness of a General. ISBN 978-984-410-175-3.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Mascarenhas, Anthony (1986). Bangladesh: A Legacy of Blood. Hodder & Stoughton (published 1 March 1986). ISBN 978-0340394205.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 "Shawkat Ali attacks BNP's alliance with Jamaat, quits party post". Bdnews24.com. 29 January 2007.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 "Bangladesh war hero to be buried with military honors on Monday". Oneindia. 21 November 2010.