Mujibnagar Memorial travel guide

At a glance

Historic day

17 April 1971

Former name

Baidyanathtala (Bhaberpara)

Memorial opened

1987

Location

17 km from Meherpur town

History and details

The first government of Bangladesh (the government-in-exile or Mujibnagar government), formed on 10 April 1971, was sworn in on 17 April in the mango grove of Baidyanathtala, Meherpur, before journalists from home and abroad. The Proclamation of Independence was read that day and the place was named 'Mujibnagar'. The government's President was the imprisoned Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the Vice President (acting President) Syed Nazrul Islam and the Prime Minister Tajuddin Ahmad.

A memorial was opened at the swearing-in site in 1987; its 23 triangular walls symbolise the 23 years of struggle for self-rule from 1947 to 1971. A Liberation War memorial complex was later built here, with a huge map of Bangladesh showing the war's 11 sectors and sculptures of the swearing-in, the genocide and the surrender.

The old mango trees of the swearing-in site still stand; Mujibnagar Day is marked here officially every 17 April.

Things to do

• Visit the memorial and the historic mango grove
• See the Liberation War sectors on the map
• See the Liberation War sculpture gallery

How to get to Mujibnagar Memorial

About 17 km from Meherpur town.

Meherpur is about 280 km from Dhaka; the journey takes 6 hours.

• 🚌 By bus: Meherpur buses from Gabtoli (J R, Shyamoli, Royal), fare ৳600–800.

Where to stay

• Parjatan Motel at Mujibnagar

What to eat

Meherpur's Sabitri sweets, mangoes

Good to know

• See the old mango trees in the historic grove

More to see nearby

• Amjhupi Nilkuthi (15 km)
• Meherpur town (17 km)
• Indian border (nearby)

More places to visit in Meherpur district

• Amjhupi Nilkuthi — A house of the English indigo planters; folklore links it to the Plassey conspiracy.

Location on the map