Hussain Muhammad Ershad

Hussain Muhammad Ershad
source
Name	Hussain Muhammad Ershad
Birth date	February 1, 1930
Birth place	Dinhata, Cooch Behar District, British India
Death date	July 14, 2019
Death place	Dhaka, Bangladesh
Party	Jatiya Party
Spouse	Begum Raushan Ershad

Hussain Muhammad Ershad was a Bangladeshi politician and Army Chief of Staff who served as the President of Bangladesh from 1983 to 1990. He was a key figure in Bangladeshi politics and played a significant role in the country's history, particularly during the Cold War era, interacting with leaders like Mikhail Gorbachev and Ronald Reagan. Ershad's presidency was marked by significant events, including the 1988 Bangladeshi general election and the introduction of the Upazila system, which was influenced by the Panchayati Raj system of India. His rule was also characterized by interactions with neighboring countries, such as India, Pakistan, and Myanmar, as well as international organizations like the United Nations and the Non-Aligned Movement.

● Early Life and Education

Hussain Muhammad Ershad was born in Dinhata, Cooch Behar District, British India, to Mukhtar Ahmad and Mazida Khatun, and later moved to East Pakistan, where he attended Carmichael College in Rangpur. He then joined the Pakistan Army and was trained at the Pakistan Military Academy in Kakul, Abbottabad, and later at the Command and Staff College in Quetta. Ershad's early life and education were influenced by the Bengali Renaissance and the Pakistan Movement, which were led by figures like Rabindranath Tagore and Muhammad Ali Jinnah. He was also exposed to the ideas of Mahatma Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru, which shaped his views on Indian independence and Pakistani nationalism.

● Military Career

Ershad's military career began in the Pakistan Army, where he served in various capacities, including as the Chief of Army Staff of the Bangladesh Army. He played a key role in the Bangladesh Liberation War, fighting against the Pakistan Army alongside leaders like Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and Tajuddin Ahmad. Ershad's military career was also influenced by his interactions with other military leaders, such as Ziaur Rahman and Abu Sadat Mohammad Sayem, who were involved in the 1975 Bangladeshi coup and the 1981 Bangladeshi coup. He was also exposed to the ideas of Georgy Zhukov and Dwight D. Eisenhower, which shaped his views on military strategy and leadership.

● Presidency

Ershad became the President of Bangladesh in 1983, following a 1982 Bangladeshi coup, and served until 1990. During his presidency, he introduced several significant policies, including the Upazila system, which was designed to decentralize power and improve local governance, similar to the Panchayati Raj system in India. Ershad's presidency was also marked by significant events, such as the 1988 Bangladeshi general election and the 1990 Mass Uprising in Bangladesh, which was influenced by the Tiananmen Square protests and the Fall of the Berlin Wall. He interacted with international leaders like Rajiv Gandhi and George H.W. Bush, and played a key role in regional organizations like the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation and the Organization of the Islamic Conference.

● Later Life and Politics

After his presidency, Ershad remained involved in Bangladeshi politics, serving as the Leader of the Opposition in the Jatiya Sangsad and leading the Jatiya Party. He was also a key figure in the 1991 Bangladeshi general election and the 2008 Bangladeshi general election, and interacted with other political leaders like Khaleda Zia and Sheikh Hasina. Ershad's later life and politics were influenced by his interactions with international organizations like the United Nations Development Programme and the World Bank, as well as his exposure to the ideas of Nelson Mandela and Lee Kuan Yew, which shaped his views on democracy and economic development.

● Legacy

Hussain Muhammad Ershad's legacy is complex and multifaceted, with both supporters and critics acknowledging his significant impact on Bangladeshi politics and history. He is remembered for his introduction of the Upazila system, which has had a lasting impact on local governance in Bangladesh, as well as his role in promoting economic development and infrastructure in the country, similar to the efforts of Lee Kuan Yew in Singapore. Ershad's legacy is also influenced by his interactions with international leaders like Deng Xiaoping and Helmut Kohl, and his exposure to the ideas of Francis Fukuyama and Samuel Huntington, which shaped his views on globalization and international relations. Overall, Ershad's legacy serves as a reminder of the complex and often contentious nature of Bangladeshi politics and the significant challenges faced by the country in its early years, as well as its interactions with neighboring countries like India, Pakistan, and Myanmar, and international organizations like the United Nations and the European Union.