Shaheed is the nickname of Anwar-ul-Alam, who is one of the two great heroes of Tangail Mukti Bahini during the War of Liberation in 1971. Shaheed was the deputy commander and civilian administrator of Tangail during the war. History bestowed upon him the great task of leading the war in the area, a job he accomplished with great wisdom and selflessness. The military commander of Tangail Mukti Bahini, Kader Siddiqui, depended a lot on this intelligent man.
The book is a recollection of the eventful life of the deputy commander of the guerrilla war. He led the war through utilising his organisational skills, which he had acquired as a student leader in school and college in Tangail and subsequently at Dhaka University. The book is Saqi Anwar's sincere tribute to the great guerrilla leader. It is a reflection on Anwar-ul-Alam's capability, honesty, dedication, patriotism and his pivotal role in the liberation of Tangail. The book comprises his brief biography, memorable achievements as a proud member of Kochi Kanchar Mela, social organiser, national and international scout, student leader, a pioneer in the struggle for self-autonomy for Bengalis and above all as a freedom fighter. He has a sharp, analytical mind. His honesty, patriotism and love for the country remain exemplary.
Anwar-ul-Alam was born in a respectable family of Tangail. He was reared in the environment of a political family. His father Moulvi Abdur Rahim Ichhapuri was associated with the struggle against British colonial rule in the Indian subcontinent. He was a veteran leader of the Krishak Praja Party founded by Sher-e-Bangla A.K. Fazlul Huq. Shaheed's mother shouldered the responsibility of the family in the absence of her husband, who remained busy with his political activities.
Shaheed passed the Secondary School Certificate examination from the renowned Bindubhashini High School in Tangail. In his boyhood, a fire incident in his hometown shook him to his roots and turned him into a devoted social worker. As a student, he edited magazines and regional newspapers. He also brought out a newspaper titled 'Ranangan' which kept the morale of freedom fighters as well as people high during the War of Liberation.
In his youth, Shaheed identified with the Bangladesh Chhatra League. He actively took part in all Bengali nationalistic movements. He came in contact with Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in August 1962. Bangabandhu had come to Tangail to address a mammoth meeting at the historic Park Maidan. Their links grew and lasted till Bangabandhu's martyrdom on 15 August 1975. Shaheed was in the forefront of the struggle in the turbulent 1960s, leading up to the historic 6-point movement, 11-point movement, mass upsurge in 1969 and then helping to sweep the 1970 elections.
While he was a student of the Social Science Department of Dhaka University (1968-70), Anwar-ul-Alam became general secretary of Sir Salimullah Muslim Hall Students' Union. He was a sober student leader who welcomed suggestions from and respected the opinions of others. It was at this stage that he acquired the rare quality of running organisations skillfully. He applied just such a quality during the armed struggle in Tangail.
The author's vivid depiction of Shaheed's struggle against all odds during the War of Liberation are exciting as well as delightful. Anwar-ul-Alam's firmness nullified the Mujibnagar government's reservations about the Tangail guerrilla commander Kader Siddiqui. His patriotism and administrative skills were incomparable. As an able administrator, he took quick decisions in complicated situations. Above all, his respect for the rule of law was incomparable. As second-in-command, Shaheed ran the civilian administration in a vast area of Tangail successfully. And Tangail, one will recall, remained free of the Pakistani occupation army during the nine months of the War of Liberation.
