Shankar’s Weekly and the Liberation War of 1971
| Publication Type | Journal Article |
| Publication Year | April 2026 |
| Author(s) | Muntassir Mamoon |
| Journal Name | Journal of Genocide and Liberation War Research |
| Volume, Issue | 8 (English) |
| Pagination | 13-46 |
| Article Type | Paper |
| DOI |
Keywords: Liberation War, Political Cartoons, Public Opinion, Genocide, Visual History
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Abstract: Political cartoons, particularly those published in Shankar’s Weekly, provide a unique and underexplored perspective on the Bangladesh Liberation War of 1971. While traditional historiography emphasizes military campaigns, genocide, and diplomacy, cartoons capture multidimensional narratives reflecting public opinion, global civil society, and ideological positions. Between January 1971 and March 1972, Shankar’s Weekly published 134 cartoons on the Liberation War, depicting themes such as genocide, refugee crises, international relations, and the roles of leaders like Indira Gandhi, Yahya Khan, Bhutto, Nixon, and Mao Zedong. Cartoonists including Shankar, Abu Abraham, Amal Chakraborty, and Rebati Bhushan Ghosh combined satire, political critique, and humanistic concern. Iconography often portrayed Yahya Khan as a monstrous figure, Bhutto as a schemer, and Sheikh Mujibur Rahman as the symbol of Bengali resistance. Political cartoons function as narrative devices, condensing complex events into visual forms, shaping public opinion, and reflecting societal values. Many cartoons appeared without captions, yet conveyed powerful messages that mirrored civil society engagement and international awareness of the war. Integrating cartoons into Liberation War studies enriches the historiography, providing insights into theemotional, political, and global dimensions of 1971.