The Critical Reality of Our History
The defining, yet often underrepresented, feature of our Liberation War is the systematic genocide and torture carried out by the Pakistan Army and their local collaborators in 1971. The scale of this massacre—where 3 million Bengali people were killed within a mere nine months—is unparalleled in post-World War II history. While this immense tragedy galvanized global support for our nationhood, Bangladesh is still fighting for the international recognition of the 1971 genocide.
For decades, an over-emphasis on glorifying victory alone, combined with indifference toward documenting these atrocities, allowed historical distortions and propaganda to grow. To combat this misinformation, preserve the authentic history of the martyrs, and guide the younger generation toward a non-communal Bangladesh, a dedicated institutional effort became an absolute necessity.
Our Genesis
Proposed by Professor D. Muntassir Mamoon (Bangabandhu Chair, Dhaka University, and Chairman of ‘Bangladesh Itihas Sommiloni’), the 1971: Genocide-Torture Archive and Museum was founded in Khulna city in May 2014. Re-launched in its own permanent building on March 26, 2016, it stands proudly as the very first Genocide Museum not only in Bangladesh but in all of South Asia. From its inception, Professor Mamoon has guided the museum trust as its president, creating a space regularly visited by people of all ages, especially students.
Our Vision & Core Objectives
We aim to uncover the truth from oblivion and ensure that the ultimate sacrifice for freedom is permanently etched into human consciousness. Our core objectives include:
District-Based Research: Identifying genocide, torture, and mass killing sites across the country.
Comprehensive Archives: Building the largest online and offline archives in Bangladesh dedicated to 1971 atrocities.
Publications & Testimonies: Publishing memorial treatises and a comprehensive Genocide Index based on eyewitness accounts.
Youth Engagement: Creating platforms, competitions, and interactive exhibitions to keep the practice of history alive among the youth.
Global Advocacy: Advocating continuously for the official international recognition of the 1971 Bangladesh Genocide.
Centre for Genocide-Torture and Liberation War Studies
To achieve global research standards, we launched the ‘Centre for Genocide-Torture and Liberation War Studies’ on April 3, 2017. Financed by the Ministry of Cultural Affairs and guided by Project Director Professor Dr. Muntassir Mamoon, the center successfully operates:
Bi-yearly post-graduate training courses on Genocide and Liberation War studies.
National and international seminars, along with Martyrs’ Memorial Lectures.
Installation of permanent memorials at documented killing fields.
Nationwide genocide surveys and the awarding of Senior and Junior Fellowships.
Production of historical documentaries and expanding the specialized archive library.
Milestones & Achievements
National & International Exhibitions: Hosted joint exhibitions with the National Museum of Bangladesh and a historic joint exhibition with the Government of Tripura titled ‘Genocide – Torture: 1971’.
Tripura Memorial & Gallery: Supervised the creation of a Liberation War sculpture garden inside a memorial park in Tripura, India, and curated the dedicated ‘Liberation War and Tripura 1971’ gallery at the Tripura Museum.
School Outreach: Organized art exhibitions and history competitions across 30 different schools in Khulna to educate children about our roots.
Commemorative Envelopes: Collaborated with the Bangladesh Post Office to release an official commemorative envelope marking our second anniversary.
Museum Facilities
Exhibition Galleries: Displaying rare memoirs, historic memorabilia, and photographic evidence of the 1971 genocide.
Sales Center & Cafeteria: A specialized center to purchase pro-liberation books and souvenirs, alongside quality cafeteria services for visitors.
Open Stage (Mukto Moncho): A dynamic cultural space inside the museum campus, accessible to cultural activists for a minimum courtesy fee.
Join Our Mission
Building and maintaining an institution of this scale requires tremendous time, resources, and dedication. It is the holy duty of everyone carrying the spirit of the Liberation War to help this museum flourish.
We warmly invite your unconditional support. You can contribute by donating rare souvenirs, books, publications, or documents related to 1971, or by partnering with us financially to make this institution a global beacon for peace and justice.