Prottoy 71 Monument, Tangail

Hello friends, I hope you are all doing well. 'Prottoy '71' is one of the significant Liberation War-themed commemorative sculptures located on the campus in Santosh, Tangail. It stands as an important monument honoring Bangladesh's glorious Liberation War, the courage of the freedom fighters and the spirit of independence. I visited the site with a friend a few days ago. It is located next to Mawlana Bhashani University and can be easily reached from Tangail town by taking any auto-rickshaw.

Front view

This is a sculpture that embodies history dating back years. 'Prattay-71' is situated near the university's main gate, opposite the administrative building and to the northeast of Shahzaman Dighi.

The sculpture is easily visible upon entering the campus, though it most readily catches the eye when entering through the main gate. It features an exquisite design and structure. It was installed in February 2012 and officially inaugurated on March 18 of the same year. The sculpture stands approximately 20–21 feet tall, with the main figure set upon a circular pedestal.

This sculpture is well-known to everyone studying at this university. The most notable feature of 'Prattay '71' is that it depicts a total of six freedom fighters including a woman whose figures served as the models for the sculpture. Through this work, the collective participation and sacrifice of both men and women in the Liberation War are symbolically represented. Everyone is familiar with the history of the 1971 Liberation War.

The clenched fists of the freedom fighters symbolize protest against injustice and exploitation, effectively conveying a sense of unity. Their resolute and courageous postures evoke the unwavering determination and resistance of the Bengali people during the war. Standing tall with large rifles in hand, the figures appear remarkably lifelike.

A fighter with a rifle in hand
The statues are standing.

Behind this sculpture stand two pillars, approximately 17 feet tall. Between them lies a red circle, interpreted as a symbol of the new sunrise of independence; up close, it appears as red as blood. Although climbing it was not permitted, a closer look reveals two pairs of white doves on the pillars symbols of freedom and peace.

Thus, the sculpture reflects the aspirations of the Bangladeshi people for a peaceful future following an independence achieved through long struggle and sacrifice. The doves are rendered in a simple style, making them somewhat subtle, yet a history lies hidden behind each figure.

It is surrounded by a flower garden, and one must pass through the center of this garden to enter the site. Viewing the sculptures up close evokes a sense of history. For university students, it serves as a tangible monument to the history of the Liberation War and the spirit of independence.

Tributes are paid here on various national days. On Victory Day in 2024, the university's Vice-Chancellor and various affiliated organizations laid floral wreaths at ‘Prattay-71’ to honor the martyrs of the Liberation War. Tributes are also paid here in observance of Bangladesh's National Victory Day.

Statue of a male warrior
Statue of a female warrior