There has been a fascinating new study by Professor Mushfiq Mobarak and co-author Sultan Mehmood, where the duo analyse newly uncovered satellite imagery of the 1970 Bhola cyclone and show that the storm affected voting patterns and induced more citizens to take up arms in a guerrilla war that led to the founding of Bangladesh. It is indeed a very pertinent and powerful paper that they have penned, which not only re-raises history in a very tangible way but also holds a lot of lessons in today’s context for the entire sub-continent, a region which has sadly failed to come to terms with 1947 and thereby continues to play the politics of hate that does nothing but hold back its own progress and development. Not only is the study a good read to learn why we have continuously failed to achieve our collective potential, but it also glaringly points to how neglect can be instrumental in brewing much more ill will, animosity and hatred than any other dividing force. Their study is titled: Climate Shocks and State Formation: The 1970 Bhola Cyclone and the Birth of Bangladesh.

State Neglect

Following is the piece in their own words: “Why do some independence movements succeed while many others fade or are crushed? The birth of Bangladesh in 1971 is a rare case in which a separatist movement not only gained mass support but also prevailed in open conflict against a powerful state. Explaining that success is not just a historical exercise. It also clarifies how states lose legitimacy and how climate shocks can transform diffuse frustration into coordinated political action and military conflict. The Bhola cyclone, which struck the coast of East Pakistan in November 1970, sits at the heart of this story. It was one of the deadliest disasters ever recorded. Winds topping 200 kilometres per hour (125 miles per hour) and storm surges over 10 meters (33 feet) swept across the world’s largest river........

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