1971—a year of blood and sacrifice. A fourteen-year-old girl dreamt of a peaceful life, a small home, rice fields, and moments of simple joy. Yet history led her on a different path—one of courage, sacrifice, and patriotic devotion.
Following her commander’s orders, she carried a banana tree close to her chest. This tree became her shield of bravery. Crossing rivers at night, she reached Pakistani camps like a spy. Even near the enemy, her eyes held no fear, only an unyielding desire for freedom.
To conceal herself, she smeared mud, filth, and even excrement on her body. The stench on her hair, clothes, and skin allowed her to move around the camp unnoticed. Everyone thought she was mad. This misconception became her strength. Seen as a ‘madwoman’, no one paid attention, while she returned with all the secret intelligence—weapon counts, attack plans, where girls were imprisoned and tortured—every detail a key to saving countless lives.
Her childhood had been filled with suffering, her home destroyed, her mother and she reduced to beggars. Meals often consisted of boiled taro. Yet, Taraman Bibi became an invaluable ally of the freedom fighters. As a refugee, she began work in a guerrilla camp as a cook. Commander Aziz Master made her his “discipline girl,” urging her to stand by and avenge the dishonour of the nation’s daughters.
Amid washing pots, she took up heavy weapons. The image remains vivid—
Amid gunfire, the fourteen-year-old cooked rice;
The next moment, she climbed a tree to count enemy arms;
Another moment, she gathered intelligence at the Pakistani camp;
Finally, she held a Sten gun for her country.
A small body with extraordinary strength and a heart full of courage.
Day after day, she conducted reconnaissance across muddy ponds.
Facing the world’s strongest forces, her gun was trained on the target.
Her hands fired the bullets. Her hands shed blood.
Yet she did not stop. Her struggle continued until the country’s independence.
Have we given her the respect she deserves?
Taraman Bibi—a life that spoke the language of sacrifice. A symbol of endless love for the soil, mother, and homeland.
On the first day of the victory month in 2018, freedom fighter Taraman Bibi was enshrined in the heart of independent Bangladesh.
Born in 1957, Rajibpur, Kurigram. But her true birth was in the roar of 1971—born against injustice, born for freedom.
Salute and deep respect, Freedom Fighter Taraman Bibi.
You are the eternal flame of courage, determination, and sacrifice in our history.
AJ