How Biman Mullick Created History:

How Biman Mullick Created History: The Untold Story Behind Bangladesh's First Postage Stamps:

The 1971 Bangladesh independence stamps, representing Bangladesh's first postage stamps, launched in July of that year and generated an astounding $23,000 in sales on their opening day in England. These postal stamps became powerful diplomatic tools during the Liberation War, serving beyond their primary purpose of postage to support Bangladesh's fight for independence and raise global awareness. The story of these postal stamps reflects remarkable dedication in the realm of Bangladesh philately history and showcases the impact of postal diplomacy during the Liberation War.

Biman Mullick, the talented Biman Mullick stamp designer whose Biman Mullick stamp art would become iconic, created all eight stamps within six weeks while teaching. His powerful collection, priced at just over £1 GBP, captured essential imagery of the Liberation War. The stamps featured Bangladesh's map, the Dhaka University massacre, and boldly declared "A Nation of 75 Million People."

The Mujibnagar Government approved these historic Mujibnagar Government stamps, and British MP John Stonehouse supported their release. These Bangladesh first stamps played a significant role in helping Bangladesh's independence movement gain international recognition through postal communication during the Liberation War.

The Birth of Bangladesh's National Identity Through Stamps

A devastating civil war broke out in March 1971, marking the beginning of Bangladesh's Liberation War. The newly formed Mujibnagar Government knew international legitimacy would be vital to their independence struggle. They made setting up a postal system one of their first priorities to show they could run as a sovereign nation during the conflict, laying the foundation for Bangladesh postal service origins.

The Mujibnagar Government's vision for international recognition

The provisional government set up Field Post Offices in liberated areas and put the postal department under the Ministry of Transport and Communication [1]. This move served two purposes - it provided essential services to citizens and showed the world they were a functioning state. The Mujibnagar Government postal system became a crucial element in establishing the nation's identity and facilitating postal communication during the Liberation War.

The young nation fought for its existence and needed global recognition badly. The Mujibnagar Government believed legitimate state institutions would strengthen their case for independence. The postal services became more than just mail delivery - they represented sovereignty itself and played a key role in postal diplomacy during the Liberation War.

John Stonehouse's pivotal suggestion to Tajuddin Ahmad

British Labor MP John Stonehouse met Prime Minister Tajuddin Ahmad in April 1971. After seeing the refugee crisis himself, Stonehouse made a suggestion that would reshape Bangladesh's independence movement and lead to the creation of Bangladesh's first stamps.

"I suggested to Tajuddin and Mansoor Ali, the Minister of Finance who was also present, that Bangla Desh should issue postage stamps which could be used for mail from the liberated areas and which would also be excellent propaganda to establish the fact of the existence of Bangla Desh," Stonehouse wrote in his autobiography [2].

Tajuddin Ahmad liked the idea right away. He talked it over with his cabinet colleagues and told Stonehouse the next day they had approved it [2]. This simple administrative decision turned into a brilliant diplomatic move, setting the stage for the creation of Mujibnagar Government postal documents.

Why postage stamps became diplomatic weapons

Simple postage stamps became powerful diplomatic tools for Bangladesh. Biman Mullick, the Biman Mullick stamp designer, explained: "They are not sweet, little, beautiful drawings. They are telling a story" [2]. Each stamp in the set of eight told a specific story about Bangladesh's struggle and legitimacy, effectively serving as a propaganda tool for the Liberation War.

Donald Chesworth, who chaired the British charity 'War on Want' and supported Bangladesh's independence early on, helped with practical arrangements [3]. Format International Security Printers Ltd. in South London printed the stamps with "care and responsibility" [3].

The stamps made an incredible impact. They reached the world on July 29, 1971 - from liberated Bangladesh to India, the UK, North and South America, Israel, Europe, Australia, and the Far East [3]. Major newspapers like 'The Times,' 'The Guardian,' 'The Daily Telegraph,' 'Daily Mirror,' and 'The Morning Star' ran the news with pictures of the stamps [3].

John Stonehouse knew their value: "The stamps will be accepted in all parts of the world except of course Pakistan. They are very dramatic. More vivid than any I dealt with when I was Postmaster-General. They should bring in very good revenue to Bangla Desh and be of great interest to stamp collectors" [4].

Pakistan complained to the International Postal Union that the stamps were "illegal." The Mujibnagar Government responded by showing letters with Bangladeshi stamps had been delivered worldwide [3]. This proved Bangladesh's postal authority worked internationally and made its case for independence stronger, showcasing the effectiveness of postal diplomacy during the Liberation War.

Biman Mullick: The Artist Behind Bangladesh's First Postal Stamps

A talented artist's hands breathe life into national narratives through philatelic creations. Biman Mullick, a Bengali graphic artist from Howrah, India who moved to London in 1960, created Bangladesh's first postage stamps, leaving an indelible mark on Bangladesh philately history. His Biman Mullick stamp designs would soon become a symbol of a nation's struggle for independence.

From Gandhi stamp designer to Bangladesh's philatelic ambassador

Mullick had made his mark in the philatelic world before designing Bangladesh's stamps. His 1969 design of the 'Gandhi Centenary stamp' for the British Post Office marked a groundbreaking achievement. This stamp became "The first United Kingdom Postage stamp to commemorate an oversea leader and the first designed by an oversea artist" [5]. His exceptional work earned him first prize for "Designing Gandhi Stamps" and a gold medal for the best layout and design [6].

Life connected Mullick with Bangladesh's liberation struggle after this success. British MP John Stonehouse reached out to Mullick on April 29, 1971, asking him to design Bangladesh's first stamps [4]. Mullick met Stonehouse at the British House of Commons on May 3, 1971 [7]. Stonehouse then introduced him to Justice Abu Sayeed Chowdhury, Bangladesh's rightful envoy in London [7].

While the Gandhi stamp earned Mullick £162 10s [6], he took on this historic project without any payment [1]. This project exceeded mere financial value—it represented his support for a nation's fight for identity and his contribution to Bangladesh stamp design.

The emotional connection to Bangladesh's struggle

Bangladesh's cause resonated deeply with Mullick. He shared: "Back in London I was working as a visiting teacher in graphic design at the Folkstone School of Arts and Crafts. And every day as I was listening to the news on the radio, I felt helpless" [1].

News of violence against Dhaka University students struck Mullick hard as an educator. He remembered: "One day I heard that the Pakistani army killed students of the University of Dhaka and I couldn't sleep that night. All I could think was I am a teacher myself. I cannot imagine something like this happening to my students" [1]. This deep empathy drove his creative process in designing the Liberation War commemorative stamps.

Mullick saw a chance to showcase Bangladesh to the world without specific design instructions. He explained: "The world map did not have 'Bangladesh' on it up until then. So my idea was to introduce the nation and its birth history to the world. And I figured that I needed eight stamps to tell the story" [1].

The postage stamps design took Mullick just nine days to complete [1]. He sketched during his train commutes between the art school and home. The project moved from concept to final design in six weeks [1]. Donald Chatsworth, chief of British charity "War and Want," secured the Mujibnagar government's approval, and Format International Security Press in the UK printed the stamps with John Stonehouse's backing [7].

This project became a personal mission for Mullick. "It took away my sleep. It disturbed all my thoughts," he revealed [4]. His favorite design among the eight stamps commemorated the Dhaka University massacre, reflecting his emotional investment in Bangladesh's struggle [4]. He later reflected: "Needless to say, the designing of the first set of postage stamps for Bangladesh is the most important work in my career as an artist" [4].

The Eight Historic Bangladesh Postage Stamps and Their Symbolism

Bangladesh created eight historic postage stamps in 1971. Each stamp narrated a unique chapter of the nation's birth story. These stamps introduced Bangladesh globally through philatelic diplomacy and became important Mujibnagar Government philatelic items. These stamps would later be featured in Bangladesh stamp catalogs and displayed at Bangladesh stamp exhibitions, showcasing their historical significance.

Map of Bangladesh (10 paisa): Geographical identity

The 10 paisa stamp showed Bangladesh's exact location on the map. It highlighted the intersection of the 90-degree longitude and Tropic of Cancer across the country [4]. The stamp came in blue, bright red, and purple colors [8]. Biman Mullick said, "That also confirms that Bangla Desh is not just an imagination, it is a reality" [4]. This stamp answered a crucial question many foreigners asked - the location of this new nation.

Massacre at Dhaka University (20 paisa): Recording atrocities

The 20 paisa stamp stands out as the most emotionally powerful in the collection. It remembered the Pakistan Army's brutal attack on Dhaka University on March 25-26, 1971 [2]. Yellow, scarlet, dark green, and blue colors depicted one of the liberation struggle's darkest moments [4]. The Pakistan Army used tanks, automatic rifles, and rocket launchers against students and faculty. Hundreds died in this attack [9]. Mullick, a teacher, felt this stamp deeply - he couldn't imagine such violence against his own students [1].

75 Million People (50 paisa): Population showcase

The 50 paisa stamp came in orange, light brown, and gray colors. It proclaimed "A Nation of 75 Million People" [10]. This population figure helped outsiders learn about Bangladesh's struggle's magnitude [4]. The design merged '7' and '5' as a symbol of national unity [2]. Mullick explained, "So the outsider can compare with their own population and realize that the problem of Bangla Desh is a problem of an independent nation of 75 million people" [4].

The remaining five stamps and their messages

Five more stamps completed Bangladesh's independence story:

The one-rupee stamp showed Bangladesh's first flag with the country's map [2]. Yellow, scarlet, and green colors established the new nation's visual identity [8].

Blue and magenta colored the two-rupee stamp. It showcased the 1970 election results where Awami League won 167 of 169 seats (98%) in East Pakistan [1].

Breaking green chains on the three-rupee stamp symbolized freedom from Pakistani rule. This design commemorated the independence declaration on April 10, 1971 [1].

Sheikh Mujibur Rahman's portrait appeared on the five-rupee stamp - the collection's only photograph [2]. Gold, orange, deep brown, and black colors honored the independence movement's leader [8].

The ten-rupee stamp, the collection's most expensive, made a direct appeal: "Support Bangla Desh" [2].

These stamps later sold at a London auction with "Bangladesh Liberated" printed on them. This marked their diplomatic mission's successful end [11].

Global Launch and International Reception

Bangladesh's first postal stamps made their historic debut in London's corridors of power. This marked a defining moment in the nation's push for global recognition. The Liberation War still raged in East Pakistan when Bangladesh won this crucial diplomatic battle in Britain on July 26, 1971. This event marked the philatelic debut of Bangladesh on the world stage.

The House of Commons ceremony on July 26, 1971

The stamps were first shown in the British Houses of Parliament's Harcourt Room that overlooked the Thames River [4]. John Stonehouse, MP and former British Postmaster General, led the ceremony with Justice Abu Sayeed Chowdhury, Dacca University's vice chancellor [3]. The world's press gathered to witness this milestone [4]. The stamps received their official release in Room #8 of the House of Parliament three days later, on July 29 [4].

The financial results came quickly. English buyers snapped up $23,000 worth of stamps on day one [12]. A Bangladeshi businessman bought the first set for £230 at the following auction, while the second set went for £200 [4]. Biman Mullick, John Stonehouse, and Justice Chowdhury's signatures adorned both sets [4]. Mr. Stonehouse's Bangladesh Relief Committee collected over £1000 from stamp sales that day [4].

Media coverage across the world

News of "Bangla Desh" spread worldwide through the press conference. More than 90 newspapers around the globe ran Bangladesh stories by July 27-28 [13]. Anthony Lewis covered the London ceremony and quoted a Bangla Desh United Kingdom Steering Committee spokesperson. The spokesperson said these stamps symbolized the Bangla Desh Government's authority in their territories [3].

The story caught the attention of major news outlets. The New York Times, The Times (USA), The Times of India, The Irish Times, and The Bangkok Post all covered it [13]. The stamps gained publicity throughout North and South America, Europe, Israel, Australia, and the Far East [2].

Pakistan's diplomatic protests and Bangladesh's response

Pakistan, as expected, fought back against the stamps. They filed complaints with the International Postal Union, claiming the stamps were "illegal" [2]. Bangladesh had a clever response ready. They showed letters with Bangladeshi stamps that had successfully moved through international mail systems [2].

John Stonehouse received many such letters at the House of Commons. These letters bore Bangladesh stamps and carried the official Commons Post Office postmark [2]. This solid evidence weakened Pakistan's arguments and strengthened Bangladesh's international position.

From Propaganda to Official Postage: The Transition After Independence

Bangladesh's newly independent nation started establishing its sovereignty through official stamps right after victory. The philatelic symbols that rallied international support became functioning postal instruments just three days after liberation, marking a significant milestone in Liberation War postal history.

The 'Bangladesh Liberated' overprints

An army helicopter brought John Stonehouse to Dhaka on December 19, 1971. He carried several hundred copies of the original eight-value stamps plus three additional denominations with a special modification [14]. These 10 paisa, 5 rupee, and 10 rupee stamps displayed the words "Bangladesh Liberated" in both English and Bengali [4]. Biman Mullick chose the Bengali phrase "বাংলাদেশের মুক্তি" (Bangladesher Mukti) because it expressed "THE LIBERATION OF BANGLADESH" - a deeper meaning in Bengali language [4].

Unfortunately, fake stamps started appearing with different denominations and unauthorized overprints. This deeply troubled Mullick who felt it disrespected his artistic creations [4].

First usage in independent Bangladesh

Dhaka's General Post Office began selling the overprinted stamps right after Stonehouse arrived on December 20, 1971 [14]. Postal authorities released a circular that same day. They instructed all post offices to use rubber stamps on existing postage stamps to strike out "Pakistan" and replace it with "Bangladesh" [15].

This practical approach met immediate postal needs while showing sovereignty. Post offices used this method until April 30, 1973, when authorities withdrew rubber-stamped provisional issues from circulation [16].

Transition to the taka currency system

Pakistani rupee notes stayed in circulation for about three months after Bangladesh gained independence on December 16, 1971 [17]. Bangladesh introduced its own currency - the taka - on March 4, 1972, replacing the Pakistani rupee at par value [17].

Bangladesh released its first commemorative stamps on February 21, 1972. These stamps honored the Language Movement of 1952 with a 20 paisa stamp showing the Shaheed Minar [11]. Famous artists like Nitun Kundu and B.P. Chitonish created Bengali artwork for these designs [11].

Every stamp since then has shown denominations in taka (1 taka = 100 poisha). This established Bangladesh's unique philatelic identity [16] while keeping the careful issuing policy that marked the nation's early postal efforts.

Conclusion

Eight historic stamps symbolize Bangladesh's path to independence. Biman Mullick's artistic vision turned simple postage stamps into diplomatic tools that helped validate Bangladesh's fight for freedom worldwide. These 1971 Bangladesh independence stamps became a crucial part of Bangladesh philately history and are now prized items in Bangladesh stamp auctions.

The stamps became a soaring win. They generated significant revenue and caught international media attention. Letters with these stamps moved through global postal systems successfully and challenged Pakistan's claims that Bangladesh wasn't legitimate.

These philatelic masterpieces naturally evolved from propaganda tools to official postage stamps after independence. This marked Bangladesh's first steps as a free nation. The "Bangladesh Liberated" overprints celebrated this milestone, though unauthorized changes threatened their artistic value.

The original stamps now stand as treasured artifacts that showcase a nation's birth story. Bangladesh's conservative approach to stamp issuing carries forward their legacy. These simple postal items proved they could become powerful instruments of change at crucial moments in history, solidifying their place in Bangladesh stamp collecting and philatelic exhibitions worldwide.