The Bir Sreshtho (Bengali: বীরশ্রেষ্ঠ; lit. 'The Most Valiant Hero'), is the highest military award of Bangladesh.[1] It was awarded to seven freedom fighters who showed utmost bravery and died in action for their nation. They are considered martyrs.[2]
Bir Sreshtho (BS) | |
|---|---|
 Bir Shrestha Medal | |
| Type | Military medal |
| Awarded for | Bravery dedication of life to save the motherland. To those who have performed acts of greatest heroism or most conspicuous courage in circumstances of extreme danger and have shown bravery of the highest order or devotion to the country, in the presence of the enemy on land, at sea or in the air to save the motherland. |
| Description | Bir Sreshtho (The Most Valiant Hero) |
| Presented by | Bangladesh |
| Eligibility | Military only (Conferrable on all ranks). |
| Status | Awarded by the Bangladesh Gazette 15 December 1973 |
| Established | 1975 |
| First awarded | 15 December 1973 |
| Total | 7 |
| Total awarded posthumously | 7 |
| Total recipients | 7 fighters of the Bangladesh Liberation War |
 | |
| Precedence | |
| Next (higher) | None |
| Equivalent | Bir Sorbottam |
| Individual equivalent | 7 |
| Next (lower) | Bir Uttom |
The other three gallantry awards are named, in decreasing order of importance, Bir Uttom, Bir Bikrom and Bir Protik. All of these awards were introduced immediately after the Liberation War in 1971.[3]
Recipients of the Bir Srestho
editAll the recipients of this award were killed in action during the Liberation War of 1971. The award was published by the Bangladesh Gazette on 15 December 1973. It is the highest military award of Bangladesh, similar to the American Medal of Honor or the British Victoria Cross. It has only been given in 1973 to seven people. Listed below are the people who have received the Bir Srestho. They are all considered 'Shaheed' (Martyrs).
| Serial No. | ID Number & Rank | Name |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | BSS-10439 Captain | Mohiuddin Jahangir[4] |
| 2 | 3943014 Sepoy | Hamidur Rahman[5] |
| 3 | 3937798 Sepoy | Muhammad Mustafa Kamal[6] |
| Serial No. | ID Number & Rank | Name |
|---|---|---|
| 4 | 62066 Engine Room Artificer, Class-1 | Mohammad Ruhul Amin[5] |
| Serial No. | ID Number & Rank | Name |
|---|---|---|
| 5 | Pak/4367 Flight Lieutenant | Matiur Rahman[7] |
| Serial No. | ID Number & Rank | Name |
|---|---|---|
| 6 | Lance Naik | Munshi Abdur Rouf[5] |
| 7 | 9459 Lance Naik | Noor Mohammad Sheikh[8] |
Note: When referring to martyrs, the word 'shaheed' is often put before each individual's name as a mark of respect. The list has been prepared like the declaration by the Bangladesh Gazette.[9]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ "Bir Sreshtho - Bangladesh Army". www.army.mil.bd. Retrieved 2020-12-31.
- ^ "The Bir Sreshtho". birsreshtho.com. Retrieved 19 June 2015.
- ^ "Bir Sreshthos". Bangladesh Genocide Archive. 2012-03-14. Retrieved 2021-01-24.
- ^ "Nation to recall martyrdom of Bir Shreshtha Jahangir today". The Daily Star.
- ^ a b c "War heroes honoured". The Daily Star. UNB. 21 November 2009. Archived from the original on 18 June 2015. Retrieved 18 June 2015.
- ^ Chandan, Md Shahnawaz Khan. "A Hero's Tale". The Daily Star. Retrieved 18 June 2015.
- ^ "Bangladesh 'war hero' goes home". BBC News. Retrieved 18 June 2015.
- ^ "Preserve glorious history of Liberation War: President". The Financial Express. Dhaka. UNB. Retrieved 19 June 2015.
- ^ Bangladesh Government Gazettes. Dhaka: Ministry of Defense,Government of Bangladesh. 15 December 1973. p. Gazettes No-8/25/D-1/72-1378.