In the history of Bangladesh's independence, Sheikh Fazilatunnesa Mujib's husband, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, spent 4,682 days—equivalent to 13 years and 14 days—in prison fighting for the legitimate rights of the people of Bangladesh and ultimately for its independence. During these long periods in her husband's absence, among those who endured all hardships to provide total support, encouragement, and inspiration to Bangabandhu, one of the most prominent was his spouse and life partner, this illustrious woman, Begum Fazilatunnesa Mujib.

From Bangladesh's Language Movement to the epic Liberation War, the establishment of independent Bangladesh, and various historical junctures, Bangamata Sheikh Fazilatunnesa Mujib stands as a unique symbol of uninterrupted inspiration. In her memoirs, Sheikh Hasina, the five-time elected Prime Minister of Bangladesh, wrote that her mother had an extraordinary memory and an incomparable ability to recall information. That is why Bangabandhu jokingly used to call her a "living tape recorder." She would listen to ordinary people, party activists, and leaders talk about the country's situation all day, and during her visits to the prison at night, she would present the facts to Bangabandhu accurately and flawlessly. Understanding the pulse of the common people, she always assisted Bangabandhu. Begum Mujib's contribution is cited as the key reason why most of Bangabandhu's decisions favoured the general public. On September 26, 1969, the US State Department noted that his spouse, Sheikh Fazilatunnesa Mujib (Renu), possessed sharp intellect and a remarkable memory. Very ordinary-looking, soft-spoken, and subtle, her tendency to work behind the scenes made her quite difficult to identify. She maintained regular contact with 30 to 35 people (or possibly more) in the city who were local vehicle drivers (rickshaw pullers). Occasionally, she herself traveled in these local vehicles (rickshaws) as needed. Through them, she gathered various items of information and presented them unadulterated in report form to Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, East Pakistan's most skilled politician. The astute Mujib could easily gauge the sentiment of the common people and make decisions effortlessly.

During political crises, even under extreme surveillance, Bangamata cleverly used burqas and relied on her trusted rickshaw pullers. When necessary, she would travel by rickshaw to secret locations, exchanging important messages and information with the nucleus of Chhatra League and emerging leaders of Awami League. The Pakistani police or intelligence agencies were never able to identify her. It is impossible to present Bangamata's vast and unprecedented contributions in a limited space using historical documents of dates, days, and times. Nevertheless, a few instances are highlighted below:

1. The Historic Six-Point Movement (1966): On February 5, 1966, Bangabandhu presented the historic 6-point demand in Lahore, and upon returning home, he was arrested after starting nationwide campaigns. During that difficult period, Bangamata brought Awami League and Chhatra League leaders to her home to give various guidance. Furthermore, to support the nationwide historical movement and campaign in favor of the 6 points on June 7, 1966, she raised funds by selling her own jewelry.

2. The 1969 Mass Upsurge and Unprecedented Protest Against Parole Release: When Bangabandhu was kept detained at the Dhaka Cantonment as the prime accused in the Agartala Conspiracy Case (1968), Ayub Khan proposed releasing Bangabandhu on 'parole' in February 1969 to attend a round-table conference. While senior Awami League leaders were pressuring Bangabandhu to agree to parole, Bangamata sent a message to Bangabandhu advising him to remain firm on attending the round-table meeting only upon unconditional release, and not otherwise.

Due to Bangamata's courageous and visionary decision, the Pakistani ruling regime was forced to withdraw the Agartala case on February 22, 1969, and unconditionally release Bangabandhu. The following day, on February 23, the All-Party Students' Action Council conferred upon him the title of 'Bangabandhu'.

3. The 1970 Elections: During the election campaign for the Pakistan General Elections held on December 7, 1970, when the party faced a financial crisis, she provided significant financial support by selling her personal savings and her own land. Although there was hesitation among leaders regarding whether Awami League should participate in the election, she convinced Bangabandhu that the public was looking up to him. Her firmness helped Bangabandhu make his decision. 4. The Historic 7th March Speech and the Great Liberation War (1971): Before heading to the Racecourse Ground on March 7, 1971, various intellectuals and leaders were preparing draft speeches for Bangabandhu. At that moment, Bangamata softly told Bangabandhu, "Listen to no one; speak only what comes from your heart and what you truly believe." Bangabandhu's spontaneous speech that day is now recognized by UNESCO as one of the greatest speeches of all time.

After the declaration of independence on the night of March 25, 1971, Bangabandhu was arrested. From that moment until victory was achieved on December 16, Bangamata spent the entire nine months under house arrest with her children at a house on Road 18 in Dhanmondi, enduring extreme mental anxiety. Even under confinement, she secretly provided financial assistance and messages to freedom fighters, bolstering their courage. From this house on Road 18, she sent her son Sheikh Jamal, who was around 18 years old, to India to join the Liberation War.

5. Rehabilitation of Birangonas in the Post-Independence Era (1972–1975): After independence in 1972, while Bangabandhu was rebuilding a new nation from the ruins, Bangamata worked closely to rehabilitate Birangonas (war heroines) and ordinary women. In particular, she took personal initiative to arrange marriages and gift gold jewelry with her own hands to many victimized women who were tortured by Pakistani forces during the war, offering them a new life and helping them secure a dignified position in society. Bangamata never accepted official splendor or the luxurious attire of a First Lady; she always lived like an ordinary Bengali woman.

Born in Tungipara on August 8, 1930, this heroic woman faced the brutal bullets of assassins on the tragic night of August 15, 1975. When the killers assassinated the Father of the Nation, she remained completely unfazed and said, "You have killed him; kill me too."

The person who stood by Bangabandhu in light and shadow throughout her life followed that trusted companion in death as well. In the bloody atmosphere of that fatal night, her blood mingled with Bangabandhu's stream of blood. Words fail to express the sorrow; I only pray that the Almighty grants this noble woman a place in Paradise.

Author: Ashru Hasi, Politician and Columnist.