Bir Sreshtho
| Bir Sreshtho | |
|---|---|
|
Bir Sreshtho and its ribbon, the highest military decoration of Bangladesh | |
| Awarded by Bangladesh | |
| Type | Gallantry Award |
| Eligibility | Military only (Conferable on all ranks). Also considered for civilians. |
| Awarded for | Bravery Dedication of Life to Save the Mother Land.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. |
| Status | Awarded by the Bangladesh Gazette 15 December 1973 |
| Description | Bir Sreshtho (The Most Valiant Hero) |
| Statistics | |
| Established | 1971 |
| First awarded | 15 December 1973 |
| Last awarded | 15 December 1973 |
| Total awarded | 7 |
| Posthumous awards | 7 |
| Distinct recipients | 7 fighters of the Bangladesh Liberation War |
| Precedence | |
| Next (higher) | None |
| Equivalent | None |
| Individual equivalent | 7 |
| Next (lower) | Bir Uttom |
The Bir Sreshtho (Bengali: বীরশ্রেষ্ঠ) (The Most Valiant Hero), is the highest military award of Bangladesh. It was awarded to seven freedom fighters who showed utmost bravery and died in action for their nation. They are considered martyrs.[1]
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.
Recipients of the Bir Srestho
All 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).
Bangladesh Army
| Serial No. | ID Number & Rank | Name |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | BSS-10439 Captain | Mohiuddin Jahangir[2] |
| 2 | 3943014 Sepahi | Hamidur Rahman[3] |
| 3 | 3937798 Sepahi | Mostafa Kamal[4] |
Bangladesh Navy
| Serial No. | ID Number & Rank | Name |
|---|---|---|
| 4 | 62066 Engine Room Artificer, Class-1 | Mohammad Ruhul Amin[3] |
Bangladesh Air Force
| Serial No. | ID Number & Rank | Name |
|---|---|---|
| 5 | Pak/4367 Flight Lieutenant | Matiur Rahman[5] |
Bangladesh Rifles Currently known as Border Guard of Bangladesh
| Serial No. | ID Number & Rank | Name |
|---|---|---|
| 6 | Lance Naik | Munshi Abdur Rouf[3] |
| 7 | 9459 Lance Naik | Noor Mohammad[6] |
Note: When referring to martyrs, the word 'shaheed' is often put before each individuals name as a mark of respect. The list has been prepared like the declaration by the Bangladesh Gazette.[7]
See also
References
- ↑ webmaster. "The Bir Sreshtho". birsreshtho.com. birsreshtho.com. Retrieved 19 June 2015.
- ↑ "Nation to recall martyrdom of Bir Shreshtha Jahangir today". The Daily Star.
- 1 2 3 "War heroes honoured". The Daily Star. UNB. 21 November 2009. 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.
- ↑ The Bangladesh Gazette, 15 December 1973.
External links
 | ||