DHAKA, Bangladesh — Bangladesh has introduced a new series of banknotes that will replace existing designs featuring its founding President, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the father of ousted former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who was removed from power last year.
The South Asian nation, with a population of approximately 170 million, has been governed by a caretaker administration since Hasina’s departure. Her trial commenced on Sunday, with charges relating to her alleged attempts to suppress the uprising against her government in August 2024.
Previously, all Bangladeshi banknotes displayed the portrait of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, who led the country from its independence from Pakistan in 1971 until his assassination, along with most of his family, in a 1975 coup.
“Under the new series and design, the notes will not feature any human portraits, but will instead showcase natural landscapes and traditional landmarks,” Bangladesh Bank spokesman Arif Hossain Khan informed Vivid Voice News.
The new banknote designs for the Muslim-majority nation include depictions of Hindu and Buddhist temples, as well as historical palaces.
They also incorporate artwork by the late painter Zainul Abedin, illustrating the Bengal famine during British colonial rule.
Another design will feature the national martyrs’ memorial, commemorating those who perished in the independence war against Pakistan.
On Sunday, the central bank released banknotes for three of the nine different denominations.
“The new notes will be issued from the central bank’s headquarters, and later from its other offices across the country,” the spokesman added.
“The other denominations of the notes with new designs will be released in phases”.
Existing banknotes and coins will continue to be legal tender alongside the newly issued notes.
This is not the first instance of banknote design changes reflecting shifts in the political landscape of Bangladesh.
Initial banknotes issued in 1972, following Bangladesh’s name change from East Pakistan, featured a map of the country.
Subsequent notes prominently displayed Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the leader of the Awami League, the same party that Sheikh Hasina led during her 15-year tenure as prime minister.
During periods when other parties, predominantly the influential Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), were in power, historic and archaeological sites were featured on the currency.
The Awami League was banned last month pending the trial of Sheikh Hasina and other prominent party leaders.
Sheikh Hasina, 77, is currently in self-imposed exile in India and has defied an extradition order to attend her trial.
