Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Wednesday paid tribute to Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman on the occasion of the historic Mujibnagar Day.
She placed a wreath at Bangabandhu's portrait in front of the Bangabandhu Memorial Museum in Dhanmondi, Dhaka.
Afterwards, the prime minister stood in solemn silence for some time as a mark of profound respect for the memory of Bangabandhu, the architect of independence.
Flanked by central leaders of the Awami League, Sheikh Hasina, also president of the party, placed another wreath at the portrait of Bangabandhu on behalf of the organization.
On this day in 1971, Bangladesh's first government in exile was formed at the Baidyanathtala mango orchard in Meherpur, under the then Kushtia district.
The place was later renamed Mujibnagar as a tribute to Bangabandhu who was declared president of the government-in-exile.
Syed Nazrul Islam was appointed acting president in the absence of Bangabandhu.
Bangabandhu was arrested and taken to West Pakistan after the Pakistani military regime launched a brutal crackdown on the night of March 25, 1971.
Tajuddin Ahmad was appointed the first prime minister, while Captain M Mansur Ali and AHM Quamaruzzaman were made cabinet members.
The successful leadership of the core cabinet steered the Liberation War to victory on December 16 of that year.