Temples and Tradition Replace Mujibur Rahman’s Portrait in Bangladesh’s New Currency Notes
In a significant cultural and political shift, Bangladesh unveiled a new series of banknotes on Sunday that no longer feature the image of its founding father, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. Instead, the new notes prominently display Hindu and Buddhist temples, national monuments, and iconic artwork reflecting the country’s rich cultural history.
The rollout, led by the interim government headed by Nobel Laureate Muhammad Yunus, includes redesigned Tk 1000, Tk 50, and Tk 20 notes, which will initially be released from the Bangladesh Bank’s headquarters in Dhaka. These new designs are part of a phased revamp aimed at showcasing the “historical and archaeological architecture of Bangladesh,” a plan first announced in 2024.
“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 told AFP.
The redesigned notes feature images of Hindu and Buddhist temples, the National Martyrs’ Memorial, and artwork by the legendary painter Zainul Abedin. While the new series marks a departure from decades of currency tradition, officials clarified that existing notes featuring Sheikh Mujibur Rahman will continue to circulate alongside the new versions.
The symbolic shift arrives amid a volatile political backdrop. On the same day, the International Crimes Tribunal in Bangladesh indicted former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on mass murder charges in connection with a violent crackdown on student-led protests. Hasina, along with former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, now faces arrest warrants for alleged human rights violations during her tenure.
This dual development marks a pivotal moment in Bangladesh’s political and cultural narrative — blending a new visual identity with intensifying scrutiny of the country’s previous leadership.
