The Colonel who Would not Repent by Salil Tripathi

             The book 'The Colonel who Would not Repent ' written by Salil Tripathi  is very well researched book on events that led to creation of Bangladesh and various coups that took place later. Little is known about the events that led to killing of Sheikh Mujibur Rehman just four  years after his return to Bangladesh as hero of freedom struggle. This book fills the void. The author has given detailed account of origin of Bangladesh movement, the war of 1971 in Bangladesh and later events including number of coups and counter coups that led to number of killings of numbers of leaders and army officers who had fought for liberation of Bangladesh as leaders of Mukti Bahini. 

      Salil Tripathi has carried out interviews with number of rape victims and eye witnesses who suvived mass killings by Pakistan Army. The author has given vivid details of fatal errors commited by Sheikh Mujibur Rehman that led to his downfall and ultimate death in the hands of his own army. Ironically his killers were not only pardoned but also appointed ambassadors in various countries by subsequent governments. However later most of them were hanged through trials by courts. The author had interviewed Lt Col Farooq the mastermind of coup   against Sheikh Mujibur Rehman who never regretted the crime and after whom this book is named as such.

        Overall this book is worth reading. Though a bit lengthy (380 pages) but very engrossing and must read by persons interesed to know the dark days of history of Bangladesh.