University of Texas, Arlington

HUMA 3340

Of blood and Fire” was written by Jahanara Imam. Many writers wrote about liberation war
of Bangladesh. But Jahanara Imam was unique among them because she had witnessed many
events along with her husband and her son who took active part in during the liberation war.
Jahanara Imam was not only Bangladeshi story writer but also an educationalist. She was born
in 1929.In her life she wrote many articles, novels and so many stories. She died on 1994
while fighting with cancer. Her famous and best book is “OF blood and fire”. Which is a diary
type story book. In her book she focused on our liberation war and how the days were passing
during our liberation war. “Of Blood and Fire” book was published in 1986. In this book how
a family lived during the liberation war of our country is mentioned.
The book Of Blood and Fire' is basically a diary form of book in which she describes each day
of 1971 from March 1 to 17 December. When the British left in 1947 two countries were born
which are India and Pakistan which had two parts. Those are East Pakistan currently
Bangladesh and West Pakistan. After many years of suffering by the West Pakistanis in 1971
East Pakistan finally got their independence which finally became Bangladesh. In 1971 there
were some major events which Jahanara Imam mentioned in ‘OF Blood and Fire’. In her book
she mentioned about 7th March the day Bangabandhu gave the historic speech. In his speech
he asked the Bengalis to resist, building up fortress in every home even if he's not around to
order. Finally, he concluded his historic speech by saying, "This time the s