24/08/2026
Read the passage carefully and answer the questions that follow:
Begum Khaleda Zia was one of the most prominent political leaders in the history of Bangladesh. Born on 15 August 1946 in Dinajpur, she initially lived a private life as a wife and mother. However, her life changed dramatically after the tragic assassination of her husband, President Ziaur Rahman, in 1981. Following his death, she stepped into public life to lead the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP).
During the 1980s, Khaleda Zia played a central role in the movement to restore democracy in Bangladesh. She fearlessly led nation-wide protests against the autocratic military regime of General Hussain Muhammad Ershad. Her uncompromising stance during this democratic struggle earned her immense popularity among the public. Following the mass uprising of 1990 and the subsequent general election in 1991, she became the first female Prime Minister of Bangladesh and only the second woman to lead a government in a Muslim-majority nation.
During her tenure, Bangladesh returned to a parliamentary system of governance. Her government prioritized education, introducing compulsory free primary education and expanding financial stipends for female students to boost girls' literacy across the country. She went on to serve as Prime Minister for multiple terms. Throughout her long political career, which spanned over four decades, she remained a key figure in Bangladeshi politics, demonstrating resilience through intense political struggles and severe personal hardships.
Sample Practice Questions (SSC Pattern)
1. Choose the correct answer from the alternatives:
a) Begum Khaleda Zia became the first female Prime Minister of Bangladesh in —
(i) 1981
(ii) 1990
(iii) 1991
(iv) 2001
b) The word 'uncompromising' in line 7 most closely means —
(i) flexible
(ii) steadfast
(iii) weak
(iv) doubtful
2. Answer the following questions in short:
a) What tragic event compelled Begum Khaleda Zia to enter politics?
b) What key educational reforms were introduced during her administration?
c) How did she contribute to the restoration of democracy in Bangladesh during the 1980s?
