Bangladesh Introduces New Banknotes Without Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s Portrait.
International
In June 2025, the Bangladesh Bank, headquartered in Dhaka, unveiled newly designed currency notes in denominations of Taka (Tk) 20, Tk 50, and Tk 1000. This move marks a significant departure from tradition, as the notes no longer feature the portrait of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the founding father of Bangladesh.
- Instead, the redesigned notes showcase Hindu and Buddhist temples, historical landmarks, and cultural motifs, reflecting the country’s diverse heritage.
- Since the nation's independence in 1971, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman—Bangladesh’s first President and former Prime Minister (PM)—had appeared on all Bangladeshi banknotes, making this the first such change in over five decades.
- The newly issued Tk 20 banknote highlights Bangladesh's rich cultural and religious heritage, featuring the Kantajew Temple in Dinajpur and the Somapura Mahavihara, a renowned Buddhist monastery in Naogaon. These landmarks represent the country's diverse spiritual and architectural legacy.
Main Point :- (i) The Tk 50 note showcases artistic and historical elements, including Ahsan Manzil, a prominent palace in Dhaka, and a powerful artwork by Zainul Abedin, which depicts the Bengal famine during British colonial rule — a significant event in the region’s history.
(ii) The Tk 1000 denomination focuses on national history, featuring the National Martyr’s Memorial, a tribute to the heroes of the 1971 Liberation War.
(iii) Notably, all the new notes under this redesigned series exclude human portraits entirely. However, previously issued banknotes featuring Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, along with existing coins, will continue to remain in legal circulation.
About Bangladesh
President: Mohammed Shahabuddin
Currency: Bangladeshi Taka
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