The Provisional Government of Bangladesh was formed on April 17, 1971, in the midst of the Liberation War against Pakistan, following a brutal military crackdown on the Bengali population. With Sheikh Mujibur Rahman imprisoned in West Pakistan, prominent figures like Syed Nazrul Islam and Tajuddin Ahmad took the lead in establishing a government that could unite the Bengali resistance and articulate its demands for independence. This government was temporarily set up in India, where the majority of the leadership coordinated efforts with the Mukti Bahini, the armed wing of the liberation movement.

One of the critical functions of this provisional government was to facilitate international recognition and support for the struggle of Bangladesh. It reached out for aid and sympathy from foreign nations, lobbying for assistance in the fight against the Pakistani military and for humanitarian support for the millions displaced by the conflict. Additionally, the government began planning the future administration of a free Bangladesh, outlining a vision that included provisions for democracy, secularism, and the protection of minority rights.

The formation of the provisional government galvanized the independence movement by providing a structured leadership that could negotiate and advocate for international assistance. It also played a pivotal role in mobilizing the Bengali diaspora and sympathizers worldwide, generating awareness about the plight of the Bangladeshi people and the necessity of their autonomy. Through their efforts, by the end of the conflict, the government-in-exile had laid the groundwork for the eventual establishment of the independent state of Bangladesh.