Bangladesh erases Mujib from currency, to feature Hindu and Buddhist temples instead

File phot of Bangladeshi Taka notes featuring portraits of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the country's founding father and parent of ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, seen at a currency-trade stall in Old Dhaka.

Bangladesh on Sunday unveiled a series of redesigned banknotes, replacing long-standing images of its founding president, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, with illustrations of landscapes, historical landmarks, and religious sites, including Hindu and Buddhist temples.

The move marks a sharp break from the country’s decades-long tradition of featuring the portrait of the slain leader, often hailed as the “Father of the Nation,” and underscores the ongoing political upheaval following the ouster of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina last year.

“Under the new series and design, the notes will not feature any human portraits, but will instead showcase natural landscapes and traditional landmarks,” Bangladesh Bank spokesman Arif Hossain Khan told AFP. The change, he said, is intended to “reflect the country’s cultural and historical diversity” rather than specific political figures.

Among the designs in the Muslim-majority nation are images of Hindu and Buddhist temples, as well as historical palaces.

They also include artwork of the late painter Zainul Abedin, depicting the Bengal famine during British colonial rule.

Another will depict the national martyrs' memorial for those who died in the independence war against Pakistan.

On Sunday, notes for three of the nine different denominations were released.

"The new notes will be issued from the central bank's headquarters, and later from its other offices across the country," he added.

"The other denominations of the notes with new designs will be released in phases".

Existing notes and coins will remain in circulation alongside the new notes.

It is not the first time that the design has changed to reflect changing politics.

Initial notes issued in 1972 -- after Bangladesh changed its name from East Pakistan -- featured a map.

Later notes featured Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, who led the Awami League, which Hasina also led during her 15 years in power.

When other parties were in charge -- dominated by the powerful Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) -- historic and archaeological sites featured.

The Awami League was banned last month pending the trial of Hasina and other party leaders.

Hasina, 77, is in self-imposed exile in India, and has defied an extradition order to attend her trial.