Was Khaleda Zia Indian? Here’s Her Family History And Indian Connection
Khaleda Zia, the first-ever female Prime Minister of Bangladesh who died on December 30, 2025, at the age of 80, had some unexpected connections with India. She was born in 1945 in the Indian state of West Bengal, in the town of Jalpaiguri, and then her family shifted to Dinajpur owing to the Partition.
Her father was involved in the tea business, and her mother was from Uttar Dinajpur, thus she had strong Indian roots through both parents. Despite leading the BNP, a party supportive of nationalism in Bangladesh, and often being at loggerheads with India politically, her ancestry and occasional negotiations were conducive to that connection. The remarkable blend of Indian lineage and Bangladeshi politics made her narrative as cross-border as it could be.
Where Was Khaleda Zia Born? Unfolding Her Surprising Indian Roots
Did you know Khaleda Zia, Bangladesh’s first female Prime Minister, actually has roots in India?
She was born on 15 August 1945 (acoording to some sources, it was1946) in Jalpaiguri, Bengal Province, which was in British India back the before independence, today it is West Bengal. So it comes as a twist for someone often seen solely as a Bangladeshi leader!
Her early life unfolded against the most chaotic backdrop of the end of British era in India and the looming Partition. After 1947, her family packed up and moved to Dinajpur, which became part of East Pakistan, now modern-day Bangladesh.
But even after the move out, Khaleda Zia’s connection to India remained strong through her parents and ancestry. These early cross-border experiences weren’t just family history, they shaped her perspective, blending Indian heritage with the rise of a new nation. For those curious about the personal stories behind political figures, Khaleda Zia’s journey is as fascinating and is unexpected for alot of us who did not knew her.
Khaleda Zia: Family Tree
- Father: Iskandar Ali Majumder- Tea businessman, originally from Feni (now Bangladesh); was operating in Jalpaiguri at her birth.
- Mother: Taiyaba Majumder- From Chandbari village, Uttar Dinajpur district, West Bengal, India.
- Husband: Ziaur Rahman- Married in 1960; military officer who later became President of Bangladesh.
- Children:
- Elder Son: Tarique Rahman- Recently returned to Bangladesh after nearly 17 years in exile.
- Younger Son: Arafat Rahman “Koko”- Passed away in 2015.
Khaleda Zia And Her Political Stance With India: A Complex Connection
Despite her Indian roots, Khaleda Zia’s political journey with the BNP often leaned heavily into nationalism, sometimes ruffling feathers in New Delhi. Her party championed Islamic identity, standing in contrast to the secular, pro-India approach of rival Sheikh Hasina.
Yet, politics aside, Zia knew when to play the diplomatic card, she recognized India as a key partner in trade and security, proving she could balance principle with pragmatism.
After her passing, even Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi paused to remember their “warm” 2015 meeting, highlighting her role in bridging ties. For those intrigued by politics and personal histories, Khaleda Zia’s story is a fascinating mix of rivalry, diplomacy, and cross-border connections.
Also Read: Battle Of Begums: Why Bangladesh’s First Woman PM Khaleda Zia Was Sheikh