- 1901
Born on 28 July 1901 in Kolkata to Kali Kumar Singh and Sarala Debi. (Banglapedia gives 28 June 1901, Susang-Durgapur.) His mother came from the zamindar family of Susang Durgapur, Netrokona.
- 1903–1908
His father died when he was two and a half. After some years in Dhaka the family settled in Susang Durgapur, where he finished primary school before going to Kolkata for secondary education.
- 1914
As a schoolboy in Kolkata he joined the Anushilan Samiti, an armed revolutionary group fighting British rule.
- 1921
Deeply influenced by the Non-Cooperation and Khilafat movements; organised peasants in Susang Durgapur and workers in Kolkata.
- 1925
Turned from the path of individual armed action to Marxism and joined the communist movement (Communist Party of India).
- 1928
Led a 13-day strike at Kesoram Cotton Mills, Metiaburuz, Kolkata, and won the workers’ demands – his first major success.
- 1930–1937
Arrested in 1930 and kept in prison and later under internment until November 1937.
- 1937
Returned to Susang Durgapur and, at the request of Hajong and Garo peasants, began the movement against the oppressive Tanka rent system.
- 1945
Chairman of the reception committee of the All India Kisan Sabha conference at Netrokona.
- 1946–1950
The Tanka movement grew into an armed peasant uprising. Hajong Mata Rashimoni and others were killed. After 1947 the Pakistan government issued a warrant for his arrest, confiscated his property and put a price on his head.
- 1950–1951
The Tanka system was abolished. Working in hiding, he was elected Secretary of the Communist Party of East Pakistan in 1951.
- 1954–1968
The party was banned in 1954. He led it underground for about two decades, was re-elected Secretary in 1956 and General Secretary in 1968, and was interned in 1967.
- 1969
Freed by the mass uprising of 1969, but soon arrested again.
- 1971
On 7 April 1971 prisoners broke open Rajshahi jail and freed him. He joined the Liberation War, helped form the special guerrilla force of NAP, CPB and Chhatra Union, won support from socialist countries, and served on the Advisory Council of the Mujibnagar government.
- 1973
Elected President of the Communist Party of Bangladesh at its 2nd Congress.
- 1975–1978
Joined BAKSAL in 1975; revived the Communist Party in 1976; was arrested again under military rule in 1977; campaigned for the Democratic Alliance in the 1978 presidential election.
- 1980
Re-elected President at the 3rd Congress; held the post until his death.
- 1983
His autobiography “Jiban Sangram” (Life is a Struggle) was published; an English translation followed in 1988.
- 1984
Fell seriously ill on 23 February 1984, which ended his active political life.
- 1990
Died on 31 December 1990. Every year his death anniversary is observed and the Moni Mela fair begins at Durgapur on 31 December.
- 2004
Awarded the Independence Day Award (Swadhinata Padak) posthumously by the Government of Bangladesh.
- 2022
Memorial meeting at the Bangladesh National Museum, Dhaka, on 28 June 2022.
See also: Biography · The Tanka Movement · Sources