Bir Sreshtho (BS) | |
|---|---|
 Bir Shrestha Medal | |
| Type | Military medal |
| Awarded for | Bravery dedication of life to save the motherland. To those who have performed acts of greatest heroism or most conspicuous courage in circumstances of extreme danger and have shown bravery of the highest order or devotion to the country, in the presence of the enemy on land, at sea or in the air to save the motherland. |
| Description | Bir Sreshtho (The Most Valiant Hero) |
| Presented by | Bangladesh |
| Eligibility | Military only (Conferrable on all ranks). |
| Status | Awarded by the Bangladesh Gazette 15 December 1973 |
| Established | 1975 |
| First awarded | 15 December 1973 |
| Total | 7 |
| Total awarded posthumously | 7 |
| Total recipients | 7 fighters of the Bangladesh Liberation War |
 | |
| Precedence | |
| Next (higher) | None |
| Equivalent | Bir Sorbottam |
| Individual equivalent | 7 |
| Next (lower) | Bir Uttom |
The Bir Sreshtho (Bengali: বীরশ্রেষ্ঠ; lit. 'The Most Valiant Hero'), is the highest military award of Bangladesh.[1] It was awarded to seven freedom fighters who showed utmost bravery and died in action for their nation. They are considered martyrs.[2]
The other three gallantry awards are named, in decreasing order of importance, Bir Uttom, Bir Bikrom and Bir Protik. All of these awards were introduced immediately after the Liberation War in 1971.[3]
- ^ "Bir Sreshtho - Bangladesh Army". www.army.mil.bd. Retrieved 2020-12-31.
- ^ "The Bir Sreshtho". birsreshtho.com. Retrieved 19 June 2015.
- ^ "Bir Sreshthos". Bangladesh Genocide Archive. 2012-03-14. Retrieved 2021-01-24.