| Bir Sreshtho (BS) | |
| Presenter: | Bangladesh |
| Type: | Military medal |
| Eligibility: | Military only (Conferrable on all ranks). |
| Awarded For: | Bravery Dedication of Life to Save the Mother Land.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. |
| Status: | Awarded by the Bangladesh Gazette 15 December 1973 |
| Description: | Bir Sreshtho (The Most Valiant Hero) |
| Established: | 1975 |
| Firstawarded: | 15 December 1973 |
| Total Awarded: | 7 |
| Total Awarded Posthumously: | 7 |
| Total Recipients: | 7 fighters of the Bangladesh Liberation War |
| Individual: | 7 |
| Higher: | None |
| Same: | Bir Sorbottam |
| Lower: | Bir Uttom |
The Bir Sreshtho (Bengali: বীরশ্রেষ্ঠ;), 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]
All the recipients of this award were killed in action during the Liberation War of 1971. The award was published by the Bangladesh Gazette on 15 December 1973. It is the highest military award of Bangladesh, similar to the American Medal of Honor or the British Victoria Cross. It has only been given in 1973 to seven people. Listed below are the people who have received the Bir Srestho. They are all considered 'Shaheed' (Martyrs).
| Serial No. | ID Number & Rank | Name | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | BSS-10439 Captain | Mohiuddin Jahangir[4] | |
| 2 | 3943014 Sepoy | Hamidur Rahman[5] | |
| 3 | 3937798 Sepoy | Muhammad Mustafa Kamal[6] |
| Serial No. | ID Number & Rank | Name | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | Munshi Abdur Rouf | |||
| 7 | Noor Mohammad Sheikh[8] |
Note: When referring to martyrs, the word 'shaheed' is often put before each individual's name as a mark of respect. The list has been prepared like the declaration by the Bangladesh Gazette.[9]