Bangladesh is preparing to introduce a new series of banknotes ahead of Eid-ul-Adha, featuring redesigned motifs that replace existing ones with themes celebrating national heritage, cultural diversity, and the student-led July uprising.
The upcoming currency notes, confirmed by Bangladesh Bank Executive Director and spokesperson Arif Hossain Khan, will highlight elements such as the July uprising martyrs, youth and unity, the Sundarbans, and architectural landmarks, reports UNB.
Notably, the new designs will not include the image of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
The phased release begins with the Tk20 note on May 27, showcasing Kantaji Temple and Buddhist temples. The Tk50 note, featuring Shilpacharya Zainul Abedin’s famine painting and Atia Mosque, will be released at the end of May, while the Tk1,000 note, adorned with imagery inspired by Bangabhaban and the National Martyrs’ Memorial, will debut on June 2.
While delays in paper imports from Europe have postponed the Tk5 note’s release until after Eid, it is expected to feature the likenesses of Abu Sayeed and Mir Mugdho, according to a Bangladesh Bank official.
“Printing for several denominations, such as the Tk1,000 note, is already underway,” said Arif Hosssain Khan. “The designs emphasise national identity, with no full human portraits. Instead, they reflect our heritage and culture.”
Additional details reveal that the Tk10 note will symbolise youth unity and Baitul Mukarram Mosque, while the Tk100 note will spotlight the fauna from the Sundarbans: the spotted deer and the Royal Bengal Tiger.
The Tk 200 and Tk 500 notes will depict religious harmony and Ahsan Manzil, respectively.
The new series aims to modernise security features while visually narrating the nation’s evolving identity. The redesign process, involving international partners for paper, security features, and printing, typically spans 5–7 months, delaying the initial Eid-ul-Fitr launch plan.
Since independence, Bangladesh has periodically updated its currency, with the first Tk 1 note issued on March 4, 1972. In 1973, Bangladesh issued the Tk5, Tk10, and Tk100 notes.
Subsequently, the Tk50 and Tk500 notes were introduced in 1976. The Tk20 note was issued in 1979, and the Tk2 note was launched in 1988. On July 17, 2009, the highest denomination banknote, the Tk1000, was introduced. The latest addition before this overhaul was the Tk200 note in 2020.