The flag of Bangladesh consists of a red disc on a green background. The disc offsets slightly toward the hoist side of the flag. It represents the sun rising over Bengal, a region in eastern South Asia encompassing Bangladesh and the Indian state of West Bengal. The green color of the background represents the fertile land of Bangladesh and its agricultural heritage.
The country adopted the current design of its flag on January 17, 1972. This occurred shortly after the country gained independence from Pakistan. Student leaders at the Swadheen Bangla Nucleus Conference proposed the original design in 1970. A government-appointed committee later modified it.