CSS 2012 Solved Pakistan Affairs Past Papers | Movements in Subcontinent before Lahore Resolution
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Question Breakdown
In this question, the examiner has asked you to discuss the intellectual figures who advocated the division of the Indian Subcontinent before passing the Lahore Resolution. So, you can add some dominating figures to your answer.
Outline
1-Introduction
2-Intellectual Foundations and Reformist Advocacy: The Two Nation Theory and the Division of the Indian Subcontinent
3-How Various Thinkers, Intellectuals, and Reforms Advocate the Division of the Indian Subcontinent?
- ✓ Mujadid (Reformer) Sheikh Ahmad Sirhindi (1564-1624) Highlighted the Separate Identity of Muslims
- ✓ Shah Walli Ullah (1703-1762) Emphasized Preservation of Islamic Identity
- ✓ Sir Syed Ahmad Khan Formally Laid the Foundation of Two-Nation Theory
- ✓ Allama Muhammad Iqbal (1877-1938) Envisioned a Separate State for the Muslims
- ✓ Muhammad Ali Jinnah (1876-1948) Made the Perseverance of Separate Identity the All India Muslim League’s (AIML) Manifesto
4-Critical Analysis
5-Conclusion
Answer to the Question
Introduction
The Lahore Resolution of 1940 started a constitutional journey of the Muslims of the Subcontinent to attain a separate nation. However, before the resolution, various thinkers, intellectuals, and reformers advocated the division of the Indian Subcontinent because of the irreconcilable communal differences. The advocacy can be designated to the evolution of the two-nation theory in the Indian Subcontinent that led to the formation of Pakistan. The following figures played a significant role in highlighting socio-religious differences between Hindus and Muslims. First, Sheikh Ahmad Sirhindi highlighted the separate identity of Muslims of the Indian Subcontinent by defending Islamic identity from the evil impacts of the syncretic cult proposed by Mughal Emperor Akbar. Second, Shah Walli Ullah emphasized the preservation of Islamic identity by reviving Islamic thought in the wake of religious adulterations, blind following of Pirs (religious figures), and amalgamation of several Hindu customs in Islam. Third, Sir Syed Ahmad Khan played a vital role in the awakening of Muslim consciousness by shaping Muslim nationalism in the Indian Subcontinent. Next, Allama Muhammad Iqbal played a significant role in shaping the two-nation theory, which became the ideological foundation for Pakistan. Last, Jinnah strengthened the idea of a separate state by making the preservation of a separate identity of Muslims the All India Muslim League’s agenda. To conclude, Shiekh Ahmad Sirhindi, Shah Walli Ullah, Allama Muhammad Iqbal, and Jinnah significantly contributed to strengthening the two-nation theory to safeguard Muslims’ distinct identity, thus advocating the abstinence of Hindu and Muslim unification in one political entity.
Intellectual Foundations and Reformist Advocacy: The Two Nation Theory and the Division of the Indian Subcontinent
The term Two-nation theory describes that Muslims and Hindus are two separate nations, and they have different religions and customs. Apart from this, it emphasizes that Muslims have different socio-economic, religious, and political ideologies because Islam offers a complete conduct of life, and Muslims follow the directive principles of Shariah (Islamic Law) in every aspect of life. Historically, the reformers and intellectuals promoted communal separation to abstain from the amalgamation of other religions’ elements in Islam. It does not imply any hatred or antagonism to any religious community but rather perseverance in the authenticity of Islam and Sunnah.
How Various Thinkers, Intellectuals, and Reforms Advocate the Division of the Indian Subcontinent?
The following points describe how various thinkers, intellectuals, and reformers advocated the division of the Indian Subcontinent by developing the Two-Nation Theory.
The Development of Two-Nation Theory led to the Creation of Pakistan
Indubitably, the development of two-nation theory led to the formation of Pakistan, which has developed over the years in the Indian Subcontinent.
- ✓ Mujadid (Reformer) Sheikh Ahmad Sirhindi (1564-1624) Highlighted the Separate Identity of Muslims
First, Sheikh Ahmad Sirhindi highlighted the separate identity of Muslims of the Indian Subcontinent by defending Islamic identity from the evil impacts of the syncretic cult proposed by Mughal Emperor Akbar. The policy of Deen-i-Ilahi, aimed at securing political allegiances, was a blend of different elements of Christianity, Hindus, and Islam together. He stressed the distinct identity of Muslims, emphasizing that Sharia (Islamic) should be a guided principle for Muslim society. As a result, later Mughal Emperors, such as Jahangir and Aurangzeb Alamgir, followed the principles of Sharia in governance. For example, in his most famous work, Maktubat-i-Imam Rabbani, which is a collection of letters written to Mughal nobles and rulers, he explicitly opposed Akbar’s policy of Den-i-Ilahi while emphasizing that Islam and Hinduism are fundamentally different religions.
- ✓ Shah Walli Ullah (1703-1762) Emphasized Preservation of Islamic Identity
Second, Shah Walli Ullah emphasized the preservation of Islamic identity by reviving Islamic thought in the wake of religious adulterations, blind following of Pirs (religious figures), and amalgamation of several Hindu customs in Islam. He emphasized that Muslims and Hindus are two different communities. So, Muslims should uphold their religious obligations to preserve their separate identity. Thus, he countered Hindu influence in the socio-political spheres while making a life mission of reverting the decline of Muslims. His efforts inhibited the assimilation of Muslims into a Hindu-dominated society. Then, he translated the Holy Quran into Persian, strengthening Muslim religious consciousness and understanding of Islamic principles. Not only at the social level, but also he promoted the perseverance of a separate identity at the political level. For example, he opposed the domination of Marathas and Juts in the power structure. Next, he wrote a letter to Ahmad Shah Abdali of Afghanistan and invited him to the Indian Subcontinent to combat the threat.
- ✓ Sir Syed Ahmad Khan (1817-1898) Formally Laid the Foundation of Two-Nation Theory
Third, Sir Syed Ahmad Khan played a vital role in the awakening of Muslim consciousness by shaping Muslim nationalism in the Indian Subcontinent. He realized that Muslims and Hindus have different political interests. Thus, they could not be a part of the same system of governance until the government guaranteed the rights of Muslims. As a result, he prohibited Muslims from joining the Indian National Congress (INC) despite being aware that it was the only political party that represented the rights of locals before the British government. Further, in the wake of the Urdu-Hindi Controversy in 1867, he highlighted the irreconcilable differences between Hindus and Muslims.
- ✓ Allama Muhammad Iqbal (1877-1938) Envisioned a Separate State for the Muslims
Next, Allama Muhammad Iqbal played a significant role in shaping the two-nation theory, which became the ideological foundation for Pakistan. For example, he articulated the idea of a separate state for the Muslims of the Indian Subcontinent in his presidential address to the All India Muslim League in Allahabad, known as the Allahabad Address (1930). For example, in Allahabad Address (Khutba-e-Allahabad) in 1930, he said that the ideals of human equality, social solidarity, and spiritual freedom, which Islam considers vital, require all their expression in a separate homeland for Muslims. He proposed an autonomous Muslim state comprising the areas of Sindh, Punjab, Baluchistan, and North-West Frontier Province (NWFP). His idea of Spiritual Democracy reflected in his philosophical writings demonstrates the conceptual understanding of an Islamic state that combines Islamic ethical values with a democratic governance system. For example, he wrote in his book The Reconstruction of Religious Thought in Islam in 1930 that democracy in Islam does not mean the rule of the majority; however, it means ethical democracy where the authority of leaders comes from the collective will of the society but under the directive principles of Sharia.
- ✓ Muhammad Ali Jinnah (1876-1948) Made the Perseverance of Separate Identity the All India Muslim League’s (AIML) Manifesto
Last, the Indian nationalist Muslim leadership soon realized that the Muslim population always wanted to secure their identity and transformed into communalists. As Jinnah, the founding father of Pakistan, aptly said, India is not a national state, not a country but a Sub-continent composed of nationalities, the two major nations being Hindus and the Muslims whose culture and civilizations, language literature, art and architecture, names and nomenclature, sense of value and proportion, aptitudes and ambitions, laws and jurisprudence, social moral codes, customs, and calendar, history and traditions, outlook on life and of life are fundamentally different. By all canons of international law, we are a nation. To appeal to Muslim masses at a broader level, Jinnah formulated the manifesto of AIML, from representing the rights of Muslims to working for the preservation of Muslims’ distinct identity. As Anatol Lieven aptly said in his book, Pakistan a Hard Country, the wave of mass religious enthusiasm powered the Muslim League in the last years before partition. The Pakistan movement, therefore, was one in which a secular-minded leadership coexisted with mass support motivated by the cry of Islam in danger.
Conclusion
To conclude, Shiekh Ahmad Sirhindi, Shah Walli Ullah, Allama Muhammad Iqbal, and Jinnah significantly contributed to strengthening the two-nation theory to safeguard Muslims’ distinct identity, thus advocating the abstinence of Hindu and Muslim unification in one political entity. First, Sheikh Ahmad Sirhindi highlighted the separate identity of Muslims of the Indian Subcontinent by defending Islamic identity from the evil impacts of the syncretic cult proposed by Mughal Emperor Akbar. Second, Shah Walli Ullah emphasized the preservation of Islamic identity by reviving Islamic thought in the wake of religious adulterations, blind following of Pirs (religious figures), and amalgamation of several Hindu customs in Islam. Third, Sir Syed Ahmad Khan played a vital role in the awakening of Muslim consciousness by shaping Muslim nationalism in the Indian Subcontinent. Next, Allama Muhammad Iqbal played a significant role in shaping the two-nation theory, which became the ideological foundation for Pakistan. Last, Jinnah strengthened the idea of a separate state by making the preservation of a separate identity of Muslims the All India Muslim League’s agenda.
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