CSS 2011 Solved Pakistan Affairs Past Papers | Role of Leaders in Strengthening Muslim Nationalism in India
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Question Breakdown
In this question, the examiner has asked you to discuss the roles played by Sir Syed Ahmad Khan, Allama Iqbal, and the Quaid-e-Azam in strengthening Muslim nationalism in India. The examiner referred to John Plamenatz’s definition of Nationalism. So, you have you keep in mind the definition while attempting the question. Start with an introduction, which will include all the leading points of your answer. Then, answer the question by splitting it into three parts for each personality. End your answer by concluding it.
Outline
1-Introduction
2-Historical Background of the Socio-Economic and Political Conditions that Sparked the Need for Strengthening Muslim Nationalism in India
3-Role of Sir Syed Ahmad Khan (1817–1898) in Strengthening Muslim Nationalism in India
- ✓ By Inhibiting the Muslims from Inclusion into the Indian National Congress (INC)
- ✓ By Laying the Basis of the Two-Nation Theory and Promoting Cultural Preservation
4-Role of Allama Muhammad Iqbal (1877–1938) in Strengthening Muslim Nationalism in India
- ✓ By Reinvigorating Islamic Identity
- ✓ By Exclusively Demanding Separate Electorates for a Separate Nation
5-Role of Muhammad Ali Jinnah (1876-1948) in Strengthening Muslim Nationalism in India
- ✓ By Making Cultural Preservation the Party’s (All India Muslim League-AIML) Manifesto
- ✓ By Transforming the Demand of Separate Electorates to a Separate State
6-Conclusion
Answer to the Question
Introduction
Muslim Nationalism in the Indian Subcontinent reflects the efforts of the Muslim society for the perseverance of their distinct socio-cultural and religious identity. However, the Muslim leadership, especially Sir Syed Ahmad Khan- the founder of the Aligarh Movement; Allama Muhammad Iqbal-the poet of the East; Muhammad Ali Jinnah- the President of the All India Muslim League (AIML), played an active role in strengthening Muslim nationalism in the Indian Subcontinent. The following points describe how they strengthened Muslim nationalism in India. First, Sir Syed Ahmad Khan (1817–1898) played an active role in vitalizing Muslim nationalism in India by inhibiting Muslims from inclusion into the Indian National Congress (INC) because it was predominantly a Hindu-dominated party. Then, he laid the basis for the two-nation theory by making Muslims realize the danger of identity crisis in a Hindu-dominated majority rule. Second, Allama Muhammad Iqbal (1877–1938) played an active role in strengthening Muslim Nationalism in India by reinvigorating Islamic identity and by exclusively demanding separate electorates for a separate nation. Third, Muhammad Ali Jinnah (1876-1948) played a significant role in strengthening Muslim nationalism in India by making cultural preservation the All India Muslim League ‘s-AIML manifesto. As a result, the complexity of the issue regarding subjugation as a minority reached an audience at a massive level, and people started supporting Jinnah’s idea of a separate homeland. Also, he transformed the Demand for Separate Electorates into a Separate State, which materialized in the Lahore Resolution of 1940. To conclude, the personalities played a vital role in highlighting the need for the perseverance of separate identities of Muslims. As a result, Muslim nationalism sparked and led to the creation of Pakistan in 1947.
Historical Background of the Socio-Economic and Political Conditions that Sparked the Need for Strengthening Muslim Nationalism in India
In the 19th century Indian Subcontinent, the British Crown was the new power hegemon. As a result of the War of Independence of 1857, the Indian authority shifted from the Muslims to the British hands. However, the new power center considered the former holders of the mighty realm responsible for the war. So, considering the need to suppress the potential competitors, the British government devised a new policy of divide and rule. They started facilitating Hindus and Muslims to be deprived of their legitimate rights until the Partition of Bengal in 1905. Until 1905, several events portrayed the picture of Muslims’ potential downfall in the coming years. For example, certain attempts at cultural degradation symbolized actions that might lead to the Muslim’s identity crisis or cultural degradation, like the Urdu-Hindi Controversy in 1867, Hindu Nationalist Movements of Arya Samaj (1875), and Bharat Dharma Mahamandal (1887). The turning point was the revocation of the partition of Bengal by Lord Harding II, where Muslim leadership felt the need to preserve the Muslim’s distinct identity. Although the demand for separate electorates under the Shimla Deputation in 1906 showed the start of Muslims’ efforts as a separate nation for the perseverance of identity, Muslim nationalism formally started flourishing after the Lahore Resolution of 1940.
Role of Sir Syed Ahmad Khan (1817–1898) in Strengthening Muslim Nationalism in India
The late 1970s saw an ideological shift of Sir Syed Ahmad Khan from nationalist to communalist. He played an active role in strengthening Muslim Nationalism in the Indian subcontinent by highlighting the notion of distinct nations and socio-cultural perseverance. The following points explain his role in strengthening Muslim nationalism in the Indian Subcontinent
- ✓ By Inhibiting the Muslims from Inclusion into the Indian National Congress (INC)
First, he inhibited the Muslims from joining the Indian National Congress (INC). He highlighted that the inclusion of Muslims would strengthen the INC’s standing as a national representative party. However, the party facilitated majority rule, and Hindus had a numeric preponderance. Resultantly, the Muslims would be permanently subjected to minority status in a Hindu-dominated majority rule. For illustration, he explicitly advised Muslims to stay away from INC in a speech in Meerut in 1888. He argued that INC, a Hindu organization, could not represent Muslim interests, and due to socio-cultural differences between the two, they could not be united under a unified platform.
- ✓ By Laying the Basis of Two-Nation Theory and Promoting Cultural Preservation
Second, he laid the basis of the two-nation theory that led to the creation of Pakistan in 1947. He emphasized that Muslims and Hindus are two distinct nations. They have socio-cultural and religious differences based on separate identities. For illustration, he said in a speech delivered in Meerut in 1888 that India is a country inhabited by two nations. These nations are distinguished by the names of Hindus and Muslims. They cannot live together under one government. Furthermore, his institution, namely Muhammad Anglo Oriental (M.A.O) College, became a platform for Muslim intellectuals and future leaders. The institution fostered a sense of unity and identity among the intellectuals.
Role of Allama Muhammad Iqbal (1877–1938) in Strengthening Muslim Nationalism in India
The late 1930s saw an ideological shift of Dr. Allama Muhammad Iqbal from nationalist to communalist. From standing against the foreign rule representing Hindu-Muslim unity to strengthening Muslim nationalism represented his ideological shift. The following points elucidate how he contributed to strengthening Muslim nationalism in the Indian Subcontinent.
- ✓ By Reinvigorating Islamic Identity
First, he strengthened the intellectual and spiritual foundations of Muslim nationalism by emphasizing the notion of separate identity and the implementation of Islam as a way of life. As a result, he provided a vision or political realization. He reinvigorated Islamic identity by connecting the Muslims from their culture and separate identity. His philosophy of self, the concept of Khudi, motivated Muslims to take pride in their distinct identity. Also, he emphasized the spiritual, cultural, and moral superiority of Islam. His intellectual contributions in the form of poetry, such as Bang-e-Dra and Bal-e-Jibril, awakened Muslim consciousness.
- ✓ By Exclusively Demanding Separate Electorates for a Separate Nation
Second, he exclusively demanded separate electorates for Muslims, succeeded by the demand for a separate homeland for them. For illustration, in the Allahabad address (1930), he called for the formation of an Islamic state in the Northwestern parts of the Indian subcontinent. As he, Allama Muhammad Iqbal-South Asian Islamic philosopher and politician, explicitly said in the Allahabad address in 1930, I would like to see the Punjab, North-West Frontier Province, Sind, and Baluchistan amalgamated into a single state. Self-government within the British Empire, or without the British Empire, the formation of a consolidated North-West Indian Muslim state appears to me to be the final destiny of the Muslims, at least of North-West India. He criticized secular nationalism and emphasized the need for a political framework for Muslims for the perseverance of their religion, culture, and socio-political rights.
Role of Muhammad Ali Jinnah (1876-1948) in Strengthening Muslim Nationalism in India
The 1920s marked the beginning of Jinnah’s political disillusionment when he resigned from Congress. The shift from nationalist to communalist took its stranglehold during the Second Round Table Conference (1931), where Jinnah noticed that Congress sidelined the interest of the Muslims. The following points explain how he strengthened Muslim nationalism in India.
- ✓ By Making Cultural Preservation the Party’s (All India Muslim League-AIML) Manifesto
First, Jinnah realized the need for a strong political party to effectively represent the demands of the Muslims before the British government. The AIML was a minority party and needed a strong stance to strengthen its standing. Thus, Jinnah adopted a manifesto based on the socio-cultural preservation of separate identities. As a result, the party got massive support because of its ideological affiliation with the Jinnah’s stance. Besides, the party’s agenda gave momentum to the Muslim Nationalism.
- ✓ By Transforming the Demand of Separate Electorates to a Separate State
Second, he demanded separate state or states in the Lahore Resolution of 1940. As a result, Muslim Nationalism sparked in response to the call of Jinnah for a separate homeland. For illustration, Jinnah said in the AIML session (22-23 March 1940) that it is a dream that the Hindus and Muslims can ever evolve a common nationality. Muslims need a homeland, their territory, and their state. However, the demand materialized into a separate state that came into being in 1947. In the seven years followed by 1940, the Muslim demand evolved from separate state to separate state. So, it can be said that by transforming the demand of a separate electorate to a separate state, Jinnah strengthened Muslim Nationalism.
Conclusion
To conclude, Sir Syed Ahmad Khan, Allama Muhammad Iqbal, and Quaid-e Muhammad Ali Jinnah played a significant role in strengthening Muslim nationalism in the Indian Subcontinent at different times. Their efforts at the intellectual and socio-political level contributed to the development of Muslim Nationalism. Besides, they together highlighted the imminent threat of Hindu-dominated majority rule and made Muslims realize the need for the protection of their identity. As a result, the Muslim society vehemently responded to the threat and demanded a separate state where they could live their lives according to their religion and culture. Indubitably, Muslim nationalism, especially in the 1940s, symbolized Muslim voices raised for their legitimate socio-political rights.
CSS 2011 Solved Pakistan Affairs
| 2-Briefly Analyse and Discuss the Contribution of the Religious Reformers – Sheikh Ahmad Sirhindi, Shah Waliullah, Syed Ahmad Barelvi and the Like – in the Growth of Muslim Consciousness in the South-Asian Subcontinent. | |
| 3-John Plamenatz Defines ‘Nationalism’ as “The Desire to Preserve or Enhance Peoples National or Cultural Identity, When that Identity is Threatened or the Desire to Transform or Even Create it When it is Felt to be Inadequate or Lacking.” In the Light of above Definition, Briefly but Comprehensively Discuss the Respective Roles Played by Sir Syed Ahmad Khan, Allama Iqbal and the Quaid-E-Azam in Strengthening the Muslim Nationalism in India. | |
| 4-Describe the Main Contents and Relative Importance of the Lucknow Pact and Delhi Muslim Proposals and their Respective Impact on the Subsequent Political Developments in India. | |
| 5-Can the Lahore Resolution be termed as the ‘Magna Carta’ of Pakistan? Take a position and support your argument by historical facts, if any. | |
| 6-Give a Critical Appraisal of the Constitutional Crisis/Crises Initiated by the Controversial Actions taken by Governor General Ghulam Muhammad and Endorsed by the Superior Court of Pakistan. Discuss and Analyse its Effects on the Subsequent History of Pakistan. | |
| 7-Federalism Has Been a Continuing Cause of Political Tension in our Country. Will the 18th Amendment Made in the Constitution by the Present Government Solve this Issue Once for All? Take a Position and Support With Your Argument. | |
| 8-Given the Problems that Pakistan is Facing Today, What is Your Vision of Pakistan in the Year 2011? How, in Your Opinion, can be its Internal and External Problems solved? |
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