Mohammad Ali Jinnah

Mohammad Ali Jinnah

On August 14, 1947, the new Islamic Republic of Pakistan was formed. At midnight the next day India won its freedom from British rule after 350 years of its presence. The British left India divided in two separate countries, which were founded on the basis of religion.

There were several reasons for the partition of India and three different parties all contributed to it. These parties were the British, the Indian National Congress, and the Muslim League.

The British had based their knowledge of the people of India on their religious backgrounds and on the innate differences rather then the way that they were in the present time. The British were also fearful of the threat of Muslims who had been the former rulers for over 300 years under the Mughal Empire (Mahmud 148). So, the idea of separateness had been built in between the Muslims and the Hindus by their government.

The Muslims were difficult in accepting the changes of colonial power and they refused to learn English and to associate with the British. This was a severe setback for them because the Hindus were then able to hold better positions in the government. Sir Syed Ahmed Khan, a social reformer and educator, taught the Muslims that education and cooperation with the British was necessary for their survival in the society. Khan was also the first to come up with the idea of a separate Muslim nation.

Hindu revivalists also made the tension stronger between the Muslims and the Hindus. They resented the Muslims for their former rule over India. The revivalists rallied for a ban on the slaughter of cows which was a cheap source of meat for the Muslims, but sacred to the Hindus, and they tried to rally for Hindi to become the ...

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...he two sides and a plan was made to partition the subcontinent and hand the power over to two successor states on August 15, 1947 (5).

Once Pakistan was finally formed, Mohammad Ali Jinnah was recognized for his contributions by being nominated by the Muslim League as the Governor-General of Pakistan.

Many say that the Muslims were very fortunate to have Jinnah during their difficult struggle for Pakistan. “It is true that the destinies of nations are molded by their innermost urges and their determination to achieve their purpose, but if they fail to produce a leader of the necessary ability and stature at the crucial moment, their urges may be frustrated and their determination may prove of little avail” (Qureshi 306). Mohammad Ali Jinnah was that leader that helped the Muslims form their own nation and grant them with the rights that they truly deserved.