A student who is in search of an in depth analysis of pre-partition period of Pakistan, needs to get this book as early as possible. We usually read in our text books that freedom movement majorly revolved around the religious factor, i.e leaders of the freedom movement considered it necessary to get an independent state for the muslims of the subcontinent where they could freely practice their religion.
This may be true, but this was just one aspect of freedom movement. Other factors and how muslim nationalism was born is best explained in this book.
Firstly the author defines nationalism, but also states that there exists no single definition of nationalism. Rather it is a combination of thirteen characteristics, out of which, according to him religion comes quite later. Before religion he emphasises upon factors like feelings of belongingness to a group. Love towards fellow men. Hostility towards other groups. Possession of a territory and presence of a sovereign government. Existence of some common moral, economic and social institutions and so on and so forth.
Then the author discusses the historical aspect of the area i.e the subcontinent. Who ruled and how. Introduction of the British in the subcontinent was just a change of masters for hindus. That is because they have been under muslim rule for centuries by then. But for muslims it was not easy to accept this reality, that some foreigners were going to govern them now. Therefore, according to the author this loss of control and power, and natural relation of mistrust with the new masters led to the birth of feelings of nationalism among the muslims.
Next is discussed the role played by the muslim leadership, among which Sir Sayyid Ahmed Khan’s role is most remarkable. He identified that introduction of democracy in a society which was as heterogenous as Indian society would be a guarantee of subjugation of muslims. As they are and will remain a minority under a hindu majority. And his contribution in the field of education needs no explanation.
Next most important event mentioned in the book which further reinforced the sentiments of nationalism among the muslims of India and made them realise that they were a different entity, was the partition of Bengal by the British Administration in 1905. This partition was done for better administration of a vast territory, but it received an intense reaction from the hindus of British india. This partition was a threat to the commercial interests of Hindus, and a reaction of such magnitude alarmed the muslims. But, feelings of separatism were further strengthened after the annulment of this partition in 1911. The hindu reaction which surfaced in 1905 led the muslims to form a political body of their own which led to the start of political activity in india.
The book reinforces the idea that it was the introduction of democratic rule which made the muslims realise that they were a minority and were destined to remain so in a united India, secondly, it was indeed the actions of the Congress and the Hindu leadership which made the muslims and the muslim leadership realise that they were a different nation.
Therefore, according to the author Congress and hindu leadership played the major role of instigating this entire movement. Events like annulment of the partition of Bengal, Hindu reaction to the clauses that favoured the muslims somehow in any of their Acts that were introduced periodically, the congress rule after having won a majority even in muslim majority areas and finally the Nehru report, all made it clear to the muslims that they were only going to experience a change of masters in case the British leave them without a state of their own in United India. There were periods of detente too, but they were as short lived as they could be.
The author further highlights the basis of separation and the rise of nationalism. Among which he placed the political factor on the top. Under hindu majority constitutional and political rights of muslims could not be protected. They were insecure politically and therefore economically. Hence realised that they were a different nation and deserved a separate territory..
Then comes the next important factor, i.e of religion and culture. The two peoples belonging to two different religions were not just confined to religious differences, but these religions were complete different social set ups. Islam was an entirely different philosophy and had its own political, economical and social structures. Caste system and that too, so rigid, was not a characteristic of islamic society. This also made the muslims realise, that a group so rigid in terms of discrimination among various subgroups towards its own fellows (hindus), would be doubly rigid towards a totally different group of people.
To conclude, the author is of the view, that muslim nationalism was nothing, but a production of Hindu nationalism.
The book review is done by Momina Moin and she can be contacted at momeenamoin@gmail.com
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