The Ideology of Pakistan Took Shape Through an Evolutionary Process from 1857 to

1947: Contributions of Five Leaders

That the emergence of Pakistan as an independent state finally happened in 1947 was a dream
that was in the heart of Two-Nation Theorists, and had been part of their complete vision of
what the Muslim nation wanted. This ideology was underlining the fact that Muslims are not
merely ‘‘a’ Indian religious community but a nation with its own culture, civilization, history and
future.” It was neither plain sailing nor a mere process of a few years; it was a gradual journey
which took nearly a century – from the time of the annexation of Punjab and Sindh in the wake
of the War of Independence of 1857 and the subsequent process of British India partition over a
century to reach the present Pakistan. It was a most arduous and rarified political and social and
intellectual odyssey that was undertaken with the leadership so often by visionaries. The
struggle was led by Names such as Sir Syed Ahmad Khan and Allama Iqbal, Muhammad Ali
Jinnah, Maulana Muhammad Ali Johar and Liaquat Ali Khan. They played their part and worked
hard in framing ideology of Pakistan that was in the minds of many a dream of an Islamic
homeland. This essay explores the attempts of these leaders and their contribution to the
shaping of the ideology of Pakistan Moreover, it uses primary and secondary sources
Secondary sources used have been gotten from scholarly materials online

1. Sir Syed Ahmad Khan: The Architect of Muslim Modernization

Sir Syed Ahmad Khan bin Gholam Murad Khan, (1817, Nader Shah Village, Thanah Muhla,
District Benaras – 1898, Lucknow) was one of the first and prominent leaders of Thought
revolution of Muslims in India. Since Muslims were on the wrong side during the recently failed
War of Independence in 1857 their lot was miserable and Sir Syed realised that the only viable
way was for Muslims to progress and come to terms with the new order under British Masters.

*Educational Reforms

Among all the facilitators which Sir Syed introduced, one of the most important was education.
He was responsible for founding the Muhammadan Anglo-Oriental College in Aligarh in 1875
from where developed Aligarh Muslim University. It became the rallying point of Muslmam
educational renewal where the new scientific enlightenment met the ethico-religious vision of
Islam. The Aligarh Movement, spearheaded by Sir Syed, saw him compel the Muslims to seek
modern education as well as English education in particular as the key to uplifting their social
political status and likely the only way to exist in the current environ.

*Political Realism and the Two-Nation Theory

Sir Syed was also a political rationalist who understood the increasing chasm between Hindus
and Muslims. He warned that because of the Hindus socio-political desire that clashed with that
of the Muslims they would be left out. He urged Muslims not to vote for the Indian National
Congress as it was not fighting for them. His speeches besides his writings like *The Causes of
the Indian Revolt* & *Asar-us-Sanadid *provided the rationale behind the Two-Nation Theory
through underlining the desirability of the Muslims alone categorically being different in culture,
religion and politics from others.

*Impact on Ideology

Generally we can say that through the movement initiated by Sir Syed Ahmed Khan the idea of
Muslim nationalism in India was sown. His efforts for education, political integration and the
identity of Muslims can be seen as laid down by the subsequent leaders who had envisioned
the separate Muslim nation.

2. Allama Iqbal: The Philosopher of Pakistan

Sir Muhammad Iqbal is a great poet, philosopher, and politician of Muslim India who further
explicitly elaborated and/elevated the idea of Pakistan. Now revered as the spiritual godfather of
Pakistan, Iqbal was the figure who had enunciated the theoretic premise of a separate Muslim
homestead in the Indian subcontinent.

*Philosophical Contributions

The main preoccupations in this respect was self-actualization and the rejuvenation of Islam.
Iqbal in his book *Reconstruction of Religious Thought in Islam *emphasised on the need of a
modern method of comprehending Islamic rule for the contemporary challenges. Many people
experienced his poetry in volumes such as *Bang-e-Dra*, *Bal-e-Jibril* and *Zarb-e-Kaleem*,
where Iqbal encourages Muslims to look for their roots again. According to al-Afghani, Islam is
an organic whole which may offer a moral, social, and political programme.

*The Allahabad Address of 1930

Out of all of Iqbal’s political contributions, the most famous was his presidential address in 1930
at the All-India Muslim League session at Allahabad. Here he broke the plea for an absolutely
new Independent Muslim State in the north western portions of India where Muslims are in
majority. He also underscored the fact that Muslims are not only a mere ethnicity but a nation
that also has the right to practise its independence. This is look at as one of the historic speech
that was formative of the Pakistan Movement.

*Impact on Ideology
It was Iqbal who turned the Two-Nation Theory into a simple political position. Thus, his
philosophical and political contributions helped Muslims get a purpose and navigation to fight for
their state with an independent space and order where everyone would be able to enforce
sharia and follow the rules of Islam.

3. Muhammad Ali Jinnah: The Leader of the Pakistan Movement

This was one of the main leasers of Pakistan Mohammad Ali Jinnah (1876–1948) locally known
as the Quaid-e-Azam means the ‘Great Leader’. It was due to his political skill, will power and
the capability to bring together various Muslim groups for the cause of Pakistan made the dream
come through.

*Early Political Career

Jinnah initially joined the Indian National Congress politics and also fought for unity between
Hindus and Muslims. However, he became estranged with the Congress policies especially the
one that till favoured the Hindus. Finally in 1913 Jinnah joined All-India Muslim League and he
rose into prominence gradually to become the leader of Muslims of India.

*Advancing the Two-Nation Theory

It can be said that Jinnah’s most influential idea was the Two-Nation Theory that he advocated,
and subsequently, put in practise. He then stated that Hindus and Muslims constituted two
separate nations on the basis of religion, culture, organisation and the like. This concept was
given formal approval in the Lahore Resolution in 1940 when the Muslim legislated for separate
Muslim nations in India.

*Leadership and Negotiations

Joseph as leadership of Jinnah during the significant discussions with the British and Congress
played a crucial role. He effectively repudiated any effort to exclude Muslim’s rights from the
political mainstream, during the Cripps Mission, Cabinet Mission Plan or Partition meetings. His
strong-headedness to Muslims not yielding an inch on the demand for a separate Pakistan
made the movement possible.

*Impact on Ideology

The nut and bolt of the creation of Pakistan was successfully embodied in Jinnah. Alone he
turned the philosophies and politico-ethical concepts of Sir Syed and Iqbal into a tangible
movement that resulted in the birth of Pakistan.
4. Maulana Muhammad Ali Johar: The Voice of Muslim Activism

Maulana Muhammad Ali Johar (1878- 1931) a well known journalist, an orator and political
leader whose effort could be credited for the emotional integration of the Muslims and the
provision of a cause.

*Khilafat Movement

Maulana Johar was a leading figure in the Khilafat Movement, which aimed to protect the
Ottoman Caliphate and unite Muslims against British imperialism. Although the movement
ultimately failed, it succeeded in awakening political consciousness among Indian Muslims. It
also highlighted the need for a separate political platform for Muslims, as the Congress’s failure
to support the movement exposed its inability to represent Muslim interests.

*Journalistic Contributions

Maulana Johar wrote in the *Comrade* and *Hamdard* newspapers and used the platforms to
talk about the Muslims and their plight. He published many articles which stresses the idea of
Muslim identity, which was instrumental to the idea of Pakistan.

*Impact on Ideology

Maulana Johar’s activism and writings helped strengthen Muslim unity and awareness. His
efforts in the Khilafat Movement and his emphasis on Muslim distinctiveness contributed
significantly to the ideological evolution of the Pakistan Movement.

5. Liaquat Ali Khan: The Political Organizer

Liaquat Ali Khan (1895–1951) was a close associate of Jinnah and played a crucial role in
organizing the Muslim League and mobilizing support for the Pakistan Movement.

Strengthening the Muslim League

At the time serving as the Secretary General of the Muslim League, Liaquat Ali Khan strived to
increase the party membership and strenghten Muslim voter base. Annually he played an active
role in the Congress which also the annual session of 1940 at Lahore he formally demanded the
creation of Pakistan through the Lahore resolution limited to the creation of Pakistan. His
tireless work played its part in making the Muslim League the only party from Indian Muslims
when the final years of British domination were over.

Negotiations and Strategy

Liaquat Ali Khan played a key role in negotiations with the British government and the
Congress. His diplomatic skills were evident in his participation in the Cripps Mission and the
Cabinet Mission Plan. He worked closely with Jinnah to present a united front and ensure that
Muslim demands were not sidelined.

Impact on Ideology

Liaquat Ali Khan played a very positive role in terms of organisational and strategic leadership
to the Pakistan movement. Due to his effectiveness on producing political outcomes out of
ideological ambitions, he was a key player in the endeavor for Pakistan.

Conclusion

The creation of this ideology took nearly a century and the most important leaders understood
the peculiarities and goals of Indian Muslims. Jinnah took this process further and believed in
education in addition to political consciousness. It was Iqbal who had given philosophy to
theDemand for a separate Muslim state Muhammad Ali Jinnah on the other hand was the
leader that was required to make this vision into reality. Maulana Muhammad Ali Johar was very
threatening and roused people for involvements and unity, organisation and mobilisation was
brought in by Liaquat Ali Khan. They all have their unerasable part to play in the forging of the
new nation of Pakistan and it is the pledge and vision that counts.

The change in the Pakistan ideology has taught us how crucial leadership quality and
unity among people are when pursuing one common goal. That is why it demonstrates that the
creation of Pakistan was not just a political event rather it is the result of many years of struggle
for self identity, culture and the values of Islamic society of Indian Subcontinent.

References

1. Ali, C. M. (1967). *The Emergence of Pakistan*. Columbia University Press.

2. Hayat, S. (2008). *The Charismatic Leader: Quaid-i-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah and the
Creation of Pakistan*. Oxford University Press.

3. Iqbal, M. (1930). *Reconstruction of Religious Thought in Islam*.

4. Mahmood, S. (1999). *Ideological Foundations of Pakistan*.

5. Malik, Z. (1996). *The Making of Pakistan: A Study in Nationalism.