Today I am writing a review of most contentious topic - partition of India and Pakistan.
In this Book Partition of India – Get you kindle version copy at amazon.
Author Makes a novel attempt to bring the events that have contributed to the vivisection of a nation that has fought for its independence from the colonial rule with the mantra of Non Violence under the leadership of great leaders like Gandhi, Nehru, Patel, Jinnah and many others. It is a tragedy to know that when people from various religions, Hindus, Muslims, Christians, Sikhs and others have fought side by side in the freedom struggle and suddenly found themselves in another fight of epic proportions to form Pakistan ( a Muslim Nation) and India ( Secular Nation).
In part 1 of this book author focused not just on few leaders who have set the direction to the events of that time, but to even more fundamental events that happened hundreds of years back and shaped the public minds and their thinking from the time when Islam has entered India within few decades after it came into existence in Arabia. In Chapter 1, author analyzes the events and interactions between Muslims and Hindus to understand the socio economic and religious conditions of these communities during Muslim rule that included great rulers like Akbar the Great who is known for religious tolerance to Aurangzeb who is known for his infamous Ziziyah tax. He provides vivid accounts of events by starting with, Islam started as a religion of submission to God was spreading from its epicenter at Mecca in Arabia across all directions. Within few centuries, Islam has reached as far as Cordoba in Spain in Western Europe, Mongolia in Asia and to some parts of North Africa. This kind of rapid growth has been attributed to some basic tenets of Islam like “Along with conquest Islam permits acquisition of enemy property by force and allows the distribution four fifths of the Khamsa2 or spoils of war among the soldiers of Islam. The remaining one fifth of spoils of war becomes the legitimate revenue of an Islamic state. This provision served as an incentive to the enterprising and adventurous followers of Islam.” Here we are given detailed account of when India came under Muslim rule and social conditions of Hindus and Muslims and critically examining facts how Hindus still remained as majority community despite variety of impediments to their way of life, including not able to hold higher positions in the public service, Urdu as official language of administration etc. Hindus have adapted to these harsh measures by accepting them like we accept to wear winter gear in bitter cold conditions and evolved generation after generation.
In Chapter 2 he describes British Empire which took the control of united India. After the end of Muslim rule, united India was controlled by British Empire by 1850 A.D. During this time, colonization was norm, French and American revolutions have spread their ideas of freedom and Liberty to greater parts of the world. British has established English as the language of administration and Muslim rulers and their subjects have detested losing power to British and refrained to embrace English when Hindus eagerly embraced English. I think Darwin’s theory of evolution, where in like a species that learns to adapt in new environment, Hindus who were forced to learn Urdu were able to adapt to English and obtain economic benefits. Author details these aspects with rigor by citing various accounts and facts surrounding introduction of English and its consequences.
After covering life and events during British rule we are provided detailed account of religious movements that have emerged as a support to reform both Hindu and Muslim communities in Chapter 3. After covering life and events during British rule we are provided detailed account of religious movements that have emerged as a support to reform both Hindu and Muslim communities. These include Wahabbi movement, The Farazias, The Dar-Ul-Ulum Deoband, Syed Ahmad Khan and Aligarh Muslim University and others. Each of these movements have tried to galvanize Muslims by providing, Food Aid and Education and sometimes these movements have morphed into political movements and have heavily contributed to shaping their thinking. Similarly, Brahmo Samaj, Ved Samaj, Araya Samaj, Prarthana samaj etc were started to reform the Hindu society and helped to shape the thinking of Hindu community and other movements for Sikh community. At this point author concludes that, “ Probably as religion and political authority are inseparable in Islam, with the Indian Muslim religious community forging into a homogenous group by the end of 19th century, Muslim political leaders appeared on the Indian scene, to look after the interests of the Indian Muslim community” Through out these 3 chapters, we are given authors critical analysis of prevalent theories, on what caused partition. Some of these include Nehru’s ambitions to lead undivided India, Jinnah’s persistent fear of possible Muslim minority getting crushed under the weight of Majority Hindus or British Empire wanted to take a revenge on India for losing it grip and many more.
In part II Author blends his detailed analysis with the events that are part of India’s freedom struggle leading up to partition of India and creation of Pakistan. At some point he cites one funny incident of unintended consequence of how few Muslim community Leaders actions have contributed to the demise of “Khalifa” the spiritual head of Islam by the Turkey ruling party. Finally, this author towards the end of the book concludes unambiguously partition of India has become an inevitable event.
Author Makes a novel attempt to bring the events that have contributed to the vivisection of a nation that has fought for its independence from the colonial rule with the mantra of Non Violence under the leadership of great leaders like Gandhi, Nehru, Patel, Jinnah and many others. It is a tragedy to know that when people from various religions, Hindus, Muslims, Christians, Sikhs and others have fought side by side in the freedom struggle and suddenly found themselves in another fight of epic proportions to form Pakistan ( a Muslim Nation) and India ( Secular Nation).
In part 1 of this book author focused not just on few leaders who have set the direction to the events of that time, but to even more fundamental events that happened hundreds of years back and shaped the public minds and their thinking from the time when Islam has entered India within few decades after it came into existence in Arabia. In Chapter 1, author analyzes the events and interactions between Muslims and Hindus to understand the socio economic and religious conditions of these communities during Muslim rule that included great rulers like Akbar the Great who is known for religious tolerance to Aurangzeb who is known for his infamous Ziziyah tax. He provides vivid accounts of events by starting with, Islam started as a religion of submission to God was spreading from its epicenter at Mecca in Arabia across all directions. Within few centuries, Islam has reached as far as Cordoba in Spain in Western Europe, Mongolia in Asia and to some parts of North Africa. This kind of rapid growth has been attributed to some basic tenets of Islam like “Along with conquest Islam permits acquisition of enemy property by force and allows the distribution four fifths of the Khamsa2 or spoils of war among the soldiers of Islam. The remaining one fifth of spoils of war becomes the legitimate revenue of an Islamic state. This provision served as an incentive to the enterprising and adventurous followers of Islam.” Here we are given detailed account of when India came under Muslim rule and social conditions of Hindus and Muslims and critically examining facts how Hindus still remained as majority community despite variety of impediments to their way of life, including not able to hold higher positions in the public service, Urdu as official language of administration etc. Hindus have adapted to these harsh measures by accepting them like we accept to wear winter gear in bitter cold conditions and evolved generation after generation.
In Chapter 2 he describes British Empire which took the control of united India. After the end of Muslim rule, united India was controlled by British Empire by 1850 A.D. During this time, colonization was norm, French and American revolutions have spread their ideas of freedom and Liberty to greater parts of the world. British has established English as the language of administration and Muslim rulers and their subjects have detested losing power to British and refrained to embrace English when Hindus eagerly embraced English. I think Darwin’s theory of evolution, where in like a species that learns to adapt in new environment, Hindus who were forced to learn Urdu were able to adapt to English and obtain economic benefits. Author details these aspects with rigor by citing various accounts and facts surrounding introduction of English and its consequences.
After covering life and events during British rule we are provided detailed account of religious movements that have emerged as a support to reform both Hindu and Muslim communities in Chapter 3. After covering life and events during British rule we are provided detailed account of religious movements that have emerged as a support to reform both Hindu and Muslim communities. These include Wahabbi movement, The Farazias, The Dar-Ul-Ulum Deoband, Syed Ahmad Khan and Aligarh Muslim University and others. Each of these movements have tried to galvanize Muslims by providing, Food Aid and Education and sometimes these movements have morphed into political movements and have heavily contributed to shaping their thinking. Similarly, Brahmo Samaj, Ved Samaj, Araya Samaj, Prarthana samaj etc were started to reform the Hindu society and helped to shape the thinking of Hindu community and other movements for Sikh community. At this point author concludes that, “ Probably as religion and political authority are inseparable in Islam, with the Indian Muslim religious community forging into a homogenous group by the end of 19th century, Muslim political leaders appeared on the Indian scene, to look after the interests of the Indian Muslim community” Through out these 3 chapters, we are given authors critical analysis of prevalent theories, on what caused partition. Some of these include Nehru’s ambitions to lead undivided India, Jinnah’s persistent fear of possible Muslim minority getting crushed under the weight of Majority Hindus or British Empire wanted to take a revenge on India for losing it grip and many more.
In part II Author blends his detailed analysis with the events that are part of India’s freedom struggle leading up to partition of India and creation of Pakistan. At some point he cites one funny incident of unintended consequence of how few Muslim community Leaders actions have contributed to the demise of “Khalifa” the spiritual head of Islam by the Turkey ruling party. Finally, this author towards the end of the book concludes unambiguously partition of India has become an inevitable event.
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