1. Quaid-i-Azam’s View on Muslims as a Nation
- Quaid-i-Azam (Muhammad Ali Jinnah) repeatedly stated that Muslims were not a minority but a separate nation.
- He argued that the only fair solution to India’s political problems was recognizing Muslims as a distinct nation.
- Hindu intentions were clear:
- They wanted dominance over Muslims because of their majority.
- They aimed to keep Muslims backward in all fields (education, politics, economy).
- Muslims demanded a separate identity and homeland.
- The British were uncomfortable with Hindu-Muslim conflicts and wanted a political settlement.
2. Formation of Indian National Congress (1885) & Muslim Response
- Indian National Congress (INC) was formed in 1885 by A.O. Hume (a British official) to give Indians a political platform.
- Hindus joined in large numbers, making it a Hindu-dominated party.
- Sir Syed Ahmad Khan warned Muslims to stay away from Congress because:
- Hindus wanted to establish Hindu rule after British departure.
- Their goal was to suppress Muslims under majority rule.
3. Development of the Two-Nation Theory
i) Sir Syed’s Early Efforts for Hindu-Muslim Unity
- Initially, Sir Syed tried to reduce differences between Hindus and Muslims.
- He allowed Hindu students and teachers in Muslim institutions.
ii) The Hindi-Urdu Controversy (Turning Point)
- Hindus launched a movement to replace Urdu with Hindi as the official language.
- This conflict changed Sir Syed’s thinking.
- He realized that Muslims needed a separate political identity.
iii) Sir Syed’s Declaration of Muslims as a Nation
- He was the first leader to call Muslims a separate nation based on:
- Religion (Islam vs. Hinduism)
- Culture & Civilization (Different traditions, values)
- Philosophy & Economy (Islamic principles vs. Hindu practices)
iv) Support from Other Muslim Leaders
- After Sir Syed, many leaders strengthened the Two-Nation Theory:
- Abdul Halim Sharar
- Maulana Muhammad Ali Jauhar
- Chaudhry Rehmat Ali (who coined the name “Pakistan”)
- Allama Iqbal (Advocated a separate Muslim state)
- Quaid-i-Azam Jinnah (Led the Pakistan Movement)
v) Quaid-i-Azam’s Famous Statement
- Jinnah clearly stated:
- “India is not a country, nor are its people one nation. It is a subcontinent of many nations, with Hindus and Muslims being the two major nations.”
Conclusion
- The Two-Nation Theory proved that Muslims were a separate nation with their own identity.
- Sir Syed Ahmad Khan laid its foundation, and Quaid-i-Azam fulfilled it by creating Pakistan in 1947.
- The theory was based on religious, cultural, and political differences between Hindus and Muslims.