Solution

Assignment No. 1

Pak301

Spring 2023

Opening Date: 19-05-2023 Total Marks: 10+5

Closing Date: 26-05—2023

Objectives:

To asses students’ knowledge of the subject and to motivate them towards conceptual
knowledge and practical application of the subject

Instructions

 Late assignments will not be accepted.

 If the file is corrupt or problematic, it will be marked zero.
 Plagiarism will never be tolerated. Plagiarism occurs when a student uses work done by
someone else as if it was his or her own; however, taking the ideas from different sources
and to express it in your own words will be encouraged.
 If any assignment is found copied work, no marks will be awarded and the case may
be referred to the head of the academics for disciplinary action.
 No assignment will be accepted via e-mail or through ticket system
 The file should be in Word doc form; the font color should be preferably black and font
size can be 12 Times New Roman.

 Allama Iqbal's 1930 address to the All India Muslim League is considered a
landmark speech in the history of the Subcontinent. In this context, critically
analyze the vision of Allama Iqbal for a separate Muslim state for Muslims of the
Sub-continent. (10 Marks)
Allama Muhammad Iqbal presented Allahabad Address on December 29, 1930. This address was
attended by a small group of people rather than a large crowd. It was the first time in Indian
history that a demand for a ‘Separate Homeland’ was made from a political platform. This
speech marked a political shift in Iqbal’s approach to Indian nationalism as well as Muslims’
future existence in the Sub-continent. The speech is significant for various reasons and is seen as
a turning point for the Muslims politics in India and their demand for separate homeland. Its
significance can be listed in many points:

1. Indian Nationalism: Iqbal criticized the idea of Indian nationalism, which sought to bring
all communities together in a unified Indian state. Such a nationalist philosophy, in his
opinion, would ultimately result in the supremacy of the Hindu majority and marginalize
Muslims and their distinctive legacy. Therefore, he emphasized on the need of
redistribution of territories in British India. He stressed that “The Punjab, Sind, NWFP
and Baluchistan amalgamated into a state. Self-government within the British Empire or
without British Empire. The formation of consolidated North WEST Indian Muslim state
appears to me to be the final destiny of the Muslim, at least of the North West India.” In
other words, he envisaged the idea of the creation of territorial unit where Muslims were
in majority.
2. Emphasis on Islamic Principles: Iqbal believed that Islam is a complete code of life. Iqbal
emphasized the importance of Muslims living according to Islamic principles both
individually and collectively. Iqbal said, Islam is a chief formative force in lives of
Muslims in India, which define them a separate nation and well defined people with
certain values.
3. Intellectual Legacy: The arguments Iqbal made in his Allahabad Address have had a
long-lasting influence on Muslim political thinking. In addition to inspiring later
generations of Muslim thinkers and politicians in South Asia, his idea of a separate
Muslim state encouraged the establishment of Pakistan.
4. Rejected of the Western Democracy: Iqbal rejected the idea of western democracy in
India. He believed, India is Sub-continent, where different nations with different
languages, culture and history lived. So, the application of western democracy would be a
fruitless efforts to apply while ignoring their different religious.
 5. Conceptualization of the Two-Nation Theory: Iqbal’s explanation of the ‘Two-Nation
Theory’ was one of the major contributions of the Allahabad Address. He claimed, there
were two distinct nations made up of people of diverse historical, cultural, and religious
backgrounds. This idea served as the basis for the desire for a distinct Muslim nation,
which ultimately resulted in the founding of Pakistan in 1947.

Overall, Muhammad Iqbal’s Allahabad Address is of utmost significance as a turning point in

the development of the Muslim nationalist movement in India. It provided the foundation for the
demand for a separate Muslim state and shaped the Sub-continent’s future political environment.

 Enlist major reasons behind the annulment of partition of Bengal by the British
Empire and how did this decision strengthen the goals of All India Muslim League?
(5 Marks)

The annulment of the partition of Bengal by the British Empire and its impact on the goals of the
All-India Muslim League are defined here with several major reasons. These include:

 Indian nationalists, particularly the Indian National Congress, had voiced strong
opposition to the 1905 partition of Bengal which caused considerable political
disturbance. The British government felt pressure from the protests, boycotts, and
agitations against the division, like the Swadeshi Movement. The partition of Bengal was
initially carried out by the British with the aim of dividing the country and weakening the
nationalist cause. They soon realized, though, that the separation had failed and had
instead brought together various populations to rebel against British control.
 Bengal’s partition was also driven by economic considerations because it was intended to
make the administration of a sizable and highly populated province easier. But this move
hampered the preexisting economic networks in Sub-continent. The decision to revoke
the division was heavily influenced by the negative economic effects and widespread
public unhappiness.
 The intensity of the Hindus' resistance was underestimated by the British. The scheme's
creator Lord Curzon was about to leave, and with the departure of Lord Curzon, the
partition plan lost its ally.

Impact on the goals of the All-India Muslim League

The restoration of Bengal's old status by the British Government was seen as a setback for the
Muslim League, leading to a loss of faith in the British Government's leadership. As a result, the
Muslim League leaders contemplated changing their goals in order to secure a more favorable
political future in the Subcontinent

 The All India Muslim League's (AIML) objectives were significantly impacted by the
1911 Bengal partition being declared invalid. The AIML, supported by individuals such
as Muhammad Ali Jinnah, viewed the annulment as a win for their campaign for separate
electorates and political protections for Muslims. The League's argument that Muslims
deserved separate representation and protection in a united India was strengthened by the
partition's reversal.
 Muslims in India who had not previously supported it began doing so. This aided the
AIML, which in turn assisted the AILM in the effort to create Pakistan in future. The
decision to overturn the partition fueled the Muslim League's desire for a separate
homeland for Muslims, which ultimately resulted in the creation of Pakistan.