The Role of Jinnah in the formation of Pakistan Essay Example

and later Mission High School. At 16 years old, he successfully passed the matriculation examination for the University of Bombay.Despite his father's plan for him to gain business experience in England, Jinnah pursued his passion for becoming a barrister and joined Lincolns Inn in London.In 1895, at 19 years old, he was called to the bar.Prior to his departure for England, he entered into an early marriage arranged by his parents, in accordance with the customs of the time.During his time in London, Jinnah experienced two significant losses:the deaths of his wife and his mother.Despite these hardships, he managed to complete his formal studies and also familiarize himself with British political system by frequently visiting House of Commons.Jinnah was particularly influenced by liberal ideas of William E. Gladstone who had become Prime Minister for fourth time in 1892 same year that Jinnah arrived London.Additionally he took great interest Indian affairs & Indian students.Jinnah, along with other Indian students, tirelessly supported Dadabhai Naoroji, a prominent Indian nationalist, in his campaign for a seat in the English Parliament. Their efforts were successful and made Naoroji the first Indian to serve in the House of Commons. Upon returning to Karachi in 1896, Jinnah discovered that his father's business had suffered losses, leaving him to rely on himself. Despite facing numerous challenges, he chose to establish his legal practice in Bombay and worked hard for several years to become a reputable lawyer.

After nearly a decade, Jinnah shifted his focus towards active involvement in politics while balancing his interests between law and politics. He held a broad sense of being Muslim and did not strongly align himself with specific sects

within Islam. His interactions with women were limited as he only married Ruttenbai, the daughter of Sir Dinshaw Petit, a wealthy Parsi individual from Bombay. This marriage faced significant opposition but unfortunately turned out to be an unhappy one.

During this time, Jinnah found solace and companionship from his sister Fatima. In January 1910, he was elected to the newly-formed Imperial Legislative Council where he served for approximately forty years as a highly influential advocate for Indian freedom and rights throughout his parliamentary career.Jinnah, the first Indian to successfully introduce a private member's Bill in the Council, quickly emerged as a leader within the legislature. Mr. Montagu, Secretary of State for India after World War I, praised Jinnah's impressive demeanor and believed it unfair that such a talented man could not govern his own country. For about thirty years starting in 1906, Jinnah fervently worked towards Hindu-Muslim unity. Gokhale, a prominent Hindu leader, spoke highly of Gandhi's qualities that made him an ambassador for this unity. Gandhi ultimately became the architect of this unity through the Congress-League Pact of 1916 (known as the Lucknow Pact). This historic agreement between the Congress and All-India Muslim League laid the groundwork for the Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms (Act of 1919), granting Muslims separate electorates, reserved seats in legislatures, and representation at both national and provincial levels. It also implicitly recognized the All-India Muslim League as Muslims' representative organization. Jinnah deserves credit for his role in achieving this accomplishment.By 1917, Jinnah had gained widespread recognition among both Hindus and Muslims as one of India's most exceptional political leaders. He held positions in the Congress and the Imperial Legislative Council, while also being

president of the All-India Muslim and the Bombay Branch of the Home Rule League. His role in the Congress-League entente at Lucknow earned him recognition as an ambassador and embodiment of Hindu-Muslim unity. However, he became disheartened by the introduction of violence into politics. Jinnah believed that political terrorism was a destructive path towards disaster and advocated for gradual progress, moderation, and constitutionalism.

Therefore, Jinnah could not support Gandhi's methods of Satyagrah and boycotting government-aided institutions, courts, councils, and British textiles. In October 1920, when Gandhi attempted to alter the constitution and name of the Home Rule League after being elected its president, Jinnah resigned due to the extreme nature of Gandhi's program. He believed that this extreme program appealed only to inexperienced youth and the illiterate population, leading to disorganization and chaos.

Despite their frustration with colonial rule, both Jinnah and Rabindranath Tagore did not agree that any means justified the ends. They saw Gandhi's non-cooperation doctrine as a negative and despairing approach that could result in resentment but no constructive solutions.Jinnah strongly opposed Gandhi's tactics in the 1920s, particularly his exploitation of the Khilafat and use of wrongful methods in Punjab. In a speech at the Nagpur Congress Session in 1920, Jinnah criticized Gandhi's extra-constitutional methods, warning that they could lead to terrorism, lawlessness, and chaos without progressing India towards freedom. The subsequent events validated Jinnah's concerns and proved him right. Despite leaving Congress, Jinnah continued to strive for Hindu-Muslim understanding as he believed it was crucial for independence. However, due to widespread communal violence and deep mistrust, along with Hindus' failure to address Muslim demands adequately, his efforts were unsuccessful. One such effort was

the formulation of the Delhi Muslim Proposals in March 1927. These proposals aimed to achieve unity between Hindus and Muslims by addressing their differences on the constitutional plan even if it meant waiving Muslims' right to a separate electorate – a right previously recognized by Congress under the Lucknow Pact but had become a point of contention between both communities. Surprisingly, when outlining proposals for India's future constitution in the Nehru Report (1928), sponsored by Congress, minimum demands stated in the Delhi Muslim Proposals were disregarded.Despite this, Jinnah argued at the National convention (1928) for Hindus and Muslims to march together towards their shared goal. He believed that unity and reconciliation between the two communities were crucial for their common interests. However, the convention's rejection of Muslim demands dealt a severe blow to Jinnah's lifelong efforts in promoting Hindu-Muslim unity. This event marked a turning point for him, leading to his disillusionment with politics in the subcontinent. Consequently, he migrated and settled in London during the early 1930s.

After receiving pleas from his fellow Muslims, Jinnah returned to India in 1934 and assumed their leadership. Unfortunately, the condition of the Muslim community at that time was disheartening - men and women were dissatisfied and demoralized, lacking political organization and clear objectives. It was a challenging task for Jinnah to reorganize the Muslim League. The primary branches were non-existent while provincial organizations were mostly ineffective and only nominally under central control.

The central body lacked a coherent policy until Jinnah organized the Bombay session in 1936. In addition to these challenges, various Muslim leaders had established their own provincial parties which further complicated matters in Punjab, Bengal, Sindh,

North West Frontier Province (NWFP), Assam, Bihar, and United Provinces (UP).Despite the challenging circumstances, Jinnah found comfort in Allama Iqbal, who offered support and guidance behind the scenes. Undeterred by the difficult situation, Jinnah committed himself to uniting Muslims on a single platform. He conducted nationwide tours, urging provincial Muslim leaders to put aside their differences and join the League. He motivated Muslim masses to become members of and organize themselves within the League. Jinnah also provided clarity and cohesion to Muslim sentiments regarding the Government of India Act in 1935. He advocated for abandoning the Federal Scheme as it opposed India's goal of responsible government, while recognizing the value of the provincial scheme despite some objections. Efforts were made to establish a viable League manifesto for the upcoming 1937 elections. Despite time working against him, Jinnah strived to make Muslim India a formidable force. Against all odds, the Muslim League managed to secure 108 seats (around 23 percent) out of a total of 485 Muslim seats across different legislatures. Although not exceptionally impressive on its own, this partial success was significant as it won the largest number of Muslim seats and was the only all-India party representing Muslims in the country. This marked an important milestone towards establishing Muslim India on the subcontinent. The arrival of 1937 marked the beginning of a crucial decade in modern Indian historyThe provincial portion of the Government of India Act, 1935 went into effect in the same year, granting autonomy to Indians in the provinces. At that time, the Congress party emerged as the dominant political force in India and gained power exclusively in seven provinces. However, they

refused to cooperate with the League and ignored the idea of forming a coalition government that included Muslims. Under Jinnah's strong leadership, the Muslim League underwent a complete reorganization and became an organization representing Indian Muslims like never before. This significant year saw certain political trends emerge that ultimately led to the partition of the subcontinent. The actions taken by Congress, which assumed control in July 1937 over seven out of eleven provinces, made it evident to Muslims that they were considered second-class citizens within Congress's governance. The policies and programs implemented by Congress provincial governments posed threats to Muslims' religion, language, and culture. Jinnah skillfully utilized this aggressive congress policy to awaken Muslim awareness, unite them on a national level, and politically empower them by providing coherence, direction, and articulation for their latent desires and ambitions.He primarily instilled his unyielding determination and unwavering belief in their future. Thanks to Jinnah's tireless efforts, the Muslims have awakened from their prolonged period of silence, which Professor Baker identifies as their "unreflective silence". This silence was a comfortable existence for them over many decades. In this awakening, they have discovered the spiritual essence of their nationality, which had already been present among them for some time. The impact of continuous Congress pressure led the Muslims to delve deep into their social consciousness in an urgent attempt to find a coherent and meaningful way to express their cherished desires. They were relieved to realize that their feelings of nationality had transformed into nationalism. Additionally, they not only developed the desire to live as a nation but also acquired a territory that they could occupy and establish as a

state, forming a cultural home for their newly uncovered nation. According to Renan's principles, these two prerequisites provided intellectual justification for the Muslims' claim to distinct nationalism separate from Indian or Hindu nationalism.When the Muslims finally found their voice after a long pause, they expressed their desire for a separate Muslim nationhood and state. The demand for Pakistan highlighted the nation's distinct culture, civilization, language, literature, art, architecture, names, values, laws, customs, history, tradition, aptitudes, and ambitions. This declaration had a significant impact on Indian politics by breaking Hindu aspirations for an Indian empire and bringing forth an era of Islamic renaissance. Both Hindus and the British reacted strongly and negatively to this demand since they valued India's unity. However, they underestimated the overwhelming response from Muslim masses who were fully aware of their unique identity and purpose. Quaid-i-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah played a crucial role in steering Muslim politics towards the creation of Pakistan in 1947 through his strong advocacy and strategic approach during negotiations following the formulation of the Pakistan demand. In April 1942, the British responded to this demand with the Cripps offer which granted self-determination based on territory to provinces; however it was rejected as it did not fully meet the Muslim demand. Jinnah extensively discussed Gandhi's alternative to Pakistan known as the Rajaji Formula during talks held in September 1944.
The proposed plan for a fragmented Pakistan, which included numerous conditions that made its emergence highly unlikely, if not impossible, was deemed unacceptable. The Cabinet Mission negotiations took place from 1946 to 1947 after elections revealed a divided nation between the Congress and the League, with the issue of Pakistan at

the center. In March 1946, the British Cabinet Mission arrived to establish a constitution-making process and an interim government. However, due to the Congress-League divide, the Mission proposed its own plan in May 1946. This plan, known as the Cabinet Mission Plan, suggested a limited central government with authority in foreign affairs, defense, and communications. It also proposed three autonomous province groups: two with Muslim majorities in the northwest and northeast regions and one with a Hindu majority in mainland India. Recognizing this as an opportunity for creating Pakistan's foundation, Jinnah convinced the Muslim League Council to accept the Plan in June 1946 against expectations of the Congress. However, their acceptance was dismissed as weak by others leading to disappointment on both sides. Consequently, Congress adopted a defiant attitude in an attempt to overpower the League and impose its own termsFaced with this challenge, Jinnah and the League were compelled to retract their previous acceptance, reaffirm their original stance, and consider utilizing direct action if necessary to achieve Pakistan. Jinnah's adept handling of the situation demonstrated his perceptive understanding of the circumstances and his ability to strategically navigate through them. By the end of 1946, violent communal riots had engulfed a majority of the subcontinent, indicating that the two communities were engaged in an intense struggle. Time was running out for a peaceful transfer of power, leading His Majesty's Government to appoint Lord Mountbatten as a new Viceroy who conducted extensive negotiations with political leaders. On June 3, 1947, the British ultimately decided to partition the subcontinent and grant power to two successor states on August 15, 1947. This plan received acceptance from the Congress,

the League, and the Akali Dal which represented Sikhs. Quaid-i-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah was chosen by the Muslim League as Governor-General of Pakistan in recognition of his significant contribution while Mountbatten was appointed India's initial Governor-General by Congress.
Pakistan emerged amidst chaos as it embarked on its journey with limited resources and under treacherous circumstances. The newly formed nation lacked a central government, capital city, organized defense force or administrative core.Despite its inadequate social and administrative resources, lack of equipment and statistical data, the Punjab tragedy left extensive areas in ruins and disrupted communication networks. The economy was severely impacted by the mass exodus of Hindu and Sikh business and managerial classes, as well as India's refusal to give Pakistan a major portion of its cash balances. Additionally, Pakistan had to provide for around eight million refugees who had fled from the insecurity and brutality of northern Indian plains during that scorching summer. These challenges exposed Pakistan's weaknesses in terms of administration and economy.

Furthermore, India's military annexation of Junagadh in November 1947 (originally part of Pakistan) and the subsequent Kashmir war over the state's accession (October 1947-December 1948) revealed Pakistan's military vulnerabilities. Despite these dire circumstances, Pakistan miraculously survived thanks largely to one man - Mohammad Ali Jinnah. In this crucial point in history, Jinnah fulfilled his role as a charismatic leader who brought the State into existence. He was not just a Governor-General; he was the Quaid-i-Azam who guided the new nation through its grave crisis after birth.Despite being tired and in poor health, Jinnah used his immense prestige and unwavering loyalty to boost the morale of the people and direct their patriotic fervor towards

constructive efforts. He bore the main burden during that crucial first year, formulating policies for the new state, highlighting immediate challenges faced by the nation, and guiding members of the Constituent Assembly, civil servants, and Armed Forces on their responsibilities. Jinnah ensured that law and order were maintained at any cost, even amidst widespread riots in north India. Personally overseeing the refugee crisis in Punjab, he temporarily relocated from Karachi to Lahore. In this time of great excitement, he remained calm and dependable as he advised the enthusiastic audience to focus on aiding refugees rather than seeking revenge. He urged them to exercise restraint and protect minority groups while reassuring fairness and offering hope and comfort to those who had been pained. Jinnah traveled throughout various provinces addressing specific issues, instilling a sense of belonging among its people. A significant move was his reversal of British policy in the North-West Frontier by withdrawing troops from Waziristan which helped integrate Pathans into Pakistan's political structureHe established a new Ministry of States and Frontier Regions and took on the responsibility of bringing about change in Balochistan. The contentious matter of Karachi states was resolved, along with securing the accession of problematic Kalat. Negotiations with Lord Mountbatten were conducted to settle the Kashmir Issue. With a deep sense of fulfillment, Jinnah conveyed in his final message on 14 August 1948 that he had laid the foundations of the state, leaving it up to the nation to build rapidly and effectively. Jinnah, who dedicated himself to the task he had taken on after Pakistan's birth, had worked tirelessly until his death.
Richard Symons acknowledged that Jinnah had made the most

significant contribution to Pakistan's survival. On September 11, 1948, Jinnah passed away. Lord Pethick Lawrence spoke truthfully when he said that Gandhi died at the hands of an assassin while Jinnah died due to his devotion to Pakistan.
Jinnah faced violent opposition and relentless hostility and was often misunderstood as he fought for the rights of his people and championed the cause of Pakistan.However, what stands out about Jinnah is the immense praise he received even from those with opposing views.The Aga Khan regarded him as the greatest man he had ever met,Beverley Nichols referred to him as Asia's most important man,and Dr.Kailashnath Katju saw him as an outstanding figure not only in India but also in the whole world.Abdul Rahman Azzam Pasha, the Secretary General of the Arab League, regarded Jinnah as one of the most influential leaders in the Muslim world. In addition to this, the Grand Mufti of Palestine expressed deep sorrow over his death and considered it a significant loss for the entire Islamic community. Sarat Chandra Bose, leader of the Forward Bloc faction within India's National Congress, summarized Quaid-i-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah's personal and political achievements. He acknowledged Jinnah's exceptional skills as a lawyer, his role as a Congressman, his leadership among Muslims, his global political influence and diplomatic abilities, and above all else, his proactive nature. Bose emphasized that with Jinnah's passing away, not only did Pakistan lose its life-giver but also its philosopher and guide. This emphasizes how substantial Jinnah's accomplishments and achievements were.