PREFACE
The two-nation theory was the basis of the struggle to create Pakistan, which held that Hindus and Muslims are separate nations. Even though they have lived together for centuries, they did not forget their cultures and civilization.
In Kitab ul Hind, Alberuni has said, “The two societies, Hindus and Muslims, are like two streams that sometimes touched each other but never merged.”
CONDITION OF MUSLIMS AFTER THE WAR OF 1857
The British put down the Muslims back after the War of 1857. British got the rule of the Sub-continent from the last Mughal Emperor, Bahadur Shah Zafar, so they disliked Muslims. They gave opportunities for jobs, studies, and work to Hindus only. They paid no attention to the Muslims, so the conditions of Muslims became worse day by day.
PIONEER OF TWO-NATION THEORY
Sir Syed Ahmad Khan was the pioneer of the nation theory.
IMPORTANCE OF TWO-NATION THEORY
The entire freedom movement revolves around the two-nation theory, which became the basis of demand for Pakistan.
AIMS AND OBJECTIVES OF THE CREATION OF PAKISTAN
After the war of independence, the Hindus and the British greatly pressed the Muslims. The Muslims’ social, political, and economic conditions were changed. That is why they demanded a separate state of their own. Following are the aims and objectives that led to the creation of Pakistan.
- Setting up a Free Islamic Society
- Protection from Atrocities
- Social Political Development
- Defence of Two Nation Theory
- Establishment Of the Islamic State
- True Islamic Society
- Dream to Get Freedom
- To get rid of Britishers
- Muslim Unity
- Religious Differences
- Hindu Nationalism Cultural differences
- Social Differences.
- Educational Differences
- Language
1. SETTING UP A FREE ISLAMIC SOCIETY
The main objective of creating Pakistan was to establish a free Islamic society. This society will have its own identity and government practising its sociGovernmentles and religion.
2. PROTECTION FROM ATROCITIES
The daily communal riots made it clear that the Hindus could use politics in their favour after the departure of the British. The lives of Muslims could never be safe in United India. So, the Muslims demanded a separate state to eliminate these atrocities.
3. SOCIO-POLITICAL DEVELOPMENT
After the War of Independence in 1857, the social environment changed. The Muslims were scared of the caste system and other discrimination. They could enjoy neither political nor social liberties. Therefore, they preferred to have a separate homeland.
4. PROTECTION OF TWO NATION THEORY
The Muslims believe in separate religions, practice different traditions and have their own history and cultural heritage. Their claim was valid that it was their right to keep the separate entity alive and to enjoy all human rights
5. ESTABLISHMENT OF THE ISLAMIC STATE
Islam is the complete code of life. The Muslims wanted to implement the systems practically. This could not be attained in the United India. Therefore, they passed a resolution and demanded an Islamic state in the North East and North West of South Asia.
6. SETTING UP OF TRUE ISLAMIC SOCIETY
Islam upholds the golden principles of Freedom, Justice, Brotherhood, and Equality. Due to the reason that they have been living for centuries with the Hindu community, the Muslims were gradually ignoring, consciously or unconsciously, these golden principles. So, they wanted to follow these principles in their genuine sense.
7. DREAM OF MUSLIMS TO GET FREEDOM
Due to the poor treatment of Hindus and the British, the Muslims also wanted freedom to establish their Government in the sub-continent. beGovernmentdom is a fundamental right of every nation and country.
8. TO GET RID THE BRITISH
After the War of Independence (1857), the British maltreated the Muslims. The political rights of the Muslims were snatched. Doors of new jobs were also closed for the Muslims. They were deprived of their property. The Muslims had no social status, so they demanded a separate homeland.
9. MUSLIM UNITY
Muslims were dispersed in the 20th Century, especially after the failure of the Khilafat movement. The Muslims wanted to become united again. Unity in the Muslim world was not possible without the creation of Pakistan.
10. RELIGIOUS DIFFERENCES
The Hindus and Muslims belong to different religions. Islam preaches Tauheed and believes in the equality of man before the law. Hinduism, on the other hand, is based on the concept of multiple Gods.
11. HINDU NATIONALISM
The Hindu nationist leaders ignored the significant contribution made by the Muslims in Indian society by promoting education and other social activities. Their writings and ideas flared up the communal discord between Hindus and Muslims to further pollute the situation.
12. CULTURAL DIFFERENCES
There were a lot of cultural differences between the Muslims and the Hindus.
- Muslims followed the Islamic culture, while Hindus inherited a self-build culture.
- The Hindus burnt their dead bodies while Muslims buried them.
- Hindus considered the cow sacred and worshipped it, while Muslims slaughtered it.
- Hindus performed “Sati while the Muslims abhorred this tradition.
- The Hindus and Muslims do not intermarry, nor do they inter-dine.
13. SOCIAL DIFFERENCES
The two communities of the sub-continent in their social life as well. The clothes, the foods, the household utensils, the payout of homes, the words of salutation, the gestures, and everything about them was different and immediately pointed to their distinctive origin.
14. EDUCATIONAL DIFFERENCES
The Hindus had advanced in the educational field because they quickly and readily took in English education; at the same time, Muslims did not receive a modern education, which heavily affected their economic conditions.
15. LANGUAGE
The Muslims and Hindus wrote and spoke two different languages. The former’s language was Urdu and written in Arabic Script. On the other hand, the Hindi language was spoken by Hindus. There was a difference in writing, thoughts of poetry, art, painting, and words of music. This slight difference led to a stirring conflict between the two nations
FINAL NOTE
The two-nation theory is the basis of the creation of Pakistan because, without it, Pakistan would not come into being. The demand for a separate homeland based on the nation theory was decisively made in the Muslim League fateful session at Lahore held in 1940. Finally, the Muslim League won a different land on 14 August 1947.
REFERENCES
- Pakistan Studies by Waqar Ahmad Cheema
