Syed Ahmad Khan presented the two nation theory. He proposed that Muslims had distinct religious, cultural, and social characteristics which set them apart from Hindus. This hypothesis was taken further by Chaudhry Rahmat Ali and Muhammad Iqbal. They also gave a name to the Muslim state. Muhammad Ali Jinnah finally added the finishing touches to make this theory a reality. Ultimately, it led to the establishment of Pakistan as an independent nation on 14th August 1947. Thus, a combination of theoretical endeavors and strong convictions gave birth to this new South Asian power.
Muslim rule
There is a proper historical perspective to comprehend the freedom movement in the Indo-Pakistan subcontinent. The Muslims conquered India from the northwest and west. In 712 A.D., Muhammad Bin Qasim marched to Sindh and established Muslim rule. Moreover, it is considered that Pakistan was founded when Mohammad Bin Qasim formed a Muslim state. After Mohammad bin Qasim, different Muslim rulers including the Mughals ruled the subcontinent till 1857.
British rule:
The East India Company was set up in 1600 by the British to pursue commercial activities. They took over the political and economic management of the Indian Subcontinent in 1857. With their monopolistic rule in India, they created close ties with Hindu and other ethnic groups instead of Muslims. This led to a decline in Muslim involvement in education, politics, and economics, leaving them with poor living standards and exclusion from public duties. These heavy-handed tactics towards Muslims ultimately tipped the balance, causing a collective consciousness within this society leading to Muslim nationalism. Simultaneously, an increasing sense of Hindu nationalism amongst the Hindu population caused Islam to become a rival religion. This resulted in an increase in defensive behavior for them – generating again a need for a nationalist structure that further threatened Muslims.
Differentiation between Hindus and Muslims
This theory suggests that the origin of Indian Muslims lies in religion, creating a differentiation between Hindus through custom, emotion, ideology, history, and language. This Two Nations concept is exclusive to India and is based on religious beliefs. It originated from an ambition for an autonomous state within India. This ambition was further sustained due to cultural, linguistic, political, spiritual, economic, and social differences between these two interdependent societies. The most notable difference is their faiths: Hinduism and Islam. They are so distinct in nature that they cannot merge with one another. Therefore, these two communities have found it necessary to divide freely to practice their respective religions.
Pakistani ideology and two nation theory:
The Two-Nation Theory was pivotal in forming the foundation of Pakistani ideology. The concept further suggests that there is a great difference between Hindus and Muslims. This difference in political, cultural, religious, and economic aspects, enabled Britain to comprehend the idea that Muslims constituted a distinct nation from other Indian communities. Therefore, Muslims should thrive within Islamic social and political norms. This inclination to Hindus gave rise to Muslim unity and destabilized the power dynamics favoring the Hindus under British rule. Indian Muslims had a strong belief that Islam has an essential role in their lives religiously and socially. Hence, desiring to live according to the Islamic order, found no other way but to foster a separate Muslim state. This theory provided an opportunity for Muslims to establish a conscious political organization whilst striving for collective benefit.
Syed Ahmad Khan and two nation theory:
Muslim living conditions in India were severely affected by the growing power of the British and the Hindu Nationalist structure of Hindus. This caused them to be deprived of meaningful roles in the executive of the state. It further shattered their financial relations and deemed them inferior political players. Thus, the concept of the two nations produced a movement for liberation. Syed Ahmad Khan was behind this revolutionary notion. He made progress in education to give Muslims a sense of national pride and advocated freedom.
Pakistan and Two nation theory:
Muhammad Iqbal and Chaudhry Rahmat Ali encouraged Muslims in Indian states to pursue independence. Moreover, they embraced the independence concept of Syed Ahmad Khan. The two went further than merely a separate nation. They presented determinations and hypotheses about its boundaries as well. Muhammad Ali Jinnah took the theory right up to the point of full independence. Moreover, he saw to it that Muslims were left with no other option but to embrace the two nation theory. Consequently, subsequent actions taken in pursuit of the Lahore Resolution Draft revolved around establishing an independent Muslim state under the doctrine of Two Nations. This prompted Britain to differentiate between Hindus and Muslims. Ultimately, they granted both of them the right to formalize a sovereign state in the Indian Sub-Continent. Thus, Pakistan came into being on August 14th, 1947, pioneering a religion-based nation-state theory across the world.
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