This document provides a historical overview of the origin of Pakistan. It discusses the various dynasties that ruled the Indian subcontinent prior to British rule, including the Mughal Empire. It then outlines the rise of European intervention led by the East India Company and the establishment of British Raj. Key events and movements leading to the eventual partition of India and creation of Pakistan in 1947 are also summarized. The document concludes by examining several explanations and theories regarding the formation of Pakistan.

1. Origin of Pakistan
Lecture 1

2. Historical Overview
• Before Islam, Indians
followed three major
religions: Buddhism,
Jainism and Hinduism.
• For Arabs this area was a
significant trade route to
Celone and Indonesia
• First ship to India 630 AD
• First major Arab attack
712 AD

3. • Arabs were followed by
several different dynasties
 Ghasnavids (962-1186)
 Ghurid Dynaty (1149-1206)
 Delhi Sultanate (1206-1525)
 The Great Mughal Empire
(1526-1857)
 The great Emperors include
Babur, Humayun, Akbar,
Jahangir, Shahjahan and
Aurengzeb.
 The last Mughal Emperor:
Bahadur Shah Zafar.

4. • Downfall of the Empire
was followed by the
Europeans intervention
in the area
• First European expedition
Vasco de Gama: 1498
• Portugese were followed
by the Netherlands and
England.
• East India Company
• British Raj became
official after 1857 and
lasted till partition of

5. • The period between 1857 to 1947 is marked as
struggle for independence
• Aligarh movement and Sir Syed Ahmad Khan
• Formation of Indian National Congress 1885
• Partition of Bengal and its annulment 1905-1911
• Formation of Muslim League 1906
• Khilafat Movement: The last milestone for Hindu-
Muslim Unity
• Allahbad Address 1930
• Government of India Act and elections 1935-37
• Pakistan Resolution 1940
• Formation of Pakistan 1947

6. Contending Explanations regarding
formation of Pakistan
• Several writings available
• Partition of India and creation of Pakistan by Ayesha
Jalal
• Jaswant Singh: Jinnah, Partition India- Pakistan
Claims that it was not Jinnah but Nehru and Sardar
Patel, their uncompromising attitude led to the
partition.
• Maulana Azad in “India wins Freedom” also asserts the
same point
• Afzal Tauseef explains the partition as a result of
aspirations of feudal class

7. • According to Afzal Pakistan was created to
preserve the interests of landowners (feudal)
• Since Nehru insisted on land reforms
• Muslim League: product of British and Nawabs
• On the other hand US interests.
• League had crucial support of Unionist Party
in Punjab which represented feudal Punjabis
and jagirdars
• Another popular explanation given by Khalid
bin Sayeed: Pakistan the Formative Phase.

8. • In first chapter of his book; Pakistan: the Formative
Phase, Sayeed deals with several explanations
available
• first argument: Pakistan was the result of British
politics of divide and rule:
• Tensions between Hindus and Muslims ever since the
advent of British
• Granting of separate electorate to Muslims
• This argument can be countered by the fact that
tensions remained among Hindu and Muslims even at
the time of Akbar and Aurangzeb
• Several Muslim and Hindu movements to purify their
nation and religion from the evils of other religion

9. • inability of British to bridge the gap between
these two communities.
• Muslim stance: Pakistan result of Muslims’
consciousness on one hand and Indian communal
attitude on the other
• Hindu short sightedness and exclusiveness
• The most popular view is the “Two Nation Theory”
• Charismatic leadership of Jinnah
• Islamic fervour among the Muslims of India
• Intense feeling of Islamic nationalism