Chequered Past, Uncertain Future: The History of Pakistan

by Tahir Kamran

This book takes us on a sweeping journey through the ebbs and flows of Pakistan’s history, from the ancient Indus Valley Civilization to contemporary times. The book uncovers influences from Turkey, Persia, Arabia and Britain that have shaped Pakistan, as well as showcasing the region’s diverse, rich tapestry of peoples, and its pluralistic, multicultural society. The book also describes the post-1947 shift – following the partition of India and the establishment of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan – to become more religiously conservative and autocratic, intensifying sectarian and ethnic divisions. For most of its history, the people of Pakistan have found themselves under the control of military dictators who suppressed civil liberties and freedom of speech and action – a trend that continues to persist today.

Genres: History, Asia, Pakistan

568 pages, Hardcover

First published July 1, 2024

About the author

Tahir Kamran, (Urdu: طاھر کامران‎), is a notable Pakistani historian and former Iqbal fellow at the University of Cambridge,[1] as professor in the Centre of South Asian Studies. He has authored four books and has written several articles specifically on the history of the Punjab, sectarianism, democracy, and governance. He is the former head of the department of history at the Government College University in Lahore, Pakistan where he founded the biannual journal 'The Historian' [2]

He has been influential in the Higher Education Commission of Pakistan and implemented methods to improve educational standards in Pakistan.

Kamran has been a visiting fellow at Southampton University, the SOAS and at the University of Cambridge .

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tahir_K...

Reviews

[Lalit Singh Tomar · Rating 4 out of 5]

Since long I was curious to learn about the modern history of our troubled neighbor that is PAKISTAN. My idea was to pick a book written by a Pakistani Intellectual on this topic. As knowing the history of Pakistan through a Pakistani national will help to appreciate, How they see their own history.

Hence I picked up this book form a book store at Mumbai. ( Although its a Indian Edition ). The Author Tahir Kamran is an renowned Pakistani historian. This is 500 page long book , around first 100 pages deals with the history of Pakistan before 1947. ( A good amount of stress is given on Indus Valley Civilization). As I was mainly interested in Pakistan after 1947, for me the real book starts after 100 pages.

From thereon this book has nicely told the story of inception of Pakistan, problem inherited with partition, Non-uniform demography, Evolution of powerful Bureaucracy, reasons for overactive Military, long term impacts of mixing religion with democracy.

Some interesting facts are ....
1. Sovereignty rest with Allah
2. Inept Politicians & Post of Secretary General bypassing all the cabinet.
3. Urdu over Bengali
4. Political Economy of Defense & Mercantile Capitalist.
5. Blending of democracy with discipline.
6. The Inferior, dark skinned, week, lesser man
7. Foreign Economic Advisor ( Harvard Advisory Group )
8. In 1971, "Thank God Pakistan has been saved" said Bhutto
9 CMLA, Cancel my last Announcement. ............. etc


Over all I like this book, For me the most interesting character in Pakistan's story is General Zia ul Haq, hate him or like him, he is the most interesting historical figure of Pak.



Finally after completing this book, I felt I am so lucky that I am born in India and not on other side of border..