The Making of Pakistan: A Study in Nationalism

by K.K. Aziz

The Making Of Pakistan K.K.Aziz 969350870X Political Science

Genres: Pakistan, History, Nonfiction, Politics

223 pages, Hardcover

Published August 10, 2002

About the author

Khursheed Kamal Aziz, better known as K. K. Aziz was born in December 1927, in village Ballamabad near Faisalabad. He was educated at the M. B. High School Batala, Forman Christian College and the Government College, Lahore, and the Victoria University of Manchester. He has been on the academic staff of the Government College, Lahore, and of the Universities of the Punjab, London, Cambridge, Khartoum and Heidelberg, and has delivered occasional lectures at the Universities of Karachi, Peshawar, Dacca, Islamabad, Hull, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Geneva, Oxford and Bergen.

During intervals snatched from teaching abroad he has served at home as Deputy Official Historian to the Government of Pakistan, Chairman of the National Commission on Historical and Cultural Research, and Special Policy Adviser to the Prime Minister (Z. A. Bhutto). Author of over a dozen books, he is a historian of rank with an international reputation.

Reviews

[Badar · Rating 5 out of 5]

There are few who possess the acumen of a historian or ingenuity of a distinguished writer - K.K. Aziz surpasses both. A virtuoso on Indian subcontinent’s history.
This book expounds on the birth of a nation that sculpted itself out of a British colony. A profound, insightful, and wholly necessary read for anyone wanting to read about Pakistan’s origins.

[Asim Bakhshi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Late Khurshid Kamal Aziz was indeed a forward looking historian and perhaps the best Pakistan has produced in terms of academic honesty, quality of scholarship and analytical skills; and for a lay-reader this is vintage K.K. Aziz. From the point of view of the new Pak-Studies generation of Pakistan, this can be categorized as one of the single most essential text; one that single-handedly captures the historical, sociological (including religious), political, psychological and philosophical dimension of the genesis of a new nation that is still struggling to evolve.

But a word of caution that this is meant to be a casual all-encompassing essay and not for those who are only impressed by tomes when it comes to such multifarious dimensions. There are no hypotheses that are furnished and tested here; rather, I would call it a lucid effort to supply some fundamental historical narratives (in the context of Muslim Nationalism in pre-partition India) and put them in perspective. In my view, this text has enough potential to strike some middle grounds between misplaced nationalism muddled by religious biases, Orwellian methods of Zia regime and pseudo-intellectualism of likes of Nasim Hijazi and Orya Maqbool Jan etc which is popularly sold in the name of 'history'.

[Salman · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Making of Pakistan (A study in Nationalism) is a profound survey of the prolific writer. He delineates in a comprehensive way the inevitable historical factors that helped shape the Muslim nationalism after multifarious events. The writer also brings to the spotlight all the other benignant causes, like the political rift between the Hindu and Muslim community that made the Muslims of subcontinent feel a dire need of a separate representative party. On the other hand, the religious and cultural clashes that led to the realisation of their centuries old facade of reconciliation so eventually they started reverting back to their religious heroes. The Muslims and the Hindus drew a stark contrast in their language, education, literature, philosophy and art. These were the forces that ruled the minds of their communities from then onwards. Pan Islamism is another factor that mould the thinking pattern of the adherents of nationalism. How the psychological outlook of he Muslims too gave strength and solidarity to the cause is of utmost importance and in this process, mythology & symbolism and fear & insecurity played their part at best. Interestingly enough the writer has given consideration to the formation of Indian Nationalism as well as Muslims nationalism. If Indepth analysis of this historical tussle is carried out, it will be obvious that as long as it is true that the Muslims struggled hard to distinguish themselves (which they were), the Hindus staunchness helped them unconsciously to reach their ultimate and desired destination. The writer's unique and matchless approach to this point is worth perusing where he proves his historical stance by penetrating deeper in ancient history.

[Shoaib · Rating 3 out of 5]

A heartfelt thank to K.K Aziz for his efforts to present balanced narrative of the make-up of the country (Pakistan). The kind of history taught in the school text books, hasn’t helped us a great deal to understand the idea behind the creation of the country. Dr. K. K. Aziz analyses these circumstances and gives a complete, vivid and balanced account of the Muslim community in India. He narrates the political history; and also describes the fortunes of the Muslims which made inevitable the revolution which created Pakistan. The essence of this book is the sheer historical excitement of what he relates and the greatness of the theme. A book of this sort is bound to be controversial; but it comes nowhere near to parting from fact which can be -reasonably defended.

[Omama. · Rating 4 out of 5]

'The Making of Pakistan' deals with the gradual formation of Muslim nationalism in Imperial India with each and every aspect ranging from historical to political with the religious element and the cultural background, how the Indian Muslims came to look upon themselves as a separate national group, how this affected Indian nationalism, and how it was consummated by the establishment of an Independent Muslim state and the establishment of two-nation theory on which the creation of Pakistan was professedly based.

[Altaf Hussain · Rating 4 out of 5]

I started reading this book with alot of expectations because of knowing the author's style and content through "Murder of History". Gladly this book stood upto the expectations. This has further motivated me to pick third book by K.K.Aziz, so I'm open to suggestions.


Speaking about this book, then I must say, explaining nationalism in the most easiest way with all its contours would be difficult to find in any other book than this. After introducing Nationalism, author moves on to explaining making of Pakistan in historical, political, religious, cultural, and psychological factors. All in the context of Nationalism. Lastly he has explained Two-nation theory. Honestly speaking I liked the explanation of two nation theory by him. It sounded logical. How muslim minorities and muslim majorities in other parts in United India felt differently was well-explained in this chapter.

Speaking of chapters, then there was repetition of arguments at many instances. The chapters of history, religion and two nation theory got my much attention. Such books need to be discussed after completing it. Hence, I got a partner in reading throughout this book. Let's see, what new parameters are going to be drawn after discussion. Did Congress really believed in two-nation theory, unintentionally and unconsciously, at some instances? Pakistan for the safeguard of minorities or for the rule of majority? Questions of Hindus in Pakistan and Muslims in India, are few kind of the questions that were answered in the book.

This book has ignited an urge inside me to read about Chaudhary Rehmat Ali, Kabir Singh, metempsychosis and policies of Congress. Looking forward to that. If you're looking forward to get and read it then it is mostly available at local bookshops and easily available at online stores.
Happy Reading.

[Muhammad Usama · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Making of Pakistan is a commendable effort to validate the Two Nation Theory. It provides anti-thesis to the idea that two nation theory was a strategic ploy by the British. K.K. Aziz explored the political landscape of pre independence India from multiple socio-cultural angles. The book generally compared and contrasted the ideologies, motives and actions of Congress vis-a-vis All Indian Muslim league with little focus on British policies and their impacts on the certain actions by the two parties. Other actors like islamic religious parties are also examined with their connection to these two parties. This approach adds analytical depth of the congress-league relations and the nurturing of Muslim nationalism as well as the idea of Pakistan. All in all, the book unravels the multifaceted factors that contributed to the ideological and political landscape leading to the growth of Muslim Nationalism, evolution of two nation theory and eventually the creation of Pakistan.

[Laraib Baloch · Rating 5 out of 5]

Probably one of the best books on the topic.

[Anam Azam · Rating 5 out of 5]

“The more it is crushed the more vigorous it’s rebirth”

From conquering invaders to epic rulers of the land to destroyed at expense of weaknesses of own, to the revolt of 1857, Britain friendship, opposition to the congress, extremist agitation, congress and co-operation, belligerent neutrality, negotiations, appeals, and threats, to ideas of new land, to Pakistan cause... this was a story of a nation.

I started reading this book out of curiosity to know what was the factors and pushers which split a subcontinent into two, later three.

K.K. Aziz turned out to be one of the best authors in this regard, the style of his writing and formatting story is so beautiful and exceptionally simple that one can’t find any reason to not continue reading. The book is massively important and filled with the story, a journey of Nationalism and concept of nation, which is very interesting and when we see how this shape the world from long... it become more gripping to read.

The first part of the book is all about historical factors, including the mutiny of 1857 and so on... as the book continues the story began to unfold, and being a reader I get to know that how from small to large perspective/factor call it whether religion, politics, personal believes, culture, psychology shapes the mind of people and at times the discrimination of majority towards the minority.

I don’t see any way to not giving it full stars, and there’s nothing that makes me stop from recommending this very fine book to every single ponder of person to give it a read and dive into the factors which shape the world and put a nation on the face of the globe within few years.

[Asvi]

its a good book about history

[Talha Saleem · Rating 5 out of 5]

good book

[Ahmed Jamote · Rating 2 out of 5]

kk aziz

[Nadir · Rating 5 out of 5]

Is to read!

[Saad Hameed · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent book on Pakistan's Ideology and Pakistan Movement. A must read for someone interested in Pakistan movement and its leaders.

[Shahzaib · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book

[Shabib Siddiqui · Rating 3 out of 5]

I just completed reading this book and the Epilogue kind of disturbed and surprised me even. Why did the Muslim League and Jinnah go about asking for another nation for muslims of India, which they believed constituted a separate "nation" but then ask them "to stay in India and to be loyal to their government"?
The thing is Pakistan was logistically, demographically and politically incapable of being a universal muslim homeland that it was promised to be. How do you create a homeland for a community that's scattered across an entire subcontinent? The majority of muslims were left behind. More than two thirds of them were outside the state supposedly created for them. So is it a homeland if it leaves most of the supposed “nation” behind?

The answer that comes to me is that Jinnah never wanted a separate state in the first place. Jinnah started off as a secularist. He wanted minority rights, maximum autonomy for muslims in a federal, secular India. The congress didn't budge and the demand for separate electorates and other rights that would have safeguarded muslim interests in a hindu majority india were brushed aside. That made Jinnah flip the script and ask for a separate country, but he was only bluffing. It was like a bargaining chip and not the end goal. Jinnah thought all this would bring the congress to the negotiating table. Congress thought he was bluffing as well and never sat on the table or if they ever did, they backtracked soon. In the end, as the demand for a separate muslim nation gained unstoppable momentum late in the independence struggle, Jinnah was forced to go all in, delivering a country he had never clearly envisioned, only strategically invoked. There Was No Plan. No constitution. No economic policy. No migration plan. No infrastructure to deal with migrants. No idea how to integrate the millions of Urdu speaking migrants from India into Pakistan.
Pakistan wasn’t Jinnah’s dream, it was his last resort after every other option had collapsed. Which it did, and we got Pakistan. He won the game. But lost the plot.
From the Congress to the Muslim league, the partition of India wasn't just one man's doing but a series of factors, events and individuals who all knowingly or unknowingly played a part in it.

This book reveals a gap between ideology and reality. That the two nation theory had flaws namely that if muslims were one nation, Partition should’ve included mass migrations and plans to accommodate everyone who came, but it didn’t. The book forces you to question whether Pakistan was a fulfillment of muslim aspirations or a political compromise with unintended consequences.
Aziz doesn’t reject Pakistan’s legitimacy but exposes its contradictions. Leaving one to wonder was this the partition the masses were promised?

[Talha Bajwa · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Making of Pakistan is a marvelous piece of work reckoning the growth of Muslim nationalism in Imperial India. K.K Aziz expounds the fact that Pakistan was the inevitable outcome of the efforts of Muslims of India who were a separate nation in every aspect.

The book draws upon five important factors to establish the persistence of Muslim nationalism as opposed to the generalized notion of Indian nationalism within the subcontinent. Professing their separate identity in every walk of life, Muslims of India carefully navigated through the troubled waters of political and social turmoil to mark their separate homeland in the chronicles of history.

Politically, the Muslim leadership validated their credentials as spokespersons of a distinct political entity within the subcontinent either by befriending their British masters as in the Simla Deputation or by joining hands with their Congress counterparts as in the Lucknow Pact. In a purely religious sense too, Indian nationalism was as much grounded in Hinduism as was Muslim nationalism in Islam. While both Hinduism and Islam originally abhorred the idea of a national unity or political democracy, the episode of imperialism set both Hindus and Muslims on separate paths of nationalist struggle. Culturally, Muslims and Hindus had separate educational, linguistic, artistic and philosophical afflictions. Psychologically, they had separate myths, symbols and legends. They were two separate nations by all means whose coexistence in the subcontinent could have been nothing but an obnoxious recipe for disaster.

K.K. Aziz truly elucidates why Pakistan was necessary and why it came into being. On the whole, the book is well-opinionated, fascinating, and thought-provoking.

[Liam · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an excellent breakdown of the Muslim attitude in India prior to the Pakistan partition. It touches on the Hindu side of things, but focuses on the conflict between the two with the Muslim population as the underdog. Because of this, it tends to speak less highly of the Hindu political leadership (including Gandhi), pointing out several inconsistencies and hypocrisies in their approach to the political situation. It nevertheless spends a great deal of energy explaining both points of view and justifying each as reasonable, rather than vilifying either. While it leaves me wanting to hear the Hindu side of history, this book provided an amazing and accessible description of a complicated political morass. I highly recommend it.

[Bodacius · Rating 4 out of 5]

I finished my latest read, "The Making of Pakistan - A Study in Nationalism" by K. K. Aziz.
The book is a fascinating insight into what Muslim Nationalism means. The author very skillfully expounded the various aspects related to it, why it began, its evolution, it's role in the creation of Pakistan.
One interesting aspect it touched upon in the end was regarding what the "Two-Nation Theory" meant for those Muslims left behind in India, and why they supported it, knowing that they were to be left behind in any case.
A must read for all those who wish to know a bit more about the true origins of Pakistan.

[sohail babar · Rating 3 out of 5]

An in-depth account of factors resulting into making of Pakistan by none other than coveted historian.
Book deals with Muslim nationalism in imperial India in four aspects. 1st stage in the growth of a nationalism( nationalist movement). 2nd stage is beginning of an idea with claim of separate existence, which is enforced by religious and cultural aspects. Last is psychological factor thrived by two nation theory.
A deep insight into the core reasons leading to creation of homeland.
A must read for students and historians.

[Zeeshan Haider · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great perspective into the various factors that contributed to Muslim nationalism and the eventual creation of the idea and state of Pakistan. There are a few conflicting points that I believe Aziz makes about the position of Muslims in Indian society, but overall this is a great view into why Muslims saw it necessary to control their own fate. Would be interesting to read the view of Muslims that decided to stay in India, and of course Hindus who likely believed they were doing enough to appease Muslims.

[Muhammad Mehdi · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best book to have critical analysis/understanding of narratives/events which resulted into the creation of Pakistan. Better to read after reading some basic books about events before partition like "Trek to Pakistan" for more nuanced understanding of the commentary of those events in the book.

[Meer Murtaza · Rating 4 out of 5]

A book that delves into the concept of nationalism and explores the role nationalism played in the making of Pakistan. Additionally, the author rejects some common narratives about the partition of India.
Highly recommended to those who want to understand the ideology of nationalism and especially to those who want to study about Indo-Pak history.

[Arham Aziz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nationalism is where past and present, sociology and economics, myths and facts intersect.

This book seeks to comprehensively and succinctly deal with the factors, intrinsic and extrinsic, which led the Muslims of British India to come to recognise themselves as a nation.

An amalgamation of such powerful forces has the capacity to bend the arc of history.

[Touqeer]

great book

[Javeria Talpur · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nationalism induced historical saga of Pakistan , a worth read... K. Kamal Aziz👌

[Ahsan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I gonna want o read tat book that boo is included in my syllabus.

[Anaya Memon]

Great book

[Sana Ullah · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Making of Pakistan (A study in Nationalism) is a profound survey of the prolific writer. He delineates in a comprehensive way the inevitable historical factors that helped shape the Muslim nationalism after multifarious events. The writer also brings to the spotlight all the other benignant causes, like the political rift between the Hindu and Muslim community that made the Muslims of subcontinent feel a dire need of a separate representative party.

[Khadeja Zulfiqar]

It was a good read.