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Pity Of Partition
Saadat Hasan Manto (1912-1955) was an established Urdu short story writer and a rising screenwriter in Bombay at the time of India's partition in 1947, and he is perhaps best known for the short stories he wrote following his migration to Lahore in newly formed Pakistan. Today Manto is an acknowledged master of twentieth-century Urdu literature, and his fiction serves as a lens through which the tragedy of partition is brought sharply into focus. In The Pity of Partition, Manto's life and work serve as a prism to capture the human dimension of sectarian conflict in the final decades and immediate aftermath of the British raj.
Ayesha Jalal draws on Manto's stories, sketches, and essays, as well as a trove of his private letters, to present an intimate history of partition and its devastating toll. Probing the creative tension between literature and history, she charts a new way of reconnecting the histories of individuals, families, and communities in the throes of cataclysmic change. Jalal brings to life the people, locales, and events that inspired Manto's fiction, which is characterized by an eye for detail, a measure of wit and irreverence, and elements of suspense and surprise. In turn, she mines these writings for fresh insights into everyday cosmopolitanism in Bombay and Lahore, the experience and causes of partition, the postcolonial transition, and the advent of the Cold War in South Asia.
The first in-depth look in English at this influential literary figure, The Pity of Partition demonstrates the revelatory power of art in times of great historical rupture.
273 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 21, 2013
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About the author
Ayesha Jalal
34 books238 followersAyesha Jalal is a Pakistani-American historian and academic, and the Mary Richardson Professor of History at Tufts University. Her work focuses on the military-industrial complex, post-colonial politics, and Muslim identity in South Asia. She is also known for positing in The Sole Spokesman that the Partition of India and Pakistan was less a political necessity than a terrible human tragedy and that the founder of Pakistan, Muhammad Ali Jinnah, was a pragmatist who was motivated by greater rights for the Muslims of the Indian subcontinent than the creation of a separate state.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
May 8, 2013
I'd waiting for this book as soon I'd heard of it. I'd expected that Ayesha Jalal, grandniece of Manto, would give readers an intimate portrait of Manto. I wanted to know more about his relationship with his wife (particularly at the peak of his alcoholism), his friendship with Ismat Chughtai, his life in Bombay - in short, I wanted to know about Manto the man and not Manto the writer. Doesn't happen. All I get is a cursory and adjective-ridden look at his life. I feel like sending Jalal a copy with every single compliment (oh the hyperbole!) highlighted and the note: "Tareef kam, tareekh ziyada". The narrative is clunky, often hampered by large summaries of Manto's stories and the way the chapters are organized, make the content seem repetitive. Such a disappointment.
July 21, 2020
Who was Saadat Hasan Manto, and why is he relevant to a book about the partition of India? The leading Urdu short story writer of the twentieth century, Manto witnessed the psychological trauma of 1947 at close quarters. His sensitive portrayal of the plight of uprooted humanity on the move, in his fictional and nonfictional accounts of partition, is unsurpassed in quality. Charged with obscenity by both the colonial and the postcolonial states for his brutally honest depictions of everyday life, he was condemned in conservative social circles for daring to write about prostitution and sexuality. Manto enthusiasts acclaim him as a genius and a fearless rebel who defied conventions to drive home some plain and awkward truths. Alcoholism killed Saadat Hasan prematurely, but Manto lives on. His work, spanning two decades of prolific writing, is a treasure trove of rare insights into human nature. While much has been written about him and his life from a literary perspective, and several of his short stories are available in English and Hindi, as well as in Japanese, Manto— the writer and the individual in the context of his times— is strikingly underrecognized.
Some lines taken from the book
In this land, once called India, such rivers of blood have flowed over the past few months that even the heavens are bewildered. . . . Blood and steel, war and musket, are not new to human history. Adam’s children have always taken an interest in these games. But there is no example anywhere in the colorful stories of mankind of the game that was played out recently.
Muslims who killed a hundred thousand Hindus might think they had eradicated Hinduism, but it is alive and will remain alive. Similarly, the Hindus who murdered one hundred thousand Muslims may rejoice at the death of Islam when actually Islam has not been affected in the least bit. Those who think religion can be hunted down with guns are stupid. Religion, faith, belief, devotion are matters of the spirit, not of the body. Knives, daggers, and bullets cannot destroy religion.
Some lines taken from the book
In this land, once called India, such rivers of blood have flowed over the past few months that even the heavens are bewildered. . . . Blood and steel, war and musket, are not new to human history. Adam’s children have always taken an interest in these games. But there is no example anywhere in the colorful stories of mankind of the game that was played out recently.
Muslims who killed a hundred thousand Hindus might think they had eradicated Hinduism, but it is alive and will remain alive. Similarly, the Hindus who murdered one hundred thousand Muslims may rejoice at the death of Islam when actually Islam has not been affected in the least bit. Those who think religion can be hunted down with guns are stupid. Religion, faith, belief, devotion are matters of the spirit, not of the body. Knives, daggers, and bullets cannot destroy religion.
June 6, 2022
This biography of Manto was written by his niece, who is an accomplished scholar of South Asia. As such, she had access to tons of archival documents from Manto's life, along with anecdotes from the people who knew him best. What emerges is a portrait of Manto that celebrates his deep commitment to humanism, which resulted in his deep commitment to shining a light on the inner lives and moral conundrums of people who lived through unspeakable violence in partition. His choice to write about prostitutes, for example, wasn't to be provocative for provocation's sake, but to remind others of our shared humanity. He unfortunately had to do this in the wake and aftermath of Partition, and the nationalist statecraft of Pakistan which was not receptive to his storytelling whatsoever. Both under the British colonial government and Pakistan government, he was charged and tried for obscenity on multiple occasions for his writing. But in 2012, he was posthumously awarded the Nishan e Imtiaz, Pakistan's highest civilian honor, and now his works are readily accessible in bookstores across the country (I picked up a couple books by and about him in Lahore).
This book spares Manto of any criticism, whether personal or literary, and at some points it feels like an apologist work. Overall, though, a great book about a writer who, while well known, is still underappreciated and should be studied by more people. To write clearly and brilliantly in the face of violence and social upheaval is something we can use today to make sense of our deteriorating, violent world.
This book spares Manto of any criticism, whether personal or literary, and at some points it feels like an apologist work. Overall, though, a great book about a writer who, while well known, is still underappreciated and should be studied by more people. To write clearly and brilliantly in the face of violence and social upheaval is something we can use today to make sense of our deteriorating, violent world.
July 21, 2020
A word for caution to the readers: Don't read this if you haven't already read Manto's work or are wanting to read Manto's work. There are a lot of his best short stories that are summarised in this biography. If you are interested in him, put off reading this until you have read Manto's work because it is best experienced in Manto's writing, not someone else's.
Manto is a reactionary writer. He lamented being called that in his lifetime, but he is a reactionary in a way no other writer from his era was. He was political while never losing sight of art; something rare in writers of most eras. This biography confirms this. The stories he writes progress from portrayals of frivolous lives of the outcasts to the deep anguish of two wounded nations. In his writing, he was reacting to the world around him. Which is why he transcends art; he becomes a historian of sorts.
His desired epitaph might seem like arrogance, but he indeed was and still is an unparalleled short story writer to hail from India.:
'Here lies Saadat Hasan Manto and with him lie buried all the secrets and mysteries of the art of short-story writing....
Under tons of earth, he lies, still wondering who among the two is a greater short-story writer: God or He.'
Manto is a reactionary writer. He lamented being called that in his lifetime, but he is a reactionary in a way no other writer from his era was. He was political while never losing sight of art; something rare in writers of most eras. This biography confirms this. The stories he writes progress from portrayals of frivolous lives of the outcasts to the deep anguish of two wounded nations. In his writing, he was reacting to the world around him. Which is why he transcends art; he becomes a historian of sorts.
His desired epitaph might seem like arrogance, but he indeed was and still is an unparalleled short story writer to hail from India.:
'Here lies Saadat Hasan Manto and with him lie buried all the secrets and mysteries of the art of short-story writing....
Under tons of earth, he lies, still wondering who among the two is a greater short-story writer: God or He.'
August 21, 2013
This is neither a history book - nor a biography. At best its a conslidatation of some of Manto's work.
Partition - and Manto were two of my favourite topics - and someone who's considered to be an expert on parition - and a relative of Manto - one expects more. The author is not able to do justice to the topic.
Also there is a lot of redundancy - perhaps the real substance in the book is not more than 50 pages.
Disappointing effort.
Partition - and Manto were two of my favourite topics - and someone who's considered to be an expert on parition - and a relative of Manto - one expects more. The author is not able to do justice to the topic.
Also there is a lot of redundancy - perhaps the real substance in the book is not more than 50 pages.
Disappointing effort.
January 23, 2019
The most authentic biography of Manto.
April 18, 2014
Covers Manto's life in an engaging and vivid manner. Well written. Depicts Manto's humanism, desire for justice and sources of inspiration for his profound literary ability. An absolute must-read for anyone with heritage from the Indian subcontinent or those wishing to learn more about colonialism and post-colonial history of the subcontinent. Shows how much the subcontinent and its diaspora has regressed thanks to a complete loss of literary tradition among other things.
May 22, 2023
My initiation to Manto-verse began while reading one of his post partition classics - Khol Do. It was the story of a girl that had been subjected to such perverse assault that even in a state of stupor, she started unknotting her trousers, when the doctor used the trigger word, "Khol Do". Since then, I've read many of his short stories covering diverse topics. I've read about the futility of the partition (Toba Tek Singh) and the inefficacy of war (Titwal Ka Kutta, Aakhiri Salute). I've read about how people maintain a shred of their humanity in the wake of bloodshed and partition (Ram Khelawan) and much more.
Manto's biography has been written by her grandniece and the much famed Pakistani-American historian, Ayesha Jalal. Her meticulous research and deep understanding of the era come together to create a rich and engrossing narrative. She skillfully weaves together Manto's personal life, his struggles, and the broader historical context, giving readers a comprehensive understanding of the complexities and tragedies that unfolded during that time. Through her insightful storytelling, the author brings Manto's voice to life, making him more than just a historical figure but a deeply human and relatable character.
One of the book's greatest strengths is its exploration of Manto's literary works and their significance in shaping the discourse on partition and its aftermath. Jalal expertly analyzes Manto's stories, highlighting their raw and unflinching portrayal of the violence, trauma, and dislocation experienced by those affected by partition.
Manto prepared his own epitaph prior to his death, which read : "Yahan Saadat Hasan Manto dafan hai. Uske Seene main Fan e Afsaana Nigaari ke saare Asraar o Rumooz dafan hain. Wo Ab bhi maano mitti ke neeche soch Raha hai, ki Woh bada Afsaana Nigaar hai Ya Khuda (Here lies buried Saadat Hasan Manto in whose bosom are enshrined all the secrets and art of short story writing. Buried under mounds of earth, even now he is contemplating whether he is a greater short story writer or God.”). However, after his death, the inscription was sedated a wee bit to pacify religious authorities, " Ye Saadat Hasan Manto ki Qabr hai, jo ab bhi ye samajhta hai ki uska naam Lauh-e-Jahan par Harf-e-Muqarrar nahi tha (This is the blessed grave of Saadat Hasan Manto, who still believes his name was never meant to be repeated on the divine tablet of the world).
It's a pity that a writer of Manto's calibre could never restrain his drinking habits, which led to his untimely demise. In many ways, he reminds me of another young and promising poet, who due to an Ill fated affair, fell prey to the whims of drinking - Asrarul Haq Majaz. If Manto had reigned in his drinking propensities, he might have acheived a status similiar to that of the famous French author, Guy De Mausappant, whom Manto regarded as the God of storytelling.
Acclaimed as a great writer across borders and yet constantly being booked for writing obscene literature; being praised for bringing the tragedies of the downtrodden to life and yet being discarded by the Progressive Writers Association, it is ironies such as these that have shaped the life and personality of Manto.
Manto's biography has been written by her grandniece and the much famed Pakistani-American historian, Ayesha Jalal. Her meticulous research and deep understanding of the era come together to create a rich and engrossing narrative. She skillfully weaves together Manto's personal life, his struggles, and the broader historical context, giving readers a comprehensive understanding of the complexities and tragedies that unfolded during that time. Through her insightful storytelling, the author brings Manto's voice to life, making him more than just a historical figure but a deeply human and relatable character.
One of the book's greatest strengths is its exploration of Manto's literary works and their significance in shaping the discourse on partition and its aftermath. Jalal expertly analyzes Manto's stories, highlighting their raw and unflinching portrayal of the violence, trauma, and dislocation experienced by those affected by partition.
Manto prepared his own epitaph prior to his death, which read : "Yahan Saadat Hasan Manto dafan hai. Uske Seene main Fan e Afsaana Nigaari ke saare Asraar o Rumooz dafan hain. Wo Ab bhi maano mitti ke neeche soch Raha hai, ki Woh bada Afsaana Nigaar hai Ya Khuda (Here lies buried Saadat Hasan Manto in whose bosom are enshrined all the secrets and art of short story writing. Buried under mounds of earth, even now he is contemplating whether he is a greater short story writer or God.”). However, after his death, the inscription was sedated a wee bit to pacify religious authorities, " Ye Saadat Hasan Manto ki Qabr hai, jo ab bhi ye samajhta hai ki uska naam Lauh-e-Jahan par Harf-e-Muqarrar nahi tha (This is the blessed grave of Saadat Hasan Manto, who still believes his name was never meant to be repeated on the divine tablet of the world).
It's a pity that a writer of Manto's calibre could never restrain his drinking habits, which led to his untimely demise. In many ways, he reminds me of another young and promising poet, who due to an Ill fated affair, fell prey to the whims of drinking - Asrarul Haq Majaz. If Manto had reigned in his drinking propensities, he might have acheived a status similiar to that of the famous French author, Guy De Mausappant, whom Manto regarded as the God of storytelling.
Acclaimed as a great writer across borders and yet constantly being booked for writing obscene literature; being praised for bringing the tragedies of the downtrodden to life and yet being discarded by the Progressive Writers Association, it is ironies such as these that have shaped the life and personality of Manto.
September 25, 2017
Picking up "The Pity of Partition: Manto's Life, Times, and Work Across the India-Pakistan Divide", I was worried that it would turn Manto into a saint, given the author is his grandniece. That was not the case - in fact, it deals with the literary value of the Manto's writings only a little, and is less interested in his personal life - public life is the focus here. It rather uses the text and Manto's life story as a way of exploring partition. The results are mixed, but they do make you want to reread Manto to see how it reflected the reality he lived in. Manto's readers have only know the skeleton of his life story, Ayesha Jala puts some meat on it. Though the real value of the work comes in its examination of partition and post-partition Pakistan in the last third of the book.
January 3, 2024
I am an avid admirer of Dr. Ayesha Jalal, having delved into her academic papers and various other literary works. This particular book caught my attention as it offers a unique perspective on the partition, seen through the lens of Manto, especially since Dr. Jalal is related to him!
While I would have preferred a deeper exploration of Manto's own thoughts on specific partition-related issues, as opposed to Dr. Jalal focusing more on his life events, I still found it fascinating to read about Manto's experiences and understand how they intertwined with the broader issues prevalent during the partition.
A quick read but one that I finished on a single plane ride from Columbus to San Francisco because I couldn't put it down!
While I would have preferred a deeper exploration of Manto's own thoughts on specific partition-related issues, as opposed to Dr. Jalal focusing more on his life events, I still found it fascinating to read about Manto's experiences and understand how they intertwined with the broader issues prevalent during the partition.
A quick read but one that I finished on a single plane ride from Columbus to San Francisco because I couldn't put it down!
July 8, 2025
As someone deeply moved by Manto’s writing, Pity of Partition instantly became a favorite.
Ayesha Jalal doesn’t just offer history, she offers intimacy. The book reads effortlessly, weaving Manto’s personal struggles with the political chaos of Partition in a way that feels both raw and compassionate. It’s not just a biography; it’s a quiet, powerful reflection on pain, identity, and truth. ✍️
If you’re a fan of Manto, this book will feel like a reunion. And if you’re just discovering him, Pity of Partition might just be the doorway to understanding why his voice still matters perhaps now more than ever. 🔊
Ayesha Jalal doesn’t just offer history, she offers intimacy. The book reads effortlessly, weaving Manto’s personal struggles with the political chaos of Partition in a way that feels both raw and compassionate. It’s not just a biography; it’s a quiet, powerful reflection on pain, identity, and truth. ✍️
If you’re a fan of Manto, this book will feel like a reunion. And if you’re just discovering him, Pity of Partition might just be the doorway to understanding why his voice still matters perhaps now more than ever. 🔊
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October 13, 2019Great book but something critical is missing . The role of Winston Churchill behind the scenes to ethnic clean part of India from
Karachi to Kabul for oil interests of British empire as cited by Alex Bon Tunzelman in Viceroy House movie by Gurinder Chadha and confirmed by Prince Charles also . No one seems to analyze that there were two groups of Britishers rushing to divide India . How could Jinnah or Nehru permit killings of one million people has not been properly addressed ?
Karachi to Kabul for oil interests of British empire as cited by Alex Bon Tunzelman in Viceroy House movie by Gurinder Chadha and confirmed by Prince Charles also . No one seems to analyze that there were two groups of Britishers rushing to divide India . How could Jinnah or Nehru permit killings of one million people has not been properly addressed ?
April 1, 2025
Pretty dreadful biography of a fascinating life, a real missed opportunity. If you want turgid prose, details of literary spats, and lengthy synopses of Manto's short stories, this is the book for you. If you want a decent examination of Manto's life and the pity of Partition you will have to look elsewhere
September 28, 2018
His life, work and his complexities covered in a beautiful way. Letters written to manto and his replies also should be published through another book. Manto is like a mystery, the more you read the more you feel there must be so much about him that’s uncovered and unknown.
August 5, 2021
I was working on my thesis about an Identity Crisis faced by the people residing in the subcontinent once the decision of the partition of India was announced, and how it continued on till later for many people. This book fit perfectly in line with my theme
August 12, 2023
A beautiful tribute to one of the 20th century's most incredible writers who's work is still deeply relevant. The fact that Princeton University Press' website says this book is "not for sale in Southern Asia" makes me deeply sad.
May 18, 2017
I wish the book was more analytical in an objective fashion and did not portray Manto in a "lone-ranger" mode. A good read all in all though one expected much more.
February 7, 2018
very entertaining biography of Manto through the waft of his stories and the weft of the social and political history of that time.
September 28, 2021
A good and incisively written Manto's biography by his own niece Ayesha Jalal. Recommended.
July 9, 2025
A polarizing figure, perhaps. Yet, he is someone from whom we must learn to humanise the partition rather than reduce it to the brutality it entailed.
August 22, 2025
A really fun and interesting biography.
January 2, 2020
This is a captivating and beautifully written biography of Saadat Hasan Manto, one of the subcontinent's foremost short storytellers, authored by his grandniece Ayesha Jalal. This book is based on Manto’s life, his writings, his journeys traversed between Amritsar, Delhi, Bombay and Lahore, and the physical and mental trauma as experienced by Manto on the course of events that led to the partition of India. Though Manto was already an established writer before August 1947, but the stories he would go on to write about partition would come to cement his reputation.
Though Manto had passed away a year before the author was born but the impact of Manto’s literary work so immense that the author knew many of Manto's short stories before she had learned to read and that she considered her bond with Manto transcended the family relations. She focuses on Manto’s short-stories, sketches, essays, and the private letters that spotlights the consequences of the partition for ordinary people.
For Manto, the partition of the subcontinent was an incident that he could not endure it and suffered miserably in the post-colonial Pakistan where he increasingly became uncertain about his place – ostracized by two seemingly opposing forces - both right-wing nationalists and the orthodox communists.
Manto was a prophetic and a daring writer and correctly anticipated where Pakistan would go. In his short stories, especially a series of nine letters to Uncle Sam, he predicted the rise of Islamic fundamentalism in Pakistan and the flow of US Military aid to Pakistan would draw India closer to the Soviet Union while retaining the formal stance of nonalignment. Manto was also right to anticipate that Pakistan’s “Special Relationship” with USA had detrimental effects Pakistan’s incipient democracy. The need to bolster defence against India and Pakistan’s claim on Kashmir had already given the Military high command a strong voice in the affairs of the state and consequently resulted in four martial laws, resurgence of nationalism and Pakistan becoming a garrison state.
Despite being considered as an intimate and insightful portrait of Manto’s life, this book is not free from questioning various historical facts by critics. The author mentioned that Manto once celebrated March 23rd, the date of the 1940 Lahore resolution passed by the Muslim League demanding Pakistan. This claim is challenged by the Pakistani Historian, Ishtiaq Ahmed consider it doubtful, because not until 1956 was that date declared the national day of Pakistan. By that time Manto was dead.
This book helps to learn a great deal of information about Manto’s life, his work and the time he lived through. Anyone who wishes to know more about Manto and his literary work, this book provides a great depth into the life of the influential literary figure – Saadat Hasan Manto.
Though Manto had passed away a year before the author was born but the impact of Manto’s literary work so immense that the author knew many of Manto's short stories before she had learned to read and that she considered her bond with Manto transcended the family relations. She focuses on Manto’s short-stories, sketches, essays, and the private letters that spotlights the consequences of the partition for ordinary people.
For Manto, the partition of the subcontinent was an incident that he could not endure it and suffered miserably in the post-colonial Pakistan where he increasingly became uncertain about his place – ostracized by two seemingly opposing forces - both right-wing nationalists and the orthodox communists.
Manto was a prophetic and a daring writer and correctly anticipated where Pakistan would go. In his short stories, especially a series of nine letters to Uncle Sam, he predicted the rise of Islamic fundamentalism in Pakistan and the flow of US Military aid to Pakistan would draw India closer to the Soviet Union while retaining the formal stance of nonalignment. Manto was also right to anticipate that Pakistan’s “Special Relationship” with USA had detrimental effects Pakistan’s incipient democracy. The need to bolster defence against India and Pakistan’s claim on Kashmir had already given the Military high command a strong voice in the affairs of the state and consequently resulted in four martial laws, resurgence of nationalism and Pakistan becoming a garrison state.
Despite being considered as an intimate and insightful portrait of Manto’s life, this book is not free from questioning various historical facts by critics. The author mentioned that Manto once celebrated March 23rd, the date of the 1940 Lahore resolution passed by the Muslim League demanding Pakistan. This claim is challenged by the Pakistani Historian, Ishtiaq Ahmed consider it doubtful, because not until 1956 was that date declared the national day of Pakistan. By that time Manto was dead.
This book helps to learn a great deal of information about Manto’s life, his work and the time he lived through. Anyone who wishes to know more about Manto and his literary work, this book provides a great depth into the life of the influential literary figure – Saadat Hasan Manto.
November 22, 2020
A very interesting read. The books gives an insight into the life of one of the most controversial writers of Urdu literature to date. Author being a family member of Manto had some first hand experience and emotional attachment to him that can be felt while reading the book.
August 7, 2015
Second from Ayesha Jalal. My love for Mr. Manto is not unknown to the Goodreads review box. So I like this book too. Book is not written by Manto but based on his writing and his own life. Written by Ayesha Jalal, who have personal relation relation with Mr. Manto. The is an analytical treaty of on Manto's life, Times and specially his works and relevance of that work to the current political, cultural and socio-economic events. The analysis describe how humerus the person was and how alive his writing still is. The stories written after partition have great impact on intelligentsia as well as general people from both the sides. The best part of the book is stories unknowns to everyone about his life and working style. His cause of death was a tragedy for Urdu literature and short story readers community. The partition has killed Manto. Yes this is truth. He actual life he lived was the Bombay period. In which you also can find stories he had written. That time he discussed matter related to cultural, social or economic aspects of the society. More about sex, love, whore and Bombay. After partition he became alcoholic and wrote with humanistic passion and emotion. The passion you can find in Toba Tek Singh and Khol Do. He was Urdu writer. I have no knowledge of Urdu language, but still while studying him in English is also great fun. This book is real tribute to his soul. The first para of the book itself is the best example of his writing -
In this land, once called India, such rivers of blood have flowed over the past few months that even the heavens are bewildered.... Blood and steel, war and musket, are not new to human history.Adam's children have always taken an interest in these games. But, there is no example anywhere in the colorful stories of mankind of the game that played out recently.
If you also love to read stories of Manto, his writing and Partition. You should try this book. This is an analysis by an historian, an honest one. You can also have your opinion on Manto. But, can't ignore this one.
In this land, once called India, such rivers of blood have flowed over the past few months that even the heavens are bewildered.... Blood and steel, war and musket, are not new to human history.Adam's children have always taken an interest in these games. But, there is no example anywhere in the colorful stories of mankind of the game that played out recently.
If you also love to read stories of Manto, his writing and Partition. You should try this book. This is an analysis by an historian, an honest one. You can also have your opinion on Manto. But, can't ignore this one.
July 30, 2013
It has been a pretty interesting topic for me personally, one which I have wrestled to grasp passionately for some years now. Ayesha's questioning of the reasons for Partition are sound, but she still fails to mention the mention the main reason which most of us Pakistani Punjabis subtly admit, ergo power. Has any minority race managed to hold on to power in any democratic culture of the world? Don't know how Ayesha has failed to mention such a vital reason in her otherwise pretty interesting book. Majority means power and power is the chief reason why Pakistan was backed by Punjabis and Bengalis in 1947 and why Bengal got rid of Punjabis in 1971. Ayesha is quite wrong at citing religion as the main reason for the Partition in 1947, for if it was than 1971 would not have happened. But I do agree with the result of Partition when I compare between Muslims in Bangladesh, India and Pakistan. It is plainly obvious that Partitioned Pakistani & Bengali Muslims seem to thriving as opposed to the pretty sorry state of Indian Muslims at present. Of course if Partition had not taken place than Muslims could have commanded a different social cadre is pure speculation and a much favoured argument proffered by Muslims of India.
Ayesha's interpretation of Jinnah's choices for the pursuit of Muslim power in a federally homogenous united India should be taught as curriculum in Pakistan and India as it was Nehru who forced Jinnah to accept the plan C, something he had already rejected publicly twice before.
But Partition is digressing all the limelight away from the great Munto who in my opinion is a picture of archetypical Pakistani male. What a writer, bold, creative, revolutionary, vibrant, and a dervish all built in one. If only I had a little bit of Munto......
Ayesha's interpretation of Jinnah's choices for the pursuit of Muslim power in a federally homogenous united India should be taught as curriculum in Pakistan and India as it was Nehru who forced Jinnah to accept the plan C, something he had already rejected publicly twice before.
But Partition is digressing all the limelight away from the great Munto who in my opinion is a picture of archetypical Pakistani male. What a writer, bold, creative, revolutionary, vibrant, and a dervish all built in one. If only I had a little bit of Munto......
October 1, 2015
so no, I am not going to write a review of this book like a professional, hard-nosed, hands-on critic that of course I am not. This is to say that I am not going to scratch my head to find flaws with the book and then write about them so as to give my review a semblance of 'balance'. I enjoyed the book. It is so perhaps because I have become too enamored of Manto of late. The movie 'Manto' which is currently being screened in cinemas across Pakistan did well to rekindle my interest in Manto. Hence, I picked up this book and it didnt disappoint. Regardless of whether you are new to Manto or an old Manto fan, this book will manage to engage you. Written by an avant-garde historian Ayesha Jalal who also happens to be grand niece of Manto, the book provides biographical sketch of this great short story writer, embellished with the crux of many of his remarkable stories and the dominant themes therein. As the title suggests,the book sheds special light on the subject of partition which of course was central to Manto's sensibilities in the last decade of his life. Partition has also been an area of interest and research for Ayesha Jalal in her long, illustrious career. Ayesha credits manto's works on partition for indirectly influencing her interest in further excavating this subject. In doing so , Ayesha Jalal, who is a distinguished historian herself, goes one step forward and refers to Manto as not just a short story writer but also arguably a greater 'retriever of memories' than historians...
December 25, 2015
I was to rate the book 3 stars. Then it occurred to me, my expectations which rose due to my misconception regarding the book that I'll gain knowledge on the history (political background, detailed analysis etc.) of India-Pakistan's partition in depth was completely wrong. The author fully clarified the subject of this book in its title. Here the "PITY" is more important rather than the "partition", and Manto's life is most important among all of these. Keeping this view in mind the book is quite insightfully covered Manto's biography, most of his major works, the effects of partition on Pakistan(as a new-born independent nation) and also a little bit on the event partition itself.
As I have mentioned earlier, my expectation was, it will cover only the second half of Manto's life which actually faced the tragedy and had to endure the pain rest of his life. The first half could have been much shorter and be included in a preface. Along with that, I expected there would be a detailed analysis on the historical background behind partition as well as the cause of conflict between hindu-muslim. The book has mentioned the violence and all other parceptible details about partition but never mentioned once about the starting point of the recurring riots, when does suddenly the relation started declining and why.
But I'd really appreciate the last 3-4 chapters which gave a great insight into the political and cultural history of Pakistan just after Independence, on which I did not have any idea previously.
As I have mentioned earlier, my expectation was, it will cover only the second half of Manto's life which actually faced the tragedy and had to endure the pain rest of his life. The first half could have been much shorter and be included in a preface. Along with that, I expected there would be a detailed analysis on the historical background behind partition as well as the cause of conflict between hindu-muslim. The book has mentioned the violence and all other parceptible details about partition but never mentioned once about the starting point of the recurring riots, when does suddenly the relation started declining and why.
But I'd really appreciate the last 3-4 chapters which gave a great insight into the political and cultural history of Pakistan just after Independence, on which I did not have any idea previously.
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February 8, 2015The fact that book is written by an academic/ historian is at once limiting and liberating. Limiting because the drama of Manto's life is compressed with the facts. Liberating because the author, in her dry voice, exactly explains the huge significance of his work in today's context.
Manto's defence, in the face of the obscenity charges against him, is particularly stirring, given its relevance in the current spectacle that is the politically motivated state facilitated repression of freedom of expression. To the author's credit, she allows Manto to speak for himself when necessary. She lets his stories emphasise on his humane values and faithfully underlines their universality.
Manto's voice is powerful enough, that even when explained in academic undertones, it hits a nerve. A writer who chronicles the pain of partition has unknowingly chronicled the times we live in too.
This is not for those looking for a thrilling read. For that, read the raw material this book draws from. If the reader wants to be spoon fed the context that created Manto, this is a must!
Manto's defence, in the face of the obscenity charges against him, is particularly stirring, given its relevance in the current spectacle that is the politically motivated state facilitated repression of freedom of expression. To the author's credit, she allows Manto to speak for himself when necessary. She lets his stories emphasise on his humane values and faithfully underlines their universality.
Manto's voice is powerful enough, that even when explained in academic undertones, it hits a nerve. A writer who chronicles the pain of partition has unknowingly chronicled the times we live in too.
This is not for those looking for a thrilling read. For that, read the raw material this book draws from. If the reader wants to be spoon fed the context that created Manto, this is a must!
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