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Jinnah: His Successes, Failures and Role in History
Mohammad Ali Jinnah has been both celebrated and reviled for his role in the Partition of India, and the controversies surrounding his actions have only increased in the seven decades and more since his death. Ishtiaq Ahmed places Jinnah's actions under intense scrutiny to ascertain the Quaid-i-Azam's successes and failures and the meaning and significance of his legacy. Using a wealth of contemporary records and archival material, Dr Ahmed traces Jinnah's journey from Indian nationalist to Muslim communitarian, and from a Muslim nationalist to, finally, Pakistan's all-powerful head of state. How did the ambassador of Hindu-Muslim unity become the inflexible votary of the two-nation theory? Did Jinnah envision Pakistan as a theocratic state? What was his position on Gandhi and federalism? Asking these crucial questions against the backdrop of the turbulent struggle against colonialism, this book is a path-breaking examination of one of the most controversial figures of the twentieth century.
840 pages, Hardcover
Published September 11, 2020
About the author
Ishtiaq Ahmed
44 books92 followersIshtiaq Ahmed is a Swedish political scientist and author of Pakistani descent. He is Visiting Professor at the Lahore University of Management Sciences. He is Professor Emeritus of Political Science at Stockholm University.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
February 27, 2021
I have already read many books on Muhammad Ali Jinnah, the founder of Pakistan, but this one is undoubtedly the best one. There are books like "The Sole Spokesman" by Ayesha Jalal, "Jinnah, the creator of Pakistan" by Hector Bolitho, and "Jinnah of Pakistan" by Stanley Wolpert. However, this book is unique and answers the questions all other books don't dare to. I would like to recommend this book to the students and scholars of history and politics and to those who love reading biographies.
November 29, 2025
Probably the best book on partition. Very unbiased
April 9, 2022
Politics is a musical chair, the smart player will be the winner, I do not going to argue the player’s competency, ethics, and morals but my point is the player’s ambition. The grater Bharath balkanized into two pieces Hindustan (currently prescribed as modern India) and Pakistan once the freedom struggle comes to an end from the British emperor. The then British India’s governor-general Lord Louis Mountbatten declared independence for the two states, most the Indians dislike the division but division is a main political agenda in the form of independence. Jawaharlal Nehru voiced “struggle, struggle eternal struggle” but Muhammad Ali Jinnah stood solidly in his policy “direct action day”, a separate state for Muslims. However, Nehru’s dream should be the first prime minister of independent India even though the land size is a palm of the hand.
It was the victory of Jinnah, it is not a normal victory the author describes Jinnah’s victory that Stanley Wolpert tributes “Few individuals significantly alter the course of history. Fewer still modify the map of the world. Hardly anyone can be credited with creating a nation-state. Mohammad Ali Jinnah did all three”. Jinnah’s League demanded Pakistan on the two-nation theory further Jinnah demanded one-fourth of India of the demarcated land. Pakistan was created but today’s Pakistan is not the Pakistan that Jinnah wanted he dreamed that Pakistan should be a secular, democratic state with equal rights for all Pakistanis.
According to the author, there are two reasons that Jinnah was celebrated one Jinnah as the creator of Pakistan and the other school argues that Jinnah was using the Pakistan card as a bargaining chip, and it was Mahatma Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru, who rejected Jinnah’s legitimate demand for a fair share of political power, who should be held responsible for the partition of India and the concomitant horrors. The author Ishtiaq Ahmed’s research can be summed up that there is no other way of doing to live as separate entities, ‘Pakistan’ is the only way to India’s freedom.” As a reader, I have been tempted and impressed by praising the sentence. Congress wants independence and Jinnah doesn’t say that he wants the British to leave.
The author’s themes that readers make interested in, citing Thomas Carlyle, who highlighted the roles of Prophet Mohammad, Oliver Cromwell, and Napoleon, the reader is taken to Machiavelli’s The Prince, and to Karl Marx. After Jinnah called for Direct Action, resulting in the Great Calcutta Killing with cold blood to get Pakistan, would set fire to greater India? According to the author, the British encouraged the formation of the Muslim League. In July 1906, Secretary of State for India Lord Morley announced plans to introduce constitutional reforms in India. Muslims got feared domination by Hindus and argued that India was not a homogeneous nation and that Muslims and it seeded Morally-Minto reforms.
The author also deflates the myth that had Jinnah lived longer he would have put democracy on a more secure footing in Pakistan. The author provides evidence that Jinnah flouted constitutional norms during his short term as Governor-General by acquiring powers not permissible under a parliamentary system thus setting the precedent for the subversion of democracy in Pakistan.
In my conclusion, the author has done an invaluable job of eliminating several major misconceptions about Jinnah propounded by revisionist historians. My broad view is that the author has done so at such great length that the average reader may lose sight of the other side of the coin. This edition of the publication constructed over many pages with a depth of the historical focus would be recommended for wider readers.
It was the victory of Jinnah, it is not a normal victory the author describes Jinnah’s victory that Stanley Wolpert tributes “Few individuals significantly alter the course of history. Fewer still modify the map of the world. Hardly anyone can be credited with creating a nation-state. Mohammad Ali Jinnah did all three”. Jinnah’s League demanded Pakistan on the two-nation theory further Jinnah demanded one-fourth of India of the demarcated land. Pakistan was created but today’s Pakistan is not the Pakistan that Jinnah wanted he dreamed that Pakistan should be a secular, democratic state with equal rights for all Pakistanis.
According to the author, there are two reasons that Jinnah was celebrated one Jinnah as the creator of Pakistan and the other school argues that Jinnah was using the Pakistan card as a bargaining chip, and it was Mahatma Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru, who rejected Jinnah’s legitimate demand for a fair share of political power, who should be held responsible for the partition of India and the concomitant horrors. The author Ishtiaq Ahmed’s research can be summed up that there is no other way of doing to live as separate entities, ‘Pakistan’ is the only way to India’s freedom.” As a reader, I have been tempted and impressed by praising the sentence. Congress wants independence and Jinnah doesn’t say that he wants the British to leave.
The author’s themes that readers make interested in, citing Thomas Carlyle, who highlighted the roles of Prophet Mohammad, Oliver Cromwell, and Napoleon, the reader is taken to Machiavelli’s The Prince, and to Karl Marx. After Jinnah called for Direct Action, resulting in the Great Calcutta Killing with cold blood to get Pakistan, would set fire to greater India? According to the author, the British encouraged the formation of the Muslim League. In July 1906, Secretary of State for India Lord Morley announced plans to introduce constitutional reforms in India. Muslims got feared domination by Hindus and argued that India was not a homogeneous nation and that Muslims and it seeded Morally-Minto reforms.
The author also deflates the myth that had Jinnah lived longer he would have put democracy on a more secure footing in Pakistan. The author provides evidence that Jinnah flouted constitutional norms during his short term as Governor-General by acquiring powers not permissible under a parliamentary system thus setting the precedent for the subversion of democracy in Pakistan.
In my conclusion, the author has done an invaluable job of eliminating several major misconceptions about Jinnah propounded by revisionist historians. My broad view is that the author has done so at such great length that the average reader may lose sight of the other side of the coin. This edition of the publication constructed over many pages with a depth of the historical focus would be recommended for wider readers.
January 7, 2021
Lively and logical. It could be regarded as a utopia for realists seeking an impartial perspective on the reckoning of the partiton of India. The best single book not only on toils and labours of Jinnah but also on his intellectual manoeuvres regarding the stance on the future of the subcontinent.
In fact the sole piece of literature, I have encountered which holistically explores the neutral perspective of the making of Pakistan backed up by explicit citations.
In fact the sole piece of literature, I have encountered which holistically explores the neutral perspective of the making of Pakistan backed up by explicit citations.
November 26, 2021
I have listened to his many videos where readers or listeners asked good questions . His answers impressed me that he has thorough knowledge of Jinnah spoken words . Jinnah did not write much but gave lot of speeches .
Jinnah wanted seperate state or country and he did not push hard for secular state . Jinnah knew of riots in Rawalpindi villages in March 1947 but did not make any comment on mass killings of Sikhs and Hindus.
He was aware of Violence in Lahore and other places but did not try to stop it .killings got worse in august , 1947 and by the end of 1947 , there were only 5% of Hindus Sikhs , Christian’s and Dalits left in Lahore ..
Jinnah knew about J&K incursion by Pathans from Pakhtunwa ( NWFP ) but did not say anything in public .
Jinnah appointed governors who will carry out his orders especially in West Punjab .
He knew about huge killings of Muslims in India so he tried to restrict vast exhodus of Muslims from major provinces of India .
Jinnah wanted seperate state or country and he did not push hard for secular state . Jinnah knew of riots in Rawalpindi villages in March 1947 but did not make any comment on mass killings of Sikhs and Hindus.
He was aware of Violence in Lahore and other places but did not try to stop it .killings got worse in august , 1947 and by the end of 1947 , there were only 5% of Hindus Sikhs , Christian’s and Dalits left in Lahore ..
Jinnah knew about J&K incursion by Pathans from Pakhtunwa ( NWFP ) but did not say anything in public .
Jinnah appointed governors who will carry out his orders especially in West Punjab .
He knew about huge killings of Muslims in India so he tried to restrict vast exhodus of Muslims from major provinces of India .
December 17, 2022
After a long delay, I read and finished the book. A brilliant book! So well documented. Rich in details, the book talks about the evolution of Jinnah’s political ideas with regards to his place in the Indian politics. The strategic thinking of the British in the partition of India. I have a few questions into some of the never-brought-to-the-fore details. I would ask the author about those, and hopefully get a reply.
All in all, it’s a must read for all those interested in the history of Indian independence movement that culminated in its partition.
All in all, it’s a must read for all those interested in the history of Indian independence movement that culminated in its partition.
December 8, 2023
Another addition in efforts to analyze Quaid-e-Azam's thinking and strategy. Ishtiaq Ahmed's book paints a negative overall picture. I could not help but develop the impression that the author does not support the partition of India in 1947. This anti-partition bias could be the reason that while interpreting various events, statements and data, he is highly critical of Quaid-e-Azam, but very generous in either praising or giving a benefit of doubt to Congress, Gandhi and Nehru.
August 26, 2023
Detailed and objective
Very deep analysis of historical facts. Objective in his views about leaders of that time. Throws light on nuances of personality, society and world politics that led to the creation of Pakistan and it's basic structure on which it is supposed to operate
Very deep analysis of historical facts. Objective in his views about leaders of that time. Throws light on nuances of personality, society and world politics that led to the creation of Pakistan and it's basic structure on which it is supposed to operate
January 26, 2023
This guy is a fraud this was an excruciating book to read. Filled with opinions and twisted facts.
October 20, 2025
It is one of the monumental works on the political life of an extremely important personality. Some may vilify Jinnah, while for others he is the greatest leader (Quaid-e-Azam). This is a scholarly work with extensive references and citations. The author has tried to be objective and neutral while he has busted many myths. He has divided the life of Jinnah into four phases, namely: Jinnah as an Indian Nationalist; Jinnah as a Muslim Communitarian; Jinnah as a Muslim Communalist; and finally, his role as the all-powerful head of state. The systematic critique is backed with speeches, statements of Jinnah, and his tactical and strategic positions. The author also theorizes the role of ideas, their intended and unintended consequences; the making of heroes and the effects of circumstances on them; the power of ideology and its binding influence even on great leaders. The section on the confusion regarding the ideology of Pakistan is also very enriching. In short, it is a great book, objective, neutral, and highly recommended for anyone interested in the history of the Indian subcontinent. Full of knowledge and very fulfilling. Ishtiaq Ahmed is just too good.
December 25, 2024
The author has aptly divided Jinnah's lives in four phases -
1) Indian Nationalist
2) Muslim Communitarian
3) Muslim Nationalist
4) All powerful Governor-General of Pakistan
While his opinion of the Hindu Mahasabha & RSS is coloured by unsympathetic voices like Christophe Jaffrelot, he has written about the subject matter from a very objective position exposing the flaws & blunders of Jinnah, INC and has underlined the British thinking & role in the partition of India.
1) Indian Nationalist
2) Muslim Communitarian
3) Muslim Nationalist
4) All powerful Governor-General of Pakistan
While his opinion of the Hindu Mahasabha & RSS is coloured by unsympathetic voices like Christophe Jaffrelot, he has written about the subject matter from a very objective position exposing the flaws & blunders of Jinnah, INC and has underlined the British thinking & role in the partition of India.
August 14, 2024
A good book to understand Jinnah and Partition.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews