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I. Religious Differences: Factors Creating The Idea of A Separate Homeland

The Two Nation Theory posits that Hindus and Muslims are two distinct nations in the Indian subcontinent. It argues that religious, cultural, economic, educational, and linguistic differences created irreconcilable divisions between the two communities. Key proponents of the theory included Sir Syed Ahmed Khan, Muhammad Iqbal, and Muhammad Ali Jinnah. They argued that Hindus and Muslims constituted two separate nations, so the subcontinent should be divided into two independent states for Muslims and Hindus. This ideology ultimately led to the partition of British India and the creation of Pakistan as an independent homeland for Muslims in 1947.

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157 views

I. Religious Differences: Factors Creating The Idea of A Separate Homeland

The Two Nation Theory posits that Hindus and Muslims are two distinct nations in the Indian subcontinent. It argues that religious, cultural, economic, educational, and linguistic differences created irreconcilable divisions between the two communities. Key proponents of the theory included Sir Syed Ahmed Khan, Muhammad Iqbal, and Muhammad Ali Jinnah. They argued that Hindus and Muslims constituted two separate nations, so the subcontinent should be divided into two independent states for Muslims and Hindus. This ideology ultimately led to the partition of British India and the creation of Pakistan as an independent homeland for Muslims in 1947.

Uploaded by

Samina Haider
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Two Nation Theory

Introduction

The Two Nation theory in its simplest way means the dissimilarities between the two major
communities, Hindus and Muslim of the Sub Continent. These differences of outlook, in fact, were
greatly instrumental in giving rise to two distinct political ideologies which were responsible for the
partition of India into two independent states.

FACTORS CREATING THE IDEA OF A SEPARATE HOMELAND

I. Religious Differences

Islam preaches Tawheed (Oneness of Allah)

Hinduism: based on the concept of multiple Gods

II. Cultural Differences

Hindus burnt their dead bodies while Muslim burred them. Hindus considered the 'Mother
Cow' as a sacred animal and worshiped it while Muslims slaughtered it. They performed
'Sati' while Muslims abhorred this tradition.

III. Economic Differences

After 1857, the Muslim economic was crushed: were thrown out of Government services
and their estates and properties were confiscated. Hindus were provided with ample
opportunities to progress economically.

IV. Educational Differences

Hindus had advanced in the educational field because they quickly andreadily took to the
English education. While Muslims did not receive modern education whichheavily affected
their economic conditions.

V. Hindi Urdu Controversy1867

Hindu wanted Hindi to be the official language while Muslim wanted Urdu as the official
language.
VI. Congress Attitude

Congress claimed to represent all communities of India but oppressed all Muslim ideas and
supported the Hindus.

VII. Partition of Bengal1905

The Muslims greatly welcomed the partition. The Hindus on the other hand reacted
violently to the partition.

Conclusion:

It should be understood that the creation of Pakistan was not the result of
an accident but it had a meaning. The meaning of Pakistan was not to
have a separate homeland for the Muslims of Indo-Pakistan to have a
better living; it was not to have industries or nuclear capability.

Allama Iqbal and Two Nation Theory:


Allama Iqbal awakened the Muslims of sub-continent
with his poetry to demand a separate homeland. He
led the Muslims at every step and rendered great
services for the establishment of Pakistan. Allama
Iqbal considered Islam as a complete code of life. He
said that he was fully convinced that the Muslims of
India would ultimately have a separate homeland, as
they could not live with the Hindus in united India.

The evolution of the Two Nation Theory got momentum slowly.


Allama Iqbal clearly stressed the need of a separate state by including
the province of NWFP, in his address at Allahabad in 1930. But the
British and the Hindus did not agree to it.
5 Quaid-e-Azam and Two Nation Theory:
The Quaid-e-Azarn was a big supporter of two-nation theory. He said,
"The foundation of Two Nation
Theory was laid on the day when
the first non-Muslim of sub-
continent became Muslim".
This two-nation theory was originated with the
arrival of the Muslims in the sub-continent. He said:
•
"India is neither a country nor its
inhabitants are a nation. This is a sub-
continent where many nations live; among
these the Hindu and the Muslim are two
important nations".
Sir Syed Ahmed and Two Nation Theory:
Sir Syed Ahmed Khan was the first Indian Muslim
political leader who used the word "Nation" for the
Muslims of the sub-continent in 1867. During the
Urdu Hindi Controversy he came forward with two
nation concept and declared that the Muslims were a
separate nation, having their own culture and
civilization. He talked to Mr. Shakespeare,
Governor of Banaras and explained the two nation
theory as:
"Hindi Urdu conflict is the starting of
the space of separation between Hindus
and Muslims which will gradually
increase and a day will come when both
the nations will separate from each other
after division."

History of Two Nation Theory

The phenomenon of Two-Nation theory originated with the advent of Islam in the Sub-
Continent (712AD). According to Jinnah, The concept of two nation theory originated the
day, the first Hindu converted to Muslim.

Two Nation Theory At Present

Two Nation Theory is a reality even today. Unfortunately, the Hindu community of the sub-
continent has never accepted this reality from the very beginning and they still want to
convert the Indo-Pak sub-continent to Maha Bharat.
Ideology of Pakistan

Ideology is a set of beliefs, values and ideals of a group and a nation.

Defining ideology ,George Lewis says:

"Ideology is a plan or program which is based upon philosophy".

Ideology of Pakistan/Two NationTheory

The two-nation theory is the basis of the creation of Pakistan. It is based upon the
ideology of Pakistan.

Importance of Two Nation Theory


The Muslims wanted to preserve and protect their distinct identity and
advance their interests in India. They wanted to order their lives in
accordance with their ideals and philosophy of life without being overwhelmed
by an unsympathetic majority.

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