Maulana Azad and the Indian Freedom Struggle

Abstract

After more than five decades since the emergence of two independent states in the subcontinent, India and Pakistan, a review of the course of freedom struggle in retrospect shows that it was multifaceted: the freedom struggle of the 1857 transformed itself into Indian freedom struggle which later bifurcated into Muslim and Indian freedom movements, representing the interests of Hindus and Muslims respectively. These movements were led by freedom fighters of varied political backgrounds and statures. The impressive list of liberation fighters include Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, Allama Mohammad Iqbal, Ali brothers, Chaudri Rehmat Ali and others. Equally important is the Congress leadership, especially of the like of Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, Khan Abdul Ghafar Khan and Mualana Abul Kalam Azad. The Pakistani historians have, so far, underscored the works and profiles of the leaders of the Muslim freedom movement, which eventually culminated in the creation of Pakistan. The effort to glorify the leaders who won independence for the Muslims, of course against heavy odds, became the major occupation for the first generation of the post-partition Pakistani historians. This approach of the Pakistani historians is debatable; two explanations are insightful in this regard: One, that research, in general, and historical research, in particular, has hardly gained encouragement here. As a result, with the exception of few genuine works, quality historical research, reflecting balanced view of our struggle for liberation from the British colonial power, and also from the Hindu domination, is yet to come forth. In addition to that, an expansion of research canvas, to come out of self-praise and exaltation, has hardly happened. This state of affairs presents a major challenge for the future historians.