Muslim League and Jinnah's Pakistan

Indian National Congress was founded by the British bureaucrat of Bombay Presidency namely Sir Allan Octavian Hume in Bombay during 1885. Likewise, benefactor of the All India Muslim League was Lord Minto, Viceroy of India between the years 1905-1910.
The gathering of Congress in Bombay in 1886 was attended by 1, 300 delegates, out of which only 33 were Muslims. Protagonist of the minority Muslims, Sir Syed Ahmed Khan did not approve the Congress agenda. True to the forecast of Sir Syed Ahmed Khan, within a decade, by the end of the nineteenth Century, Congress leadership was overtaken by anarchists.
Moderate, secular, Krishna Gokhale was side-lined. Radical, Marhatta Tilak and his Bengali, counterpart, Arobindo Ghose were at the helm. They advocated a revolution against the British Raj. And that more than anything or a heightened paranoia, alerted the British Viceroy, Earl of Minto, to the imperative of having the alternate Muslim League to counter the Congress and, promoting British policy of divide and rule.
At the behest of the Viceroy, Earl of Minto, Sir Sultan Mahomed Shah formed the Muslim League of India at the Durbar in the Vice regal Lodge Ball Room of Simla on October 1, 1906. The venue of Aga Khan, the third leading thirty five Muslim delegates, supposedly to solicit the permission of the Viceroy Lord Minto for the formation of the Muslim League took place at the Viceregal Lodge in Simla, described in Sir Syed Wasti's Book titled "Lord Minto and the Indian Nationalist Movement." I read the pertinent text from the volume: "Minto received the Muslim delegation on October 1, 1906. "Thirty five Muslim Leaders from all over India gathered at the Viceregal Lodge at Simla. Their leader was a young man of twenty nine years, His Highness Aga Khan, Sir Sultan Mahomed Shah from Bombay, who besides being the head of the rich Ismaili sect of Muslims had close and friendly relation with prominent British people.
Aga Khan's delegates of distinguished Muslims of India that waited on the Viceroy, Earl of Minto in Simla, listed Nawab Mohsin-ul-Mulk, Sir Muzammilullah Khan, Justice Sir Syed Ameer Ali, Sir Rafiquddin Ahmed, Sir Mahomed Shaffi, Sir Samiullah Khan, Baronet Sir Mahomed Currimbhoy, his younger brother Sir Fazal Currimboy, Sir Rahimtoola Chinoy and Justice Sir Shah Din." Read with Sir Syed Wasti's observations of the founding of Muslim League in Viceregal Lodge of Simla on October 1, 1906, I decipher the Diary of the American Vicerene, Her Excellency, Lady Diana Minto. She states her husband, expressed his concurrence to Sir Sultan Mahomed Shah, the leader of the delegation on the formalization of the establishment of the Muslim League.
British policy had decided upon, a year before in 1905 when her husband Earl of Minto took charge as Viceroy of India in New Delhi. Lady Diana Minto goes on to describe the historic event, of October 1, 1906, at the Viceregal Lodge in Simla, Sir Sultan Mahomed Shah prayed for the constitution of the organisation and his key votary, Sir Rahimtoola Chinoy, read the purpose of Muslim League: "To promote the feelings of loyalty of the Muslims to the British crown in India." Thereafter, Earl of Minto bestowed his endorsement to the Muslim League by asserting to Sir Sultan Mahomed Shah and the thirty five Muslim aristocrats: "I am firmly convinced as you to be." Lady Diana Minto concludes the write up in her Diary, the presence of thirty five Muslim princes and knights, in the Ball room with jewelled turbans, finest garments and regalia in the caricatured exclamation: "Quite a command performance!" An animated show put up by the Aga Khan, designed to express that he was the most loyal subject of King Edward VII, in the Buckingham Palace of London.
Aga Khan was among the few honoured invitees from India to the coronation of King Edward VII in 1902 where he first encountered the Viceroy designate Earl of Minto in London. Presumably Aga Khan, then played the Congress Card that was being used as a vehicle by the radical Hindu in the likes of Talak and Ghose who had taken over the command of the party in a political conspiracy, to destabilise the Raj.
Four years later, on October 1, 1906, Sir Sultan led the delegation of thirty five Muslim, Baronets, Knights, Khan Bahadurs, Nawabs, purportedly to seek the acknowledgement, blessings of Earl of Minto, for the establishment of Muslim League. In actual fact, the hint, suggestion came from the British bureaucrats, that Aga Khan launch, the Muslim League, if he desired a favourable, one-sided Judgement from Sir Louis Pittman Russell, Chief Justice of the Elphinstone Bombay High Court in Suit Number 729 of 1905 Haji Bibi versus Sir Sultan Mahomed Shah that his mother-in-law Haji Bibi, estranged wife Shahzadi and erstwhile brother-in-law Aga Shamsuddin had filed against the Aga Khan, challenging, disputing his right to the Gadi of the forty eighth Ismaili Imam. Haji Bibi had also petitioned, the appointing an official assignee for taking over the assets of the Aga Khan Trusts and collection of Dasoon in Jamaat Khanas (prayer and assembly hall). My late father Haji bhai Esmail Dossa assessed in pre-partition India, British judiciary was not free. Judiciary took instructions from Executive in issues of state-craft and such matters of importance. Perforce, Sir Louis was swayed in his Order of Suit 729 of 1905.by the Viceroy Earl of Minto. True to form Sir Louis Pitman Russell's verdict was given in Aga Khan's favour against his former mother-in-law, Haji Bibi and separated wife Princess Shahzadi, after three years, of protracted hearings on February 24, 1908. Aga Khan compliments, Sir Russell's Judgement: "A, masterly lucid, wide ranging survey of Islamic history, religion, customs, and laws, fully and finally confirmed in my rights and status." A year thereafter, with proceedings still under way in the Bombay High Court, at end of December 1906 in Dacca, Muslim aristocracy formally ratified British guidelines and policy. Sir Sultan was unanimously declared President. Dreading the Viceroy, there was not even token opposition to Minto's candidate, Sir Sultan for the President. "I was elected its (Muslim League) first President (1906) and as such I remained until 1912." (Memoirs: Page 95). Sir Sultan Mahomed resigned from the Muslim League on November 3, 1912, through a letter from London.
This was much to the consternation of Nawab Mohsen-ul-Mulk, Sir Rahimtoola Chinoy, Sir Fazal bhoy Currimbhoy, latter's elder brother Baronet Sir Mahomed Currimbhoy, Sir Mahomed Shafi, Sir Syed Ameer Ali, all pioneers of Muslim League in Simla and savants of Aligarh University.
Perhaps, there were reasons for Sir Sultan distancing himself from Muslim League and India. Meanwhile, he had divorced his first cousin, Princess Shahzadi, daughter of his uncle late Aga Jehangir (Jungi) Shah and Haji Bibi in 1907. "I went home at the end of the year (1896) to our wedding ceremonies and celebrations. Our nuptial was celebrated with all the appropriate ritual and rejoicing; and then sorrow beset myself and my bride." My marriage was a sour sham." (Memoirs: Page 36).
Sir Sultan divorced Shahzadi in 1907. By then, Muslim League had been structured in the Viceregal Lodge of Simla on October 1, 1906. Viceroy Lord Minto implemented the reciprocal undertaking. He had Suit Number 729, Haji Bibi versus Sir Sultan Mahomed Shah dismissed in limine, scuttled, with the verdict in Sir Sultan's favour, by Chief Justice of Bombay High Court Sir Louis Pittman Russell.
Ensured he was fully covered, supported by the British, Sir Sultan married the Princess Theresa Magliano. "In the spring of the year, she (Princess Theresa) accompanied me to Egypt and we were married in Cairo, in accordance with Muslim Law." (Memoirs: Page 104). Sir Sultan and Princess Theresa had two sons: Mehdi and Aly. Divorce from Princess Shahzadi had repercussions. Aga Khan and Princess Theresa did not feel secure in India. British could not guarantee the couples safety and the Governor of Bombay Lord Reay, informed Aga Khan, with British army involvement of a war in the Middle East on the anvil, he could not continue with his residency at the Walkeswar Palace of Bombay. Life of his second wife, the Italian Princess Theresa, in particular was threatened. Following counsel of the British, Aga Khan was more in Europe, shifted his Gadi to Chateau d'le Horizon in Antibes, South of France. Only during the winter months, did Sir Sultan Mahomed venture in India.
Torch of the Ismaili dream for a separate homeland would be carried out by a descendant of the Alamutias of Uzbekistan, represented in the Khoja community, of Bombay, namely Right Honourable M. A. Jinnah. He was resident of South Court, Malabar Hill- Bombay. To fill the void, of leadership with Sir Sultan Mahomed's departure from the League, Muslim Knights and Nawab's in London, Bombay and New Delhi, prevailed, solicited Jinnah to become a member of the organisation. Jinnah was addressing the briefs of Tata Iron and Steel Works at the Privy Council Bar in London. On October 10, 1913, Jinnah became a member of the Muslim League. Jinnah was proposed for membership of the Muslim League of India by Maulana Mahomed Ali Johar and seconded by Sir Wazir Hussain. Sir Syed Ameer Ali, then on the Bench of the Privy Counsel, handed the form to Jinnah in London. October 10, 680 is the Gregorian date of the first Ashura that marked the martyrdom of Imam Hussain, his faithful brother Maula Abbas and their committed, dedicated followers, on the battlefield of Karbala. October 10, 1913, Jinnah took up the cause of Muslims of the sub continent in earnest, for economic emancipation from the all embracing Hindus. Jinnah piloted, pressed home his demands, through the All India Muslim League. Sir Sultan Mahomed resigned on November 3, 1912. And there after Jinnah was the sole spokesman for the Muslims of India. Coincidentally, Pakistan resolution, with Jinnah, the President of Muslim League, was adopted on March 23, 1940, at what was then known as Minto Park of Lahore. To the Earl of Minto, Muslim Nawab's, Knights, Khan Bahadur's, possessed social graces and spirit of conviviality - nothing less - that eluded their Hindu counterparts.
Jinnah in cairo During last week of December, 1946, Jinnah was returning from London to Karachi after attending the Round Table Conference with British Prime Minister Clement Atlee, Viceroy, Lord Mountbatten and Congress Leader Jawaharlal Nehru. Conference had been inconclusive.
Describing the situation in Punjab, Kuldip Nayar has written "But it is clear that the differences between Hindus and Muslims had become so acute by the beginning of the forties that something like Partition had become inevitable." (Tales of two cities: Page 69). Pundit Jawaharlal Nehru in an interview with Leonard Mosley said: "We saw the fires burning in the Punjab and heard every day of the killings. The plan for Partition offered a way out and we took it." (Last Days of the British Raj: Page 248) In London, at the meeting of Muslim expatriates, in Kingsway Hall on December 14, 1946, Jinnah accepted the Egyptian Ambassador's invitation to visit Cairo, extended by King Farouk of Egypt and Prime Minister Nokrashy Pasha. Right Honourable Mohamed Ali Jinnah's itinerary on December 25, 1946 listed a visit to Mehmet Ali Mosque of Cairo, built by the Albanian after he was declared the King of Egypt. December 25, 1946 was also the Founders' seventieth Birthday. Jinnah was conscious that he had inherited his name Mahomed Ali, from Mehmet Ali Pasha. Jinnah synchronised the visit to the famed mosque of Cairo on his birthday of December 25, 1946. Photographs of Jinnah, his delegation with Prime Minister Nokrashy Pasha, were printed in Daily Al Ahram. Banquet for Jinnah and his guests from London was hosted by the Prime Minister Nokrashy Pasha, on the night of the Founders' seventieth birthday of December 25, 1946, at the Shepherd Hotel. King Farouk of Egypt was present at the arrangement of Shepherd Hotel on Christmas of 1946. Cairo's Daily Al Ahram, in the covering article, lists the guests in attendance and describes the formal black tie dinner culminated with glasses raised to wish Jinnah "Very Happy Birthday." Following day, Jinnah was driven by Prime Minister Nokrashy Pasha through the welcoming crowd, gathered in the streets of Cairo, to greet, the great Leader of the Muslims, en route for an audience with King Farouk and Queen Farida at the Kubba Palace. Protocol of a visiting head of state was accorded to Jinnah at the Kubba Palace.
Unlike Noor-us-Said, Regent of the adolescent King Faisal of Iraq, King Farouk of Egypt was a known supporter among Arab rulers of the Pakistan movement from the time he was crowned after death of his father King Fuad during 1938. For sure, King Farouk discussed with Jinnah when he received him at Kubba Palace on December 26, 1946, his concept for the citizens of Pakistan. And Jinnah had replied, Constitution for generations of Pakistani's would be liberal and secular. Eight months after Jinnah's audience with King Farouk in the Kubba Palace of Cairo, Pakistan was created on August 14, 1947.
At Karachi on August 11, Jinnah expressed his thoughts for a secular nation in the land-mark speech at the State Bank. Said the Founder to his citizens: "You are free: you are free to go to your temples. You are free to go to your mosques or any other place of worship in this State of Pakistan. You may belong to any religion or cast or creed that has nothing to do with the business of the State." But within six months of Jinnah's death on September 11, 1948, his perception and notion for the secular laws that would govern Pakistan were reversed with the Objectives Resolution by the religious lobby, led by Maulana Shabbir Ahmed Usmani that hijacked the Founder's determined secular, vision for Pakistan. In December 1949, Pakistan's Ambassador Khwajah Shahbuddin presented his credentials to King Farouk in Kubba Palace. Meanwhile, King Farouk had ensured that the Egyptian plenipotentiary at the United Nations in Lake Success, San Francisco, vote for the admission of Pakistan in United Nations, much against the conspiracy, hatched by the Muslim nations of Afghanistan and Iraq, to prevent Pakistan from registering in the United Nations. King Farouk was dismayed at the one hundred and eighty degree turn of the Secular foresight and visualisation of the Quaid, now stamped with the religiosity of Islam on the Constitution made by Prime Minister Liaquat Ali Khan.
Upon hearing a passionate lecture of Islam delivered by Pakistan's Ambassador Khwajah Shahbuddin when presenting his credentials, King Farouk made the caustic comment from the throne that it seemed that Islam was bestowed on Muslims, as recently as Pakistan's Independence Day of August 14, 1947. Six decades after the birth of Jinnah's Pakistan, from the secular, liberal, tolerant country that it was conceived, Pakistan has become an intolerant nation, leaning towards theocracy that was anathema to Jinnah. Presently, religious and sectarian minorities continue to live in fear and remain vulnerable.
KINGSTON (H) ASLAM SIDDIQUI: 22-29