The Pakistan Declaration was a pamphlet published on 28 January 1933 b...
The Pakistan Declaration (titled Now or Never; Are We to Live or Perish Forever?) was a pamphlet published on 28 January 1933 by Choudhary Rahmat Ali and was supported by Muhammad Aslam Khan Khattak, Sahibzada Sheikh Mohd Sadiq, Inayat Ullah Khan in which the word Pakistan was used for the first time and was presented in the round table conference in 1933. The pamphlet started with this famous sentence: “At this solemn hour in the history of India, when British and Indian statesmen are laying the foundations of a Federal Constitution for that land, we address this appeal to you, in the name of our common heritage, on behalf of our thirty million Muslim brethren who live in PAKSTAN - by which we mean the five Northern units of India, Viz: Punjab, North-West Frontier Province (Afghan Province), Kashmir, Sind, and Baluchistan.”
View all questions of this test
The Pakistan Declaration was a pamphlet published on 28 January 1933 b...
Pakistan Declaration was a pamphlet published on 28 January 1933 by Choudhary Rahmat Ali. It is an important document in the history of the Pakistan movement. The declaration laid out the concept of a separate homeland for Muslims in the Indian subcontinent, which eventually led to the creation of Pakistan in 1947.
The Background of the Pakistan Declaration:
- The Pakistan Declaration came at a time when the demand for a separate Muslim state was gaining momentum in British India.
- The Muslims of India were concerned about their political, social, and economic rights in a Hindu-majority country.
- The idea of a separate homeland for Muslims had been discussed earlier by various leaders like Sir Syed Ahmed Khan and Allama Iqbal.
Key Points of the Pakistan Declaration:
1. The Name 'Pakistan':
- The term 'Pakistan' was coined in the declaration, and it was an acronym for the proposed Muslim-majority regions of the subcontinent - Punjab, Afghania (North-West Frontier Province), Kashmir, Sindh, and Baluchistan.
- The declaration argued that these regions had a distinct identity and should be separate from the rest of India.
2. Justification for a Separate State:
- The declaration stated that Muslims were a separate nation with their own history, culture, and interests.
- It argued that the Hindus and Muslims of India were two distinct nations and could not coexist peacefully within a single country.
- The declaration highlighted the historical grievances of Muslims and their desire for self-rule.
3. Objectives of Pakistan:
- The declaration outlined the objectives of Pakistan, including the protection of Muslim rights, promotion of Muslim education and culture, and the establishment of a democratic and progressive state.
- It emphasized the need for equal rights for all citizens, irrespective of their religion.
4. Implementation of Pakistan:
- The declaration proposed a detailed plan for the implementation of Pakistan, including the establishment of a separate Muslim-majority government, a constitution, and an army.
- It also called for peaceful negotiations with the British government and other political parties to achieve the goal of Pakistan.
Impact of the Pakistan Declaration:
- The publication of the Pakistan Declaration generated significant interest and debate among the Muslim community in India.
- It provided a clear vision and framework for the demand of a separate Muslim state.
- The ideas presented in the declaration influenced and inspired many leaders of the Pakistan movement, including Muhammad Ali Jinnah.
In conclusion, the Pakistan Declaration, published by Choudhary Rahmat Ali in 1933, played a crucial role in shaping the demand for a separate Muslim state in the Indian subcontinent. It provided a comprehensive vision for Pakistan and laid the foundation for the eventual creation of the country in 1947.
To make sure you are not studying endlessly, EduRev has designed UPSC study material, with Structured Courses, Videos, & Test Series. Plus get personalized analysis, doubt solving and improvement plans to achieve a great score in UPSC.