Muhammad Ali Jinnah [1876-1948]
Pakistan, one of the largest Muslim states in the world, is a
living and exemplary monument of Quaid-i-Azam
Muhammad Ali Jinnah. With his untiring efforts, indomitable
will, and dauntless courage, he united the Indian Muslims
under the banner of the Muslim League and carved out a
homeland for them, despite stiff opposition from the Hindu
Congress and the British Government.
Muhammad Ali Jinnah was born in Karachi on December
25, 1876. His father Jinnah Poonja was an Ismaili Khoja of
Kathiawar, a prosperous business community. Muhammad
Ali received his early education at the Sindh Madrasa and
later at the Mission School, Karachi. He went to England for
further studies in 1892 at the age of 16. In 1896, Jinnah
qualified for the Bar and was called to the Bar in 1897.
Muhammad Ali Jinnah started his political career in 1906
when he
attended the
Quaid-i-Azam (leader of the Nation) Calcutta session
Muhammad Ali Jinnah is the founder of of the All India
Pakistan National
Congress in the
capacity of Private Secretary to the President of the
Congress. In 1910, he was elected to the Imperial
Jinnah Poonja, father of Quaid-i-Azam
Muhammad Ali Jinnah
Legislative Council. He sponsored the Waqf
Validating Bill, which brought him in touch with
other Muslim leaders. In March 1913, Jinnah
joined the All India Muslim League.
As a member of the Muslim League, Jinnah
Muhammad Ali Jinnah was an accomplished lawyer in his
youth began to work for Hindu-Muslim unity. In 1917,
the annual sessions of both the Congress and
the League were held at Lucknow. The League session was presided over by Muhammad Ali Jinnah.
It marked the culmination of his efforts towards Hindu-Muslim unity. Here, both the League and the
Congress adopted a scheme of reforms known as the Lucknow Pact.
On April 19, 1918, Jinnah married Rutanbai. Their daughter, Dina was born a year later. In 1919,
Jinnah resigned from his membership of the Imperial Legislative Council as protest against the
"Rowlatt Act".
Until the publication of Nehru Report, Jinnah continued his efforts
for Hindu-Muslim unity. The Nehru Report, published in 1928,
was severely criticized by all sections of the Muslim community.
In December 1928, the National Convention was called to
consider the Report. Jinnah proposed some amendments, but
they were all rejected.
He finally parted ways
with the Congress.
In 1929, Jinnah
presented his famous
Fourteen Points in
response to the Nehru
Report. When he
returned from England,
he reorganized the
Muslim League. In 1934,
he was elected as its
Quaid-i-Azam's brother Ahmed Ali with
permanent president. his wife Emy
The Provincial Assembly elections of 1937 swept the
Congress to power in eight provinces. After almost two years
of oppressive rule, Muslims under the leadership of Jinnah,
celebrated the Day of Deliverance at the end of Congress
rule.
The Muslim League held its annual session at Lahore
A portrait of Mrs. Ruttenbai Jinnah, wife of
Jinnah
in March 1940. This was presided over by Quaid-i-
Azam. The demand for Pakistan was formally put
forward here. This goal was realized on August 14, 1947. Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali
Jinnah was appointed as its first Governor General.
The establishment of Pakistan
brought even greater
responsibilities for Jinnah. The
refugee problem, the withholding
of Pakistani assets by India, and
the Kashmir problem were a real
test for the Quaid. However, his
indomitable will prevailed. He
worked out a sound economic
policy, established an independent
currency and the State Bank for
Pakistan. He chose Karachi as the
federal capital.
However, he did not live long to
witness the progress of the state
that he had founded. On
September 11, 1948, he died after
a protracted illness at Karachi. He
was buried in Karachi that
witnessed the entire nation
Jinnah enjoying a moment with his sister, Fatima Jinnah
mourning over an irreparable loss.
Quaid with his sister Fatima Jinnah (extreme left)
and his only child Dina
