Two Nations Theory

Ideology

 A set of beliefs, values and ideals of a group or a nation deeply ingrained in social
consciousness of the people.
 It reflects the way of thinking of a nation/class who have been denied due place in
society.
 Though, Hindus and Muslims lived for centuries together; they retained their own cultures
and customs.
 Pakistan Ideology is based on ideals of Islamic system-a reaction to the exploitation of
Muslims in the sub-continent by the British and the Hindus.
Pakistan Ideology

 Pakistan is created on basis of ideological commitment of Islam.

“Pakistan Ka Matlab Kiya, La Ilaha Illal-Lah” was the famous
slogan of the freedom movement.

 This theory conveys Muslims as separate nation, with their own

culture, civilization, literature, religion and way of life. They
cannot merge with other nation because of their Islamic Principles.
 Pakistan Ideology (contd.)

 When situation became extremely difficult for Muslims of United India they demanded a
separate homeland

 Despite all efforts by British and Hindus they could not create a wedge into Muslim unity and
love for their national character.  

 So, Pakistan’s Ideology means we are a state where the Muslims have an opportunity to live
according to our faith and creed based on Islamic Principles.

 Indian Muslims faced stiff opposition by the Hindus and British in physical creation of the
country. But, political acumen, wisdom and steady leadership of the Quaid-e-Azam Muslims
finally got their own country – Pakistan on August 14, 1947.
 Two Nations Theory

 Sheikh Sirhindi was the first to stress on the separate identity of the Muslims.
 ‘The Two-Nation Theory’ meaning Hindus and Muslims are two separate nations whose perception of life differ
from each other.
 Sir Syed Ahmed Khan was first to use ‘Two-Nations’ for Muslims and the Hindus when convinced of Hindu and
Congress hatred and prejudice towards Muslims.
 The two-nation theory was a founding principle of the Pakistan Movement
 There are varying interpretations of the two-nation theory:
 One interpretation argued for sovereign autonomy, including the right to secede, for Muslim-majority areas of the Indian
subcontinent, but without any transfer of populations (i.e. Hindus and Muslims would continue to live together).
 A different interpretation contends that Hindus and Muslims constitute two distinct, and frequently antagonistic ways of life,
and that therefore they cannot coexist in one nation- a complete separation of two incompatible nations that "cannot coexist
in a harmonious relationship”.
 Sir Syed Ahmed Khan

 The greatest Muslim reformer and statesman of the 19th Century, Sir Syed Ahmad Khan was born in Delhi on
October 17, 1817.
 His family on the maternal and paternal side had close contacts with the Mughal Empire.
 Sir Syed received his education under the old system. Having completed a course in Persian and Arabic, he took to
the study of mathematics. He started taking a keen interest in the literary gatherings and cultural activities of the
city.
 He decided to enter the service of the East India Company in 1837 posted as Naib Munshi in Commissioner’s
Office Agra.
 Sir Syed Ahmed Khan (contd.)

 In 1867 he was promoted and posted as the judge of the Small Causes Court. He retired in 1876.
 Sir Syed’s greatest achievement was his Aligarh Movement, which was primarily an educational venture.
 He was in favor of reserved seats for Muslims and also promoted the idea that Hindus and Muslims are two
distinct nations. This idea led to the Two-Nation Theory.
 Unlike other Muslim leaders of his time, Sir Syed was of the view that Muslims should have friendship with the
British if they want to take their due rights.
 Sir Syed asked the Muslims of his time not to participate in politics unless and until they got modern education.
 He also asked the Muslims to keep themselves away from the Congress and predicted that the party would prove to
be a pure Hindu party in the times to come.
Aligarh Movement

 After dislodging the Muslim rulers British, implemented a new educational policy which
banned Arabic, Persian and religious education in schools and made English not only the
medium of instruction
 This was an era of science and learning. He knew that the realization of the very fact was
the source of progress and prosperity for the British
 spawned a negative attitude amongst the Muslims towards everything modern and
western
 He launched the Aligarh Movement to acquaint the British with the Indian mind and open
the minds of his countrymen to European literature, science and technology.
Objectives of Aligarh Movement

 To create an atmosphere of mutual understanding between the British government and

the Muslims.
 To persuade Muslims to learn English education.
 To persuade Muslims to abstain from politics of agitation.
 To produce an intellectual class from amongst the Muslim community.