The Great Divide: Gandhi, Jinnah, and Birth of Pakistan
Introduction The partition of British India in 1947 was one of the most significant and traumatic events in the modern history of South Asia. It not only led to the creation of two separate nations—India and Pakistan—but also resulted in the displacement of millions, communal violence, and lasting geopolitical tensions. Central to this historic development were two towering figures: Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi and Muhammad Ali Jinnah. Both were instrumental in India’s freedom struggle, yet their ideological divergences ultimately shaped the fate of a subcontinent. Origins of British India and Early Political Landscape The British East India Company took control of large parts of India in the 18th century, and by the mid-19th century, India became a formal British colony. Indian nationalism started to emerge in the late 19th century with the formation of the Indian National Congress (INC) in 1885. Initially inclusive, the INC became the primary platform for seeking Indian autonomy. Musl...