Pakistan's Struggle for Independence

Study Notes

The Struggle for Pakistan

The British confiscated land from the landed gentry, disinheriting them on a large scale.
Muslim education was deliberately ruined by the British, replacing Persian with English as the official language.
Muslim qadis were neglected by the British, and Persian was replaced with English law, leading to a loss of employment.

British Perception of Muslims

The British viewed Muslims as adversaries, resenting their loss of power and blaming them for the rebellion of 1857.
From 1858 to 1870, British politicians, authors, and administrators blamed Muslims for the "Mutiny".
However, in the 1870s, opinions began to change, with men like Sir Richard Temple, Sir John Strachey, and W.H. Gregory arguing that Muslim India was not disloyal and that the past should be forgotten.

Sir Syed Ahmed Khan's Leadership

Sir Syed Ahmed Khan, born in 1817, was a highly respected individual who served the British loyally and with distinction during the rebellion of 1857.
He wrote the pamphlet "Essay on the Causes of the Indian Revolt" and defended Muslims against charges of sedition and disloyalty in "The Loyal Muhammadans of India".
In 1875, he established the Muhammadan Anglo-Oriental College at Aligarh, which helped to rehabilitate Muslims and recover their lost political and intellectual influence.

Description

This quiz covers the struggles Pakistan faced during the British colonial era, including the confiscation of land, suppression of Muslim education, and marginalization of Muslim qadis. It also touches on the replacement of Persian with English and the limited job opportunities for Indians. Test your knowledge of this pivotal moment in Pakistani history.