Q. No. 8. Critically evaluate the evolutions of Muslim Separate identity in the Subcontinent.

Ans.

Each nation needs an identity to be known with it in the world. Same was the case with the muslims of the Subcontinent who wanted a separate identity for themselves. And this identity through the history of the Subcontinent evolved in the following different ways.

1) Educational Identity - It was the need of education which started realizing the need and evolution of separate muslim identity in the Subcontinent in 1857. Where the services of Sir Syed Ahmad Khan and his Aligarh University are phenomenal. This was a great platform for the muslims to acquire both modern and Islamic Education. And to acquire sound educational identity.

2) Religious Identity - Muslims have always been the firm followers of Islam. And their religious identity as a nation was best served in the Subcontinent through the Ulemas of Deoband Madrassah.

3) Cultural Identity - Customs and traditions of the Muslim (Islamic) culture were never overlooked. Even in the most difficult times in the Subcontinent, also when the hindus were stopping muslims from practicing the customs and traditions of the muslim culture, still the muslims practiced their customs and traditions of the muslims lifestyle. And never left behind the separate muslim cultural identity.

4) Political Identity of the muslim india casted a unique impression over the history. All the developmental political miltestones served very well the cause of the muslims of a separate identity in the Subcontinent. First the creation of muslims poltical party muslim league, and then the onward struggle coming across the Allahabad Adress by Allama Iqbal and finally Pakistan in 1947 on 14 august gave the muslims of the subcontinent a separate identity with a country after a life long struggle of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah and his companions.

5) Economic Identity of the muslims of the Subcontinent went a little week through their history in the subcontinent. Before the Independence of Pakistan the strategy of fundraising was adopted. Also the educationalists used to take no or less wages for their teaching in the educational institutions either Islamic or Secular. Also after the Independence of Pakistan the economic status of Pakistan was limited. Still less is more was the strategy for Pakistan.

6) Administrative Identity was strong with Quaid-e-Azam and his talented companions. Current Pakistan needs to revive once more the legacy of those administrators.

Even in the 19th century the muslim community of the Subcontinent enjoyed following talented leaders. And because of those honest leaders their dedicated muslim followers of the Subcontinent found triumph in their struggle for acquiring separate muslim identity.

7) Insitutional Identity was effective. It was with the help of these institutions which managed to deal the country-wide circumstances of Pakistan with limited resources after a nascent independent muslim Pakistan.

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"Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts" Winston Churchill