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Two Nation Theory: Meaning of Two Nation Theory

The Two Nation Theory holds that Hindus and Muslims are two distinct nations in terms of religion, culture, social practices, and language. It was the basis for the creation of Pakistan as an independent homeland for Muslims in South Asia. Key figures like Sir Syed Ahmed Khan, Allama Iqbal, and Muhammad Ali Jinnah advocated for the Two Nation Theory, arguing that Hindus and Muslims could not remain united in one nation given their many irreconcilable differences. The cultural, religious, social, political, and economic dissimilarities between Hindus and Muslims ultimately led to the partition of British India into two independent states - India and Pakistan.

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Syed Hassan Abbas Zaidi
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119 views3 pages

Two Nation Theory: Meaning of Two Nation Theory

The Two Nation Theory holds that Hindus and Muslims are two distinct nations in terms of religion, culture, social practices, and language. It was the basis for the creation of Pakistan as an independent homeland for Muslims in South Asia. Key figures like Sir Syed Ahmed Khan, Allama Iqbal, and Muhammad Ali Jinnah advocated for the Two Nation Theory, arguing that Hindus and Muslims could not remain united in one nation given their many irreconcilable differences. The cultural, religious, social, political, and economic dissimilarities between Hindus and Muslims ultimately led to the partition of British India into two independent states - India and Pakistan.

Uploaded by

Syed Hassan Abbas Zaidi
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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TWO NATION THEORY:

Meaning of Two Nation Theory:

The Two Nation Theory in its simplest way means the cultural,political,religious, economics and
social dissimilarities between the two major communities.Hindus and Muslims of the Sub
Continent.These difference of out look ,in fact,were greatly instrumental in giving rise to two
distinct political ideologies which were responsible for the partition of India into two independent
states.

THE BASIS OF THE CREATION OF PAKISTAN:


The Two Nation Theory was the basis of the struggle for creation of Pakistan which held that
Hindus and Muslims are two separate Nations.They in spite of living together for centuries could
not forget their individual cultures and civilization.Al-Beruni recorded his ideas in 1001 A.D in his
famous book "Kitab-ul-Hind" as:
"The Hindus society maintained this peculiar character over the centuries.The two socities,Hindus
and Muslims,like two streams have sometimes touched but never merged,each following its
separate course."
There are a few factors which split the inhabitants of the Sub Continent into two Nations.Let us
examine each of them separately.

1)Religious Differences:
The Hindus and Muslims belong to different religions.Islam preaches Tawheed (oneness of Allah)
and believes in equality of man before law.Muslims are the believers of God,The Holy Prophet
(P.B.U.H) the Holy Book Quran and hold a cohesive approach towards life.
Hinduism,on the other hand is based on the concept of multiple Gods.Their society follows a caste
system and is divided into four classes and have a very narrow approach towards life.

2.Hindu Nationalism:
A number of Hindu nationalist movements,which emerged from time to time in the Indian history
,added fuel to the fire by playing up the tension and antagonism which already existed between
the two communities.
The Hindu nationalist leaders totally ignored the great contribution made by the Muslims in the
indian society by way of promoting education and other social activities.Their writings and ideas
flared up the communal discord between Hindus and Muslims to further pollute the political
condition.

3.Cultural Differences:
Muslim followed the Islamic culture while Hindus inherited a self build culture.The Hindus burnt
their dead bodies while Muslims burred them.Hindus considered the 'Mother cow' as a sacred
animal and worshiped it while Muslims slaughtered it.they performed 'sati' while Muslims
abhorred this tradition .The Hindus and Muslims did not intermarry nor they inter-dine.

4.Social Differences:
The two communities of the Sub Continent differ in their social life as well.The clothes,the
foods,the household utensils,the layout of homes,the words of salutation,the gestures and every
thing about them was different and immediately pointed to their distinctive origin.

5.Economics Differences:
After 1857,the Muslim economic was crushed and all trade policies were framed in such a way so
as to determent the Muslim condition .They were thrown out of Government services and the
their estates and properties were confiscated,while the Hindus were provided with ample
opportunities to progress economically.

6.Educational Differences:
The Hindus had advanced in the educational field because they quickly and readily took the english
education.While Muslims did not receive modern education which heavily affected their economic
conditions.

7.Political Differences:
The political differences between the Hindus and Muslims have played an important role in the
developement and evolution of Two Nation Theory.
(i) Hindi Urdu Controversy:

In 1867,Hindus demande that Urdu should be written in Hindi Script instead of Persian script.This
created another gap between Hindus and Muslims.

(ii) Congress Attitude:


The Indian national Congress was founded in 1885.It claimed to represent all
communities of India but oppressed all Muslim ideas and supported the Hindus.

8.Language:
The Muslimsand Hindus wrote and spoke two different languages .The language of the former was
Urdu and it was written in Arabic Script.On the other hand ,the Hindi language was spoken by
Hindus and it was written in Sanskrit.Urdu and Hindi language had the difference in
writing,thoughts of poetry,arts,painting and words of music.Even this small difference lead to a
stirring conflict between the two nations.

Sir syed Ahmed Khan-The Pioneer of Two Nation Theory:


Sir Syed Ahmed Khan,the pioneer of two nation theory,used the word 'two nation' for
Hindus and Muslims after being concinced of the Hindus and Congress hatred,hostility
and prejudice for the Muslims.
The entire freedom movement revolved around the two nation theory which was
introduced by Sir Syed Ahmed Khan.He considered all those lived in India as one nation
and was a great advocate of Hindu-Muslim unity.Speaking at the meeting of Indian
Association he said:
"I look to both Hindus and Muslims with the same eyes and consider them as my own
eyes.By the word 'Nation' I mean only Hindus and Muslims and nothing else,We,Hindus
and Muslims live together on the same soil under the same government.Our intrests and
problems are common,and therfore,I consider the two factions as one nation."

TWO NATION THEORY IN THE VIEW OF ALLAMA IQBAL:


Allama Iqbal was the first important figure who propounded the idea of separate homeland on
the basis of two nation theory.He firmly believed in the separate identity of the Muslims as a
nation and suggested that there would be no possibility of peace in the country unless and untill
they were recognized as a nation.In the annual session of Muslim League at Allahabad in 1930,he
said:
"India is a continent of human beings belonging to different languages and professing different
religions...I,therefore,demand the formation of a consolidated Muslim state in the best interests
of the Muslims of India and Islam."

QUAID-E-AZAM'S STATEMENT ON TWO NATION THEORY:


The most clear and emphatic exposition is found in Jinnah's statement and speeches.He
expounded the two nation theory in such detail that most Muslims and even some Hindus came
to believe in its truth.He declared:
" Muslims are not a minority,They are one nation by every definition of the word nation.By all
canons of international law we are a nation."
Quaid-e-Azam reiterated that Hindus and Muslims could ever evolve a common nationality was
on idle dream.They are a totally different nation .They have an unbridgeable gulf between them
and they stand miles apart in regards to their ideals,culture and religion.In 1973,he said:
"Hindustan is neither one country,nor its inhabitants one nation.This is Sub Continent which
consist of many nations of which the Hindus and Muslims are two major nations."

CONCLUSION:
The Muslims apprehended that they would lose their identity if they remained a part of Hindu
society.They also came to realize the above mentioned differences between them and the Hindus
and hence demanded separate electorate on the ground that they were different nation from
Hindus.
Hence it is right to say that this theory i.e two nation theory is the basis of the creation of Pakistan
because without this as a base,Pakistan would not come into being on 14th August ,1947,and we
would not be breathing freely in this open air of Pakistan.

(Apka pyara bhai Wahab k tyar krta behtareen notes)

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