essay on two nation theory

Two-Nation Theory

• Reference work entry
• First Online: 01 January 2018
• Cite this reference work entry

• Clinton Bennett 4  

Part of the book series: Encyclopedia of Indian Religions ((EIR))

420 Accesses

7 Altmetric

“Two-Nation Theory” refers to the thesis that Hindus and Muslims in India were two distinct communities that could not coexist within a single state without dominating and discriminating against the other or without constant conflict; it resulted in the 1947 Partition of India and Pakistan.

Locating the Theory’s Origin

The exact chronology of how “Two-Nation Theory” developed is subject to debate. Often associated with the thinking of Sir Syed Aḥmad Khān (1817–1898), some identify Aḥmad Sirhindī (1564–1624) as the theory’s “chief architect” [ 1 ]. Muḥammad Iqbāl (1877–1938) is often credited with explicitly proposing the geopolitical partition of India into two separate states [ 2 ]. However, his state would have been within a federal India, a state within a state [ 3 ], a proposition that Abū’l-A‘lā Mawdūdī (1903–1979) also supported [ 4 ]. The specific proposition to create two sovereign political entities, one with a Muslim, the other a Hindu majority, dates from Raḥmat ‘Alī...

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Subscribe and save.

• Get 10 units per month
• Download Article/Chapter or eBook
• 1 Unit = 1 Article or 1 Chapter
• Cancel anytime
• Available as PDF
• Read on any device
• Instant download
• Own it forever
• Available as EPUB and PDF
• Durable hardcover edition
• Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
• Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Sustainable Development Policy Institute (2005) Sustainable development: bridging the research/policy gaps in southern contexts. SDPI, Islamabad

Google Scholar  

Seton-Watson H (1977) Nations and states: an enquiry into the origins of nations and the politics of nationalism. Methuen, London

Chakravarty D (2003) Muslim separatism and the partition in India. Atlantic Publishers & Distributors, New Delhi

Nasr SVR (1994) The vanguard of the Islamic Revolution: the Jamaʻat-i Islami of Pakistan. University of California Press, Berkeley

Ali CR (1933) Now or never: are we to live or perish for ever. The Pakistan National Movement, Cambridge

Khan SA (1888) Sir Syed Ahmed on the present state of Indian politics, consisting of speeches and letters reprinted from the “Pioneer”. The Pioneer Press, Allahabad

Ahmed S (2003) Bangladesh: past and present. A.P.H. Publishing Corporation, New Delhi

Pandey BM (2003) Historiography of India’s partition: an analysis of imperialist writings. Atlantic Publishers & Distributors, New Delhi

Ayres A (2009) Speaking like a state: language and nationalism in Pakistan. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, UK

Book   Google Scholar  

Green N (2012) Sufism: a global history. Wiley-Blackwell, Chichester

Buehler A (2012) Ahmad Sirhindi: nationalist hero, good Sufi, or bad Sufi. In: Bennett C, Ramsey C (eds) South Asian Sufis: devotion, deviation and destiny. Continuum, London, pp 141–162

Chandra S (1997) Historiography, religion, and state in medieval India. Har-Anand Publications, New Delhi

Krishan Y (2002) Understanding partition: India sundered, Muslims fragmented. Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, Mumbai

Madan TN (2004) From Orthodoxy to Fundamentalism: a thousand years of Islam in South Asia. In: Appleby RS, Marty ME (eds) Fundamentalisms comprehended. University of Chicago Press, Chicago, pp 288–320

Akbar MJ (2012) Tinderbox the past and future of Pakistan. Harper Perennial, New York

Ikram SM, Ikram SM (1992) Indian Muslims and partition of India. Atlantic Publishers & Distributors, New Delhi

Elliot HM (1997) The history of India: as told by its own historians; the Muhammadan period, 8 vols. Institute for the History of Arabic-Islamic Science at the Johann Wolfgang Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main. Reprint of 1873 edition

Abbas H (2010) Indian government and politics. Pearson India, New Delhi

Wilkinson S (2004) Votes and violence: electoral competition and ethnic riots in India. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, UK

Gandhi R (1987) Understanding the Muslim mind. Penguin, Harmondsworth

Schofield V (2003) Kashmir in conflict: India, Pakistan and the unending war. I.B. Tauris, London

Bennet C (2012) Bangladeshi: an interfaith bridge. In: Bennett C, Ramsey C (eds) South Asian Sufis: devotion, deviation and destiny. Continuum, London, pp 211–232

Diamond L, Gunther R (2001) Political parties and democracy. Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore

Download references

Author information

Authors and affiliations.

Department of Philosophy, State University of New York at New Paltz, New Paltz, NY, USA

Dr. Clinton Bennett

You can also search for this author in PubMed   Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Clinton Bennett .

Editor information

Editors and affiliations.

Pomona College Religious Studies, Claremont, CA, USA

Zayn R. Kassam

Rollins College Jewish Studies Program, Winter Park, FL, USA

Yudit Kornberg Greenberg

World Zoroastrian Organization, Toronto, ON, Canada

Jehan Bagli

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2018 Springer Science+Business Media B.V., part of Springer Nature

About this entry

Cite this entry.

Bennett, C. (2018). Two-Nation Theory. In: Kassam, Z.R., Greenberg, Y.K., Bagli, J. (eds) Islam, Judaism, and Zoroastrianism. Encyclopedia of Indian Religions. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-024-1267-3_2003

Download citation

DOI : https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-024-1267-3_2003

Published : 06 July 2018

Publisher Name : Springer, Dordrecht

Print ISBN : 978-94-024-1266-6

Online ISBN : 978-94-024-1267-3

eBook Packages : Religion and Philosophy Reference Module Humanities and Social Sciences Reference Module Humanities

Share this entry

Anyone you share the following link with will be able to read this content:

Sorry, a shareable link is not currently available for this article.

Provided by the Springer Nature SharedIt content-sharing initiative

• Publish with us

Policies and ethics

• Find a journal
• Track your research

• Insights IAS Brochure |
• OUR CENTERS Bangalore Delhi Lucknow Mysuru --> Srinagar Dharwad Hyderabad

Call us @ 08069405205

Search Here

• An Introduction to the CSE Exam
• Personality Test
• Annual Calendar by UPSC-2025
• Common Myths about the Exam
• About Insights IAS
• Our Mission, Vision & Values
• Director's Desk
• Meet Our Team
• Our Branches
• Careers at Insights IAS
• Daily Current Affairs+PIB Summary
• Insights into Editorials
• Insta Revision Modules for Prelims
• Current Affairs Quiz
• Static Quiz
• Current Affairs RTM
• Insta-DART(CSAT)
• Insta 75 Days Revision Tests for Prelims 2024
• Secure (Mains Answer writing)
• Secure Synopsis
• Ethics Case Studies
• Insta Ethics
• Weekly Essay Challenge
• Insta Revision Modules-Mains
• Insta 75 Days Revision Tests for Mains
• Secure (Archive)
• Anthropology
• Law Optional
• Kannada Literature
• Public Administration
• English Literature
• Medical Science
• Mathematics
• Commerce & Accountancy
• Monthly Magazine: CURRENT AFFAIRS 30
• Content for Mains Enrichment (CME)
• InstaMaps: Important Places in News
• Weekly CA Magazine
• The PRIME Magazine
• Insta Revision Modules-Prelims
• Insta-DART(CSAT) Quiz
• Insta 75 days Revision Tests for Prelims 2022
• Insights SECURE(Mains Answer Writing)
• Interview Transcripts
• Previous Years' Question Papers-Prelims
• Answer Keys for Prelims PYQs
• Solve Prelims PYQs
• Previous Years' Question Papers-Mains
• UPSC CSE Syllabus
• Toppers from Insights IAS
• Testimonials
• Felicitation
• UPSC Results
• Indian Heritage & Culture
• Ancient Indian History
• Medieval Indian History
• Modern Indian History
• World History
• World Geography
• Indian Geography
• Indian Society
• Social Justice
• International Relations
• Agriculture
• Environment & Ecology
• Disaster Management
• Science & Technology
• Security Issues
• Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude
• Insights IAS Brochure

• Indian Heritage & Culture
• Enivornment & Ecology

• How to Study Art & Culture?
• What is Art and Culture? What is the difference between the two?
• Indus Civilization
• Evolution of rock-cut architecture in India
• Important rock-cut caves
• The contribution of Pallavas to Rock-cut architecture
• Comparision of art form found at Ellora and Mahabalipuram
• Buddhist Architecture
• Early Temples in India
• Basic form of Hindu temple
• Dravida style of temple architecture
• Nagara Style or North India Temple style
• Vesara style of temple architecture
• Characteristic features of Indo-Islamic form of architecture
• Styles of Islamic architecture in the Indian subcontinent
• Types of buildings in Islamic architecture in the Indian subcontinent
• Evolution of this form of architecture during the medieval period
• Modern Architecture
• Post-Independence architecture
• Indus Civilization Sculpture
• Bharhut Sculptures
• Sanchi Sculptures
• Gandhara School of Sculpture
• Mathura School of Sculpture
• Amaravati School of Sculpture
• Gupta Sculpture
• Medieval School of Sculpture
• Modern Indian Sculpture
• Pre Historic Painting
• Mural Paintings & Cave Paintings
• Pala School
• Mughal Paintings
• Bundi School of Painting
• Malwa School
• Mewar School
• Basohli School
• Kangra School
• Decanni School of Painting
• Madhubani Paintings or Mithila paintings
• Pattachitra
• Kalighat Painting
• Modern Indian Paintings
• Personalities Associated to Paintings
• Christianity
• Zoroastrianism
• Six Schools of Philosophy
• Lokayata / Charvaka
• Hindustani Music
• Carnatic Music
• Folk Music Tradition
• Modern Music
• Personalities associated with Music
• Bharatanatyam
• Mohiniattam
• Folk Dances
• Modern Dance in India
• Sanskrit Theatre
• Folk Theatre
• Modern Theatre
• Personalities associated with Theatre
• History of Puppetry
• String Puppetry
• Shadow Puppetry
• Rod Puppetry
• Glove Puppetry
• Indian Cinema and Circus
• Shankaracharya
• Ramanujacharya (1017-1137AD)
• Madhvacharya
• Vallabhacharya
• Kabir (1440-1510 AD)
• Guru Nanak (1469-1538 AD)
• Chaitanya Mahaprabhu
• Shankar Dev
• Purandaradasa
• Samard Ramdas
• Classical Languages
• Scheduled Languages
• Literature in Ancient India
• Buddhist and Jain Literature
• Tamil (Sangam) Literature
• Malayalam Literature
• Telugu Literature
• Medieval Literature
• Modern Literature
• Important characteristics of Fairs and Festivals of India
• Some of the major festivals that are celebrated in India
• Art & Crafts
• Ancient Science & Technology
• Medieval Science & Technology
• Famous Personalities in Science & Technology
• Tangible Cultural Heritage
• Intangible Cultural Heritage
• Cultural Heritage Sites
• Natural Heritage Sites
• Important Institutions
• Important programmes related to promotion and preservation of Indian heritage
• Ochre Colored Pottery (OCP)
• Black and Red Ware (BRW)
• Painted Grey-Ware (PGW)
• Northern Black Polished Ware (NBPW)
• Origin of Martial arts in India
• Various forms of Martial arts in India
• Fall of Mughals
• Coming of Europeans
• Struggle among Europeans
• Rise of East India Company
• India under East India Company’s Rule
• Administration
• Regulating Act of 1773
• Pitt’s India Act 1784
• Charter acts of 1784, 1793, 1813,1833, 1853
• Doctrine of lapse
• Subordinate alliance
• Agricultural policies
• Famine policy
• Foreign Policies
• Charter Act of 1813
• Orientalist-Anglicism Controversy
• Wood’s Dispatch (1854) Hunter Education Commission (1882-83)
• Indian Universities Act, 1904
• Government Resolution on Education Policy,1913
• Saddler University Commission (1917-19)
• Hartog Committee,1929
• Wardha Scheme,1937
• Sergeant Plan of Education
• Kothari Education Commission (1964-66)
• Development of Vernacular Education
• Development of Technical Education
• Religious policies
• Hindu Reform Movements
• Muslim Reform Movements
• Parsi Reform Movements
• Sikh Reform Movements
• Famous Personalities of Reform Movements
• Changes in Indian Administration after 1858
• Growth of Political Ideas and Political Organisations (up to 1885)
• Foundation of the Indian National Congress
• Early Phase Indian National Congress
• The Moderate Congress (1885-1905)
• Terrorist Movements
• The Revolutionary Movement
• Revolutionary Activities in Maharashtra
• Revolutionary Activities in Bengal
• Revival of Revolutionary Nationalism
• Revolutionary Activities Outside India
• The Indian Independence Committee in Berlin
• Differences between the Moderates and the Extremists
• Partition of Bengal,1905
• Swadeshi Movement
• Muslim League, 1906
• Surat Session of INC, 1907
• Indian Council Act (Morley-Minto Act) 1909
• Ghadar Party, 1913
• Komagata Maru Incident, 1914
• The Lucknow Pact, 1916
• Home Rule Movement (1915–1916)
• August Declaration, 1917
• Champaran Satyagraha, 1917
• Ahmadabad Mill Strike, 1918
• Kheda Satyagraha,1918
• Montague-Chelmsford Reforms or the Government of India act, 1919
• Rowlatt Act and Jallianwala Bagh Massacre (1919)
• Khilafat Movement
• The Non-Cooperation Movement (1920-22)
• The Left Movement
• Bardoli Resolution
• Nagpur Session of Congress
• Swaraj Party
• Simon Commission,1927
• Bardoli Satyagraha, 1928
• Nehru Report, 1928
• Jinnah’s Fourteen Points
• Lahore Session, 1929
• Civil Disobedience Movement (1930-1931)
• First Round Table Conference, 1930
• Gandhi-Irwin Pact, 1931
• Karachi session,1931
• Second Round Table Conference, 1931
• Second Phase of Civil Disobedience Movement
• Third Round Table Conference, 1932
• Communal Award
• Poona Pact, 1932
• Government of India Act, 1935
• Provincial Elections and Formation of popular Ministries in Provinces, 1937
• World War II and Indian Nationalism
• Resignation of Congress Ministers ,1939
• Poona Resolution and Conditional Support to Britain ,1941
• August Offer, 1940
• The Individual Civil Disobedience

Two-Nation Theory

• Demand for Pakistan,1942
• Quit India Movement
• Azad Hind Fauj
• Indian National Army
• I.N.A. Trials
• I.N. Rebellion
• Rajagopalachari Formula, 1945
• Desai – Liaqat Plan
• Wavell Plan and Simla Conference 1945
• General Elections in India, 1945
• Naval Mutiny, 1946
• Cabinet Mission,1946
• Jinnah’s Direct-Action Resolution
• Mountbatten Plan of June 1947
• Indian Independence Act 1947
• Bhil Uprising
• Kol Uprising
• Santhal Rebellion
• Jaintia and Garo Rebellion
• Rampa Rebellion
• Munda Rebellion
• Khonda Dora Uprisings
• Tana Bhagat Movement
• Champaran Satyagraha
• Kheda Peasant Struggle
• Bardoli Movement
• Moplah Rebellion
• Tebhaga Movement
• Telangana Movement
• Dalit Movements
• Women movement
• Role of Press and Publications
• Role of Business groups
• Reforms / Acts / Committee

Home » Modern Indian History » Freedom to Partition (1939 – 1947) » Two-Nation Theory

Introduction

• The two-nation theory  is an ideology of  religious nationalism  which significantly influenced the Indian subcontinent following its independence from the British Empire.
• The plan to partition British India into two states was announced on 3rd June 1947. These two states would be India and Pakistan.
• According to this theory,  Indian Muslims and Indian Hindus are two separate nations, with their own customs, religion, and traditions; therefore, from social and moral points of view, Muslims should be able to have their own separate homeland outside of Hindu-majority India.
• The ideology that religion is the determining factor in defining the nationality of Indian Muslims was undertaken by  Muhammad Ali Jinnah.

Critical events from 1909 to 1947 leading to Partition.

• The partition of Bengal in 1905 served as the first act of the British towards breaking Hindu Muslim unity.
• The reforms introduced a system under which separate electorates were formed, where in only Muslims could vote for Muslim candidates in constituencies reserved for them.
• By so doing the British wanted to promote the idea that the political, economic and cultural interests of the Muslims and Hindus were separate.
• Then, the Montagu Chelmsford reforms or the Government of India Act 1919 in addition to the reserved seats for Muslims.
• However, Following the Chauri Chaura incident(1922) where some British policemen were killed due to some action initiated by the participants of the Non-Cooperation movement, the movement itself was called off by Gandhiji.
• So, now the Muslim leaders felt betrayed since their cause of revolting against the removal of the Caliphate was left unfinished due to the calling off of the movement.
• From that time on, the differences between the Hindus and the Muslims only increased over a period of time and eventually became irreconcilable.
• He argued that Muslims and Hindus constituted two different nation s in themselves and were incompatible.
• At this time, the congress rejected this theory and argued in favour of a united India, based on unity between different religious groups.
• Further, the policy of the British to divide and rule got exemplified in the Communal Award of 1932 . This policy further strengthened the provisions for separate electorates.
• Conclusively, Jinnah in 1940 declared at the Muslim League conference held at Lahore, that “Hindus and the Muslims belong to two different religions, philosophies, social customs and literature. To yoke together two such nations under a single state, one as a numerical minority and the other as a majority, must lead to growing discontent and final destruction of any fabric that may be so built up for the government of such a state”
• The Mission did not accept the demand for Pakistan but allowed for a provision whereby provinces could secede from the Indian Union.
• But, the Congress and the Muslim League interpreted this in their own unique ways.
• There were communal tensions amongst the Hindus and the Muslims in places including Calcutta, Madras, Bombay, Bihar, Punjab
• He was asked by the British government to explore options of creating a united India or the option of partition
• However, the unity signs did not find place, and as a result India and Pakistan dominions were created in 1947

Analysis of Policies/Actions that led to the theory

• The British Colonial state chose to strengthen its power in India by adopting the strategy of dividing social groups and pitting them against each other
• The British said that in order to deal with the problem of Hindu-Muslim discord and in order to avert the threat of Hindu majoritarianism , it was critical to give special representation rights to the minorities.
• Firstly, communities were separated and defined on grounds of religious affiliation. This meant that Muslims, Hindus, Sikhs etc. were treated as separate communities and were given representational rights accordingly.
• Further these communities were believed to be completely different and hostile to each other. Thus, it was argued that only the representatives of each community could represent the interests of that community.
• Thirdly, the British readily accepted the communal spokespersons as the sole representatives of their communities. Towards the end of the British rule, Jinnah was seen as the sole spokesperson of the Muslims in Colonial India, inspite of the fact that other Muslim leaders were present within the Muslim League and in the Congress who were opposed to the idea of Partition.
• Thus, it is evident that Communalism could not have flourished the way it did, without the support of the British Colonial state.
• Thus, the policy of Divide and Rule lead to communalism and further , extreme communalism led to Partition .
• The Indian national movement succeeded in forming an alliance between some classes and communities and in acquiring independence from the British, but it failed to create unity which could have prevented Partition.
• So, what happened in 1947 was a result of the collapse of negotiations between the Congress and the Muslim League.
• One of the reasons for accepting the demand for Pakistan was that the Congress leaders came to the conclusion that the demand was based on ‘popular will’
• It was thought by some that after passions subsided, people would see the futility of Partition and would want to re-unite. 
• The Congress could have opted to oppose the demand for Partition through use of force but this was against its democratic ideals.
• Still, the Congress tried to pressurize the British to transfer power to a united India but didn’t succeed in the endeavour primarily because of its inability to forge a united front with the Muslim League representatives

Eventually, inevitable circumstances led to partition of India into two dominions. However, it all didn’t end here. It was followed by a serious aftermath of communal tensions across the two regions, disturbing peace and stability soon after Independence from British in 1947.

• Our Mission, Vision & Values
• Director’s Desk
• Commerce & Accountancy
• Previous Years’ Question Papers-Prelims
• Previous Years’ Question Papers-Mains
• Environment & Ecology
• Science & Technology

Two Nation Theory, History, Features and Impacts

Two-Nation theory was principal architect by Sir Syed Ahmed Khan. Read all the details related to two nation theory, History, Features and Impacts for UPSC Exam.

Table of Contents

Two Nation Theory

Following its independence from the British Empire, the Indian subcontinent was heavily affected by the two-nation theory, a religious nationalism ideology. On June 3rd, 1947, the proposal to divide British India into two nations was made public. India and Pakistan would be these two nations.

From a social and moral standpoint, Muslims should be able to have their own homeland outside of India, which has a majority of Hindus, because Indian Muslims and Indian Hindus are two distinct countries with their own customs, faith, and traditions. Muhammad Ali Jinnah developed the viewpoint that an Indian Muslim’s nationality is determined by their faith. Learn everything there is to know about the Two Nations theory for the UPSC exams.

Read about: Indian Independence Act 1947

Two Nation Theory History

A distinct state for Muslims in the subcontinent was emphasised by the two-nation theory. History plainly demonstrates that Muslim nationalism developed after the arrival of Islam on the subcontinent because it was impossible for Muslims and Hindus to coexist without nationalism showing up.

Muslim scholars made an effort to maintain the purity of Islam in response to the Bhakti movement, Deen-e-Ilahi, and other similar philosophies that sought to incorporate Islam into Hinduism. The two-nation theory emerged after the British occupation of the subcontinent due to Hindu dominance, Muslim backwardness, and the danger to their existence, as well as sporadic clashes between Hindus and Muslims.

According to the idea, Muslims are a distinct nation with unique culture, heritage, values, and civilization. The Congress party favored maintaining India’s unity as a secular nation where all faiths are treated equally. However, the two-nation theory led to the division of British India and the creation of Pakistan and India as distinct countries.

The controversial Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), which was approved in the Indian parliament later that year after more than 70 years, led to widespread protests across the nation. With one specific restriction: these refugees cannot be Muslims, the bill was approved to provide a route to citizenship for refugees who came to India from Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Afghanistan.

Read about: Mountbatten Plan

Two Nation Theory Feature

Sir Syed Ahmad Khan was regarded as the main architect of the Two Nation Theory because he used a novel figure of speech to convey the development of the Islamic identity. The Indian subcontinent was primarily impacted by the two-country hypothesis, a strict patriotism ideology, after it gained independence from the British Empire. The two-Nation Theory is a political theory that supports dividing India officially into Pakistan and India.

Sir Syed Ahmad Khan was regarded as the main architect of the Two-Nation theory because he used a novel figure of speech to convey the development of the Islamic identity. The Indian subcontinent was primarily impacted by the two-country hypothesis, a strict patriotism ideology, after it gained independence from the British Empire. The two-Nation Theory is a political theory that supports dividing India officially into Pakistan and India.

Read about: Direct Action Day

Two Nation Theory Impact

Bengal and the North Western Regions served as the birthplace of Muslim ministries. Having gained power through the different electorate framework, some Muslim pioneers have since begun to consider changing the beneficial separate electorate framework into a different patriot theory known as the two-country hypothesis, which claims that Muslims in India fundamentally changed the country in terms of its social, mental, and political makeup.

Sir Syed Ahmad Khan (1817–1898), who started the development of Muslim self-arousal and personality, was the first to articulate this idea. Sir Syed Ahmad forbade the Indian Muslim population from fading over to the Congress nationalist movement. He clarified that Indian Muslims put together their own nation and, for their own best interests, shouldn’t support Congress-driven movements for self-rule. His idea was well received by the early aristocrats, who needed allies to cope with the Congress-promoted development of Indian nationalism.

The Muslim League, which was doomed until 1929, gradually became the vehicle for Muslim governmental issues in Bengal and other Muslim majority regions after the congress’s non-co-activity of the Diarchy constitution at the common level alienated extensive Muslim political components from the patriot legislative issues of the Congress. At the Muslim League meeting in December 1930, writer and scholar Sir Muhammad Iqbal’s official position established the theoretical framework for the two-country hypothesis.

Read about: Interim Government

Two Nation Theory UPSC

When the Interim government and attempts at dialogue and negotiation with the Muslim League failed, the Congress agreed to the proposal for Pakistan. Even so, the Congress tried to persuade the British to hand over power to a united India, but it was unsuccessful in its efforts largely because it was unable to form a solid coalition with the Muslim League representatives.

India was divided into two dominions eventually as a result of unavoidable events. But this wasn’t the end of it all. Soon after the two regions gained independence from the British Empire in 1947, it was followed by a severe aftereffect of communal tensions that disturbed peace and stability.

Read about: Muslim League

Sharing is caring!

Who proposed two nation theory?

Sir Syed Ahmed Khan was credited with being the main architect of the Two-Nation theory because he gave the search for Islamic identity a contemporary idiom.

Who fathered the two nation theory?

The theory that religion is the determining factor in defining the nationality of Indian Muslims was promoted by Muhammad Ali Jinnah and became the basis of Pakistan Movement.

What was the concept of two nation theory?

The two nation theory is based on the hypothesis that Muslims differ from Hindus in terms of religious, cultural, social and daily life and that they must establish an independent Muslim state in which they can live freely their identities.

What is two nation theory by Jinnah?

Declaring Islam was endangered by a revived Hindu assertiveness, Jinnah and the league posited a “two-nation theory” that argued Indian Muslims were entitled to—and therefore required—a separate, self-governing state in a reconstituted subcontinent.

What are the reasons of two nation theory?

The Two Nation Theory was preaching that both the two major communities in India namely the Muslims and the Hindus wanted their own territorial boundaries which they could rule. The reason it was proposed was because both the communities had unmatched religion, social, political and cultural beliefs.

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Trending Event

• TNPSC Group 4 Result 2024
• UPSC ESIC Nursing Officer Result 2024
• UPSC EPFO PA Result 2024
• UPSC CMS Result 2024
• SSC Stenographer Apply Online 2024
• IB SA MTS Final Result 2024

Recent Posts

• UPSC Online Coaching
• UPSC Exam 2024
• UPSC Syllabus 2024
• UPSC Prelims Syllabus 2024
• UPSC Mains Syllabus 2024
• UPSC Exam Pattern 2024
• UPSC Age Limit 2024
• UPSC Calendar 2024
• UPSC Syllabus in Hindi
• UPSC Full Form
• UPPSC Exam 2024
• UPPSC Calendar
• UPPSC Syllabus 2024
• UPPSC Exam Pattern 2024
• UPPSC Application Form 2024
• UPPSC Eligibility Criteria 2024
• UPPSC Admit card 2024
• UPPSC Salary And Posts
• UPPSC Cut Off
• UPPSC Previous Year Paper

BPSC Exam 2024

• BPSC 70th Notification
• BPSC 69th Exam Analysis
• BPSC Admit Card
• BPSC Syllabus
• BPSC Exam Pattern
• BPSC Cut Off
• BPSC Question Papers

SSC CGL 2024

• SSC CGL Exam 2024
• SSC CGL Syllabus 2024
• SSC CGL Cut off
• SSC CGL Apply Online
• SSC CGL Salary
• SSC CGL Previous Year Question Paper
• SSC MTS 2024
• SSC MTS Apply Online 2024
• SSC MTS Syllabus 2024
• SSC MTS Salary 2024
• SSC MTS Eligibility Criteria 2024
• SSC MTS Previous Year Paper

SSC Stenographer 2024

• SSC Stenographer Notfication 2024
• SSC Stenographer Syllabus 2024
• SSC Stenographer Salary 2024

SSC GD Constable 2024

• SSC GD Salary 2025
• SSC GD Constable Syllabus 2025

IMPORTANT EXAMS

• Terms & Conditions
• Return & Refund Policy
• Privacy Policy

Two Nation Theory: In the Light of the Speeches of Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah

558 Pages Posted: 18 Mar 2012

Justice (R) Dr. Munir Ahmad Mughal

Punjab University Law College; Superior Law College

Date Written: March 13, 2012

This paper is an attempt to show in the light of the speeches of Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah the meaning and import of two nation theory. The over all impact of this theory is that Muslims and Hindus have different beliefs and their culture develops in the light of their respective beliefs. But as Pakistani citizens they will all be Pakistanis. Hindus will profess their religion and Muslims will profess their religion. There is no ambiguity in the objectives resolution. Pakistan is an Islamic Republic. State religion is Islam and nor law can be passed which is repugnant to the injunctions of Islam. Islam itself says that there is no compulsion in the matter of Religion. All citizens of Pakistan have equal protection of law in respect of their life, honour and property. All citizens are called citizens of Pakistan. As a Pakistani they are all loyal to the State. The law of the land fully protects the rights of minorities or non-Muslims. In this paper I have relied upon the collections of late Khurshid Ahmad Khan Yusufi who was a highly learned person and author of valuable books of which this collection edited by him is a monumental work. Bazm-i-Iqbal deserves the whole credit for having provided so authentic material for the researches which otherwise would have been difficult to obtain. I am to express my gratitude to the most honourable Mr. Majid Nizami, Chairman, Nazariyya-i-Pakistan Trust and the most honourable Dr. Rafiq Ahmad former Vice Chancellor and now Deputy Chairman of the Nazariyya-i-Pakistan Trust for being kind enough to gift me this valuable collection of four volumes. May they live long and may their efforts be the beacon light for the young generation. (Aameen).

Suggested Citation: Suggested Citation

Munir Ahmad Mughal (Contact Author)

Punjab university law college ( email ).

(Res.)125-B, Judicial Colony, Lahore Lahore, Punjab 54000 Pakistan 042-35304847 (Phone) 042-35311498 (Fax)

Superior Law College

(Res.)125-B, Judicial Colony Lahore, Punjab 54000 Pakistan 0092-42-35304847 (Phone) 0092-42-35311498 (Fax)

Do you have a job opening that you would like to promote on SSRN?

Paper statistics, related ejournals, political behavior: race, ethnicity & immigration politics ejournal.

Subscribe to this fee journal for more curated articles on this topic

Write a note on the Two-Nation Theory and the Lahore Resolution of March 1940

• Arooj Nadeem
• June 6, 2021
• CSS , CSS Solved Pakistan Affairs
• 37949 Views

Solved by Miss Arooj Nadeem

CSS Solved Pakistan Affairs Past Paper 2016 | Jinnah, in his Presidential Address to the annual session of All India Muslim League in March 1940, said“ The problem in India is not inter-communal, but manifestly of an international one, and it must be treated as such.” Write a note on the Two-Nation Theory and the Lahore Resolution of March 1940 in the light of this statement . CSS 2016

Question’s Breakdown:

In this question, the examiner asks you to discuss Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah’s views on Two Nation Theory and Lahore Resolution.   So, you are required to take a stance and prove it till the last of your sentence. Maintaining brevity and proper articulation and relevance would help the aspirants fetch the maximum marks.

The answer is solved on the given pattern, which  Sir Syed Kazim Ali  teaches his students, who consistently score the maximum because of their attempting the questions. The content is based on historical facts taught by  Sir Rameez Ch .

Outline 

1- Introduction 

In his Presidential Address to the annual session of the All India Muslim League in March 1940, Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah articulated the notion of the Two Nation Theory to make the world know that sub-continent had two separate nations. He brought the Muslims’ problems out of the box of communalism into the international character. He stated that the Hindus and the Muslims were two distinct nations with their own culture, norms, traditions, and history. So, merging them in any way would lead the region towards a complete disaster and chaos.

2- Quaid-e-Azam and Two Nation Theory 

• Emphatic exposition of Two Nation Theory by Quaid-e-Azam 
• Islam and Hinduism as two distinct civilisations, reconciling at no point
• Analogous to a coin, having two sides; religious identity and an independent homeland for Muslims

3- Presidential Address of Quaid-e-Azam on the occasion of the Lahore Resolution 

• Acceptance of the Lahore Resolution strengthened the Two-Nation Theory 
• Articulation of Two Nation Theory to make the world know that sub-continent had two separate nations
• Practical shape to the ideology given by Allama Iqbal 

4- Critical Analysis  5- Conclusion 

Answer to the Question

Introduction

Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah inculcated the Two-Nation Theory effectively on the occasion of the Lahore Resolution, 1940. The differences between the Hindus and the Muslims were so immense that their peaceful union under one central government was near impossible. Also, he considered it an international issue as both the Hindus and the Muslims were a nation by every right. Meanwhile, their differences started gaining the world’s attention. Furthermore, the league resolved that any future constitutional plans proposed by the British for India would be acceptable to the Muslims only if they would be given an independent state. Having passed the Lahore Resolution, the then Muslims of India changed their ultimate goal. Instead of protecting their fundamental right in United India, they chose a path whose destination was a separate homeland for the Muslims of India. This answer comprehensively discusses Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah’s Two-Nation Theory and the Lahore Resolution.

“We maintain and hold that Muslims and Hindus are two major nations by any definition or test of a nation. We are a nation of a hundred million, and what is more, we are a nation with our own distinctive culture and civilisation and, therefore, have every right to have our own separate homeland.”

(Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah)

Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, a Muslim great leader in the subcontinent, gave the clearest and most emphatic exposition of the Two-Nation Theory. To him, it was analogous to a coin having two sides. On the one hand, it was to save the religious identity of the Muslims; on the other hand, a prosperous homeland for the Muslims without being subjugated or suppressed. Moreover, Islam and Hinduism represented two distinct and separate civilisations, having different origins, traditions and manners of life. Both nations derived their inspiration from various sources of history. They had different epics, different heroes and different episodes. The hero of one was a foe of the other; likewise, their victories and defeats overlap. To yoke together two such nations under a single state, one as a numerical minority and the other as a majority, must lead to growing discontent and final destruction of a state. With that, having a common belief in the Two-Nation Theory for the creation of Pakistan was an essential element for which Muslim League had been making efforts since its inception. Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, together with Muslim League leaders and other Muslims of the subcontinent, had a staunched belief in a separate identity of the Muslims and the Hindus that could never be merged into a single nation. Based on Two Nation Theory, A. K Fazal-ul-Haq, the then Chief Minister of Bengal, presented the Lahore resolution. 

Undoubtedly, the acceptance of the Lahore Resolution strengthened the Two-Nation Theory that was the basis of Muslims’ struggle for independence in the Subcontinent. Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah took a stand and declared that  Muslims are not a minority and they are a nation by any definition; therefore, they have every right to demand a separate Muslim homeland . He also emphasised that no constitutional plan would be workable or acceptable to the Muslims unless contiguous geographical units were demarcated into regions. He considered, “ The problem in India is not inter-communal, but manifestly of an international one, and it must be treated as such.”   Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah’s foresightedness that if this issue were confined to the subcontinent only, it would remain unresolved. It was the need for an hour to highlight this matter at an international forum to preserve the identity, culture, and, above all, religion of the Indian Muslims.   He also criticized the federal scheme for India as envisaged in the Act of 1935 by pointing out the shortcoming of this scheme and negating it openly. Furthermore, the resolution rejected the concept of a United India and stressed the creation of an independent Muslim state. This stance broke the dreams of Congress into pieces. It is undeniable that Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah gave a practical shape to the ideology given by Allama Iqbal. 

“The Hindus and the Muslims belong to two different religious philosophies, social customs and literature. They neither inter-marry nor inter-dine, and, indeed, they belong to two different civilizations based mainly on conflicting ideas and conceptions.”

Critical Analysis  

To critically evaluate, there is no doubt that the Lahore Resolution created a new history of the fate of India and affected millions of the Muslims of the subcontinent. After this resolution, the revolutionary period was started as the Two-Nation Theory was not merely confined to the theory; it had become the thought of every then Muslim in India. The effective leadership of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah inspired the then Muslims of British India and transformed them from a community to a nation. As aptly said by Quaid-e-Azam

No power on earth can undo Pakistan.

Conclusion 

In a nutshell, Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, along with the Muslim League leaders and other Muslims of the subcontinent, demanded a separate Muslim state, Pakistan, to secure their cultural, social, and, above all, religious rights. Lahore Resolution became a turning point in the history of the Muslims of India as the scenario before and after Lahore Resolution was utterly different. It taught the zeal for freedom in Muslims. Having passed the Lahore Resolution, the consistent efforts and struggles of the then Muslims proved fruitful and turned the dream of a separate homeland into reality within seven years.

کبھی اے نوجواں مسلم! تدّبر بھی کیا تونے؟ وہ کیا گردوں تھا، تو جس کا ہے اک ٹوٹا ہوا تارا ؟   

   (شاعر ملت, علامہ محمد اقبال) 

About Miss Arooj Nadeem:

Miss Arooj Nadeem is a famous pharmacist by profession. She has been engaged in research in the field of pharmacy for years. To let people of the world know about medicines and health, she started learning writing by joining Sir Syed Kazim Ali. She is also a CSS & PMS aspirant. After learning creative writing, she has begun solving past paper questions on the guidelines given by Sir Syed Kazim Ali, Miss Zaineb Azam, and Sir Rameez Ch. to help thousands of CSS and PMS aspirants. She is trying to solve all the CSS and PMS past papers with the help of Sir Kazim’s students, who qualified for the exams or scored the highest marks.

CSS 2022 Solved Pakistan Affairs Past Papers

The following are the CSS 2022 Pakistan Affairs solved past papers questions. These questions have been evaluated and checked by Pakistan’s top Pakistan Affairs and Current Affairs coaches, who are either lecturers or officers and scored the highest marks in this paper. They include Miss Saba Baloch (CSS-2021), Miss Aimeen Mirza (CSS 2018), Miss Nirmal Hasni (DD NAB), Sir Rameez Ch. (Lecturer & Deputy Director), and Miss Zaineb Azam (the highest scorer – 76). Moreover, these questions have been attempted on the same pattern taught by Sir Syed Kazim Ali to his students who have been scoring the highest marks for years.

CSS 2021 Solved Pakistan Affairs Questions

More Essays

• Meaning Purposive Education
• Bureaucracy Doldrums
• Is Gender Equality a Myth?
• Pros and Cons of Globalization for Pakistan
• Islamophobia: Causes and Consequences
• Artificial intelligence: Its Merits and Demerits
• IMF Bailouts: Roads to Stability or Recipes for Disaster
• Can Foreign Aid Help A Country Achieve Economic Stability?
• Consequences of American Withdrawal from Afghanistan on South Asia
• Money And Success Do Not Change People; They Merely Amplify What Is Already There
• Almost Always, The Creative, Dedicated Minority Has Made The World Better

Articles Might Interest You!

Recent Posts

Top Categories

Cssprepforum, education company.

cssprepforum.com

Welcome to Cssprepforum, Pakistan’s largest learning management system (LMS) with millions of questions along with their logical explanations educating millions of learners, students, aspirants, teachers, professors, and parents preparing for a successful future. 

Founder:   Syed Kazim Ali Founded:  2020 Phone: +92-332-6105-842 +92-300-6322-446 Email:  [email protected] Students Served:  10 Million Daily Learners:  50,000 Offered Courses: Visit Courses  

More Courses

Basic English Grammar and Writing Course

Extensive English Essay & Precis Course for CSS and PMS

CSS English Essay and Precis Crash Course for 2023

Subscribe to our mailing list to receives daily updates direct to your inbox.

• CSS Solved Essays
• CSS Solved GSA
• CSS Solved PA
• CSS Solved Islamiat
• Current Affairs
• All Courses
• Writers Club
• All Authors
• All Members
• All Teachers
• Become an Author
• Who is Sir Syed Kazim Ali?
• Privacy Policy

CssPrepForum is Pakistan’s largest and greatest platform for CSS, PMS, FPSC, PPSC, SPSC, KPPSC, AJKPSC, BPSC, GBPSC, NTS, and other One Paper 100 Marks MCQs exams’ students. It has become Pakistan’s most trusted website among CSS, PMS students for their exams’ preparation because of its high-quality preparation material.

@ 2023 Cssprepforum. All RightsReserved.

Trump and Allies Forge Plans to Increase Presidential Power in 2025

The former president and his backers aim to strengthen the power of the White House and limit the independence of federal agencies.

Donald J. Trump intends to bring independent regulatory agencies under direct presidential control. Credit... Doug Mills/The New York Times

Supported by

• Share full article

By Jonathan Swan Charlie Savage and Maggie Haberman

• Published July 17, 2023 Updated July 18, 2023

Donald J. Trump and his allies are planning a sweeping expansion of presidential power over the machinery of government if voters return him to the White House in 2025, reshaping the structure of the executive branch to concentrate far greater authority directly in his hands.

Their plans to centralize more power in the Oval Office stretch far beyond the former president’s recent remarks that he would order a criminal investigation into his political rival, President Biden, signaling his intent to end the post-Watergate norm of Justice Department independence from White House political control.

Mr. Trump and his associates have a broader goal: to alter the balance of power by increasing the president’s authority over every part of the federal government that now operates, by either law or tradition, with any measure of independence from political interference by the White House, according to a review of his campaign policy proposals and interviews with people close to him.

Mr. Trump intends to bring independent agencies — like the Federal Communications Commission, which makes and enforces rules for television and internet companies, and the Federal Trade Commission, which enforces various antitrust and other consumer protection rules against businesses — under direct presidential control.

He wants to revive the practice of “impounding” funds, refusing to spend money Congress has appropriated for programs a president doesn’t like — a tactic that lawmakers banned under President Richard Nixon.

He intends to strip employment protections from tens of thousands of career civil servants, making it easier to replace them if they are deemed obstacles to his agenda. And he plans to scour the intelligence agencies, the State Department and the defense bureaucracies to remove officials he has vilified as “the sick political class that hates our country.”

We are having trouble retrieving the article content.

Please enable JavaScript in your browser settings.

Thank you for your patience while we verify access. If you are in Reader mode please exit and  log into  your Times account, or  subscribe  for all of The Times.

Thank you for your patience while we verify access.

Already a subscriber?  Log in .

Want all of The Times?  Subscribe .

Advertisement