Idea of Pakistan in Colonial Punjab

CRAVING AN IDEAL MUSLIM STATE

What experts are saying about this book:

"Step into the vibrant cafes, newspapers, and meeting halls of colonial Lahore! Dr. Raza takes us right into Punjab's public sphere, showing how writers, poets, and leaders – figures like Allama Iqbal, Ch Rahmat Ali, and Fazl-i-Hussain – actually shaped the very idea of Pakistan. They wove powerful religious symbolism into the conversation, directly fueling the push for partition. By looking at voices like Inyatullah Mashriqi and Syed Attaullah Bukhari, we see how Muslim consciousness surged before 1940. This book reveals how dynamic public debate in Punjab didn't just support the Pakistan movement from 1940-1947 – it was the engine driving it. A vital read that changes how we see this history."

~ Dr. Iqbal Chawla
University of the Punjab, Lahore

"For too long, many have claimed Pakistan was almost an accident – poorly thought out, born from failed elite talks, a sign of leaders out of touch with the people. Dr. Raza Taimoor's powerful book smashes that idea. It places Punjab squarely at the heart of the Muslim separatist movement. He shows us exactly how the idea of Pakistan was born, grew, and was fiercely debated across Punjab – not just in closed rooms, but openly by the region's thinkers and writers. Most importantly, he shows it wasn't just an elite dream; ordinary Muslims passionately imagined Pakistan as their 'craving for an ideal Muslim state.' This book forces us to rethink everything."

~ Dr. Faraz Anjum
University of the Punjab, Lahore

Pages: 231
Author: Muhammad Raza Taimoor
Format: Hardback
Language: English