Idea of Pakistan in Colonial Punjab

Was Pakistan an accident of failed negotiations, or a profound popular aspiration? Idea of Pakistan in Colonial Punjab by Muhammad Raza Taimoor shatters the conventional narrative. This groundbreaking work places the vibrant public discourse of pre-Partition Punjab at the very heart of the movement, revealing how poets, journalists, and ordinary Muslims actively shaped and “craved” an ideal Muslim state.

Discover the Intellectual Engine of a Nation
Step beyond the high politics of Delhi and Simla. Dr. Taimoor takes you into the cafes, newspapers, and meeting halls of colonial Lahore and beyond, showing how thinkers like Allama Iqbal, Ch Rahmat Ali, and Fazl-i-Hussain wove powerful religious and political symbolism into a compelling national vision. The book argues this dynamic public sphere wasn’t just supportive - it was the engine driving the Pakistan movement long before the 1940 Lahore Resolution.

Why This Book Changes Everything:

• Debunks a Major Myth: It forcefully counters the idea that Pakistan was a poorly conceived, elite-driven accident, showing instead a deeply rooted, passionately debated popular ideal.
• Gives Voice to the People: Reveals how “ordinary Muslims passionately imagined Pakistan,” moving historical agency from a handful of leaders to the intellectual and emotional life of a community.
• Focus on Punjab’s Central Role: Corrects the historical lens by meticulously documenting how the demand was nurtured, articulated, and fiercely debated within Punjab itself.
• Expert Acclaim: Hailed by scholars like Dr. Iqbal Chawla as “a vital read that changes how we see this history,” and by Dr. Faraz Anjum as a work that “forces us to rethink everything.”

A Vital Read for Understanding Pakistan’s Soul
This is more than history; it’s an exploration of the intellectual and emotional foundations upon which Pakistan was built. It answers not just what happened, but how and why the idea took such powerful hold in the hearts and minds of people in its pivotal heartland.

Essential For:

• Students & Scholars of South Asian history, political science, and post-colonial studies.
• History Enthusiasts & Readers in Pakistan seeking a deeper, more nuanced origin story of their nation.
• Writers, Journalists & Educators looking for a robust, source-driven counter-narrative to simplistic partition histories.
• Anyone interested in how public opinion, media, and intellectual debate forge national movements.

Authoritative Hardcover Edition:
This substantial hardback is a definitive contribution to the historiography of Pakistan. It is a necessary addition to the library of anyone committed to understanding the complex, ideologically rich origins of the country.

Rethink the birth of a nation. Discover the powerful craving that fueled its creation.

Order the Hardback Today. This pivotal historical study is available for delivery across Pakistan. Purchase securely online with cash on delivery available.