biographies of quaid

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 Biographies Of Quaid-E-Azam Muhammad Al i J innah: Following are the four most prominent biographies written on Muhammad Ali Jinnah. A brief review of each is given below:  Jinnah Of Pakistan: By: Stanley Wolpert Introduction:  There are many books written by both akistani and foreign authors on !uaid"e"A#am Mohammad Ali Jinnah but none e$uals %tanley &olperts 'Jinnah (f akistan ). Following are some of the words spoken by di*erent people from all over the world about the greatness of this book: ' An important contribution to the study of one of the most signi+cant episodes of modern history, the partition of -ndia.  Jinnahs role has been consistently distorted both in scholarly work. &olpert has succeeded in showing Jinnah as a rationalist of great intelligence and political ability, who was driven to become the spokesman for the partition of -ndia by tides of -ndian /ationalism.) (Ainslie T . Embree, Chairman, Department of History , Columbia University)

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Biographies Of Quaid-E-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah:Following are the four most prominent biographies written on Muhammad Ali Jinnah. A brief review of each is given below:

Jinnah Of Pakistan: By: Stanley Wolpert

Introduction:

There are many books written by both Pakistani and foreign authors on Quaid-e-AzamMohammad Ali Jinnah but none equals Stanley Wolperts Jinnah Of Pakistan. Following are some of the words spoken by different people from all over the world about the greatness of this book:

An important contribution to the study of one of the most significant episodes of modern history, the partition of India. Jinnahs role has been consistently distorted both in scholarly work. Wolpert has succeeded in showing Jinnah as a rationalist of great intelligence and political ability, who was driven to become the spokesman for the partition of India by tides of Indian Nationalism.(Ainslie T. Embree, Chairman, Department of History, Columbia University)

This masterly biography of Pakistans Founder and Great Leader is also a thorough and objective study of the coming of political independence and partition to the Indian subcontinent.(Holden Furber, Emeritus Professor of History, University of Pennsylvania)

Scholarly, insightful, understanding and brilliant. Scholarship and the art of portrayal merge so masterfully in the work that Jinnahs personality becomes truly alive.(Fazl Ur Rahman, Professor of Near Eastern Languages and Civilizations, University of Chicago)

A magnificent biography We should be grateful to Stanley Wolpert for a book that combines meticulous research and scholarship with a lively and interesting style. He is one of the rare species: a scholar who can and will - write well.(Norman D. Palmer, Emeritus Professor of Political Science and South Asian Studies, University of Pennsylvania)

The first scholarly biography of one of the most important political figures of the modern world. Beautifully written, insightful, and dispassionate, it brings to life this complex, brilliant, and ambitious leader who did more than anyone else to bring to realization the seemingly chimerical dream of the founding a Muslim majority state in the Indian subcontinent. All readers interested in the contemporary history can profit greatly from reading this book.(Nikki Keddie, Past President, Middle East studies Association of North America)

Inside The Book: First three lines of book says it all, a tribute associated with none other than Jinnah. It is:

Few individuals significantly alter the course of history, fewer still modify the map of the world.Hardly anyone can be credited with creating a Nation State, Mohammad Ali Jinnah did all three.

It goes on further:

Hailed as great leader (Quaid-e-Azam) of Pakistanand its first governor general, Jinnah virtually conjured that country into Statehood by the force of his indomitable will. His place of primacy in Pakistans history looms like a lofty minaret over the achievement of all his contemporaries in the Muslim League. Yet Jinnah began his political career as a leader of Indias National Congress and until after World War 1 remained Indias best Ambassador of Hindu-Muslim unity. As enigmatic a figure as Mahatma Gandhi, more power full than Pundit Nehru, Quaid-e-Azam Jinnah was one of recent historys most charismatic leaders and least known personalities. For more than a quarter of century I have been intrigued by the apparent paradox of Jinnahs strange story ,which as to date never told in all the fascinating complexity of its brilliant light and tragic darkness.

Portraying Jinnahs story in all of its human complexity. Wolpert begins in the late nineteenth century with Jinnahs early life as a provincial country-boy in Karachi and follows him to London where he studied law and became a British barrister. Returning to India in 1896, Jinnah rapidly ascended the dual ladders of Indian law and politics, climbing to the top rung of each. By the 1920s, however, it appeared that Jinnahs political career was at an end, superseded by the rise of Gandhis leadership and the movement of India in a more revolutionary direction. Yet, Jinnah was to remain a pivotal figure in the turbulent decades that followed, as India struggled for independence from British rule amid growing Hindu-Muslim antagonism.Wolpert vividly recounts how the tragic clash of personalities and party platforms that initially pitted Jinnah against Gandhi escalated from a personal rivalry into a conflict of national and international proportions. Wolpert shows how Jinnahs shrewd and skilful leadership combined brilliant advocacy and singular tenacity to win his suit for the creation of Pakistan on behalf of the Muslim nationhis sole client during the last, lonely, pain-filled decade of his lifeThe book encompasses Quaid-e-Azam stay at Karachi, Bombay, Calcutta, Amritsar, New Delhi, London, Shimla, Lahore and Quetta and his final days at Ziarat as well.Book describes in detail the gloomiest hours of Jinnahs life and steadfast resolve of his for achievement of an independent country for the Muslims of sub-continent and also a rock like support from her only family member Fatima Jinnah, her Sister.Describing Last days of Jinnah Stanley Wolperts writes: Jinnah lived on a few cups of tea and coffee, and some plain water to swallow his pills. He lay in bed quietly all day, listless, apathetic, depressed. Fatie I am no longer interested in living. The sooner I go, the better, he confessed before the month ended. It does not matter whether I live or die he told Bakhsh onAugust 29. Bakhsh noticed tears in his eyes ,and was startled by this manifestation of feeling in one generally looked upon as unemotional and unbending.I had always felt that he had been kept going, despite his low vitality, by an indomitable will. I knew from experience that when a patient gave up the fight no treatment, however perfect ,could achieve much, and was, therefore, greatly distressed to find that the man of iron will had given up the fight.(page -368)Capturing the very end Stanley Wolpert writes:Quaid-e-Azam Jinnah died at 10:20 pm on September11, 1948. All that remained of him weighed only 70 pounds wrapped in a simple shroud, he was buried the next day in Karachi, where a handsome domed monument of pink marble now stands, housing the remains of one of the historys most remarkable, tenacious, enigmatic figures.

JINNAH: CREATOR OF PAKISTAN

By: Hector Bolitho

Introduction:

Jinnah: Creator of Pakistan was the official biography of the founder of Pakistan, Quaid-I-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah. It proved popular, and from the year of its first publication in 1954, it was printed many times. The book Jinnah creator of Pakistan is one of the most readable and vivid sketch of the character and carrier of the Creator of Pakistan been written by Hector Bolitho in his familiar style. For a full thirty years it was the only internationally acknowledged work on Mohammad Ali Jinnah. In this book, Bolitho has collected anecdotes and assessments from a large number of Jinnahs colleagues and acquaintances and has strung them together very skilfully upon an outline of the domestic events of Jinnahs life and of the great political events in which he played so dominant a part.

Hector Bolitho's Jinnah: Creator of Pakistan (1954) became his most celebrated and influential book. Frustrated however, at what he was not allowed to write or include, Bolitho preserved for scholars the first draft of his biography, his diary and notes, his correspondence with Government of Pakistan functionaries and highly placed individuals in Britain, India and Pakistan who had known Jinnah personally, and the English and American reviews of the book's published version. All of this material is present in this volume. In Quest of Jinnah which gives not only a stereovision of the original published version, but offers fresh and authentic insights into the personality and politics of Mohammed Ali Jinnah. It is a very rare version.

Inside The Book:

Bolitho successfully comprehend all the aspects of Jinnahs life with great professional skill. He takes start from the very early age of Jinnah. He draws a sketch of Kathiawar, the native land of the Parents of M.A Jinnah, his family background and their migration to Karachi, now a day the capital of Sind a province of Pakistan.

The author gives full exposure to Jinnahs professionalism. He not only discusses the early life of Jinnah in detail but also gives a very comprehensive picture of the society in which Jinnah lived. He has expressed Jinnahs life from early Childhood to a young politician with great lucidity. Bolithos Jinnah is a competent, honest professional and a hard-working personality equipped with legal proficiency and quick decision making qualities while performing as a Magistrate. As an advocate he was equally vocal and scrupulously honest. His faith in himself was incredible while replaying to the Judge who said to him, Mr Jinnah, remember that you are not addressing a third Class magistrate Jinnah answered, My Lord, allow me to warn you that you are not addressing a third class pleader. There was no one to touch him in legal argument. Bolitho then turns towards the political carrier of M.A Jinnah. He has discussed in detail the early political carrier of Jinnah. In 1906, he joined Indian National Congress due to the influence of nationalism leadership like Gopal Krishna Gokhale, Dada Bhai Nauroji and W.C Bannergee. He was particular by very much impressed by the political approach of Dada Bhi Nauroji commonly known as Grand old man of India. Jinnah entered politics when he was thirty Years old, financially safe and sound and had made his carrier and fortune safe and bright. Later on he used to advise the young students in these words, dont enter politics until you have made Congress held at Calcutta, Jinnah was a private Secretary to Dada Bhai Nauroji. In that session, Nauroji bluntly demanded self-government, or Swaraj.

In part two of the book the author offers an aesthetic touch to the historical background of the region now Lahore the river Indus, Jhelum and Chenab, Mughal empire monuments and streets of Lahore, the Sikh Raj, back ground for Pakistan, reawakening of the Muslim, advent of British into Subcontinent, transfer of the government of India to the crown from East India company and war of independence 1857. Then in a briefed mille tone, he describes the family background, life history and services of Sir Syed Ahmad Khan rendered for the Muslims. Here the author also briefly discusses the early years of the free movement from 1857 down to 1905 during which Syed Ahmad reached to a conclusion that Separation of the two Chief races in India i.e. Hindus and Muslims was inevitable and that only through education the Muslim might find the way to freedom peace and reason for that purpose he succeeded in establishing Aligarh College which later on become University in 1920.

In the same book further covers all personal and political aspects of Jinnahs life. Capturing the end it says: At about 9:30 P.M. The Quaid showed signs of acute discomfort. His doctors were by his beside, examining him. His doctors raised the end of the Quaid-i-Azams bed, to hasten the flow of blood to his heart. Then they tried to inject a drug into his veins, but the veins had collapsed. At 9:50 Colonel Ilahi Bakhsh leaned over and whispered, Sir, we have given you an injection to strengthen you, and it will soon have its effect. God willing, you are going to live.

Quaid-i-Azam moved his head and spoke for the last time: he said faintly,No, I am not. Thirty minutes later, while sleeping peacefully, he breathed his last.

MY BROTHER:

By: Fatima Jinnah

Introduction:

My Brother is the biography of Muhammad Ali Jinnah, the founder of Pakistan, by his sister Fatima Jinnah. It is thought that the publication of Hector Bolitho's book, Jinnah Creator of Pakistan in 1954 prompted Miss Jinnah to write about her brother as it was felt that Bolitho's book had failed to bring out the political aspects of her brother's life. It was published by the Quaid-i-Azam Academy in 1987. A major focus of the book are his political aspirations and how his failing health affected them. The Daily Times summarized it as "...he was aware of the peril his failing health posed, thus wanted to do whatever he could to build the new country whose existence was precarious owing to lack of resources and enormous challenges on the economic and political fronts."[3] It explores his feelings of betrayal in older age and sickness, for example, when picked by an ambulance when struggling to breathe, it ran out of gas, and then lay in wait for an hour for another to come.

My Brother makes a controversial claim that Muhammad Ali Jinnah was born in Kharadar, Karachi, and not the Wazir Mansion, that official records declare.The relevance of the book, in the existing gloom enveloping our country, is greater than ever, for it carries the roadmap which, if followed, can steer us back towards the path envisioned by the Father of the Nation. During his address on October 30, 1947 at the University Stadium Lahore, the Quaid said, There is no power on earth that can undo Pakistan. It has come to stay. The book highlights those aspects of Jinnahs life, which no one else could explain so passionately and with utmost honesty and truthfulness as done by his sister.Inside The Book:The first chapter The Nation is orphaned is dedicated mostly to the failing health of the Quaid when his personal physician Dr Ilahi Bux struggled to save his life while convincing him unsuccessfully to cut down on his daily hectic routine. As one reads through these pages, it becomes evident that he was aware of the peril his failing health posed, thus wanted to do whatever he could to build the new country whose existence was precarious owing to lack of resources and enormous challenges on the economic and political fronts.During this period of failing health, his mind worked as clearly as ever. This is evident from his taking note of and subsequently advising the bureaucracy and the military how to conduct their business while remaining within the constitutional boundaries. On April 14, he called a meeting of civil officers at Government House in Peshawar. He mixed freely and personally met many of them. During the informal discussion with them he said, The first thing that I want to tell you is this, that you should not be influenced by any political pressure, by any political party or individual politician. He further went on to say, I wish also to take the opportunity of impressing upon our leaders and politicians in the same way that if they ever try to interfere with you and bring political pressure to bear upon you, which leads to nothing but corruption, bribery and nepotism, which is a horrible disease...they are doing nothing but disservice to Pakistan. In an address to officers of the Staff College, Quetta, in June 1948, he said, I am persuaded to say this because during my talks with one or two very high ranking officers I discovered that they did not know the implication of the oath taken by troops of Pakistan. And then the Quaid went on to read the oath in totality.Fatima Jinnah brings to light the bitter realities towards the end of Jinnahs days when he felt betrayed and was seen as a broken man. One day, looking intently into my eyes, he said, Fati I am no more interested in living. The sooner I go the better.These feelings of betrayal and helplessness became further evident when the ambulance which was to take him from the Mauripur Airport to the Governor General House, Karachi, coughed, as if gasping for breath, and came to a sudden stop as it had run short of petrol. The other ambulance came one hour late thus diminishing any chances of saving his life. This was not any ordinary person, but the first Governor General of Pakistan and the founder of the nation whose life was at stake. Reference to this incident in the book raises many questions, which to date remain unanswered.His painful voice echoes as the reader is caught in an emotional trauma reading the lines addressed to his sister. Yes ... take me to Karachi ... I was born there ... I want to be buried ... there. His eyes closed, and I stayed by his bedside. I could hear his thoughts ramble in the realm of his unconsciousness. He whispered in his sleep, Kashmir ... Give them ... the right ... to decide ... Constitution ... I will complete it ... soon ... Refugees ... give them ... all assistance ... Pakistan. Towards the end, He slept for about two hours, undisturbed. And then he opened his eyes, saw me, and signalled with his head and eyes for me to come near him. He made one last attempt and whispered, Fati, Khuda Hafiz ... La Ilaha IL Allah ... Mohammad... Rasul ... Allah. His head dropped slightly to his right, his eyes closed. The nation was orphaned, forever.

MUHAMMAD ALI JINNAH(A POLITICAL STUDY):By: Mutlubul Hassan SaiyidIntroduction:This is the biography written by personal secretary of Jinnah and it focusses mainly on political life of Jinnah starting from his early life and career making.Inside The Book:The book starts with describing Jinnahs birth as:On Christmas day of year 1876, which fell on Sunday, was in city of Karachi, Muhammad Ali Jinnah to gladden the hearts of their lucky parents, for he was their first-born child.Further it describes:Law was the first and foremost passion in Jinnahs life. Therefore, he manifested a keen interest in formulating and interpreting law from the very beginning of his career as a legislator. His intellectual vigour and deep knowledge of law and his efforts to use these qualities to bring substantial good to his people won him praises of all his contemporaries.His hard work after coming back from England in making his name as a lawyer is also described in a good way. Jinnah, himself, reveals the secret of his success in these words: Character, courage, industry and perseverance are the four pillars on which whole edifice of human life can be built, and failure is a word unknown to me. His short and pithy speeches in the Council reflected his rational, logical, discreet and dispassionate approach. His stand was always based on reason rather than emotions. He never allowed himself to show any sign of prejudice. His attitude during the course of a debate on the resolution tabled by Babu Bhupendra Nath Basru, in March 1912 on the subject of police administration is worthy to mention in this regard. The resolution had two parts, one concerned with administration and the other with amendments to the law of confession. In both cases, the inquiry through an appointed Commission was demanded. Jinnahs opening remarks on the resolution revealed that he wished the resolution to be dealt purely on its merit and questions of racial, national or personal character should not be entered into the debate as the matter was primarily one affecting the administration of the country. He endorsed the demand for the appointment of a Commission to inquire whether there was a particular evil that was to be remedied or a particular system that was to be altered. However, he strongly opposed the second part of the resolution by citing two instances and argued that there was no need to appoint the Commission when the Council was fully capable of dealing matters with any legal flaws. He said: Why usurp this Council of its proper functions and leave a matter of this kind to a Commission, where, we can do that ourselves here?He was a believer of National solidarity but without impairing the interests of Muslims. Jinnah during his tenure as a parliamentarian, always strongly supported the measures, which he thought could contribute towards the advancement of Indians. He always pursued his arguments in this regard with vigour, fervour and sincere conviction. He threw all his weight to impress upon the Government. Among many cases, his valuable contribution to the cause of Civil Services, his criticism and useful suggestions to the recommendations of the Lee Commission and his strong plea for the competitive examination to be held simultaneously in India and England manifested the character with which he served his countrymen inside the legislature.His bold and frank attitude, especially on the question of simultaneous examinations for Indian Civil Services in India and England will be memorable. He said: Now the first difficulty which the Honble Member (Sir William Vincent) puts forward is that it (resolution) would certainly not maintain the preponderance of the British element. Now, Sir, May I know why is it necessary to have a preponderance of the British element? Why? If, as we are contemplating, we are not going to have, I hope, for a very long time a bureaucracy that will be the servant of the people, and that is what we are realized in the reconstruction of the Government, we hope that the bureaucracy which under the present constitution are the masters and the rulers, will be the servants of the people. If that is to be realized, may I, Sir, know why there should be a substantial element of the British?In the similar way this book covers all political events of Jinnahs life in a well-balanced and maintained way to the end.

Conclusion:I will conclude with the following words of Stanley Wolpert about our great Quaid:Such was the great dream and legacy of your Nations Father. No wonder you continue to revere him as your Quaid-e-Azam, and to enshrine him in your hearts as well as in noble monuments of marble. But the greatest tribute to any man of such genius and inspired leadership, remember, is the do what he asked of you not simple to pay lip-service to his memory but to activate his legacy by transforming yourselves, and daily labours and nationwide support and co-operation to help turn his Pakistan and yours into one of the greater nation of the world!QUAID-E-AZAM ZINDABAD!PAKISTAN ZINDABAD!(A lecture by Stanley Wolpert, Professor of history, University of California, Los Angeles. Delivered at a seminar organized by the Institute of Regional Studies: March 22, 1998)

THE END