Jinnah His Successes, Failures and Role in History

Circa 1867

The Deoband School, a purist Islamic seminary, was established in the United Provinces (UP) of India.

1873

Syed Ahmed Khan published the book "The Causes of the Indian Revolt" criticizing Britain for alienating the natives.

December 28, 1885

The Indian National Congress (INC) was founded in Bombay; two Muslims were among the 72 delegates.

1905 - Partition of Bengal

The partition created a rift between Hindu and Muslim elites.

1906 - Jinnah joined Indian National Congress

Muhammad Ali Jinnah joined the Indian National Congress.

1906 - Lord Morley announced reforms

Lord Morley, the British Secretary of State, announced constitutional reforms.

1906 - Muslim leaders met Viceroy Minto

A delegation led by Sir Aga Khan met Viceroy Minto, seeking recognition of Muslims as a distinct community in reforms.

1906 - All-India Muslim League founded

The All-India Muslim League (AIML) was founded in Dhaka.

1909 - Indian Reforms Act

The Indian Reforms Act was passed to grant more representation to natives.

1911 - Annulment of Bengal Partition

The partition of Bengal was annulled, which had intensified religious divides.

1914 - Start of World War I

World War I began; Jinnah attended a reception for Gandhi in London.

1915 - Gandhi Returns to India

Mahatma Gandhi returned from South Africa and became a prominent Congress leader; Hindu Mahasabha was founded.

1916 - Jinnah Leads Muslim League

Muhammad Ali Jinnah became the president of the All-India Muslim League for the first time; the Lucknow Pact, an agreement between Congress and the Muslim League, was signed.

1917

The Khairi brothers presented the idea of an Islamic state based on Islamic socialism at the International Socialist Conference in Stockholm.

1917

The Bolshevik Revolution occurred in Russia.

1918

Sir Aga Khan proposed the idea of a Muslim state beyond India.

1919

The Rowlatt Act was passed; Jinnah resigned from the Imperial Legislative Council in protest; the Jallianwala Bagh massacre occurred; the Government of India Act (1919) was enacted; the Khilafat Movement began.

December 1920

Jinnah opposed Gandhi's proposal for achieving 'Swaraj' through 'all legitimate and peaceful means' at the annual Congress session in Nagpur and left the Congress.

1920

1929: Jinnah's political approach shifted towards Muslim communalism.

1921

The Moplah rebellion occurred on the Malabar Coast.

1923

The Treaty of Lausanne was signed, and Turkey renounced its claims in the Middle East.

1924, May

The All-India Muslim League, led by Jinnah in Lahore, called for a radical revision of the Lucknow Pact.

1925, January

The All-India Parties Conference was held in Delhi, initiated by Congress to improve Hindu-Muslim relations.

November 1927

The Simon Commission was established to review constitutional reforms.

February 12, 1928

The Congress called an All-Parties Conference to draft a constitution.

August 1928

The Motilal Nehru Report, advocating for Dominion Status for India and rejecting separate electorates, was published.

1929

Jinnah presented his 'Fourteen Points' advocating for the retention of separate electorates for Muslims.

October 31, 1929

Viceroy Lord Irwin announced that Britain was committed to granting Dominion Status to India.

May 1930

The Simon Commission published its report, removing the territorial status for India.

March 12, 1930

Gandhi began the "Salt March" to protest the British salt tax.

February 28, 1930

Jinnah and Shafi reunited, and the All-India Muslim League became a single entity again.

November 1930

January 1931: The first Round Table Conference was held in London.

October 30, 1930

Allama Muhammad Iqbal proposed the vague idea of a Muslim nation and a separate country at the annual Muslim League session in Allahabad.

1931

Chaudhry Rehmat Ali and other students published the pamphlet 'Now or Never' and introduced the term 'Pakistan'.

March 26, 1931 - Approval of Gandhi-Irwin Pact

The Congress approved the Gandhi-Irwin Pact at the Karachi session and passed a resolution on fundamental rights and economic policy.

September 1931

December 1931: The Second Round Table Conference was held in London.

1932

The Poona Pact was signed between Gandhi and Ambedkar, providing reserved seats for the depressed classes instead of separate electorates.

April 1934

Jinnah returned to India and was elected to the Central Legislative Assembly in January 1935.

August 1935

The Government of India Act (1935) was announced, abolishing the dyarchy and incorporating provincial autonomy.

April 1936

The Progressive Writers' Association held its first meeting in Lucknow.

1937

Jinnah became the leader of the Muslim League and intensified Muslim communal positions.

September 9, 1937

The Muslim Personal Law (Shariat) Application Bill was introduced in the Central Legislative Assembly.

July 7, 1937

Gandhi spoke about 'Ram Rajya' in Bihar.

December 1937

Jinnah changed his Western appearance at the annual Muslim League session in Lucknow.

December 26, 1937

Nehru moderated his socialist threat in Faizpur, Maharashtra.

December 4, 1938

The Muslim League established a committee to review the education plan for wards.

March 6, 1939

The Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind raised concerns about anti-Muslim sentiments.

April 8, 1939

The All-India Muslim League issued a report on the education plan for wards.

September 1939

World War II began. The Congress declared support if India was granted independence.

October 22, 1939

The Congress High Command asked its provincial governments to resign.

December 6, 1939

Jinnah urged Muslims to celebrate December 22 as 'Deliverance Day'.

January 1940

Jinnah rejected the Indian Federation and called for a new constitution based on the 'Two-Nation' theory.

March 22, 1940

March 25: The 27th session of the All-India Muslim League was held in Lahore; Jinnah proposed the Two-Nation theory and called for the creation of Muslim states in the northwestern and northeastern regions of India.

March 19, 1940

Police fired on Khaksar paramilitary agitators, resulting in at least 19 deaths.

March 23, 1940

The Lahore Resolution (later known as the Pakistan Resolution) was proposed and passed by Maulvi Fazlul Haq.

June 5, 1940

Viceroy Linlithgow established war committees to garner support for the war efforts.

August 8, 1940

Lord Amery, the British Secretary of State, announced the "August Offer" declaring dominion status as Britain's "ultimate aim".

1941

The first edition of Dr. Ambedkar's book "Thoughts on Pakistan" was published.

March 2, 1941

Jinnah spoke at the special session of the Punjab Muslim Students Federation in Lahore, calling for the mobilization of Punjab Muslims for Pakistan.

March 10, 1941

Jinnah addressed the Aligarh Muslim University Union, emphasizing the distinction between Hindus and Muslims.

1941 - Rajaji Formula Proposed

The 'Rajaji Formula' was proposed, urging the Muslim League and Congress to cooperate for a joint interim government.

1941 - Dawn Newspaper Established

The 'Dawn' newspaper was established in Delhi as the organ of the Muslim League.

1941 - Jinnah Criticizes British Government

Jinnah criticized the British government and Viceroy Linlithgow for ignoring the Muslim League.

1942 - Cripps Mission Arrives

The Cripps Mission arrived in India, offering post-war dominion status proposals, which were rejected by both Congress and the Muslim League.

1942 - Quit India Resolution Passed

The Indian National Congress passed the 'Quit India' resolution; Congress leadership was arrested.

November 1942

Jinnah spent several weeks in Punjab and met with representatives of the Dalit and Sikh communities.

March 8, 1944

Jinnah told British and American journalists at Aligarh University that the foundations of Pakistan were laid with the conversion of the first Hindu to Islam.

September 9, 1944

September 27: The Gandhi-Jinnah talks in Bombay failed.

March 1945

The Muslim League government in Punjab collapsed due to internal conflicts.

June 1945

July: The Simla Conference was held to resolve constitutional issues but reached no agreement.

September 8, 1945

Jinnah released his Eid message from Karachi, emphasizing the authority of the Quran.

November 1945

Jinnah spoke at the Frontier Muslim League Conference (NWFP).

November 24, 1945

Jinnah reportedly met with Pir Sahib of Manki Sharif regarding support for Pakistan in NWFP.

December 27, 1945

Viceroy Wavell presented his emergency plan for Britain's withdrawal from India.

1945-46

General elections were held in India; the Muslim League won the Muslim seats.

March 1946

Dr. Khan Sahib (elder brother of Ghaffar Khan) formed the Congress ministry in NWFP.

March 23, 1946

The Cabinet Mission arrived in India.

April 5, 1946

Sikh leaders met with the Cabinet Mission and demanded a coalition government or a separate Sikh state.

April 7, 1946

Jinnah told Muslim League legislators that their goal was to divide India and create Hindustan and Pakistan.

April 8, 1946

Huseyn Shaheed Suhrawardy, the Prime Minister of Bengal, met with the Cabinet Mission and demanded all of Bengal and Assam in Eastern Pakistan.

April 17, 1946

The Cabinet Mission met with P.C. Joshi of the Communist Party of India and Abul Kalam Azad.

April 18, 1946

Cripps reported that Jinnah insisted on non-compromise regarding Pakistan.

May 16, 1946

The Cabinet Mission proposed a three-tiered federal plan for a united India, rejecting territorial status for Pakistan.

May 24, 1946

The Congress opposed the Cabinet Mission's plan in a resolution.

June 6, 1946

Jinnah accepted the Cabinet Mission's proposal in a confidential meeting of the All-India Muslim League Council.

July 10, 1946

Nehru made statements at a press conference in Bombay that, according to Jinnah, ruined the chance for cooperation.

July 29, 1946

Jinnah announced at the All-India Muslim League Council that the League would change its methods and ways to achieve Pakistan.

August 16, 1946

The 'Great Calcutta Killings' (Direct Action Day) began with intense violence.

August 6, 1946

Viceroy Wavell warned all governors that inviting Nehru to form a government before the Muslim League could lead to problems.

August 12, 1946

Dr. Ambedkar wrote to Prime Minister Attlee requesting two guaranteed seats for the Depressed Classes in the government.

August 24, 1946

Wavell announced the formation of an interim government headed by Jawaharlal Nehru.

September 2, 1946

The interim government led by Nehru was sworn in.

October 26, 1946

A coalition interim government of Congress and the Muslim League was formed.

November 14, 1946

Jinnah told foreign reporters in Delhi that the "only solution" for India's communal situation was "Pakistan and Hindustan."

November 22, 1946

Wavell blamed Jinnah and the Muslim League for the outbreak of communal violence.

1946 - Nehru Presents Objectives Resolution

Jawaharlal Nehru presented the Objectives Resolution outlining the principles of India's Constitution.

1947 - Liaquat Ali Khan Proposes 'Socialist Budget'

Finance Minister Liaquat Ali Khan proposed the 'Socialist Budget'.

1947 - Khurshid Hayat Khan Resigns

Khurshid Hayat Khan, the Prime Minister of Punjab, resigned.

1947 - Jinnah Welcomes Resignation

Jinnah welcomed the resignation of Khurshid Hayat Khan in a statement.

1947 - Lord Mountbatten Becomes Last Viceroy

Lord Mountbatten took office as the last Viceroy of India.

1947 - Gandhi's Letter to Mountbatten

Gandhi wrote to Mountbatten stating that India should not be partitioned until Britain has left.

1947 - Suhrawardy's Talks on Bengal Unity

Suhrawardy discussed Bengal unity with Bengal Congress leader Kiran Shankar Roy and Sarat Bose.

1947 - Jinnah Supports Princely States' Independence

Jinnah supported the right of princely states to independence.

1947 - Attlee's Statement on Punjab and Bengal

Attlee told Ambassador Douglas that elected representatives of Punjab and Bengal would decide on joining the two main dominions.

British Announcement of Partition Plan

The 'Partition Plan' was announced by Britain, envisioning the division of India into two independent dominions, India and Pakistan, on August 15, 1947.

1947 - Indian Independence Act Passed

The Indian Independence Act was passed.

1947 - Jinnah's Speech on Equality

Muhammad Ali Jinnah addressed Pakistan's Constituent Assembly, emphasizing equality for all citizens regardless of religion.

1947 - Mountbatten's Speech at Jinnah's Dinner

Mountbatten delivered a speech at a dinner hosted by Jinnah.

1947 - Jinnah Sworn in as Governor-General

Muhammad Ali Jinnah was sworn in as the first Governor-General of Pakistan. Power transfer in India and Pakistan was completed.

1947 - Radcliffe Award Announced

The Radcliffe Award regarding the borders of Bengal and Punjab was announced to political leaders and made public on August 17.

August 1947

Ethnic violence in Punjab peaked, leading to mass migration.

August 22, 1947

Dr. Khan Sahib's ministry in NWFP was dismissed by Jinnah.

September 1, 1947

Attack on a train carrying Sindhi Sikhs occurred in Nawabshah, Sindh.

September 8, 1947

In his Eid message from Karachi, Jinnah emphasized the authority of the Quran.

September 15, 1947

Pakistan accepted the accession of Junagadh, leading to Indian military intervention.

October 22, 1947

Pakistani militias and tribal fighters entered Kashmir.

October 24, 1947

Maharaja Hari Singh requested assistance from India.

October 26, 1947

Maharaja Hari Singh signed the Instrument of Accession to India.

November 6, 1947

Jinnah visited the Walton refugee camp in Lahore.

December 15, 1947

The All-India Muslim League decided to split into the Pakistan Muslim League and the Indian Muslim League.

January 1, 1948

Jinnah separated Karachi as a federal territory from Sindh.

January 25, 1948

Jinnah delivered a speech at the Karachi Bar Association on the Prophet's birthday, clarifying the connection between Islam, Sharia, and Pakistan.

February 4, 1948

In the Sindh Assembly, Prime Minister M.A. Khuhro spoke about Gandhi's assassination.

February 13, 1948

Jinnah spoke at a press conference in Balochistan about declaring it a province under the Governor-General's rule.

February 23, 1948

Jinnah visited Bihari refugees in Karachi.

March 1948

Jinnah visited East Pakistan and declared Urdu as the national language, which angered the Bengalis.

March 24, 1948

Jinnah delivered a speech at the University of Dhaka's graduation ceremony.

April 26, 1948

Kehro was dismissed by the Governor of Sindh on charges of corruption and mismanagement.

July 1948

The Government of Pakistan withdrew the Pakistan Army from tribal areas.

August 6, 1948

Jinnah extended greetings on the occasion of Eid al-Fitr.

August 14, 1948

Jinnah commemorated Pakistan's first anniversary and warned Muslims about the "great conspiracy" of Indian leadership.

September 11, 1948

Muhammad Ali Jinnah passed away.

1949 - Objectives Resolution Presented

The Objectives Resolution was presented and adopted as a preamble to the Constitution of Pakistan by the Constituent Assembly.

1950 - Liaquat-Nehru Pact Signed

The Liaquat-Nehru Pact was signed to ensure minority rights.

1950 - Jogendra Nath Mandal Resigns

Jogendra Nath Mandal, Pakistan's Law Minister, resigned and moved to India.

1951 - Military Officers Arrested

Radical nationalist military officers were arrested for plotting to overthrow Liaquat Ali Khan's government.

1951 - Liaquat Ali Khan Assassinated

Liaquat Ali Khan was assassinated; Khawaja Nazimuddin became Prime Minister and Ghulam Muhammad became Governor-General.

March 1953

Anti-Ahmadiyya riots began in Punjab.

April 17, 1953

Ghulam Muhammad dismissed Nazimuddin for incompetence and appointed Muhammad Ali Bogra as Prime Minister.

1954

The Muslim League government in East Pakistan was ousted by the Jugto Front.

October 5, 1955

Iskander Mirza completed the 'One Unit' scheme, merging West Pakistan provinces into a single province.

March 23, 1956

The Constitution of Pakistan was adopted; Pakistan became an 'Islamic Republic'.

October 7, 1958

Iskander Mirza suspended the 1956 constitution and declared martial law.

September 21, 1958

A conflict occurred in Kalat, leading to the suppression of a separatist uprising.

1960

Pakistan and India signed the Indus Waters Treaty.

January 1965

The first presidential election was held in Pakistan; Fatima Jinnah, Jinnah's sister, was the opposition candidate but Ayub Khan won.

April 1965

Pakistan used American military equipment in a conflict with India in the Rann of Kutch.

September 6, 1965

Indian forces crossed the border and attacked Lahore, leading to a full-scale war.

1970

General elections were held in Pakistan.

1971

East Pakistan became Bangladesh.

1973

Pakistan's new constitution was adopted, declaring Islam as the state religion and accepting Islamic socialism as the economy.

August 5, 1974

The National Assembly declared Ahmadis as non-Muslims.

1977

Zia-ul-Haq dismissed Prime Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and declared martial law.

1979

Zia-ul-Haq introduced the Hudood Ordinances.

1988, August

Zia-ul-Haq died in a plane crash; elections were held and Benazir Bhutto became Prime Minister.