From Mutiny to Mountbatten: A Biographical Sketch of and Writings by Altaf Husain, Former Editor of DawnFirst published in 1996. The emergence of Pakistan as an independent nation in 1947 was one of the major historical events of the twentieth century. There are few parallels in history where freedom has been achieved not with swords or on the battlefield, but with diplomacy, negotiations and unwavering conviction and effort. One of the central figures in the events surrounding the establishment of Pakistan was Altaf Husain, the Editor of the English-language newspaper Dawn. Dawn was created by Quaid-e-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah, leader and founder of Pakistan, to counter the anti-Muslim propaganda by the largely Hindu Press of India during the crucial power battle between the All India Congress Party and the Muslim League. Dawn became the voice of millions of Muslims in undivided India, a unique publication that played a gigantic role in the birth of Pakistan and enjoyed an excellent international reputation. As a fearless Editor, Altaf Husain projected his political viewpoints, aspirations and ideals through Dawn to the Muslim League leaders striving against the British Ray and their Hindu political opponents. His Dawn editorials during the crucial 1945-1947 period were inspired by Jinnah's Two Nations theory, and the belief that Indian Muslims should have a homeland of their own - Pakistan. In Dawn, Altaf Husain provided incisive political guidance - a role he continued to fill throughout his life. From Mutiny to Mountbatten combines history, biography and extracts and quotations from Altaf Husain's articles and writings. It gives a unique insight into a major political event of our era, and the part played in that event by a remarkable editor and a remarkable newspaper. It also gives many insights into the major players of the events of the time. Above all, it provides an understanding of the mood of the Muslims of undivided India and their dream of a separate homeland. |
Contents
The Wind of Change | 19 |
In the Light of Dawn 1945 | 36 |
Final Showdown | 61 |
Copyright | |
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accepted achieved All-India Muslim Altaf Husain Altaf Husain wrote Altaf Husain's editorial announced August award Ayub Khan became Bengal Britain British Government Cabinet Mission Calcutta column Congress leaders Constituent Assembly constitution Council country's critical Dacca declared Delhi demand democracy democratic dream East elections freedom Gandhi Governor-General heart Hindu Congress Hindus and Muslims Hindustan homeland honour independence Indian subcontinent Interim Government Islam issue June justice Karachi Kashmir Khwaja Nazimuddin Lahore leadership League's Liaquat Ali Khan live Lord Mountbatten Lord Wavell million Muslims Mohammad Mohammed Ali Jinnah Muslim India Muslim League Muslim majority Muslim nation Muslims of India Mussalmans Nawabzada Liaquat Nehru newspaper October Pakistan Movement partition of India Plan pledge political parties politicians President Ayub Prime Minister provinces Punjab Quaid Quaid-e-Azam Quaid-e-Azam Mohammed regime resolution responsible rule sovereign Star of India statement Statesman struggle task Ulema United Viceroy West Pakistan write