Welcome to Episode 9 of The Making of Pakistan: Unpacking the Roots of a Nation. In this episode, we turn to Chapter 8 of K.K. Aziz’s thought-provoking work, which explores the failed efforts to unify Hindus and Muslims—despite spiritual common ground—and the growing momentum of Muslim nationalism that culminated in the creation of Pakistan.

In Episode 9, we examine the deep and often paradoxical relationship between Hinduism and Islam in India, as explored in Chapter 8 of The Making of Pakistan. From Kabir’s spiritual vision of unity across religious lines to the political forces that drove the demand for a separate Muslim state, this chapter traces the tension between unity and division. We investigate why Muslims in Hindu-majority provinces—many of whom wouldn’t be part of Pakistan—so strongly supported its creation, and explore the internal contradictions within the Two-Nation Theory itself. Finally, we contrast the subjective and emotional foundation of Muslim nationalism with the objective and structural nature of Hindu nationalism to better understand how these divergent worldviews led to partition.

Welcome to Episode 8 of The Making of Pakistan: Unpacking the Roots of a Nation. In this episode, we explore Chapter 7 of K.K. Aziz’s influential work, focusing on the evolution and impact of the Two-Nation Theory in colonial India.

In Episode 8, we delve into the origins and rise of the Two-Nation Theory—the ideological cornerstone of Pakistan’s creation. Based on Chapter 7 of The Making of Pakistan, this episode examines how key leaders, particularly Muhammad Ali Jinnah, advanced the idea that Hindus and Muslims were two distinct nations, each with its own religion, culture, and political destiny. We explore how the Indian National Congress and "Nationalist Muslims" challenged this view, yet how their policies often inadvertently reinforced Muslim separatism. From the role of separate electorates to the deepening social and religious divide, we uncover how a theory once debated became the driving force behind the partition of India.

Welcome to Episode 7 of The Making of Pakistan: Unpacking the Roots of a Nation. In this episode, we explore Chapter 6 of K.K. Aziz’s seminal work, where the psychological foundations of Muslim separatism take center stage.

In Episode 7, we delve into the psychological dimensions of Pakistani nationalism, as outlined in Chapter 6 of The Making of Pakistan. K.K. Aziz argues that a profound feeling of separateness among Muslims—rooted in emotion rather than just history, language, or culture—was central to the demand for Pakistan. We explore the role of fear and insecurity regarding Hindu domination, the unifying power of shared myths and symbols, and the emergence of distinct national consciousness and character. This episode unpacks how emotional and psychological forces galvanized Muslims into envisioning a separate future, ultimately shaping the movement for Pakistan.