Resisting Colonialism and Communal Politics: Maulana Azad and the Making of the Indian Nation

Resisting Colonialism and Communal Politics: Maulana Azad and the Making of the Indian Nation

By- Rizwan Qaiser

Maulana Abul Kalam Azad (1888-1958), has largely remained less explored as a political leader in the history of India’s struggle for independence. Two reasons seem quite plausible for this; one, historians have ignored the claims and contributions of those, generally described as nationalist Muslims in view of India’s Partition as they focused more on the politics and claims of the Muslim League; the second would be lack of knowledge of Urdu, in which, Azad has left behind a considerable corpus of evidence. The combination of the two has resulted in near silence of historians on political life of Azad, honourable exceptions notwithstanding.

Such neglect and ignorance about the man and his times has left a void in our knowledge not only about Maulana Azad but the entire range of Muslim political opinion aligned with the cause of Indian nationalism and freedom movement. This volume provides a much needed and timely corrective. With the help of extensive but hitherto unexplored primary sources the author has been able to argue that Azad’s politics was continuously evolving while he remained steadfast towards composite Indian nationalism and resistant to communal politics.

This volume is invaluable for scholars of Indian nationalism and Modern Indian History.

Rizwan Qaiser is an Associate Professor at the Department of History and Culture, Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi. 

ISBN  978-81-7304-903-3    2011   382p.   Rs.950/ pounds 55

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