The Sole Spokesman: Jinnah, the Muslim League and the Demand for Pakistan (Cambridge South Asian Studies) (Paperback)

by Ayesha Jalal (Author) "Mohammad Ali Jinnah began his political career firmly inside the tradition of moderate nationalist politics..." (more)
Key Phrases: strong unitary centre, provincial thesis, existing constituent assembly, Muslim League, Working Committee, Congress High Command (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review
"At once compelling and closely argued, this is a work no student of modern India and Pakistan can afford to ignore." American Historical Review

"Concise, elegantly written, amply documented..." Pacific Affairs

"This work provides a fresh perspective on the demand for Pakistan and its regional variations." Sajida S. Alvi, Religious Studies Review

Product Description
In 1940 the All-India Muslim League orchestrated the demand for independent Muslim states in India. Seven years later Pakistan was created amidst a communal holocaust of unprecedented proportions. Concentrating on the All-India Muslim League and its leader, Mohammed Ali Jinnah, The Sole Spokesman assesses the role of religious communalism and provincialism in shaping the movement for Pakistan.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 336 pages
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press (May 27, 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0521458501
• ISBN-13: 978-0521458504
• Product Dimensions: 8.7 x 5.7 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.1 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #358,437 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A must read for anybody interested in the history of India, July 27, 1999

By	[e-mail] (canada) - See all my reviews

Ayesha Jalal has delivered a highly impressive piece of work. The research is impeccable and the analysis rigorous. Contrary to most historical accounts of the creation of Pakistan, Ayesha does not engage in rhetoric or political slogans. Instead, her efforts to remain unbiased clearly come across and are admirable. She is a historian par excellence and her talent for writing clearly and lucidly about complex subjects is clearly revealed in this book. A provocative piece of work which might actually get students of India/ Pakistan interested in a subject which they have always found dull.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent book on the history of Pakistan, February 29, 2004

By	Nazish Ekram "barsathi" (Danville, CA USA) - See all my reviews

This is a excellent book on the history of Pakistan. Ayesha Jalal has done her home work and has presented the facts in a very logical fashion. I find this book among the few honest assesment on India and Pakistan division.

5 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Mr Jinnah was a secularist, May 23, 2001

By	Yasser Latif Hamdani (USA) - See all my reviews

Indeed, the premise of the book is correct, Mr Jinnah was a SECULARIST! However, by 1946, did he still want a unified India? I dont think so.

By the way, the guy who wrote the first review.. I am afraid, Bias aint gonna get you anywhere.