Role of Shrines in Indian Freedom Movement and Pakistan: A historical perspective.

Abstract

Three communities— the Hindus, Muslims and the British Government— were confronted with each other during the Indian freedom movement. This ideological as well as realpolitik battle was fought in whole Indian subcontinent. It is ironical that the Muslim community was divided into two schools of thought as far as their response of nationalism was concerned. It was this time when religious and political leadership was struggling for the protection of the rights of Muslim community. These rights were political as well as religious. This contribution of Sajjada Nashins was being played at three levels: their personal appeal, their Sufi institutional support and their engagement with the leading Muslim political party i.e. All India Muslim League. This effort has been made to analyze the services of the Sajjada Nashines of the shrines, to highlight their contribution for Muslim community and the creation of Pakistan. The study is exploratory, descriptive and analytical.