Book review of A concise History of Pakistan

(Writer Muhammad Faisal)
Brief introduction of Book
Title of Book:  A CONCISE HISTORY OF PAKISTAN
Author Name: M.R.  KAZIMI
Date of publication: 2009
Pages: 383



About Author
Dr Muhammad Reza Kazmi was born in Mumbai in 1945. A distinguished academic, has taught Pakistan studies for more than thirty years in different colleges, at the University of Karachi, The Agha Khan University, and the M.A Jinnah University in Karachi. He is the author of Liquate Ali khan. His life and work (OUP 2003) and has edited the Jinnah Liquate correspondence (PSC 2003) and M.A Jinnah.

















Book review

This is a comprehensive one-volume history of Pakistan, a country that lies at the centre of the world's strategic concerns. Being published as Pakistan completes its sixtieth year as a nation state the book covers contemporary crises in the perspective of the subcontinent's ancient and medieval history to explain how Muslim nationalism emerged and how the community interacted with the other communities in the region.
In Part-I writer explained Muslim Society in South Asia, he briefly described about the living style, religious, cultures & languages. Then he compared the Hindu Society and Muslim Society . There were many things same in both nation. After that writer explained the role Uleema and Sufis for Islam. Actually Islam rules and traditions were developed by Sufis and Uleema, they played well role. Hindu were impressed by behaviour of Sufis and they converted into Muslims. Some Famous Sufi were Data Gang Bakhsh, Mueen Is din Chishti etc.
After that writer explained the fall of Mughal empire and the consequence of fall of Mughal according to write “After the death of Aurangzeb there was no powerful king that can handle the situation, and defeat the British conspiracies”. Some other reason also explained writer he also explained that Mughal Empire went lose they can’t have enough soldiers even Mughal Empire was depending on East India Company's explosive material. Mughal Empire had two biggest threat one from Afghan and other from Marahata, thirdly Indian soldiers of Mughal Empire had nothing to eat they didn’t received their salaries on proper time, so that's why they joined East India company and Participated as a soldier’s.
In Part-II   writer explained the different Rival movements Shah as “Shah Waliullah 1703-1962”  Shah Waliullah was the first person who appeared during the Mughal decline. His work is historical for saving Mughal Empire, he invited Ahmad Shah Abdali. Ahmad Shah Abdali defeated Marhata in the third battle of Panipat. He also worked for Islam. He thought Jihad is sole way for the betterment of Mughal Empire.
Then others Movement started against Britishers such as Titu Mir (1782-1832) The Faraidi Movement. The basic aimed of these movements were to defeat the Britishers. After that Muslim fought Mutiny of 1857. In which Mughal Empire defeated and abolished.
After that Sir Syed Ahmad Khan apperead. He started to modernize the Muslim by education. He opened school, colleges for the Muslim. Initial these institutions were for both nation. Later, when he Hindu changed the script of Language he started working for Muslim. He was person who gave a concept of two nations theory, on that theory Muslim League started struggle and made a separate country for Muslims.
In Part-III write explained the History of the political Struggle.  Different movements such as Aligarh Movement and aspects of Aligarh Movement on Muslim Society. Basically motion of Aligarh Movement to achieve there point agenda.
1) Be loyal to Britishers
2) Aloofness from Politics
3) Modern Education
Sir Syed Ahmad khan was successful in these policy they got remarkable progress.
Then write explained the different activities of Muslims for the separate Homeland. Brother also imposed some pects  such as Lucknow Pect 1916. The Khilafat Movement and role of Ghandi in Khilafat Movement and to save ottoman Empire.
Then Delhi Muslim Purposal to Quaid-i-Azam for the welfare of Muslim. Then Allan’s Iqbal Address of 1930, how they inspired the Muslim. Then Round Table Conference, The Govt of India Act and The Election of 1937, in 1937 election Muslim League was defeated. In different pects Muslims got the separate electorate, such as separation of Sindh from Mumbai.
Part-IV deal with Pakistan movement 1937 to 1947, these were the Golden Era of Muslims struggle. In this time Muslim went strong.  Finally the got their homeland Pakistan.
Part-V of the book deal with Political History of the State. In which writer explained the initial problems of Pakistan such as army was disappeared, state have no source, Migration was major issues, defining of boundaries was also issue. Founding father died earlier, later L.A khan started to run properly but he assistanted soon. There was extreme political instability in the country seven prime minister dismissed by Governor General. Latter Iskandar Mirza imposed martial Law invited Ayub. Then first time Military regime took over and country remained ten years under the Military regime. In this era writer explained some development such as constitution of 1962, war of 1965.
Then he explained the second Military regime. Era of Yahya Khan. Then he explained the PPP Govt era of Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto, and his efforts for democracy. Finally write explained the Zia regime, his struggle for Islamisation and Afghan war
Part-VI deal with the Constitution Development such as 1956, 1962 & 1973, in short these three constitution were taken from Indian Act of 1935. Act was ammended.  He explained about the struggle of first Constitution how the BPC dismissed, later, Bougra Formula Adopted, in short time constitution abrogated.  1962 was totally according to the will of one person. When Ayyub himself abrogated it. 1973 constitution was made by Bhutto after great struggle. It was anyhow according to will of people. Then amendment of 1973 constitution.
Part-VII deal with The Bureaucracy  role of Bureaucracy and Armed Force strength of Army.
Part-VIII deal with the diplomatic History of Pakistan, our foreign policy, Aims and objectives of foreign policy. Writer also told us the relation with different countries, when they recognised Pakistan. Then he compared Pakistan with world powers, and role of Pakistan in different SAARC State.
Part-IX is the last part part of Book that deal with the economic Development history of Pakistan writer tells us GDP & GNP, Pakistan's trade with different countries. Writer tell us economic planning in different era.



MY POINT OF VIEW ABOUT BOOK.

A very good book written in short words but with deep meanings. An excellent resource to know the history and background and political system of Pakistan before and after Pakistan, History written in details. Some things that are not included in which such as 9/11 after the 9/11. Writer explained the good analysis of History.