BRITISH PERSPECTIVES LEADING TO THE CREATION OF PAKISTAN

Abstract

Generally, it is believed that the partition of India and, subsequently the creation of Pakistan occurred as a result of post-World War II scenario during the process of decolonisation because the British Empire confronted unbearable financial burdens to administer its colonies especially India (the jewel in the British crown) in the face of strong sentiments for freedom among the indigenous population, as well as amidst the renewed international order. However, there is yet another perception by some Muslim quarters that the Two-Nation Theory was the root cause of the post-World War II developments in South Asia which forms the foundation of Pakistan’s national identity. Contrary to these perspectives, there is yet another viewpoint which spells out that the readjustment of geographical boundaries (or partition) of India was a longstanding venture of the British Empire in the 19^th century aimed at securing the colony of India from the Russians as well as the French invasions. Basing on aforementioned perceptions, this study will dilate on the question of British perspectives of probable Russian invasion of India prompting the partition that led to the creation of Pakistan