Episode 2 – Roots of Muslim Nationalism: From Mughal Rule to the Khilafat Movement

In the second episode of The Making of Pakistan: Unpacking the Roots of a Nation, we explore pages 17–38 of K. K. Aziz’s influential work. This chapter traces the evolution of Muslim identity and political awareness in India—from early Muslim conquests and the Mughal Empire to the transformative impact of British colonialism. We examine critical developments such as the aftermath of the 1857 Mutiny, the Aligarh Movement under Sir Sayyid Ahmad Khan, the Partition of Bengal in 1905, the formation of the All India Muslim League, and the influence of the Khilafat Movement. Together, these events laid the groundwork for a growing Muslim consciousness and the eventual demand for separate political representation.