Qaum, Mulk, Sultanat: Citizenship and National Belonging in Pakistan

The partition of India and Pakistan in 1947 led to the creation of new national narratives, symbols, and histories, with leadership in India claiming the anti-colonial movement and Gandhi, and the new political elite in Pakistan carving out a separate Muslim history and political tradition. Ali Qasmi traces the complex development of ideas of citizenship and national belonging in the postcolonial Muslim state, offering a nuanced and sweeping history of Pakistan's formative period.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 444 pages
Publication date: 12 December 2023
Publisher: Stanford University Press

After the traumatic events of the partition of India and Pakistan in 1947, both newly formed nation-states embarked on a daunting task of crafting new national narratives, symbols, and histories, as well as establishing a new political framework for their respective countries. In India, the leadership claimed the legacy of the anti-colonial movement led by Gandhi and emphasized the civilizational heritage of the subcontinent. On the other hand, the new political elite in Pakistan faced a more complex challenge: to establish a distinct Muslim history and political tradition amidst a millennium of cultural and religious interaction, mixing, and coexistence.

To explore this intricate development, Ali Qasmi delves into a rich archive of diverse sources, providing a nuanced and comprehensive history of Pakistan's formative period. Through his work, Qasmi paints a vivid picture of the long, arduous, and often conflict-ridden process of writing a democratic constitution for Pakistan. He also narrates the invention of various new rituals of state, such as the precise color of the flag, the exact date of birth of the national poet of Pakistan, and the observance of Eid as a national festival. These rituals not only reflect the political identity of Pakistan but also provide an insightful analysis of the practices and beliefs that shape the identity of being Pakistani.

In addition to tracing the evolution of ideas of citizenship and national belonging, Qasmi offers a fresh perspective on Muslim history in the subcontinent. He challenges the dominant narratives that often portray Muslims as victims or outsiders and highlights the contributions and achievements of Muslim communities throughout history. Qasmi's work provides a valuable contribution to our understanding of the complex and multifaceted history of Pakistan and the region as a whole. It sheds light on the challenges faced by nation-states in the postcolonial era and the ways in which they navigate the complexities of identity, culture, and politics.

Weight: 660g
Dimension: 153 x 230 x 27 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781503637788