Brutality of the Battle of Plassey

 Although the British were in India for a very long time dating back in the early 15^th century, the colonial period is said to have begun in 1757. (1) What began colonialism was the Battle of Plassey, in which the British, led by Robert Clive, defeated Indian forces.

The outcome of this battle was almost unquestionably in India’s favor. However, although the Indians outnumbered the British 50000 to 3000 (2), their technology was obsolete. During the battle, there was a fierce storm. The Indians’ guns were loosened and dysfunctional because the rain affected the gunpowder. Weather was not the only problem; poor leadership from Nawab, the Indian general, ordered relentless gunfire without much success. (3) As a result, India’s next move was cavalry rampage (4); they hoped that the British guns had the same malfunction to loosen up, but it was not the case. Soon after, the Indians anticipated defeat and fled. In this way the British force dominated.

The treatment of Indians by Robert Clive and his forces became extremely significant; Clives’s. What he did was immoral and disgusting. It was reported that Clive bribed them to “give up and drop all weapons, surrender, and even turn their arms against their own army.” (5)This was irreverent, shocking, and unfortunately effective. This determined British rule over India. However, this display of mockery was recollected many times and used as a reason to split later on. Jawaharlal Nehru, an extremely revered political leader in India, recollected the event in 1946: "an unsavory beginning and something of that bitter taste has clung to it ever since.” (6)

                

Gandhi’s Incredible Impact

In India, there was no problem with violence or discrimination; both Hindus and Muslims were living together for centuries. What became an issue was the government; furthermore, the treatment under the British government. Because they were part of the Indian government, they were governed by India.  There was no difference in how Hindus and Muslims were treated by the British. It was even said "Most of India's people lived in peace, if not always in harmony." (7) In politics, however, Muslims were not given enough power. The most influential movement against the British rule was led by Mahatma Gandhi.

                One of the most influential things Gandhi did was lead a group of men on a 250 mile march to the seas to produce salt by themselves. (8) Soon, this number multiplied and this sparked outrage by the British government, which led to the arrest of Gandhi. Upon his imprisonment, riots arose and he was set free due to protest. This was a great achievement. Furthermore, the Government of India Act was created. (9) Now an elected group in India had a say in politics of not only themselves, but Britain as well. One thing the act did neglect was the conflict of Hindus and Muslims because the elected would mostly be Hindu. This would only be a problem for India later as Muslim would demand more of a say, eventually leading to a split.

                The mental and physical toughness of Mahatma Gandhi is yet to be matched. While riots and violence broke out over religion and independence, Gandhi practiced a fast in which he would only drink and not eat for several days. (10) The appreciation from all of India’s people led to the end of violence, a feat so awe inspiring and unbelievable.  He inspired countless people then and even now. Another thing he did was deliver a speech under the mantra “Do or Die.” (11) This was his solution to revolution through nonviolence. The most impressive thing about the Indian and Pakistani revolutions was that they were inspired by individuals. India had Gandhi and Nehru while Pakistan had Jinnah and Ali Khan. 

Two Great Men: A New Great Country

                The all India Muslim League was led by a man named Muhammad Ali Jinnah (aka Quaid-e-Azam, “Great Leader”) who is revered as a Pakistani hero.  Jinnah was popular to both Hindus and Indians for his outstanding leadership. He made it his task to unite the league and give the Muslims in India a position. Jinnah went on to travel India, meeting Muslim leaders and uniting them together. Soon enough, with the overall votes tallied for 23% in the India legislature. (12) This was the highest ever and impressive in itself that the outnumbered Muslims could unite under the work of one man.

However, this was not enough. Until they gained enough support, Muslims in India would always come after the Hindus. They would be treated as second class citizens (13). Muslims felt threatened that their culture and religion was receding. They felt a need for an Islamic India.  What was effectively significant was that the 1946-47 elections showed an almost even divide. The British saw that something had to be done even after their first proposal was denied. The British partitioned India. The movement was a success. (14)

Creating a country does not go to the credit of one man; in fact, it involved many people. Another major contributor was Liaquat Ali Khan, Jinnah’s right hand man. Soon after the formation of Pakistan he became Prime Minister of the new-found land.  (15) He had an enormous job because he and his colleagues had to build up Pakistan. It did not become easier as Jinnah died in 1948. He was later assassinated in 1951. Jinnah admired Khan very much. Once he said, “Gandhi has men who can advise him and whom he can depend on. And he leans on them quite often…I have only Liaqat. ” (16)

Both these honorable men died for Pakistan, and neither in vein. Pakistan would never have been on a map if it not for these two individuals. Pakistan was a country bricked together by unity. The unity of Islamic brotherhood, political envisions, and the brick layer’s themselves; Jinnah and Khan.