Creating a New Medina: State Power, Islam, and the Quest for Pakistan in Late Colonial North India

Description

This book delves into how the concept of Pakistan was developed and discussed publicly, particularly in the vital province of UP (now Uttar Pradesh) during the final decade of British colonial rule in India. It argues that Pakistan wasn’t just a vague notion that unexpectedly became a nation-state. Instead, it was actively envisioned as a sovereign Islamic State, sometimes referred to as a new Medina. People saw it as the start of Islam’s revival and prominence in the 20th century, a new leader and protector of the global Muslim community, and a worthy successor to the fallen Turkish Caliphate. The book highlights the crucial role of Deobandi scholars in shaping this vision and recognizing Pakistan’s significance on the global stage.