All You Need To Know About Pakistan Independence History
On August 15, 1947, India gained freedom from British colonialism at the cost of two sovereign nations: India and Pakistan. The two countries acquired independence on the same day. However, Pakistan celebrates their Independence Day a day before India, on August 14, 1947, as a Muslim-majority country, whereas India became a secular country. Muhammad Ali Jinnah is the founder of Pakistan, a Muslim country. Large-scale violence, displacement, riots, and loss of life followed partition.
On August 15, at the stroke of midnight, two nations emerged: India and Pakistan. Following the passage of the Indian Independence Act of 1947, the two countries were formed. Both India and Pakistan celebrated their independence on August 15, according to the Act. The act says, "As from the fifteenth day of August, nineteen hundred and forty-seven, two independent Dominions shall be set up in India, to be known respectively as India and Pakistan".
Quaid-e-Azam Mohammed Ali Jinnah had said in a radio speech to the people of his country: "August 15 is the birthday of the independent and sovereign state of Pakistan. It marks the fulfilment of the destiny of the Muslim nation which made great sacrifices in the past few years to have its homeland."
Why Pakistan Gained its Independence a Day Before India?
Several theories have been proposed to explain the aforementioned question over the years. The following are a few of them:
On August 14, 1947, Lord Mountbatten, the last Viceroy of British India and the first Governor-General of the Dominion of India, handed over control to Pakistan's founder, Muhammad Ali Jinnah, in Karachi. Although Mountbatten stated that India and Pakistan would become independent nations on August 15, Pakistan chose August 14 as its Independence Day because the transfer of power occurred on that date.
It was recommended in June 1948 at a cabinet meeting chaired by Liaquat Ali Khan, Pakistan's first Prime Minister, that the country celebrates its Independence Day before India. The idea was presented to Jinnah for approval, and the date was pushed up to August 14.
Religion is also mentioned as a factor. The intervening night of August 14 and 15, 1947, is said to have coincided with Ramadan's 27th day, which is considered an auspicious day of the holy month. As a result, August 14 was designated as the date of independence.
Another reason is that Indian Standard Time (IST) is 30 minutes ahead of Pakistan Standard Time (PST). Since India became a free country at 00:00 hours on August 15, Pakistan's local time on August 14 was 11:30 pm, and the country commemorates its independence on this day.
How Pakistan Gained Its Freedom?
Lord Mountbatten's Visit to Karachi
The British were supposed to hand over control to India and Pakistan by June 1948, but Lord Mountbatten announced that India would be independent on August 15 during a news conference. Mountbatten had to publicly surrender control to Indian authorities in Delhi and Pakistan's Jinnah in Karachi on the night of August 14 and 15.
The plan had to be changed because Mountbatten was unable to attend both ceremonies. He arrived in Karachi on August 13 and spoke to Pakistan's constituent assembly on August 14. "Tomorrow, the government of the new Dominion of Pakistan will rest in your hands," the final British viceroy declared during his presentation. According to experts, Pakistan moved its Independence Day to August 14 to coincide with Mountbatten's handover of sovereignty to the country on the same day.
India-Pakistan Separation
After the partition, India's Dominion became the Republic of India, and Pakistan's Dominion became the Islamic Republic of Pakistan. Around 10-12 million people were moved along religious lines as a result of the split, which saw widespread bloodshed and the deaths of millions of people. Pt. Muhammad Ali Jinnah became the first Prime Minister of Pakistan, a Muslim-majority country. Jawaharlal Nehru was the first Prime Minister of India, a secular country.
First Meeting of Pakistan's Cabinet and Jinnah's Approval of August 14
A cabinet meeting is also alleged to have prompted Pakistan to shift the date of its Independence Day. Prime Minister Liaqat Ali Khan and his cabinet decided to change the date to August 14 at their first cabinet meeting in late June 1948. The team requested Jinnah's assent for the relocation, and when he provided his blessing, the Cabinet moved the date forward.
How do Pakistanis Celebrate the Day?
Pakistanis are overjoyed that their country has gained freedom. The Pakistani flag is green and white in colours. Fireworks displays are popular, and flags of the country can be seen everywhere. Flag hoisting ceremonies are held at both government and private businesses across the country. Schools and universities arrange declamation contests, art exhibitions, national song recitals, and sports marathons to mark the occasion. This day will also be commemorated with special programmes.
The president and prime minister deliver special addresses honouring the country's founders who sacrificed their lives in its defence. The municipal and district administrations actively plan and implement festivities to show patriotism and brighten the day. Citizens decorate their faces with face paint, wear Pakistani flags, dress up in elaborate costumes, light fireworks, and celebrate all things Pakistani.
Interesting Facts of Pakistan Independence
Jinnah died of tuberculosis on September 11, 1948, 13 months after when Pakistan got independence.
According to numerous reports, Pakistan's first two Independence Days were observed on August 15; however, the country thereafter began to observe it a day earlier.
Pakistan's first commemorative stamp, issued in 1948, was noted on August 15 as the country's Independence Day.
Every year on August 14, a radio message from Jinnah is broadcast throughout Pakistan; however, it refers to August 15 as the country's Independence Day.
In honour of those who died during Partition, India will commemorate 14 August as 'Vibhajan Vibhishika Smriti Diwas' (Partition Horrors Remembrance Day) starting in 2021.
Conclusion
Pakistan Independence Year was the same as India but the date was August 14th, which might be considered a double day of liberty. Muslim Indians fought for freedom from British rule, then re-armed to fight for their own country, Pakistan, which was once part of the Indian subcontinent. During the British Raj, the Crown acquired full power after the British put down the Indian Rebellion of 1857. This lasted until 1947 which was when Pakistan gained independence year. The Mountbatten Plan separated Pakistan (West and East Pakistan) from India, resulting in the formation of an autonomous Muslim nation. East Pakistan declared independence in 1971, and the country became known as Bangladesh. West Pakistan is now simply known as Pakistan.
FAQs on Independence of Pakistan
1. Why do India and Pakistan have different independence days?
Since India became a free country at 00:00 hours on August 15, Pakistan's local time on August 14 was 11:30 pm, and the country commemorates its independence on this day.
2. Why does the independence day of Pakistan hold significance to all the Muslims of the country?
For Muslims in Pakistan, August 15 was a memorable day because it was the last Friday of Ramzan that year. As a result, for Muslims, the Independence Day of an Islamic country was an added occasion for a larger celebration. This could explain why many Pakistanis still believe that the 14th of August was the last Friday of Ramzan in 1947.
3. When Pakistan got independence from British Colonialism?
The independence of Pakistan and India on the 14th and 15th of August 1947, at 12 a.m., was a watershed moment in the British Empire's history. India had been the cornerstone of the empire, and several colonies had been established to defend trade routes to it.
