Student Question

What role did nationalism play in India and the Middle East's politics pre and post-independence?

Quick answer:

Nationalism was crucial in shaping politics in India and the Middle East before and after independence. In India, nationalism drove the movement against British rule, led by figures like Gandhi and the Indian National Congress, and also fostered Muslim autonomy aspirations, culminating in the partition into India and Pakistan in 1947. In the Middle East, nationalism intertwined with Islam, especially after WWI, as Arab lands sought independence from the Ottoman Empire's remnants, and later from European colonial rule.

Expert Answers

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Nationalism fueled the Indian independence movement, led by Gandhi and the Indian National Congress. Nationalist leaders had to first create the concept of a unified India, as many people saw themselves as only connected with their own region and religion. Many Muslims in India believed that they constituted a distinct people (qaum). The idea was that the Muslims in India were a minority and needed autonomy and protection. Therefore, in India, there were two layers of nationalism before independence--a breed of nationalism that supported independence from Great Britain and that was supported by most Hindus and some Muslims--and another breed of nationalism that supported Muslim autonomy (which at first was not calling for a separate country). In 1947, when the British finally quit India, two countries were founded--Pakistan, led by the Muslim League leader Jinnah--and India, led by the Indian National Congress. Many Muslims went to Pakistan, while others stayed in India and have continued to be a part of India.

In the Middle East, before and after independence, Islam and nationalism went together. Before World War I, the Middle East was mainly under the political domination of the Ottoman Empire, which was Muslim and led by the sultan, who was considered to be the caliph of Islam. However, the Arabs and other non-Turks, such as Armenians, throughout the empire were already demanding more autonomy from the Turks. Nationalism was not primarily religious at this point. After World War I and the defeat of the Ottoman Empire, Arab lands fell under the rule of France and England. As the rulers were not Muslim, nationalism became strongly associated with Islam. After independence (which came after World War II), Islam played a very strong role in defining national identity in some countries. Other countries were more defined by socialism. 

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