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India and Pakistan Independence

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India and Pakistan Independence
India received independence from Britain on August 15, 1947. The struggle for India’s independence was replete with outstanding contributions from various luminary nationalist leaders. The contributions of leaders like Jawaharlal Nehru, Gopal Krishan Gokhale, Bal Gangadhar Tilak, Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose, Lala Lajpat Rai, etc. have been laudable. But if one were asked to name a leader who undisputedly contributed the most, the name of Mohan Das Karam Chand Gandhi would undoubtedly be at the apex. Before he came to the Indian scene in 1915-1916, the nationalist movement was progressing very slowly. As British rule there drew to an end, many Muslims demanded, in the name of Islam, the creation of a separate Pakistan state. Its emergence in August 1947 remains one of the major political achievements of modern Muslim history. It resulted mainly from the efforts of one man, Mohammad Ali Jinnah. Pakistan received independence from Britain and India on August 14, 1947.
One of the greatest men in the history of India is unarguably Mahatma Gandhi. The way he gave shape and character to India 's freedom struggle is worthy of a standing ovation. He sacrificed his own life for the sake of his country. The respect that he earned for himself despite leading a simple lifestyle is much appreciable. Mahatma Gandhi played a pivotal role in the freedom struggle of India. Gandhi’s role was primarily that of a leader who identified himself with the Indian masses. He gradually emerged as a natural leader of the masses and took complete control of the movement against the imperialist force. Gandhi once said “An eye for an eye only ends up making the whole world blind”. His nonviolent ways and peaceful methods were the foundation for gaining independence from the British. Mahatma Gandhi was born Mohandas Karam Chand Gandhi on 2nd October at Porbandar located in Gujarat. He went off to South Africa after marriage and worked as barrister there for twenty years. In South Africa, he had



Cited: "Primary Source Links." Primary Source Links. N.P., n.d. Web. 24 Nov. 2012. <http://highered.mcgraw-hill.com/sites/0072957549/student_view0/chapter36/primary_source_links.html>. Gandhi, Mahatma. "Mahatma Gandhi Quotes." Brainy Quote. Xplore, n.d. Web. 24 Nov. 2012. <http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/m/mahatmagan107039.html>. Vander, Hook Sue. Mahatma Gandhi: Proponent of Peace. Edina, MN: ABDO Pub., 2011. Print. Hamdani, Yasser L. "The Importance of Jinnah." Pak Tea House. Pak Tea House, 16 Aug. 2011. Web. 24 Nov. 2012. <http://pakteahouse.net/2011/08/16/the-importance-of-jinnah/>. Shandilya, Ranjan. "Facts About Gandhi." Facts About Gandhi. Buzzle, n.d. Web. 24 Nov. 2012. <http://www.buzzle.com/articles/facts-about-gandhi.html>. Birky, Betsy J. "India 's Independence From Britain." Indian Independence: 1947. David W. Koeller, 10 Sept. 2003. Web. 24 Nov. 2012. <http://www.thenagain.info/webchron/india/indiaind.html>.

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