Jinnah-Sikandar Pact facts for kids
The Jinnah-Sikandar Pact was an important agreement signed in October 1937. It happened in Lucknow, a city in what was then British India. The agreement was between Muhammad Ali Jinnah, a key leader of the All-India Muslim League, and Sir Sikandar Hayat Khan, who was the leader of the Punjab province. This pact helped bring together different Muslim leaders and groups.
Why the Pact Was Needed
In 1937, the All-India Muslim League was not very strong. It had lost badly in the elections held in 1936. The party needed more support from powerful Muslim leaders. Its goal was to help Muslims in India get their rights.
So, in October 1937, M.A. Jinnah, the main leader of the Muslim League, invited important Muslim leaders to a meeting. This meeting was held in Lucknow city. One of the most powerful Muslim leaders was Sardar Sir Sikandar Hayat Khan. He was the top leader, called the Premier, of the Punjab province. He also led the Punjab Unionist Party. Jinnah invited him to this big meeting.
How the Agreement Happened
At the Lucknow meeting, many powerful Muslim leaders were at first not ready to help Jinnah. Only Aga Khan III was willing to support him.
Sir Sikandar Hayat Khan believed that Muslims needed to be united. He thought it was important for them to stand together to get their rights. So, he convinced other big leaders to join him. These leaders included Sir Saadullah from Assam, Molvi A.K. Fazlul Huq from Bengal, and Nawab Sir Hamidullah Khan from Bhopal State.
They all went to Jinnah and told him they would support the Muslim League. A special agreement was signed between Jinnah and Sir Sikandar. This agreement was named the 'Jinnah-Sikandar Pact'. The pact also said that Muslim members of the Punjab Unionist Party could join the Muslim League if they wished. Muslim people across India were very happy. They now knew they had strong support from important leaders.
What Happened After the Pact
The Jinnah-Sikandar Pact was one of the most important agreements for the Pakistan Movement. Professor Stanley Wolpert, a historian, said that this pact "made Pakistan possible."
The Punjab was the largest and richest province in British India. It connected all the other Muslim areas and provinces. After this pact was signed in 1937, the Muslim League became stronger. It was then able to create the famous Pakistan Resolution in Lahore, Punjab, in 1940. Just seven years later, in 1947, an independent Pakistan was finally created.
Syed Amjad Ali, a Muslim leader from Punjab, said something important. He stated that "Thanks to the agreement reached between Jinnah and Sir Sikandar in Lucknow, the dream of Pakistan became real. All Pakistanis today should be thankful to these two great Muslim leaders and their wisdom."
