- By: Dr. Nousheen Jamshid
- Department of Pakistan Studies
Islamia College Peshawar and the Collegiate School, founded in 1913 by the late Nawab Sir Sahibzada Abdul Qaiyum Khan with the active collaboration of Sir George Kepple and a band of selfless workers devoted to the cause of Muslims education has, during the past half century, kept aloft the torch of learning and knowledge among the backward people. These institutions were established with the sacred objective of giving education to the Muslims especially those of the N.W.F.P and Tribal areas.
The college, which began its educational voyage with just 33 students in 1913, after 111 years of its sailing has more than 10000 students today. It has sent to practical field more than 70,000 students so far, who are serving the country and the nation.
Islamia College in Peshawar played a significant role in the freedom movement of Pakistan. Established in 1913, the college became a center of political activism and education that significantly contributed to the Pakistan Movement.
Islamia College was founded with the aim of providing quality education to the Muslim youth of the region. It was part of a broader movement to counter British colonial influence and the educational dominance of Christian missionary schools. The college emphasized Islamic values and the importance of education in empowering Muslims. The college became a breeding ground for political awareness among its students. Many of them became actively involved in the struggle for Pakistan, influenced by the teachings of leaders who visited and spoke at the college.
Prominent leaders of the All-India Muslim League, including Allama Iqbal and Muhammad Ali Jinnah, visited Islamia College. Their visits inspired students and staff, instilling a sense of purpose and direction in the freedom movement. An Islamian Aslam Khattak was the President of a student organization supporting Pakistan Movement in the U.K. in the 1930s, serving alongside Dr. Abdur Rahim as Vice President and Chaudhry Rehmat Ali as Secretary. This organization gave the world the name “PAKISTAN”. Aslam Khattak was among the three people that signed the pamphlet called ‘Now or Never’, written by Chaudhry Rehmat Ali in 1933. While a student at Oxford Aslam Khattak said he worked for the Pakistan Movement and was a co-author of the booklet “Now or Never” (1930), which coined the word Pakistan', (theA’ stood for Afghania, i.e. the Pathans of N.W.F.P.). The Scotland Yard record that followed him to India put him down as a revolutionary, due to his anti-British activities.
Students and faculty at Islamia College organized rallies, debates, and discussions in support of the Muslim League and its vision for a separate Muslim state. The college’s environment fostered a strong sense of Muslim identity and political activism.
Muhammad Ali Jinnah, the founder of Pakistan, recognized the significant contributions of Islamia College to the Pakistan Movement. He referred to it as one of the “greatest institutions” of learning and political activism. Quaid-e-Azam had a great affection and love to the students of Islamia College Peshawar, he has visited Islamia College thrice in 1936,1945 and 1948 respectively. During 1945 visit to Islamia College, Mohammad Tehmasap, secretary of the Sarhad Muslim Students Federation while presenting donation to the Quaid-e-Azam, said;
“Quaid-e-Azam! Today we are giving you 8000 rupees, but when you come here next time, we shall present you 8000 students who will lay down their lives at your bidding to win Pakistan.”
Islamia College played a vital role in the 1947 referendum held in the North-West Frontier Province (NWFP), where the majority voted to join Pakistan. The college’s influence was instrumental in rallying support for the Muslim League’s cause in the region.
After the establishment of Pakistan, Quaid-e-Azam admired the efforts of Islamia College during the freedom movement of Pakistan and visited this prestigious Institution in 1948. During his visit he acknowledged the services of the students of Islamia College, he said;
“I am indeed very happy to be present here today and to have the privilege of addressing the students of this great Darululoom, who are the future builders of Pakistan, on this occasion the thing uppermost in my mind is the help that came for the movement and achievements of Pakistan from the student’s community, particularly from this province, May I say that you played your part magnificently”.
The college’s historical significance is marked by its consistent support for the creation of Pakistan. It remains a symbol of the educational and political awakening that contributed to the country’s independence. Many alumni of Islamia College went on to play prominent roles in Pakistan’s early political landscape, contributing to the nation-building process.
Today, Islamia College is revered as a symbol of cultural and educational heritage, continuing to educate and inspire generations in Pakistan.
In summary, Islamia College was more than just an educational institution; it was a beacon of political consciousness and activism that played a pivotal role in the struggle for Pakistan’s independence. Its legacy continues to be celebrated in the history of Pakistan.
- REFERENCES
- Alam, T. (2005). A brief history of Islamia College Peshawar. Department of Political Science, Islamia College Peshawar.
- Bowers, J. (2021, February 16). Principal’s blog: 16th February 2021. Brasenose College, Oxford. Retrieved August 10, 2024, from https://www.brasenose.ox.ac.uk
- Hasan, K. (2004, August 28). Resurrecting Chaudhri Rehmat Ali. Dawn. Retrieved August 10, 2024, from https://www.dawn.com.
- Jahan, Z. (2006). Profile of Aslam Khattak. Khyber.org. Retrieved August 10, 2024, from https://www.khyber.org.
- Khan, N. (2001). Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah and Islamia College Peshawar. Department of Pakistan Studies, University of Peshawar.