The era from 1940 to 1947 is the era of rapid changes. Many important events in the history of the sub Continent took place. The demand of Pakistan is the most prominent among them. In the past, the demand of Pakistan was not raised clearly. It was due to Muslim achievements in this period that now we are living in a sovereign and independent state. The political events from the Pakistan Resolution to the establishment of Pakistan are summarized:
1940
23rd March – Pakistan Resolution: The attitude of the Hindus made it clear that the Hindus and the Muslims were two separate nations. On March 23rd, at the annual session of the Muslim League at Lahore, the famous resolution, commonly known as the Pakistan Resolution was passed. It was presented by Maulvi Fazlul Haq. Quaid-e-Azam said in his address :
"By all means, Muslims are one nation, and they need a separate homeland where they could live their spiritual, cultural, economical, social, and political lives independently."
8th August – August Offer: It was proposed to enlarge governor general councils to include members from political parties. War Advisory Committee was also launched. Both the league and Congress rejected the offer.
1942
12th – 15th April – Civil Disobedience Movement
The 28th session of League was held at Madras in which a resolution was adopted on Civil Disobedience Movement launched by Congress.
23rd March – Cripps Mission
Sir Stafford Cripps was sent by the British Government to India, to discuss with Indian leaders, the future of Indian Constitutions. His proposal was rejected by both Congress and the League. The Congress characterized them as a post-dated cheque on a failing bank "Jinnah said that if these were accepted "Muslims would become a minority in their majority provinces as well."
8th August – Quit India
Congress initiated it against the British, it was an "open rebellion" due to which many people were killed league raised the slogan "Divide and Quit India".
1943
27th December – Action Committee
It was formed to prepare and organize Muslims of India for the coming struggle for the achievements of Pakistan.
1944
9th September – Gandhi Jinnah Talks: Gandhi held talks with Jinnah to discuss the future of India, but no fruitful results came out of it because Gandhi did not accept Muslims as a separate nation.
Louis Fisher Wrote :
"The wall between Jinnah and Gandhi was the Two Nation Theory."
1945
25th June – Simla Conference: Lord Wavell called a conference at Simla. The conference failed to achieve any purpose due to the one-sided attitude of Lord Wavell. In this conference, Quaid-e-Azam made it crystal clear that the Muslim League can represent the Muslims of India.
2nd December – General Elections: Elections for the central and provincial assemblies were held in 1945 – 1946 in which the Muslim League won 30 seats of the central legislative meant for Muslims and 430 seats out of 495 in the provincial legislature. Quaid-e-Azam said on this occasion:
"I have no doubt now in the achievement of Pakistan. The Muslims of India told the world what they want. No power of the world can topple the opinion of 10 crore Muslims of India."
1946
24th March – Cabinet Mission visited India in 1946 and submitted its recommendations to the British. As a result, an Interim Government was formed but Congress and League couldn’t cooperate with them.
8th – 9th April – Delhi Convention: Quaid-e-Azam called a convention of all the Muslim League members in Delhi. At the convention, every member took the pledge to undergo any danger for the attainment of the national goal of Pakistan.
16th August – Direct Action Day: League withdraws its acceptance of Cabinet Mission and Direct Action Day was observed peacefully throughout India, except in Calcutta, where riots broke out.
1947
The 3rd June Plan: Lord Mount Batten prepared the plan for the transference of power according to the wish of the people. He emphasized the partition of the country and told that it was the only solution to the Indian political deadlock. Both League and Congress accepted the plan.
18th July – Indian Independence Act: In July, the British parliament passed the Indian Independence act which was enforced promptly. The Muslims of the Sub Continent finally succeeded in carrying out an independent Islamic State for Muslims.
14th August – Transfer of Power: The transfer of power ceremony was held in Karachi. On August 15, Quaid-e-Azam was sworn in as Governor General of Pakistan and Mr. Liaquat Ali Khan was appointed his Prime Minister.
That was the culmination of a long struggle that the Muslims of the South Asian Sub Continent had waged for a separate homeland in the name of Islam.