One piece of attire has long symbolised Pakistan’s national ideology: the Jinnah cap. Technically known as the Qaraqul cap, for it is made from the fur of the Qaraqul breed of sheep, the hat is typically worn by Central Asian men (presently, Afghan President Hamid Karzai is rarely seen without his). But in Pakistan, the hat has been firmly identified with the Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah for decades. This affiliation has ensured that others who sport the cap are understood to be making a political, rather than fashion, statement. Indeed, as Pakistan’s democratic fortunes have waxed and waned over the years, the choice by certain politicians to don the Jinnah cap has revealed much about political aspirations and the public mood.
The Jinnah cap was first initiated into national politics in 1937, when Jinnah sported it at the Lucknow session of the All India Muslim League on October 15. The cap was part of a complete change in Jinnah’s wardrobe; he surrendered his Saville Row suits in favour of a sherwani and Qaraqul cap meant to signify his commitment to the idea of a separate nation for the Muslims of South Asia.
Interestingly, at that point, many regarded the Jinnah cap as an answer to the hand-spun cotton cap which Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru used to wear, and which had come to symbolise the Congress Party’s ideals at the time.
Since then, the cap has graced many a brow vying for a successful political, even religious, career in the Land of the Pure. The cap has come to acquire ample political significance and is bought usually by oath-takers as a ritual to achieve the ‘crowning touch.’ In most cases, however, the cap’s symbolism has not proved powerful enough to achieve the degree of leadership success that Jinnah managed.
Showing posts with label All Iindia Muslim League. Show all posts
Showing posts with label All Iindia Muslim League. Show all posts
The Tense State Drive, Karachi 14 August 1947
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Despite a warning from a British CID of a plot to assassinate Jinnah during this ride, the program proceeded on schedule. Mountbatten joined Jinnah on this ride from Victoria Road till Government House. The ride was most tense when passing through a Hindu neighbourhood which had little to rejoice and where the plotters were supposed to act. On reaching Government House, Jinnah kept his hand on Mountbatten's thigh and remarked, 'Thank God I brought you back alive'. 'I brought you back alive' retorted Mountbatten. Later on it was learnt that one of the conspirators lost his nerve at the crucial time. Did someone say Advani?
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Click on the image to enlarge |
Despite a warning from a British CID of a plot to assassinate Jinnah during this ride, the program proceeded on schedule. Mountbatten joined Jinnah on this ride from Victoria Road till Government House. The ride was most tense when passing through a Hindu neighbourhood which had little to rejoice and where the plotters were supposed to act. On reaching Government House, Jinnah kept his hand on Mountbatten's thigh and remarked, 'Thank God I brought you back alive'. 'I brought you back alive' retorted Mountbatten. Later on it was learnt that one of the conspirators lost his nerve at the crucial time. Did someone say Advani?
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Quaid-e-Azam received in Lahore by Punjab Governor Sir Francis Mudie
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Mudie was Governor of Sind before Partition and chose to leave for Lahore on 7 August, the day when Mr Jinnah landed in Karachi, creating an unnecessary controversy. Mr Jinnah's stay in Lahore (26 October - 1 December) was not very pleasant either. He spent nearly three weeks in bed due to illness. His military secretary Col Birnie noted in his diary that Jinnah had left looking sixty and returned five weeks later looking over eighty. His temporary life was drawing to an end.
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Click on the image to enlarge |
Mudie was Governor of Sind before Partition and chose to leave for Lahore on 7 August, the day when Mr Jinnah landed in Karachi, creating an unnecessary controversy. Mr Jinnah's stay in Lahore (26 October - 1 December) was not very pleasant either. He spent nearly three weeks in bed due to illness. His military secretary Col Birnie noted in his diary that Jinnah had left looking sixty and returned five weeks later looking over eighty. His temporary life was drawing to an end.
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Quaid-e-Azam with GOC East Pakistan Ayub Khan in 1948
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