Jawaharlal Nehru 1889-1940

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Jawaharlal Nehru 1889-1940

Jawaharlal Nehru 1889-1940: Shri Jawaharlal Nehru was born on 14 November 1889 in Allahabad. He is fondly referred to as Chacha Nehru, and his birthday is commemorated as Children’s Day in India. He is primarily recognized as the Architect of the Indian Republic. Nehru is also referred to as Pandit since his forebears were part of the Pandit (Priestly) community of Kashmir. I believe he ought to be named Jawaharlal Nehru the Great (Please read other parts of this article at pages: Jawaharlal Nehru 1940-1950, Jawaharlal Nehru 1950-64.)

He was both a writer and an orator. He wrote well-known books, ‘Glimpses of World History’ in 1934, ‘Towards Freedom’ (his autobiography) in 1936, and ‘The Discovery of India’ in 1946. By 1929, he had already outlined the core theme of the Indian Constitution, detailing the Fundamental rights of citizens and the Democratic and Republican structure of Government

Architect of Indian Republic

At that time, only Nehru and Bose perceived India as a Nation, in contrast to other leaders. At that time, India was made up of multiple Presidencies under British rule and numerous Kingdoms led by the former Rajas and Nawabs. Overall, individuals were viewed as Subjects of their specific Princely States and Presidencies. After India’s shift to a Republic led by Nehru, we exist as Citizens of India instead of subjects of different Kingdoms. Currently, Indian citizens have the opportunity to select their leaders instead of being ruled by royal monarchs. Nehruji’s contribution to India is the insistence on providing voting rights to every citizen under the adult franchise system.

We know that Nehru’s biography cannot be read separately from freedom struggle of India. The story of Freedom struggle and life of Nehru are intertwined. So let us have a gist of the state of affairs in India at the time when Nehru entered into political scene and thereafter. And it must be remembered that before the advent of Shri Nehru and Shri Gandhi also, people fought for freedom.

Armed Resistances against the British

The struggle for freedom began when the British arrived in India, occurring intermittently and at times in an organized manner, but it was confined to certain regions of India.

Several people like Shri Balagangadhar Tilak, Rash Behari Bose, Vinayak Damodar Sawarkar, Arabindo Ghosh etc., raised their voices before. Sometimes from Indian soil and sometimes from foreign lands. Some took to arms and violence. One of the foremost freedom fighter was Tilak. He was jailed in 1897 for 18 months and in 1908 for 6 years on the allegations of writing instigating words against Britishers through his journals Kesari and Marathi and Tilak.

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After the British established direct control over India in 1857, a significant uprising took place in 1909. A number of British individuals lost their lives, and V D Sawarkar was implicated in the offenses and sentenced to two consecutive 50-year prison terms. The second event was the Gaddar uprising (1912-17) that occurred during World War I. The Gaddar uprising aimed to incite defections from the British Indian Army to remove the British from power. The last and third armed uprising occurred under the leadership of Subhas Chandra Bose (1940-44). His army was named Azad Hind Fauz (Indian National Army). This INA was actually established by Rash Behari Bose working from Japan. Rash Behari Bose transferred control of the INA to Subhash Chandra Bose in 1941.

However, all these efforts have been unsuccessful for two reasons. These groundbreaking freedom fighters relied on foreign nations for weapon supplies, funding, and logistical support. When these foreign forces were either vanquished by the British or allied with them, the uprisings quickly diminished, endangering the liberation movement and the lives of those fighting for freedom. For instance, France delivered Sawarkar to the British authorities. INA was also defeated and disbanded when Japan lost in World War II.

Gandhi made freedom struggle a mass movement

Additionally, a significant aspect of these uprisings is that they were limited to specific areas of India only. For instance, Tilak’s struggle for freedom was limited to the Maratha region, while Arabindo Ghosh’s efforts were focused on Bengal. The Gaddar movement spans from Punjab to Bengal. Mahatma Gandhi was the one who managed to broaden the scope of the freedom struggle against the British to encompass all of India

Gandhi had witnessed and encountered the military power and brutality of the British in South Africa. Gandhi spent 21 years residing in South Africa. There he created a highly effective instrument of nonviolent resistance called Satyagraha or non-cooperation movement to oppose the British. Gandhi came back to India in 1915. He embraced the principle of Satyagraha in India to wage his struggle. Nehru and other freedom fighters, along with large groups, followed Gandhi and ultimately succeeded in expelling the British from India by 1950. Nonetheless, we must keep in mind that around 300,000 Indians died in their struggle against the British at the same time.

Lineage of Nehrus

Jawaharlal Nehru was indeed born on 14 November 1889 to Motilal Nehru and Swaruprani Thussu (while Gandhi was 20 years older than him). Jawahar’s dad, Motilal Nehru, came into the world on 6 May 1861, as the son of Gangadhar Nehru and Indrani. Gangadhar Nehru served as a kotwal in the city of Delhi. The Sepoy rebellion took place in 1857. The sepoys proclaimed Bahadurshah as the Emperor of India. Britain responded by unleashing devastation upon the Mughals and their populace. The British exterminated the entire Mughal line, including infants. The Nehrus, serving the Mughals, endured the greatest hardships. The Nehru family residence in Delhi was ransacked and set on fire. Gangadhar departed from Delhi with his family and relocated to Agra, finding refuge at their relatives’ home there.

At this point, Motilal’s two elder siblings, Bansidhar Nehru and Nandlal Nehru, were aged nineteen and sixteen years, respectively. Nandlal obtained a position as a clerk in the court of a Raja in Khetri and started providing for his mother and brother.

Consequently, Motilal spent his childhood in Khetri, Rajasthan. His older brother, Nandlal, won the favor of Raja Fateh Singh of Khetri and ascended to the role of Diwan. Subsequently, Nandlal departed from Khetri to Agra and pursued legal studies. He subsequently started practicing law at the High Court in Agra. Later, the High Court relocated to Allahabad, and the Nehru family (Motilal included) settled in Allahabad.

This marked the beginning of the Nehru family’s connection with Allahabad. Nandlal assisted Motilal in obtaining a modern education in Agra as well as in Allahabad. Motilal completed his matriculation from Kanpur and subsequently enrolled at Muir Central College in Allahabad. Motilal was subsequently qualified as “Bar at Law” in 1883 from the University of Cambridge and registered as a lawyer in Indian courts.

It is crucial to highlight that Motilal declined to perform penance (Prayashchitta) for the offense of traveling abroad against the orders of Orthodox Brahmins. Jawaharlal also did not experience prayaschittta. This could be the primary reason critics categorize Nehrus as non-Hindus or Muslims. (Gandhi did comply and carried out required rituals for his transgression of traveling abroad by sea.) It is worth mentioning that Sawarkar also doubted God’s existence at certain times.

Motilal worked as an attorney in Kanpur. Three years later, he relocated to Allahabad to participate in the profitable practice already set up by his brother Nandlal. The next year, in April 1887, his sibling passed away at the age of forty-two, leaving five sons and two daughters behind. At 25, Motilal became the main provider for the extensive Nehru family.

Anand Bhavan

In 1900, he purchased a spacious house in Allahabad, remodeled it, and called it Anand Bhavan due to the success of his practice. Jawaharlal was born in this place.

Jawahar stayed home instead of attending school and was taught primarily by Ferdinand Brooks and Annie Besant. Jawaharlal learned Hindi and Sanskrit with the help of Indian instructors. In 1905, Jawahar was sent to England for his formal education at Horrow. Later, Nehru enrolled at Trinity College, Cambridge in October 1907 and earned an Honours degree in natural science in 1910.

Subsequently, Nehru relocated to London and pursued a law degree at Inner Temple Inn. Nehru was a graduate in Science and also a Lawyer. And had gained understanding of Hindu texts. Nehru wed Kamala Kaul in March 1916.

Nehru encountered Gandhi for the first time in 1916 during the annual session of the Indian National Congress held in Lucknow. At that time, both were unfamiliar with one another, apart from the knowledge that Motilal and Gandhi knew each other.

Gopal Krishna Gokhale

However, we should understand that it was odd and naïve for Indians to consider expelling the British from India during that time. Gopal Krishna Gokhale remarked that it was “insanity to consider independence.” Gokhale supported constitutional activism. Motilal shared the same view. Motilal Nehru recognized the constraints of constitutional protests but advised his son that there was no other “practical option” besides it.

Until the meeting between father and son with Mahatma Gandhi, neither of them had any clear thoughts on how to achieve freedom. Jawaharlal was drawn to Gandhi’s commitment to opposing British rule in India with courage and without hatred.

Motilal Nehru

It occurred in such a way that when Nehru expressed his desire to join the freedom struggle, Motilal mocked him and cautioned him about the possibility of imprisonment. Then Nehru practiced lying on the floor at home. Motilal provided Jawahar with sufficient funds for his requirements to encourage him to follow his profession for financial gain. Nehru’s thoughts were focused on the goal of expelling the British and liberating Indians and India from oppression. This mindset embodies Nehru’s belief and resolve to devote his life to the liberation of his homeland.

Clearly, he, like numerous other Indians who traveled to England, absorbed the ideals of Nationalism and envisioned expelling the British from India. However, Nehru implemented his principles to systematically attain independence. However, it is important to highlight that during that period, no one believed that India would achieve any freedom in the immediate future. Approximately 300,000 individuals lost their lives while battling the British from 1857 to 1947. Bose and Nehru solely emphasized the struggle for complete independence. Even Gandhi ji was not in favor of Total Freedom, believing it could not be realized.

Non-Cooperation movement 1920-21

Nehru took part in the Non-Cooperation movement of 1920 initiated by Gandhi. Gandhi directed the campaign in the United Provinces (Uttar Pradesh). Nehru was detained in 1921 for anti-government activities and was freed a few months afterward. Consequently, Nehru was imprisoned for the first time in 1921. In the following 24 years, Nehru was imprisoned for over nine years on eight separate occasions. His final incarceration lasted nearly three years. His last release happened in 1945.

In 1923, he worked as the general secretary ofthe Indian National Congress for a duration of two years, and once more in 1927 for an additional two years.

Nehru and Bose both disagreed with Gandhi’s choice to end the Second Non-Cooperation movement following the Chauri Chaura incident in 1922. Nonetheless, Nehru stayed faithful to Gandhi. For instance, Jawahar Lal did not become a member of the Swaraj Party established in 1923, where his father, Motilal Nehru, served as General Secretary.

Bal Gangadhar Tilak’s Swaraj

Let us know about the events that resulted in the sentencing and imprisonment of Tilak. In 1897, Chapekar Brothers killed two Britons, Rand and Ayerst. It was claimed that they performed that action due to Tilak’s inciting writings in his publications Kesari and Maratha. Tilak was found guilty of sedition for supposedly provoking violence against the British and was given an 18-month prison sentence in 1897. In 1908, Bengali youths Prafulla Chaki and Khudiram Bose hurled a bomb at a British carriage. In his article Kesari, Tilak supported the revolutionaries and urged for instant Swaraj or self-governance. Tilak faced charges of sedition. Tilak completed his prison term at Mandalay Jail in Rangoon from 1908 to 1914. Tilak did not admit to guilt. And did not request for compassion.

When the judge inquired if he had any remarks to make, Tilak responded:

“All that I wish to say is that, in spite of the verdict of the jury, I still maintain that I am innocent. There are higher powers that rule the destinies of men and nations; and I think, it may be the will of Providence that the cause I represent may be benefited more by my suffering than by my pen and tongue.”

FREEDOM IS MY BIRTH RIGHT

Tilak was known for proclaiming, FREEDOM IS MY BIRTHRIGHT AND I WILL CLAIM IT. He was the first to advocate for a boycott of British products and urged for Swadeshi. Notably, Gandhiji initiated his nationwide campaign for Swaraj by promoting the Swadeshi movement. And individuals reacted positively by contributing Rs. 1 crore to the Tilak Swaraj Fund within a few months in 1919.

Upon his return from prolonged imprisonment, Tilak remained steadfast in his dedication to the struggle for freedom. He attempted to persuade the congressional committee to initiate a nationwide campaign for Home Rule. However, moderates turned it down. Tilak then founded the Home Rule League. Annie Besant established another Home Rule League in 1916. Nehru became a member of both leagues but particularly focused on Annie Besant’s HRL. Tilak passed away in 1920, while Gokhale died in 1915.

Nehru ji represented the Indian National Congress at the Congress of Oppressed Nationalities in Brussels, Belgium, in 1927. The gathering was convened to organize and strategize a united fight against imperialism. Nehru was chosen for the Executive Council of the League against Imperialism at that location.

A further turning point in his political and economic ideas occurred when Nehru traveled through Europe and the Soviet Union between 1926 and 1927. And fate demonstrates in that way, Nehru’s father served as the President of INC in 1928, and Nehru became President in 1929.

Independence for India League

The Nehru Report of 1928 did not call for complete independence from the British. However, was requesting Dominion status for India similar to that of Canada and Australia. It’s noteworthy that the Nehru Report was created by Motilal Nehru, who was the father of Jawahar Lal Nehru. Jawahar and Bose were urging Congress to announce Purna Swaraj (Complete Independence) as its goal. A forum named “Independence for India League” was established with Jawahar Lal Nehru and Subhash Chandra Bose serving as Secretaries, and S. Srinivasa Iyengar as President, pressuring Gandhi and Patel to consent to a resolution advocating for Purna Swaraj as the Congress’ objective.

Bhagat Singh and Nehru

On August 8, 1929, Nehru encountered Bhagat Singh and his fellow inmates in prison, who were facing execution. Gandhi sent a letter to the Viceroy of India opposing Bhagat Singh’s execution,

M. K. Gandhi
1 DARYAGANJ, DELHI,
March 23, 1931

The Viceroy,
Govt. of India.

DEAR FRIEND,
It seems cruel to inflict this letter on you, but the interest of peace demands a final appeal. Though you were frank enough to tell me that there was little hope of your commuting the sentence of death on Bhagat Singh and two others, you said you would consider my submission of Saturday…..

Execution is an irretrievable act. If you think there is the slightest chance of error of judgment, I would urge you to suspend for further review an act that is beyond recall.
If my presence is necessary, I can come. Though I may not speak I may hear and write what I want to say.
“Charity never faileth.”

I am,
Your sincere friend,
M. K. Gandhi

It is significant that Gandhi addressed the Governor as Friend in the letter, omitting any titles of respect. It is crucial to note that Hedgewar distanced himself from the Congress in 1925. Sawarkar was released from house detention in 1924. Gandhi and Nehru opposed the British on Constitutional matters and resisted British rule via the Non-cooperation movement and Satyagraha. Furthermore, Sawarkar upheld good ties with the British after 1924. I think Sawarkar would have utilized his influence and/or worked with Gandhi and Nehru to achieve the release or a reduction of sentences for Bhagat Singh and his comrades.

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Lahore session

After the Congress session in Lahore in 1929, Nehru emerged as the leading figure among the country’s intellectuals and youth. Nehru was one of the first leaders to demand that the Congress Party fully and explicitly cut all ties with the British. His resolve for independence was approved at the Madras session of Congress in 1927 despite Gandhi’s resistance to the proposal. In a protest against the INC for dismissing his plan, Nehru founded the Independence for India League as a lobby within the Congress.

Swaraj struggle

In 1928, Gandhi finally agreed to Nehru’s requests and put forth a resolution himself, calling on the British to grant dominion status (Swaraj) to India within two years. If the British failed to meet the deadline, the Congress would prompt all Indians to work towards total independence, Poorna Swaraj.

Nehru was one of the leaders who resisted the two-year timeframe set for the British by Gandhiji – Nehru and Bose pressed Gandhi to demand prompt action from the British. Gandhi granted a concession and reduced the deadline to one year. Nehru agreed and voted in support of the new resolution requesting the British to provide Dominion status to India within a year. It was established that if the British refuse to provide Dominion status, Congress would aim for Total Independence.

Poorna Swaraj resolution of 1929

It is essential to comprehend why Congress, like other revolutionaries, did not support or seek complete freedom until 1929. This happened because Indians, being intelligent, recognize that if the British left or were forced out, another European nation could probably fill the void. Consequently, their fear was not about gaining independence but rather about being supplanted by another European nation. This is the reason Indians within Congress pursued Dominion status along with British control. After World War I and the Russian Revolution, occurrences like the rise of Fascism and Japan’s victory over Russia strengthened the Congress, as youth leaders such as Nehru and Bose pushed for a transition towards Poorna Swaraj.

Declaration of Independence in 1929

Congress declared Independence on 29.12.1929 and it was resolved to celebrate January, 1930 as Independence day every year. At that time the Tri-colour flag was adopted National Flag of free India. Nehru drafted the Indian declaration of independence as follows:

“We believe that it is the inalienable right of the Indian people, as of any other people, to have freedom and to enjoy the fruits of their toil and have the necessities of life, so that they may have full opportunities of growth. We believe also that if any government deprives a people of these rights and oppresses them the people have a further right to alter it or abolish it. The British government in India has not only deprived the Indian people of their freedom but has based itself on the exploitation of the masses, and has ruined India economically, politically, culturally and spiritually. We believe therefore, that India must severe the British connection and attain complete independence, the Purna Swaraj.”

And a pledge of independence was read out, which included a readiness to withhold taxes. Nehru had spoken openly “of the politics of non-cooperation, of the need of resigning from honorary positions under the government and of not continuing the futile politics of representation”

Tri-colour flag

Subsequently, the British government labeled the Indian National Congress (INC) as an unlawful association (from 1932 to 1934). The newly adopted Tricolor flag by the INC was viewed by the British as a symbol of sedition and resistance. However, the British repression did not prevent Indians from raising the flag. Raising the Tri-colour flag and shouting Vande Mataram became emblems of patriotism. The struggle for freedom was started to be referred to as the Flag struggle. Lakhs of Indians faced imprisonment. Faced lathis and bullets without fear. Thousands perished from injuries, and many sacrificed their lives to gunfire.

(RSS separated itself from the Flag Struggle and directed its members not to participate in the Flag struggle. The RSS raised the tricolor National Flag of India at its headquarters in Nagpur after India ended British rule on 14 August 1947. They once more raised the Tricolor flag on 26 January 1950 after India proclaimed itself a Republic. Nevertheless, it was later stopped. However, they started flying the National flag from 2002)

Dandi March

As a result, Gandhi urged for civil disobedience and Satyagraha. He initiated the third civil disobedience by violating salt regulations. Gandhi initiated his renowned Dandi march (240 KM) on foot on 12 March from Sabarmati, arriving in Dandi on 5 April and producing salt on 6 April 1930, violating salt laws with a few hundred followers. As Gandhi moved forward, thousands accompanied him, and at Dandi, the volunteers were brutally attacked by British Indian Sepoys. However, no one physically fought back against the beatings and merely collapsed with injuries, primarily to the head. Indians appear to have understood from the events of the salt satyagraha that they can combat a powerful adversary without resorting to violence.

Yet by enduring themselves. Lakhs of individuals from every part of India took part in the Salt Satyagraha, and 60,000 people were detained throughout the country. I believe Indians voluntarily held back from retaliation and not resorted to violence amid the atrocities committed by the British to demonstrate their adherence to Gandhi ji’s directives and their complete acceptance of the Gandhian philosophy of satyagraha.

Nehru spoke at a massive gathering, led a large parade, and ceremonially produced contraband salt in Allahabad. He was taken into custody on 14 April 1930 while traveling by train from Allahabad to Raipur. He faced charges for violating the salt law, was tried quickly within the prison, and received a six-month prison sentence.

As the protests gained momentum, Nehru commented on the extraordinary public reaction to the Dandi march, “it seemed as though water from a spring had been suddenly released”. It is reported that he commented in this way, the Non-cooperation movement pulled Indians out of the swamp and provided them with self-esteem and independence under Gandhi’s guidance.

Fundamental Rights for all Citizens of India

Earlier we have noted that Nehru formed a group called as “Independence for India League” to pressurise Gandhi for agreeing to declare Poorna Swaraj as Congress’ sole goal. Paralally he formed another unit in the name of “Democracy front” within Congress to compel Patel to agree for declaring Congress for establishment of a democratic government for future citizens of India. At last Nehru succeeded in 1931. Nehru drafted the resolution stating fundamental rithts for future Citizens of India like this,

Freedom of religion,

Right to form associations,

Freedom of expression of thought,

Equality before law for every individual without distinction of caste, colour, creed or religion,

Protection to regional languages and cultures,

Safeguarding the interests of the peasants and labour, abolition of untouchability,

Introduction of adult franchise,

Imposition of prohibition,

Nationalization of industries, socialism, and establishment of a secular India.

And also all these aims were adopted in the resolution on the “Fundamental Rights and Economic Policy” of the Congress party in 1931. This resolution was passed at Karachi session, under the chairmanship of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.

In fact these issues were prepared and submitted to Patel and Gandhi at Madras session of AICC, 1929 but were rejected by them. Ultimately in 1930 Nehru succeeded in convincing both of them to accept his agenda on democracy and Socialism for New India.

Again shortly after Gandhi’s return from the second Round Table Conference in London, Gandhi was jailed in January 1932. He was charged with attempting to mount another Civil Disobedience movement; Nehru was also arrested and sentenced to two years’ imprisonment.

Indian bureaucracy was Frankly selfish

It should be noted that war against the British hegemony was fought by Indian National Congress in utter hostile conditions. In 1915 itself Gokhale remarked that, ‘Indian bureaucracy was Frankly selfish and working against National aspirations’. Later Nehru ridiculed the Indian Civil Service for its support of British policies.

And all most all Zamindars, Rajahs and Nawabs sided with the British. This must be the reason for Nehru and his ilk for detesting the Police, Military, Zamindars and former Rajas and Nawabs after India became a Republic. And also we have to also remember that Indian Sepoys serving the British actually carried out the arrests and harassment of Freedom fighters. For that matter who fired on unarmed Indian at Julianwalabagh ? Indian Sepoys only. But at the orders given by their British masters.

Historians used to blame the British for divide rule policy they adopted to rule India. But it should be noted that all kinds of people from all regions and from all Castes/Communities joined the Military and Police of the British and the British used the very Indians to quell the agitation and kill Indian freedom fighters. This was the ground reality at that time. So it is not proper to blame a particular individual or a community or a region for siding with the British.

Democracy and Republican form of Government

And, after 1925, Hindu organizations and Muslim organizations started working against freedom struggle. They were against Democracy and Republican form of Government. Ambedkar did not participate in freedom struggle. Ambetkar was against Democracy based on the principle of majoritarian rule. He opposed freedom struggle for a purpose because he thought that serving his community is more important that the imagined Nationalism of those days. Rabindranath Tagore and several other prominent persons also did not participate in freedom struggle but not opposed the freedom struggle. For that matter, even Congress also did not fight for Total freedom till 1929. Nehru and Bose was instrumental in persuading Gandhi to declare Total freedom as Congress’ sole agenda in 1929.

Nehru was in Europe in early 1936, visiting his ailing wife, and she died in Switzerland. Europe was on the brink of war at that time.

Nehru emphasized that in the event of war in Europe India’s place was alongside of the democracies, but he insisted that India could fight in support of Great Britain and France but only as a free country.

Subhas Chandra Bos

Nehru worked closely with Subhas Chandra Bose in developing good relations with governments of free countries all over the world. However, the two split in the late 1930s, when Bose argued for seeking the help of fascists (Italians and Germans) who were enemies of the British to achieve freedom. At the same time, Nehru had supported the Republicans who were fighting against Francisco Franco’s forces in the Spanish Civil War. Nehru along with his aide V. K. Krishna Menon visited Spain and declared support for the Republicans. Nehru refused to meet Benito Mussolini, the dictator of Italy even though Mussolini expressed his desire to meet Nehru.

In the meantime constitutional process made a big leap with conduction of Provincial elections in 1937.

Provincial elections of 1937

At the 1936 Lucknow session of 1936, the Congress party decided to contest the provincial elections to be held in 1937, congress argued that by participating in the Government through provincial councils we can wreck the British Government from within. First Nehru opposed the move but accepted the mandate of the Congress party and agreed to lead the Election campaign. The elections brought Congress party to power in majority of the provinces. Nehru’s popularity increased. This was the beginning of establishment of autonomous governments in Indian provinces. And it also marked the beginning of a future federal system of the Indian Union.

In all the provinces Congress swept the polls. And Hindu Maha Sabha and Muslim league were routed. Hence, these election results should be construed as an endorsement by people of India of the Nehru’s policies of Democracy and Republican form of Polity.

As World War II began in 1939, Nehru hurried back from a visit to China, and announced that, in a conflict between democracy and Fascism, “our sympathies must inevitably be on the side of democracy.

On 23 October 1939, the Congress condemned the Viceroy’s announcement of India joining the war without consulting Legislatives of Provinces. And called upon the Congress ministries to resign in protest. Before this crucial announcement, Nehru urged Jinnah and the Muslim League to join the protest but the latter declined.

Pakistan demand

And in March 1940 Muslim league under Jinnah passed “Pakistan Resolution” in Lahore, declaring “Muslims are a nation according to any definition of a nation, and they must have their homelands, their territory and their State.” This State was to be known as Pakistan, meaning “Land of the Pure”. Nehru angrily declared that “all the old problems … pale into insignificance before the latest stand taken by the Muslim League leader in Lahore”. Before this Sindh Provincial council, in 1939, in which Hindu Mahashabha and Muslim league shared power, passed a resolution for formation of Pakistan.