DEFENDING COMPOSITE NATIONALISM: MAULANA ABUL KALAM AZAD’S BATTLE AGAINST THE PARTITION OF INDIA

This paper examines Abul Kalam Azad’s ideological journey, which began with revolutionary ideas, evolved into pan-Islamism, and ultimately culminated in composite nationalism. His opposition to the partition of India stemmed from his adherence to composite nationalism. Despite his efforts, Azad could not play a role in preventing partition, the seeds of which had been nurtured during his tenure as Congress president. This paper claims that the failure of Azad was mainly due to the interweaving combination of three factors: the distinct nature of All-India Muslim League politics, the opposition within the Congress, and Azad’s own vulnerable position within Congress. This study explores and evaluates Azad’s effort to keep India united, examining his activities with the multiple hurdles he faced while striving for national unity. By analyzing Azad's leadership amidst the critical juncture of partition, this paper contributes to our understanding of the various factors that shaped India's political landscape and the enduring relevance of composite nationalism in contemporary discourse.