Oxford University Press launched its latest publication Wavell and the Dying Days of the Raj: Britain’s Penultimate Viceroy in India written by Muhammad Iqbal Chawla. This book seeks to analyse the deeper and complex undercurrents of Lord Wavell’s viceroyalty, a subject which has not been previously touched upon in depth. An attempt has been made for the first time to cover nearly all the major events and the leading characters (such as MA Jinnah, Jawaharlal Nehru, Mahatma Gandhi) who constituted the variegated political scene of India in its widest sense during the Second World War—and the period immediately after it—when the British grip on India was loosening fast and their departure from India was imminent.
Dr Muhammad Iqbal Chawla is Professor, History Department, University of the Punjab, Lahore. He teaches graduate, postgraduate, MPhil, and PhD courses and is the editor of the Journal of the Punjab University Historical Society published by the University of the Punjab. His articles on modern South Asian studies, particularly pre-Partition Muslim politics, have been published in national and international journals. Furthermore, Dr Chawla is the author of Islamic Writings in Pakistan.
The launch ceremony held at the University of the Punjab was well-attended by the students, academics and the faculty members of the university. The speakers at the launch included Justice Dr Javaid Iqbal, former chief justice, Lahore High Court; Professor Dr Sheikh Rafique Ahmed, Vice Chairman, Nazaria-i-Pakistan Trust, Professor Dr Farhat Mehmood, History Department, Government College University; Professor Dr Syed Qalb-i-Abid, Chairman, History Department, University of the Punjab. and Dr Muhammad Iqbal Chawla. Professor Dr Sayyed Mujahid Kamran, Vice Chancellor, University of the Punjab, was the chief guest at the function. Earlier in his welcome address, Tariq Haq, Regional Sales Director, Oxford University Press Pakistan, introduced Dr Muhammad Iqbal Chawla.
Dr Kamran said that the real purpose of fanning communal disputes was to detract attention from real issues, adding that nations that did not study history spent meaningless lives. He said Hinduism was not a religion but was based on caste system which could not see Muslims progressing. He urged the rulers to allocate at least 4 percent of GDP towards education to promote knowledge in country. He advised the students of History to have strong grip over their subject and move the country forward on the road to progress. Justice (r) Dr Javed Iqbal said the real reason behind the division of subcontinent was Hindu’s adamant attitude. He said that Hindus always opposed independent state for Muslims and had biased attitude. He said monarchy was one of the major reasons behind the downfall of the Muslims. He said that Pakistan could cope with challenges if it abolished imitative mentality. He advised the students not to be disappointed and use their leadership qualities. Giving brief of the book, Prof Dr Iqbal Chawla said that the most important of the three viceroys has been sadly neglected. He said that the period of viceroyalty of Archibold Pervcvial Wavell, from October 1943 to March 1947, was the time which actually witnessed the makings of all that Mountbatten was sent to implement, and in all that he, contrary to rather misplaced beliefs, was always central figure. He said though Wavell was not in favour of India’s division into two countries, he was, however, strongly in favour of the minority rights in India and he wanted to carry it out all by releasing the pent up political energies in India which had been dammed up the British preoccupation with the World War 2. He said his support for minority rights brought him into conflict with the overlords of his own establishments, the Officer of the Secretary of State for India, in London. He said further that the Wavell Plan and the follow up Simla Conference (1945) were all Wavell’s brainchild engaging the Indians in the country’s political process. He said that a close study of all the important documentary collections concerning the Indian affairs reveals very clearly Jinnah’s determination to achieve an independent Pakistan and Congress’s failed efforts like Rajgopalcharia Formula, Gandhi-Jinnah Talks etc to sway him away from his stated goal but they all failed to do so.
PUCIT HOLDS JOB FAIR: Punjab University College of Information Technology, under the leadership of its Principal Prof Dr Mansoor Sarwar, has organized a successful job fair at its campus to provide employment opportunities to intelligent IT students. Over 500 students participated in the fair out of which over 200 students were interviewed by 22 national and multi-national companies. The representative of the companies also guided the participating students about their career and requirements of the market. The students have thanked Prof Dr Mansoor Sarwar for providing them an opportunity to make their future bright and be aware of the employment demands of the IT companies.
PU TO ORGANISE SEMINAR: Punjab University Directorate of Students Affairs (STC) is organizing a programme titled ‘World’s scenario-Pakistan and Our Responsibilities’ on Tuesday, April 10 (today) at 10:30 am in Faisal Auditorium. Lord Nazir Ahmad, Member British House of Lords, will be the guest speaker while PU Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr Mujahid Kamran will preside over the occasion.
Underappreciated but one of the most important viceroys
