Understanding the Muslim Mind

Rajmohan Gandhi pleasently surprised me with this book. He presents a very informative and historical narrative of things that happened in pre independent India from the communal relations standpoint. As a true historian, he does not shy away from telling the truth as it ought to be told even if it concerns his grandfather Mahatma Gandhi. I learnt about a complete different facet of personalities of Muslim League and "Quam" such as Iqbal, Azad, Muhammad Ali and Liaqat Ali Khan.

I also came to know about a superlative personality of Fazlul Haq. Only in India such a politician would exists, that after moving the Pakistan resolution, he formed a government with no other than Dr. Shyama Prasad Mukherjee of Hindu Mahasabha. And as a smart politician he even injected a sense of opportunity in the pakistan resolution for bangladesh to get independent in the future. No doubt he is identified as "Sher-E-Bangla".

One of the interesting things that I noted is that majority of separatist politicians strident in their demand of Pakistan got educated in Europe, and interestingly their views started to harden post their education in Europe. Although Dr. Zakir Hussain is a notable exception (having studied in europe), however he comes out as less political and more of an educationist in this regard.

My highlight of the book is Rajmohan Gandhi's terse but important conclusion - "Judging their own community by its highest ideals, both Hindus and Muslims nonetheless judged the other community by its lowest deeds."

A book I would highly recommend on the strength of its writing, theme, strength of narration and its ability to support the quest of understanding the mindset of others.