Memory of the World; 2012 - unesdoc - Unesco

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Jinnah papers (Quaid-i-Azam)
Inscribed 1999
What are they
The personal and political papers of Mohammad Ali
Jinnah, the founder of Pakistan; the collection also
includes Jinnah’s published writings, photographs
and maps.
Why were they inscribed
This collection reflects a period of tumultuous change
and the struggle for independence in South Asia, as seen
by one of its major figures, that resulted in the birth
of Pakistan and the partition of India.
Where are they
National Archives of Pakistan, Islamabad, Pakistan
Mohammad Ali Jinnah (1876–1948) was born and educated
in Karachi and trained as a barrister in London, returning
to Mumbai to establish a legal practice in 1896. Popularly
called Quaid-i-Azam (‘Great Leader’), he was the founding
father of Pakistan, of which, in 1947, he became the first
governor-general, leading the new country until his death
a year later. The collection of his papers covers the period
from 1876 to 1948 and is of world significance as it reflects
a period of momentous change in South Asia, culminating
in the emergence of the two independent states of India
and Pakistan. The collection is an important source for the
study of the Muslim freedom movement in South Asia and
of the political and personal life of Jinnah. It unfolds not
only the various facets of his life and career but also the
stages in the growth of the Muslim freedom movement
and the development of the All-India Muslim League from
a mere political faction into a great political party parallel
to the Indian National Congress. The All-India Muslim
League was created in 1906 to protect the rights of Indian
Muslims. Jinnah joined in 1913, having left the Indian
National Congress, and became its president in 1916. These
papers contain records of the extraordinary qualities of his
political leadership which enabled him to wrest the then
largest Muslim state in the world, Pakistan, from colonial
British rule amid strong opposition from the British and
the Hindus.
The papers fall into five main categories: personal
papers, political papers (the bulk of the collection),
372 Jinnah papers (Quaid-i-Azam)
published material, photographs and maps. The
personal papers relate to financial, social and medical
questions. The political papers consist of reports,
speeches, interviews and correspondence with Indian
and 650 international leaders. They cover a wide range
of subjects including the ‘Transfer of Power’ which led
to the partition of India. Published material is mainly in
the form of newspaper clippings, pamphlets, reports and
books on subjects ranging from politics and education to
sport and health. The 3000 photographs in the collection
cover almost 50 years of Jinnah’s private and public life.
The small map section illustrates the physical features,
administrative boundaries and demographic distribution