Unionist Party (Punjab): Difference between revisions
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==Partition and dissolution== |
==Partition and dissolution== |
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After Sikander Khan's death in 1942, his son Khizr Hyat Khan took over the party, but in 1946 Punjab was partitioned |
After Sikander Khan's death in 1942, his son Khizr Hyat Khan took over the party, but in 1946 Punjab was partitioned, and in the following year became the largest province of the new state of [[Pakistan]]. Thus the Unionist Party floundered and dissolved itself. |
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==See also== |
==See also== |
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Revision as of 13:03, 16 March 2006
The Unionist Muslim League was an Indian political party in the province of Punjab during British Raj in India.
Foundation
The League was created by Indian Muslim political leaders who rejected the political separatism of the All India Muslim League and the leadership of Muhammad Ali Jinnah.
The League favored a united India, with special political rights and extensive representation for India's Muslims. It often opted to form political alliances in the Punjab with the Indian National Congress and Sikh political parties.
However, the League did not support the Quit India Movement, and backed the British effort in World War II.
Politics
The League was the largest political party in the Punjab, and controlled the Government of Punjab from 1937 to 1946 under the Government of India Act 1935, in coalition with the Shiromani Akali Dal and the Indian National Congress.
The League's most charismatic and popular leader was Sikander Hyat Khan, who was the chief minister of Punjab. He was revered by Muslims, Hindus and Sikhs in the province alike.
Partition and dissolution
After Sikander Khan's death in 1942, his son Khizr Hyat Khan took over the party, but in 1946 Punjab was partitioned, and in the following year became the largest province of the new state of Pakistan. Thus the Unionist Party floundered and dissolved itself.