PAKISTAN AND NORTHWEST INDIA

PAKISTAN AND NORTHWEST INDIA

Since the majority of the Pakistanis are descendents of the four racial stocks of Sakas (Scythians), Pallavas (Parthians), Kushanas (Kushans), Hunas (Hephthalites/White Huns), and Gujjars (Khazars). One may, with reasonable plausibility ask that since Hindu counterparts of these same races are spread eastward as far as western UP and Rajputana, do they also form part of Pakistani nation?

The answer is a definite no. Here comes in religion or ideology which sharply and distinctly separates a Hindu Rajput from a Muslim Rajput, a Hindu Jat from a Muslim Jat, a Hindu Gujjar from a Muslim Gujjar and so on and so forth. This demarcation carries a world of difference within its bosom---a different thought-orientation, a different culture-pattern, a different outlook both physical and metaphysical; an attitude to life and hereafter diametrically opposed to each other.

The two streams have refused to merge, mix blend and combine. All conscious efforts to fuse them have failed and all unconscious and unseen forces working towards their synthesis have disappeared in the dark recesses of history. The excertions of such intellectual giants as Kabir, Akbar, Abul Fazl, Faizi, Dara Sikoh and a host of lesser luminaries failed to create even the faintest impression on Muslim mind. Hussain Shah, ruler of Gauda who originated the cult of Satya Pir---common god of Hindus and Muslims---could hardly produce any results.

Hinduism has been noted for and praised by many a western writer for its sponge- like quality of absorbing foreign races and religions which invaded this sub- continent and settled down in its alluring environment and enervating climate. They are said to have been overwhelmed by the all-pervading spirit of Hindu Dharma and were never able to free themselves from its warm and winning embrace.

But Islam disproved this theory to the hilt. instead of yielding any ground (except on some minor cultural points) it made Hinduism yield, bend and break. Millions left that so-called all-embracing fold of social order and that all- pervading force of Hindu Dharma and swelled the ranks of Islam....... It was indeed a great success for Islam to have snatched away such a large segment of population from the Hindu fold and moulded it into a separate nation. Those very elements who were expected to absorb Islam and change its norm and form are today its most faithful adherents. Islam has done the impossible in this sub-continent----it has triumphed over forces which had trounced others.

Geo-political compulsions did the rest. The Indus Valley and the Padma-Meghna Delta which have invariably remained independent of the Hindu-dominated Gangetic Valley, provided homelands to these new Muslims. These converted Muslims of Pakistan and Bangladesh stand as symbols of Islam's defiance of Hindu chauvinism; a colossal proof of Hindu failure to absorb and subdue Islam.

But the encounter is only half way through; the bout is still unfinished. Both the brotherly states in the eastern and western wings of the sub-continent are still menaced by Indian expansionist designs. They need perpetual vigilance and perpetual preparedness to preserve their independence.