Constructing Pakistan - Introduction

In post-rebellion India, as the British consolidated their control and established a new regime, the post-rebellion Urdu literature underwent an important change by adopting a utilitarian aesthetic and a loyalist emphasis. Hence, post-rebellion writers produced works -- especially poetry -- more pertinent to the changed state of Muslims. It is within this public imperative and language of loyalty to the British Order that the idea of Muslim particularity and exceptionalism is articulated. As the emergent British regime after the rebellion places Muslims either under suspicion, or completely outside its hegemonic project, the post-rebellion Urdu literature, a priori, becomes intricately linked with the idea of Muslim rehabilitation with the New order. This tendency to appease the power is certainly an elite practice but it is normalised in the name of the people. Hence, as will become obvious in the ensuing discussion, post-rebellion Urdu literature adapts to this new political imperative and literary production becomes more public. Since this public emphasis of literature is expressed in a language pertinent to the New Order, the public becomes inextricably linked to the political. It is in this process that the idea of Muslim particularity precedes the nationalistic politics of the Indian National Congress.