This book is not a narrative of political developments leading to the Partition of India. It is an analytical study of the theological, legal and political ideas and principles relating to the attitude of Muslims towards their non-Muslim fellow-subjects. The period covered in the book extends from the early days of Islam to 1947; the geographical scope is limited to India. After analysing the provisions of Islamic law and actual practice of early Muslim rulers outside India towards their non-Muslim subjects, the author studies the actual working of the Muslim State in India from the Arab conquest of Sind to the reign of Aurangzib in respect of its treatment of the non-Muslim population. Then follows a critical analysis of the teaching of Shah Waliullah, the ideology of the Wahabi movement, Pan-Islamism and the ideas of Sir Syed Ahmad, Syed Amir Ali, Maulana Mohammad Ali, Sir Mohammad Iqbal, Maulana Abul Kalam Azad and M.A. Jinnah. The roots of Muslim separatism and its development in the Indian environment are explained as far as possible in the words of the leaders of Muslim thought.
