"Few individuals significantly alter the course of history. Fewer still modify the map of the world. Hardly anyone can be credited with creating a nation-state. Mohammad Ali Jinnah did all the three.”- Stanley Wolpert praised Jinnah in his book. Jinnah, a man of dignity and power, who is a leader in eyes of thousands today.
EARLY LIFE & EDUCATION
Muhammad Ali Jinnah was born on October 20, 1875 in the city of Karachi in India (now Pakistan). His ancestors belonged to Kathiwar Peninsula in India. His father, Jinnah Poonja, was a wealthy man and Jinnah was the eldest of his 7 children. As a kid, he lived a comfortable life but he lacked interest in studies and education and hence attended several schools until the age of fifteen. When he was six years old, he was admitted in a school in Karachi. At the age of ten years, Jinnah was sent to Bombay and there he studied in the "Gokul Das Tej Primary school". A year later, at the age of eleven, he went to the "Sindh Madarassah High school" in Karachi. Finally at the age of fifteen, he went to a more disciplined "Christian Missionary school" where he was highly influenced by the traditions and beliefs of Christians and was excited by Christmas and its celebrations. Soon, he wished to change his date of birth to December 25, 1876 and enjoy his birthday with that of Jesus Christ. Due to lack of focus and interest in studies, his father was worried, and on the recommendation of his father's friend, Jinnah was sent to London for further education. But before that, Muhammad Ali Jinnah got married, at the age of 16 to Amai Bhai, a Khoja girl, from their society and family friends.
STUDYING LAW
Jinnah never got to spend time with his wife since he was soon sent to London. With him, he brought along several past memories of past when he borrowed books from a lady, Fatima Bhai, and read them all night in the dark, or when he spent hours playing marbles with Nanaji Jafar and other friends. Soon, Jinnah's father learnt that Jinnah was spending much time doing no productive work in London and was warned by Jinnah Poonja that if Muhammad Ali Jinnah doesn't pay attention to studies and future he shall make him come back home. Jinnah could never let his peaceful and enjoyable life at London, end, so he planned to find a career that he would be interested in. He read newspapers and soon got interested in politics and law. Hence, he decided to get a degree in law and become a barrister. For that, Jinnah studied law for four years, and read extensively in the British Museum library. Also he loved watching parliamentary debates in the House of Commons. He was the youngest lawyer to be called to the "Bar" in England. Bar is the professional body of barristers. During this time, he was influenced by the dressing and manners of the English men and adapted their dress and speech. The monocle that he bought later, added more of an English man to his soul.
RETURNING HOME
He returned to India in 1896. By that time, he was the youngest, highest paid and qualified barrister who was devoted to liberism. His mother tongue was Gujrati, but English soon became his chief language. He met sad events when he returned. Some of them included the death of his mother and his wife, and then came the loss in business that his father had faced. Later, he met several scholars and heard many young reformers at conferences. Difficulties in his career went on for the next three years until the President Magistrate of Bombay, invited him to attend a conference in 1900. This was the turning point in Jinnah's life which gave him his first break in India as a barrister. After that, his life moved on smoothly. He always wanted to achieve something big in life and smiled when he recalled the incident, when an astrologer read his hand and predicted that Jinnah was born a "king" and shall rule in whatever profession he chose. Believing in himself, he kindly refused to an offer of rupees 1500 a month (which was a lot in olden days). He wished to earn more than that in an hour. Jinnah often said, “Failure is a word unknown to me.”
PERSONALITY
Jinnah was a fragile man with an iron will. He had the habit of spending time alone, in peace and quiet, and this increased his ability to concentrate on studies and his career. Jinnah was a brilliant constitutional lawyer. He was not excited by the charm of words but later realized that they were his own strength and best trait through which he could always communicate effectively and win arguments. He became hard-working and developed faith in himself. His honesty towards himself and others brought him many friends as well as a few rivals but he didn't care as long as he knew he was right. During that time, and for the rest of his life, his companion and his closest relation was his sister, Fatima Jinnah, who was a mentor, a partner and a friend to Jinnah. Jinnah sent his sister to "Bandra Convent School" where every Sunday, he traveled from Bombay to Bandra, on a horse back to visit her. This shows his love and affection for his sister which lasted till his last breath.
