The Government Islamia College on Railway Road in Lahore, often referred to as the "Aligarh College" of Punjab before independence, stands as a significant monument in the history of the Pakistan Movement.
Before the Partition of the subcontinent, the Hindus not only oppressed the Muslims, but also started eradicating their educational institutions. Founded in 1892 by the Anjuman Himayat-e-Islam, the college was established to provide education and upliftment for the Muslims of Punjab at a time when their educational institutions were under threat from Hindu oppression.
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The roots of the college trace back to 1884 when the Anjuman Himayat-e-Islam was formed with the aim of improving the welfare and education of Muslims. By 1899, Islamia College had become a beacon of learning and a hub for the Muslim struggle for independence. The students of this institution played a pivotal role in the Pakistan Movement, tirelessly advocating for a free homeland.
One of the college's most distinguished associations is with Allama Iqbal, the thinker of Pakistan, who was linked to the college through his teaching. It was within the walls of the Islamia College hostel that Iqbal first recited his famous poems 'Shikwah' and 'Jawab-e-Shikwah', stirring the hearts and minds of many.
The Muslim Students Federation, formed within the college, became a formidable force in the fight for independence and fought tirelessly for a free nation from within the college premises.
From 1937 to 1947, Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah visited Islamia College 11 times, addressing students and galvanizing support for the cause of Pakistan. The historic Habibia Hall within the college still proudly displays photographs of these events and Jinnah's inspiring speeches.
The grounds at the rear side of Islamia College have witnessed numerous gatherings that were instrumental in the success of the Pakistan Movement. Many prominent figures, including Chaudhry Rehmat Ali, who coined the name "Pakistan", and Abdul Malik, the first martyred student of the freedom struggle, were associated with this esteemed institution.
The journey from struggle to independence is etched in the very fabric of Government Islamia College Railway Road. While the heroes of that era may no longer be with us, the walls of this historic college continue to stand as silent witnesses to the efforts and sacrifices that shaped the creation of Pakistan.
