Pakistan, Aug. 14 -- The independence of Pakistan on August 14, 1947, marks the culmination of an extraordinary political and intellectual struggle waged by the Muslims of the subcontinent that once deprived of power, rights, and identity following the fall of the Mughal empire and unsuccessful uprising in 1857.

Once rulers for nearly 800 years, the Muslims of India found themselves reduced to second-class citizens under British colonial rule, marginalized politically, socially, and economically after the overthrown of Govt of last Mughal ruler of Bahadar Shah Zafar.

The British, wary of Muslim resurgence after ousting the Mughals, deliberately tilted policies in favor of Hindus, who soon became the primary beneficiaries of Western educ...