The Quaid-i-Azam’s superb qualities as a political leader are widely recognised. The grim struggle which he had to wage within a very limited time for the attainment of a near-impossible task left no room for kid-glove diplomacy, and the fact that his objectives ran counter to the wishes and sentiments of the British, the Hindus, the nationalist Muslims and the Punjab Unionists was bound to influence their attitude. Even ordinary Muslims have not been much more successful at understanding this great man. Inevitably, they have recreated his image according to their own fancy, and forgotten that, although in an effort to do his duty to his people, he created for them the largest Muslim State of the day, he was the product of a liberal, cosmopolitan atmosphere. From his early days he had worked with men like Dadabhoy Naoroji, Feroze Shah Mehta and Gokhale, and, although during the later years of his life the world knew him only as a Muslim leader, he always remained a lofty-minded, noble-souled, farseeing statesman. His place is not only among the makers of the modern Muslim world but with the great statesmen of Asia, indeed the world.

About the Quaid’s basic personal qualities there is not much difference of opinion. He came from a business community, and was businesslike, methodical and cool-headed. His integrity and incorruptibility have become a byword. From the beginning his ambition was to be a “Muslim Gokhale,” but he did not give himself up to politics until he had made ample money from legal practice and had become financially independent. His courage, moral as well as physical, strength of will and independence of outlook cannot but evoke admiration. Repeatedly his strong nerve was put to severe tests, but he always came out with flying colours. In 1943, he had to face an assassin armed with a dagger. He grappled with the man, and held him, till help became available. Four years later there was “a sudden but carefully planned eruption of Khaksars” at the Imperial Hotel, Delhi, where the All-India Muslim League Council was in session on the upper floor. With their belchas “they wrought the maximum of havoc in the minimum of time” and shouting “Get Jinnah” were half-way up the staircase leading to the room where the Quaid and the Council were in session, when the National Guards intervened, and Khaksars were dispersed by the police with the help of tear-gas. The Quaid “had no doubt but that the assault was an attempt on his life,” but Campbell-Johnson, who has narrated the incident, records : “Jinnah behaved with great composure.” The Quaid’s nerve was also tested in a less violent but, perhaps, more potent manner by the Viceroy Lord Mountbatten. He threatened the Quaid that “failing agreement,” power may be transferred to the Interim Government. The Quaid remained “very calm” and gave a nonchalant answer. “Mountbatten felt that Jinnah’s reaction was both abnormal and disturbing. It was certainly shrewd. The ballon d’essai had gone up and come down again, providing only the evidence that Jinnah had a very steady nerve.”