TWO UNPULISHED LETTERS OF IQBAL

M. Jehangir Alam

A collection of thirteen letters of Iqbal addressed to the Quaid-i-Azam were published by Sh. Muhammad Ashraf of Lahore in April 1943. This small collection also contained a brief Foreword by the Quaid. The book has run into six editions between 1943 and 1968, without any substantial change or addition.

I take opportunity to present to the readers of Iqbal Review two more letters belonging to the period May 1936 to November 1937. These 'letters throw some light on `election activities' in the Punjab and Iqbal's assessment of the Muslim League position in this area during those days. The Urdu translation of these two documents appeared in Qaomi Zaban, Karachi. The original text is being given below

Phone No : 2984

PUNJAB PROVINCIAL MUSLIM LEAGUE

PARLIAMENTARY BOARD

Delhi House Building

Edwards Road

Ref. No

Lahore   8.12.1936

Dear Mr. M.A. Jinnah

Mr. Ghulam Rasul tells me that he has written a detailed letter to you about the Board's affairs. I certainly agree with him when he says that your presence in this province is absolutely essential at least a fortnight before the polling days. You know the people of this province thoroughly well and also that they are the most undependable lot. They are generally carried away by the excitement of the moment and if you, Shaukat Ali and Mr. Kafaitullab address them just on the eve of the election day I am sure they will all support you and your candidates, other-wise they might do any thing. I, therefore, request you to visit us about the end of December, I936 and beginning of January I937 so that a last effort may be made to break the forces of reaction. In case you are unable to come I am afraid you will not have more than four of your followers in the coming Assembly. With kind regards.

Yours sincerely

S/d

MUHAMMAD IQBAL

M.A. Jinnah, Esquire                                                            Bar-at-Law

Bar-at-Law                                   President Punjab Provl. Muslim League

Bombay                                                                    Parliamentary Board

PUNJAB PROVINCIAL MUSLIM LEAGUE

Mayo Road

Lahore   13th August I937

My dear Jinnah

As I wrote to you yesterday enthusiam for the League is rapidly increasing in the Punjab. You will be glad to hear that without any initiative on the part of the Punjab Provincial Muslim League about 20 branches of the League have already been established in different towns of the Punjab. I am convinced that if some of the Office bearers of the Punjab Provincial Muslim Leage are able to make a tour of the Province they will be able not only to raise money but also to open the eyes of the general Muslim public in the Punjab to the situation which has fortunately developed itself on account of the Congress attitude towards the Muslims. - Unfortunately, however, the Provincial League is very much handicapped by lack of funds for initial expenses of such a tour. Could you make us a contribution of at least Rs.1500/- from the Central funds I have every hope that our men will be able to raise sufficient money which will enable us to return the amount borrowed from you. We should be much obliged if you could do so at your earliest convenience.

Yours Sincerely

 S/d

MUHAMMAD IQBAL