10 Facts about Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, You Didn't Know

     

1.  Jinnah was the eldest of seven siblings

Most people only know about Ms. Fatima Jinnah, but Jinnah had 5 more siblings. Bunde Ali died in childhood, but the rest of his siblings lived, married, and had children. His brother, Ahmed Ali, married an Englishwoman, Emmy. He lived in London and had a daughter with her. 

Quaid's Brother Ahmed Ali with his wife Emmy Jinnah

Quaid's Sisters: Rehmatbai, Maryambai, Shireen, and Fatima Jinnah

2. Quaid-e-Azam was named Muhammadali Jinnahbhai.

Quaid-e-Azam was named Muhammadali Jinnahbhai by his father Jinnahbhai Poonja. He changed it to Muhammad Ali Jinnah or M. A. Jinnah when he studied at Lincoln's Inn in London.

3. Jinnah wasn't very good at studies until he went to London

Quaid wasn't very interested in studies during his early schooling. He disliked arithmetic. Instead, he would prefer to play outdoors with his friends. He admitted, "Yes, I am Karachi-born, and it was on the sands of Karachi that I played marbles in my boyhood." Speech at a Dinner Party given by the late Mr. Ghulam Hussain Hidayatullah at the Karachi Club on 9th August 1947  

4. Jinnah didn't study at Sindh Madrasatul-Islam School only

Sindh Madrasa Tul Islam is considered the alma mater of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah. But he joined several schools during his primary education. First, he was enrolled in Sindh Madrasatul Islam, but as he didn't fare well in the studies, his paternal aunt took him to Bombay. He joined Gokal Das Tej Primary school, Bombay, only to return to Karachi after six months. He couldn't keep up with the rote learning method prevalent at most Indian Schools at that time. 

He was again enrolled in Sindh Madressatul Islam, but this time his name was struck off due to the fact that he would bunk classes and instead ride his father's horses. He was fascinated and lured by horses. At last, he joined Christian Missionary High School. Until he received an apprenticeship offer from his father's English friend and business partner, Sir Frederick Leigh Croft.

5. Jinnah seriously considered becoming an actor 

The story goes like this. After enrolling in Lincoln's Inn, one day Jinnah went to a theatrical company and read out verses of Shakespeare. Impressed by his performance, he was offered the job immediately. He proudly wrote the entire incident to his father, who didn't like the idea and dissuaded him. Although Jinnah gave up the opportunity, his acting skills proved him to be quite a successful lawyer in court. 

Fatima Jinnah recalls, ” Even in the days of his most active political life, when he returned home tired and late, he would read Shakespeare, his voice…resonant.”

6. Rattanbai "Ruttie" Jinnah was Quaid's Second Wife

Jinnah married twice. When he was leaving India, his mother feared, "‘England’, she said, was a dangerous country to send an unmarried and handsome young man like her son. Some English girl might lure him into marriage, and that would be a tragedy for the Jinnah Poonja family." 

So he was married to his cousin Emibai from his mother's side. Jinnah was 16, while Emi was 14 at that time.  All villagers of Paneli were invited to the grand occasion. Emibai died soon after he left for England. He later married Rattanbai. 

7. Quaid was very fond of cars

Quaid-e-Azam possessed several cars during his lifetime. One very famous is the 1924 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost, which Quaid rode along with LordMountbatten to the Assembly for the oath-taking ceremony. Besides, he used several other cars during the Pakistan Movement and later as Governor-General of Pakistan. It is now in the collection of car enthusiasts from Karachi. Two of his cars are on display at Quaid-e-Azam M. Ali Jinnah House Museum, Karachi.

8. Quaid-e-Azam left India for good... Almost

Quaid-e-Azam almost left India for good, as he was very disappointed by the political conditions of Muslims and the behavior of biased Congress leaders. He, along with his family, remained in London for 4 years. Allama Iqbal persuaded him to return to India and lead Muslims. 

9. Quaid included a Hindu in his first Cabinet

Shri Jogendra Nath Mandal

Quaid believed what he said, 'You are free; you are free to go to your temples. You are free to go to your mosques or to any other places of worship in this State of Pakistan. You may belong to any region or caste or creed-that has nothing to do with the business of the State." He selected a scheduled caste Hindu in his first cabinet. Jogendra Nath Mandal was given the ministry of labor and law. 

10. Quaid-e-Azam had a very sophisticated sense of fashion

Besides his achievements as a political leader, Quaid was known as one of the most well-dressed politicians in India. He would have his suits stitched in London. Later, he chose a tailor in Bombay to stitch his suit. He has nearly 200 ties and suits in his wardrobe. Jinnah popularized the Karakuli Cap and Sherwani. Sporting a monocle and cigar, he aged with grace as one of his contemporaries, Prof. Raza of St. Xavier's College, called him 'Magician with a Monocle'. Along with his wife, Rattanbai Jinnah or Ruttie (who herself was called the flower of Bombay, and known for his impressive sense of fashion), they would steal the limelight of any party they were invited to.  

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