This post is also available in: English (الإنجليزية) اردو (الأردية)
On the 142nd birth anniversary of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, here are a few lesser-known facts you probably didn’t know about the founder of Pakistan. And yes, you’ll be amazed!
1. His birth name was ‘Mahomedali Jinnahbhai’
Though born as Mahomedali Jinnahbhai; he changed it to Muhammad Ali Jinnah and removed the word “bhai” when he went to England for higher education.
2. He had a keen sense of fashion and was very impeccably dressed wherever he went
Many might not know this but he even abandoned Indian-style clothing for western ones. It is also said that Jinnah never wore the same tie twice and that he was also the most well-mannered public figures of his time.
3. His fixed salary was Rs. 1 per month!
Earning around Rs1,500 per case, Jinnah was one of the most expensive lawyers of his time. However, he fixed his salary at Rs1 per month as the Governor General of Pakistan because he didn’t want to indebt the nascent state with the financial burden.
4. He has a road named after him in Turkey
The street is in Ankara, the capital of Turkey, and it is called “Cinnah”as that is how it is spelled in the Turkish language. The street is also said to be the longest streets in Ankara.
5. He even embarked on a stage career in London
Being an excellent lawyer with a charming and charismatic personality, Jinnah, there was a point where he considered quitting barristership for acting He was mesmerized by the acting, especially those of the Shakespearean actors. Surprising isn’t it?
6. His first marriage with his cousin, Emibai lasted for only a few weeks
His first wife, Emibai Jinnah, was from his ancestral village, Paneli. Although he did not want to marry her, he bowed down to his mother’s wishes. Emibai was two years younger than him.
7. He was the youngest Indian to have passed the law examination in England
At the age of 20, Jinnah was remarkably the only Muslim Barrister in the city of Bombay.
8. He married a much younger woman Rutti, daughter of his Parsi industrialist friend
Ratti was the only daughter of Lady Dina Petit and Sir Dinshaw Petit 2nd Baronet Petit, and was only 18 when she married 42-year-old Muhammad Ali Jinnah in an Islamic wedding and abandoned her family and Parsi community.
9. During his time in Mumbai, he built a mansion South Court (aka Jinnah’s house) in 1936 worth Rs. 200,000.
This was after Jinnah returned to Bombay from England to take charge of the Muslim League.
Dear Quaid, thank you for giving us this beautiful country and we promise to take care of it.
Did you know any of these? If you know of any other lesser known facts about Muhammad Ali Jinnah, let us know in the comments below.
