The Muslims, Hindus and Sikhs had been living together for centuries in the British Punjab. However, the Muslims of this province were politically, economically, and educationally backward as compared to other communities. Punjab was one of the last provinces of Indian sub-continent to come under British Rule in 1849. The communal challenge was existential threat to the Islam and Muslims which led to the emergence of many religio-political parties and leaders in the British Punjab. During the colonial era, Indian sub-continent witnessed multi-party system at national as well as at regional levels. The political parties such as Khäksär Tehrik, Hindu Mahasabha and Akali Dal developed political consciousness of common masses in the Punjab. Among them the most prominent religio-political party was the Majlis-i-Ahrār-i-Islam which was founded in Lahore on 29 December 1929. The pungent combination of religion, politics and patriotism means that the Ahrār leadership would ultimately agitate in multiple political arenas. Politically, Ahraris were supported by the middle and lower strata of the Muslim society.
The party leadership was active in cities, towns, and rural areas. The leadership played a significant role for the economic, educational, and social uplift of Muslim community. The Ahrār leadership opposed colonialism and organized masses for promoting its ideology. It used the traditional modes of mobilization such as oratory and mosque-based activism to obtain support in the name of Islam against the ruling class. The party displayed religious zeal and conviction to influence the religio-political developments of the British Punjab. This thesis has attempted to investigate the Ahrār leadership cult and its political contribution during the colonial period. The present study has discovered the historical emergence and impact of the religio-political leadership on polity of the British Punjab. It has also analyzed the rise and fall of the MAI leadership.