Quaid e Azam was born on the 25th of December, and went on to become the founder of the nation. In honour of his birthday, we’ve decided to look back at an iconic collection of photographs that attempt to capture the full essence of his enigmatic personality.
Starting off with the young barrister Mr Jinnah

Another one from his youth

After becoming the youngest ‘Indian’ student to be called to the Bar on April 29, 1896, at Lincoln’s Inn (London), Mr Jinnah moved to Bombay and began working as a lawyer. Within a few years, he became one of the leading lawyers in the subcontinent.
Rose between thorns

This image in particular reminds us of an event involving Quaid e Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, Lord Mountbatten and his wife. Lord Mountbatten proposed that Quaid-i-Azam be photographed with Lord and Lady Mountbatten. As the etiquette of the time dictated, it was customary for the lady to stand between the two gentlemen. So he told Lady Mountbatten: “Now you will be photographed as the rose between the two thorns”. But Mountbatten insisted that Jinnah should stand in the middle and when Quaid-i-Azam obliged, Mountbatten said to him: “Now you are the rose between two thorns.”
Rare photo of Quaid e Azam in which he is relaxing


He loved his dogs


Quaid e Azam seated next to his old-time friend, Pestonjee H. J. Rustomjee, in Bombay in the early 1900s. At the back is Pestonjee’s daughter, Homi.


Quaid photographed with one of his confidants


Towards independence

Jinnah photographed at the radio station

His last visit to Dhaka

Mr Jinnah was welcomed by Khawaja Nazimuddin when he arrived at the Governor-General House in Dhaka. This was Mr Jinnah’s first visit to East Pakistan as Governor-General, which turned out to be his last as well.
Jinnah photographed in his library

May 1946: Portrait of Mohammed Ali Jinnah, Pres. of India’s Muslim League, dressed in Western-style suit, in the study of his palacial home.