The purpose of this publication Is to inform the intellectual world at large - since English today commands position of the foremost communication medium internationally - of what transpired in the politics of the Indian sub-continent, more particularly in the context of Sindh, during the split- decade of 1937-47, and with what grave consequences, immediate and distant, both historical and cultural. What happened in the sub-continent was, infect a part of the post- War 11 convulsions that overtook the human world globally. With time, this world is once again taking now a direction to a new politico-economic and ideological re-structuring affecting also its geography visibly. What socio-political map of our world in the sub- continent would emerge at the advent of the twenty first century and onwards depends on the shape of the wave of change building up before us in this crucial last decade of the 20^th century.

Books speak out when courts sit dumb and deaf, and hundreds and thousands of the readers sit on the seats of judgment on the right and wrong of the causes that clasp the mind and soul of societies for better or worse. Such books, symbolize the cry of the suffering people and articulate their hopes and aspirations, pose a challenge to the rulers and question the legitimacy of their mansions and systems of rule. The publication in hand could claim to be one of such books actualizing the cry of the Sindhi Nation for justice, even as G. M. Sayed, its octogenarian author, languishes In his house declared as a sub-jail by the Government of Pakistan. Ha sits there confined, charged of the sin of making a public speech on his Eighty Ninth birth day celebration on 17 January 1992 in Nishtar Park, Karachi. He is neither produced before the Court to answer the charge nor permitted to step out of the four walls of his house or to meet any friendly visitor. The 3 years of his on-going house-detention, added to twenty seven years of his political incarcerate on other counts in the public prison- houses in Pakistan, cover nearly the full two third of the life of Pakistan from 1947 to-date. For the publication of this book, we owe our gratitude a thanks primarily to our esteemed friends Sayed Afzal Hyder, Zafar lqbal Mirza and Mohammed Ibrahim Joyo, and also to our c leagues Abdul Wahid Aresar, Taj Joyo, Khadim Hussain Soomro, Sayed Zia Shah, and Muneer Shah. But for the work and guidance and their assistance and advice, this publication would not have seen the light of the day.

Hameed Sabzoi

Secretary Naeen Sindh Academy, Karachi

November 29,1994