An Ode To So-called Mandate
( Iqbal’s Ghazal penned in 1924 )
That ever-wine-hungary
nation set out from borders of Syria,*
Keeping aside
all the regulations of the human relations,
If true,
then what an occasion of lesson learning!
This blue canopy
changes colour in moments!
Lord Curzon is necessarily worried about the
remedy, **
The League Of Nations is faced with severe
internal problems,
Sir Agha
Khan is demanding a delegation from India, **
Is it a
political move for digesting Palestinian and Iraqi nations?
(
Suggestions invited for betterment. )
* World
War I was fought between the Allies and the Central Powers between 1914-1918.
The Allies comprised of Serbia, Russia, France, Britain , Italy and US. The
Central Powers consisted of Germany, Austria-Hungary, Bulgaria and the Ottoman
Empire (Turkey). WW I ended in the defeat of the Central Powers.
Secret Anglo-French
pact of 1916 known as Sykes-Picot agreement put Syria in the Frech zone , but
people of Syria opposed as they had revolted against the Ottoman Empire for
self-rule. In 1930 France recognised Syria as an independent state.
**
Lord Curzon, 1859 b-1925 d, was the Viceroy and Governor General of India in
1898-1905. He convinced Sir Agha Khan, leader of the Ismaili sect of the Shias
to a send a delegation of the Indian Muslims to the League Of Naions in support
of Britain that when Syria was allotted to France, Iraq and Palestine should be
given to Britain. This was to serve as a mandate for Britain.
