Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah and Ruttie were thrilled to have found each other and enjoyed every minute of their time together. Throughout most of his adult life, Jinnah had been deprived of genuine happiness. His life became a never-ending honeymoon thanks to the presence of the woman he loved more than anything. Together, they visited some of the world’s most beautiful destinations. When they were in Bombay, they were the most sought-after guests at the swanky parties thrown by the British governors and their spouses.
Ruttie gave birth to their only child, Dina, in August 1919, after the happy couple had been married for almost 16 months. However, the arrival of a new child and the accompanying duties did not dampen their joy.
But things started to shift as the political climate in India demanded a greater focus on politics from Jinnah. He became known as the one who would do anything to protect Muslims’ rights and interests. His relationship with Ruttie, who desired his undivided attention, suffered as a result of his dedication to politics.
To paraphrase Hector Bolitho:
“For Jinnah, married life was a solemn duty: for his young wife, it was also an opportunity for pleasure.”
Ruttie moved into a suite at the Taj Mahal Hotel after the couple went through a number of difficult times over the next few years.
Meanwhile, she became ill and relocated to Europe for treatment, where she had the same disappointing results. Jinnah abandoned his political and professional obligations and travelled to France to be with her for a month. Since her illness was terminal then, she returned to the city after he did. She wrote him a letter, now regarded as a masterpiece of romantic writing, just before she died.
“Darling, I appreciate everything you’ve done… When one is as close to the truth of life (which is ultimately death) as I have been, the rest of life fades into a hazy blur and all that remains are the most beautiful and tender memories. Remember me, dear one, as the blossom you picked rather than squashed underfoot. I’ve been through a lot because I’ve loved a lot. The intensity of my suffering has been proportional to the depth of my affection… Darling, It’s true that if I loved you a bit less, we might still be together… I have loved you, sweetheart, like love loves just a select few men. Please, I beg you, let the tragedy that started with love end with love. Darling, Thank you and good night. Ruttie.”
A few times later, on her 29th birthday in February 1929, she passed away and was buried in Bombay in accordance with Islamic customs.
Their love for one another endured despite their many disparities. Only on the occasions of lowering Ruttie’s remains into the grave and his final visit to her grave before leaving for Pakistan in 1947 were QA’s tears shown in public. And he never met another lady after she left.
This article is published at following.
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/jinnah-ruttie-pakstudyxyz
https://medium.com/@shahidsoomro/jinnah-and-ruttie-3d6a68ec5a49