Exactly 90 years ago today, the Quaid-i-Azam, Mohammad Ali Jinnah, married Ruttenbai Dinshaw Petit, a charming Parsi girl; Mr Jinnah was 42, while Ruttie, as she was known more commonly, was 18.

Despite her father’s strong opposition, Ruttie married her beloved ‘J’ — as she called the Quaid — and converted to Islam in 1918.

Unfortunately, the marriage was not a happy one, given that within 10 years the couple separated.

The final blow came when Ruttie died after protracted illness. According to Hector Bolitho, author of Jinnah — Creator of Pakistan, her funeral was one of the rare moments that Mr Jinnah abandoned his defences: he bowed his head and sobbed. The couple had one daughter, called Dina, who now lives in India.—Mamun M. Adil

Opinion

Enter the deputy PM

Enter the deputy PM

Clearly, something has changed since for this step to have been taken and there are shifts in the balance of power within.

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