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Summary
The chapter discusses the formation of the Muslim League in India and the factors that led to its establishment. The chapter starts by explaining how the British exploited the differences between Hindus and Muslims to weaken the growing unity that threatened their rule. The British adopted a “Divide and Rule” policy, which included making Urdu the medium of instruction for Muslims, encouraging separatist tendencies, and creating communal divisions through biased portrayals in history.
Several factors contributed to the formation of the Muslim League. The dethroning of Mughal rulers and the subsequent British discrimination against Muslims after the Uprising of 1857 created resentment among Muslims. Over time, the British shifted from hostility to appeasement of Muslims, further deepening communal divides. Sir Sayyid Ahmad Khan played a significant role, initially promoting Hindu-Muslim unity but later opposing the Indian National Congress, fearing Hindu domination if the British withdrew. His influence, along with the distorted interpretation of history that divided Indian history into Hindu and Muslim periods, fueled communalism.
The economic backwardness of Muslims also contributed to their communal feelings. Many Muslims lagged in education, trade, and industry, which made them more susceptible to British manipulation. The Hindi-Urdu controversy, where the government’s order to use Hindi in courts angered Muslims, further worsened communal relations.
The chapter also highlights the events leading to the formation of the Muslim League in 1906. The British used leaders like Nawab Salimullah to promote a separate Muslim political organization, which resulted in the establishment of the All-India Muslim League. The League’s objectives included promoting loyalty to the British, protecting Muslim political rights, and preventing hostility between Muslims and other communities. The chapter ends by discussing the impact of the Muslim League on the national movement, including its initial separation from the Congress and its eventual role in the Lucknow Pact of 1916, which sought to bridge differences between Hindus and Muslims.
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Textbook (Total History) solutions
Multiple-Choice Questions
1. Sir Syed Ahmed Khan had started a reform movement among the Muslims called the _____ Movement.
A. Sufi Movement
B. Aligarh Movement
C. Jaipur Movement
D. Wahabi Movement
Answer: B. Aligarh Movement
2. What were Sir Sayyid Ahmad Khan’s initial views on ‘Hindu-Muslim’ unity?
A. He regarded them to be different entities.
B. He regarded them to be one Quam (nation).
C. He believed that their interests were different.
D. He regarded them to be two separate Quams (nations).
Answer: B. He regarded them to be one Quam (nation).
3. The First President of the Muslim League was _____
A. Shaukat Ali
B. Aga Khan
C. Sir Sayyid Ahmad Khan
D. Nawab Salimullah
Answer: B. Aga Khan
4. A deputation to the Viceroy Lord Minto with a view to secure more political rights for Muslims was led by _____
A. Aga Khan
B. Nawab Salimullah
C. Archibald
D. Shaukat Ali
Answer: A. Aga Khan
5. Which of the following was NOT an objective of the Muslim League when it was formed?
A. To promote support for British government
B. To protect and advance political rights of Indian Muslims
C. To promote hostility between Indian Muslims and other communities
D. To represent the needs of Muslims in India to the British in mild and moderate language.
Answer: C. To promote hostility between Indian Muslims and other communities
6. Which of the following is NOT true about the role of the Muslim League in the beginning?
A. It stood apart from the National Movement
B. It opposed the Anti-Partition Movement
C. It focussed its action on the problems faced by the upper class
D. Its political activities were directed against the British.
Answer: D. Its political activities were directed against the British.
7. Which of the following factors made leaders in the Muslims League realise that rapprochement with the Congress was desirable?
A. Britain’s hostility to Turkey
B. Provision of separate electorate in the Morley-Minto Reforms
C. Two-nation Theory of Jinnah
D. Drain Theory of Dadabhai Naoroji.
Answer: A. Britain’s hostility to Turkey
8. Which two leaders were instrumental in the passage of the Lucknow Pact?
A. Abul Kalam Azad and Shaukat Ali
B. Lala Lajpat Rai and Annie Besant
C. Bal Gangadhar Tilak and Annie Besant
D. Nawab Salimullah and Archibald.
Answer: C. Bal Gangadhar Tilak and Annie Besant
9. The Muslim League changed its objectives from ‘support for the British Government’ to _____ leading to the Lucknow Pact.
A. ‘a system of self-government under Turkey.’
B. ‘a system of self-government like Britain.’
C. ‘a system of self-government under the aegis of the British Crown.’
D. ‘a system of self-government together with the Congress.’
Answer: C. ‘a system of self-government under the aegis of the British Crown.’
10. Which of the following was a drawback of the Lucknow Pact?
A. Acknowledgement of separate political interests of Hindus and Muslims
B. Necessity to introduce reforms
C. Separation of the executive from the judiciary.
D. Promotion of support to the British.
Answer: A. Acknowledgement of separate political interests of Hindus and Muslims
11. From the given list, identify the statements which reflect the significance of the Lucknow Pact?
(i) It brought about unity between the two factions in the Congress.
(ii) It was confined only to the educated and rich Hindus and Muslims. It did not involve the masses.
(iii) It seemed to have laid stress on the separate interests of the Hindus and the Muslims and their separate political existence.
(iv) It provided for a ‘Communal Veto’ in legislation.
A. (i), (ii) and (iii)
B. (i) only
C. All of the above
D. None of the above
Answer: A. (i), (ii) and (iii)
Select the correct relationship
1. (A) In 1871 Lord Mayo’s government adopted a resolution which made Urdu the medium of instruction for Muslims in primary and secondary schools.
(B) It was as an attempt to create a rift between the Hindus and the Muslims.
(a) (B) contradicts (A)
(b) (B) is the reason for (A)
(c) (A) is true but (B) is false
(d) (A) and (B) are independent of each other.
Answer: (b) (B) is the reason for (A)
Explanation: The adoption of Urdu as the medium of instruction for Muslims in schools was part of the British “Divide and Rule” policy. By promoting Urdu, the British intended to create a cultural and linguistic divide between the Hindu and Muslim communities, fostering communal tensions. Hence, statement (B) explains the reason behind the action described in statement (A).
2. (A) The British and communal historians ignored the notion of a composite culture in India.
(B) They failed to recognise that the diversity in India was region-wise and caste-wise and not religion-wise.
(a) (B) contradicts (A)
(b) (B) is the reason for (A)
(c) (A) is true but (B) is false
(d) (A) and (B) are independent of each other.
Answer: (b) (B) is the reason for (A)
Explanation: The British and communal historians’ failure to recognize that India’s diversity was more about region and caste rather than religion led them to ignore or undermine the idea of a composite culture. This oversight was deliberate, as it helped the British in their efforts to divide Indian society along religious lines, thus facilitating their colonial rule.
3. (A) The British wanted to prevent Muslims from participating in any political movement.
(B) The British opposed the formation of the Mohammedan Anglo-Oriental (M.A.O) Defence Association in 1893.
(a) (B) contradicts (A)
(b) (B) is the reason for (A)
(c) (A) is true but (B) is false
(d) (A) and (B) are independent of each other.
Answer: (a) (B) contradicts (A)
Explanation: Statement (A) suggests that the British were against Muslim participation in any political movement, but statement (B) contradicts this by indicating that the British actually supported the formation of the M.A.O. Defence Association to counteract the influence of the Congress. The British wanted Muslims to be politically active, but only in a way that served their colonial interests, not in ways that aligned with broader nationalist movements.
4. (A) The success of the Muslim Deputation to the Viceroy Lord Minto motivated the Muslims to start a separate political organisation.
(B) The political activities of the Muslim League were directed not so much against the British as against the Congress.
(a) (B) contradicts (A)
(b) (B) is the reason for (A)
(c) (A) is true but (B) is false
(d) (A) and (B) are independent of each other.
Answer: (d) (A) and (B) are independent of each other.
Explanation: Statement (A) talks about how the success of the Muslim Deputation motivated Muslims to form a separate political organisation (the Muslim League). Statement (B) describes the focus of the Muslim League’s political activities, which were mainly against the Congress rather than the British. These two statements are independent of each other because one describes the motivation for forming the League, while the other describes its political focus after its formation.
5. (A) The Lucknow Pact brought about unity between the Hindus and the Muslims.
(B) The Lucknow Pact laid stress on the separate political existence for the Hindus and the Muslims.
(a) (B) contradicts (A)
(b) (B) is the reason for (A)
(c) (A) is true but (B) is false
(d) (A) and (B) are independent of each other.
Answer: (a) (B) contradicts (A)Explanation: Statement (A) asserts that the Lucknow Pact fostered unity between Hindus and Muslims. However, statement (B) contradicts this by stating that the same Pact emphasized the separate political identities of Hindus and Muslims, which ultimately sowed seeds of division despite the temporary unity it created.
Short Answer Questions
1. Why did the British treat the Muslims harshly immediately after the Uprising of 1857? Why did the British attitude towards the Muslims change in the later part of the 19th century?
Answer: The British treated the Muslims harshly immediately after the Uprising of 1857 because they held the Muslims responsible for the Uprising. The British viewed them with suspicion and consciously discriminated against them in various aspects, such as recruitment to civil and military services. However, in the later part of the 19th century, the British attitude towards the Muslims changed. The British began to follow a policy of appeasing the Muslims in order to undermine the National Movement. They encouraged separatist and communal tendencies among the Muslims to sow the seeds of dissension between the two communities.
2. How did the Hindi-Urdu controversy become an important factor in the formation of the Muslim League?
Answer: The Hindi-Urdu controversy became an important factor in the formation of the Muslim League because, in the United Provinces (now Uttar Pradesh), Urdu was the court language, and all petitions were submitted in Urdu. However, some sections of society protested against this practice, leading to the Government’s decision on April 8, 1900, to instruct that all petitions be submitted in Hindi, in Devanagari script. This decision, along with the court summons and official announcements being issued in Hindi as well as in Urdu, angered the Muslims, worsening relations between the communities and contributing to the formation of the Muslim League.
3. How did the relative economic backwardness of the Muslims foster communal feelings in India?
Answer: The relative economic backwardness of the Muslims fostered communal feelings in India in several ways:
- The upper-class Muslims, including zamindars and aristocrats, were anti-British and hostile to modern education during the first 70 years of the 19th century. As a result, the number of Muslims educated in the Western system remained small.
- The British consciously discriminated against Muslims in recruitment to civil and military services, holding them responsible for the Uprising of 1857.
- The Muslim community was not much involved in the growth of organized industry, further lagging behind.
- Some members of the Muslim community did not adopt Western education or keep up with modern trends in social and cultural spheres. This was in contrast to many Hindus who adopted Western education, giving them an advantage in entering government service.
These factors made it easier for British officials to incite Muslims against Hindus, thereby fostering communal feelings.
4. What promises were made by Lord Minto to the Muslim deputation led by Agha Khan in 1906? Why did the British imperialists encourage the formation of the Muslim League?
Answer: The promises made by Lord Minto to the Muslim deputation led by Agha Khan in 1906 included:
- Representation of Muslims in elected bodies based on their political importance rather than numerical strength.
- Separate electoral constituencies for Muslims in the Provincial Council and the Imperial Legislative Council.
- Preference to be given to Muslims while nominating members of the Viceroy’s Council.
- Reservation of seats for Muslims in the State services.
- More State aid for promoting new Muslim universities.
The British imperialists encouraged the formation of the Muslim League to create a possible opposition to the Congress and to divide the Indian National Movement by fostering communal and separatist tendencies among Muslims.
5. What is meant by Separate (Communal) Electorates?
Answer: Separate (Communal) Electorates mean a system of election to legislatures that divides voters on the basis of religion, caste, or occupation. Under this system, only members of a particular community could vote for the candidates of that community, thereby ensuring that each community had representation based on its own electorate.
6. What was the Lucknow Pact?
Answer: The Lucknow Pact was a joint scheme of political reforms agreed to by both the Congress and the Muslim League in 1916. It was a significant agreement that brought about unity between Hindus and Muslims, as well as between the two factions of the Congress. The Pact laid down the framework for cooperation between the two communities, including provisions such as separate electorates for Muslims, autonomy for provinces, and the inclusion of Indians in the Viceroy’s Executive Council. The agreement symbolized Hindu-Muslim unity and put pressure on the British government to introduce political reforms.
Structured Questions
1. The growth of communalism in India was encouraged by the British authorities as well as certain trends in Indian society. In the light of this observation, explain:
(a) The Divide and Rule Policy of the British.
Answer: The Divide and Rule Policy of the British aimed to check the growth of a united national feeling in India by encouraging communal and separatist tendencies. They did so in the following manner:
- In 1871 Lord Mayo’s government adopted a resolution which made Urdu the medium of instruction for Muslims in primary and secondary schools and increased government aid to educational institutions run by the Muslims.
- They tried to create hatred among the Hindus and the Muslims by portraying Muslim rulers as plunderers and Hindu rulers as cruel kings to their Muslim subjects. (iii) They tried to justify the Partition of Bengal by convincing the Muslims that Bengal was being partitioned to create a new Muslim majority province where the Hindus would not be able to subvert their interests.
- They tried to utilize the caste structure to turn the non-Brahmins and the lower castes against high castes.
- They treated Hindus, Muslims, and Sikhs as separate communities and accepted their communal leaders as authentic representatives of all their co-religionists.
- They tried to spread communal hatred through the Press, posters, literature, and public platform.
(b) The writings and speeches of the Assertive Nationalists.
Answer: The writings and speeches of the Assertive Nationalists sometimes annoyed some sections of Indians and marked a step back in respect of the growth of national unity. For example, the propagation of Shivaji and Ganapati festivals by Tilak, Aurobindo Ghosh’s concept of India as mother and nationalism as religion, and the initiation of the Anti-Partition agitation with dips in the Ganga did not appeal to some of the Muslims.
(c) The erroneous interpretation of Indian History.
Answer: The erroneous interpretation of Indian history contributed to the growth of communal thinking among the Hindus and the Muslims.
- Some British and communal historians divided Indian history into the Hindu and the Muslim periods. The rule of Turks, Afghans, and Mughals was called the Muslim rule, where the rulers were said to be the followers of Islam and their subjects, the followers of other religions. In the so-called Hindu period, Muslim rulers were dubbed as foreign invaders who had settled in India.
- The British and communal historians ignored the notion of a composite culture in India and tried to create a rift between the two communities. They failed to interpret that the diversity was primarily class-wise and region-wise and not religion-wise.
- Some communal historians highlighted the myth that Indian society and culture had reached great heights during the ancient period but was declining during the medieval period which was dominated by Mughal rulers. They did not give much importance to the contribution of the medieval period to the development of Indian economy, religion, art, literature, culture, and society.
- The communal bias was propagated through poetry, drama, novels, short stories, newspapers, etc.
2. With reference to the Lucknow Pact, answer the following questions:
(a) Mention any three factors that led to the signing of the Lucknow Pact in 1916.
Answer:
- International Events: During 1912 and 1913, Turkey’s Ottoman Empire had to fight the Balkan powers. The British policy during the Balkan Wars was not sympathetic to Turkey. The Sultan of Turkey was regarded as the Caliph or the religious head of Muslims. Moreover, all the Muslim holy places were situated within the Turkish Empire. In the First World War, Britain was fighting against Turkey. This caused a wave of pro-Turkey and pro-Caliph or Khilafat sentiments amongst the Muslims. They felt that the British were pro-Christian and anti-Muslim. The change of attitude of the Muslims towards the British led the former to support the Congress in their efforts to gain self-government in India.
- National Events: There were important national events that changed the attitude of the Muslim League. Firstly, the Partition of Bengal was cancelled. Secondly, nationalist Muslims like Abul Kalam Azad and the Ali Brothers – Maulana Mohammad Ali and Shaukat Ali – made use of this opportunity to spread nationalist ideas among the Muslims for mobilizing public opinion in favour of self-government. Thirdly, Tilak was released from jail in 1914, after six years. Finally, under the ‘Seditious Meetings Act,’ some prominent Muslim leaders were arrested. This brought the Muslim League and the Congress closer.
- Changes in the Objectives of the Muslim League: In the beginning, the League had support for the British Government as one of its objectives. In 1913, the League had amended its Constitution to include ‘a system of self-government under the aegis of the British Crown’ as the ideal of the Muslim League. Therefore, it agreed with the Congress to have a political goal for India.
(b) Mention any three clauses of the Pact.
Answer:
- Abolition of the India Council: The India Council of the Secretary of State, operating from England, should be abolished. The Secretary of State for India was to be assisted by two Under-Secretaries, of whom one should be an Indian.
- Provincial Legislatures: Four-fifths of the members of the Provincial Legislatures were to be directly elected and one-fifth to be nominated. The number of members in the provinces was laid down in the scheme. The number of Muslim members was laid down for each Province. They were to be elected through separate electorates. On the whole, the proportion of Muslim members was large, for example, 50 per cent in Punjab, 40 per cent in Bengal, and 30 per cent in U.P.
- Minorities in Elected Bodies: The minorities should have adequate separate representation in elected bodies.
(c) Why was the signing of the Lucknow Pact an important event towards the growth of unity in India?
Answer: The signing of the Lucknow Pact was an important event towards the growth of unity in India because:
- Hindu-Muslim Unity: The joint scheme symbolized Hindu-Muslim unity. Both communities agreed to compromise in some areas for the common good. The Congress compromised on its secular character by accepting the scheme of separate electorates for Muslims. The Muslim League accepted the principles of election and the majority rule. As a result of this pact, the Hindus and the Muslims worked together from 1916 to 1922.
- Unity Within the Congress: The Lucknow Session and the signing of the Lucknow Pact brought about unity between the Assertive Nationalists and the Early Nationalists. After the Surat Session of 1907, both wings of the Congress were moving in different directions. They came together in 1916 and as a result, the Congress was strengthened. The Congress President of the Lucknow Session of 1916, Ambica Charan Majumdar rightly remarked, “If the united Congress was buried at Surat, it is reborn at Lucknow.”
- Pressure on the Government: The unity between the Congress and the League and between the Early Nationalists and the Assertive Nationalists became a threat to the British Government of India. Until now, the Government had been repressing the Nationalist Movement by using force. The Government now had no excuse for delaying political or constitutional reforms.
Picture Study
(a) What were his views regarding Hindu-Muslim unity?
Answer: He regarded Hindus and Muslims to be one Quam (nation).
(b) What role did he play in the formation of the Muslim League?
Answer: He gave up his earlier views and declared that the political interests of Hindus and Muslims were different. He opposed the formation of the Indian National Congress and founded the United Indian Patriotic Association in 1888, mainly with a view to oppose the Congress. His later actions and beliefs laid the groundwork for the eventual formation of the Muslim League.
(c) State the impact of the Muslim League on the National Movement.
Answer: The policies of the Muslim League to some extent weakened nationalist sentiments. Initially, it stood apart from the National Movement, sought greater representation of Muslims in services and Assemblies, and directed its political activities not so much against the foreign rulers as against the Congress. The League’s stance and actions led to the eventual demand for a separate Muslim state, which resulted in the creation of Pakistan in 1947.
Thinking Skills
1. Realising the aims and objectives of the Muslim League when it was formed in 1906, do you think that more than the Muslim League, it was the British policy of Divide and Rule, that encouraged the communal forces to create a rift between the two communities in India?
Answer: Yes, the British policy of Divide and Rule played a significant role in creating and encouraging communal forces that led to a rift between the two communities in India. The British deliberately sowed discord between Hindus and Muslims to weaken the National Movement and prolong their rule in India. They portrayed Muslim rulers as plunderers and Hindu rulers as cruel to their Muslim subjects, justified the Partition of Bengal to create a Muslim-majority province, and used the caste system to further divide communities. This policy of the British was more influential in fostering communalism than the formation of the Muslim League, which later became an instrument of communal politics due to these divisive policies.
2. Mahatma Gandhi said, “Communal harmony could not be permanently established in our country so long as highly distorted versions of history were taught in her schools.” State your views on this statement and justify it by giving examples.
Answer: Mahatma Gandhi’s statement underscores the importance of accurate historical narratives in fostering communal harmony. The distorted versions of history taught in schools often emphasized the religious differences and conflicts between Hindus and Muslims, while ignoring the periods of peaceful coexistence and mutual respect. For example, the portrayal of the medieval period as one of constant Hindu-Muslim conflict, without acknowledging the syncretic culture that developed during this time, contributed to communal tensions. By teaching a more balanced and inclusive history that highlights the shared heritage and contributions of all communities, we can promote better understanding and unity among different religious groups.
3. Not many people are aware of the friendship built on mutual respect that was a symbol of Hindu-Muslim unity of India—the friendship between Lokmanya Tilak and Mohammed Ali Jinnah. When Tilak, as the President of Home Rule League, was leaving for England to press for India’s demand for Swaraj, Jinnah had proclaimed that there was no man more fitted to voice the opinions of Indians other than Tilak who had devoted his whole life to the cause of his country. Trace the events that led to Jinnah demanding Partition of the country and the establishment of Pakistan. The relationship between the two countries till date is a proof of the discord sowed by the British. What in your opinion, can be done to improve relations between the two countries.
Answer:
- Events leading to Jinnah demanding Partition:
- The initial cooperation between Congress and the Muslim League, exemplified by the Lucknow Pact of 1916, started to deteriorate due to the growing mistrust between the communities, exacerbated by the British policies and the communal electorates introduced by the British.
- The Nehru Report of 1928, which did not fully accommodate the demands of the Muslim League, further alienated Jinnah and the Muslim leadership.
- The Lahore Resolution of 1940, which called for separate states for Muslims, marked the formal demand for Partition.
- The failure of talks between Congress and the Muslim League, especially during the Cripps Mission and the subsequent events, solidified Jinnah’s stance for a separate Pakistan.
- Improving relations between the two countries:
- Both countries should engage in more cultural and educational exchanges to foster mutual understanding and respect.
- Promoting economic cooperation and joint ventures could help in building interdependence and reduce hostilities.
- Dialogue at both governmental and non-governmental levels to resolve outstanding issues and build trust is crucial.
- Efforts should be made to rewrite history textbooks in both countries to present a balanced view of the past, focusing on the shared heritage and the consequences of colonial policies.
Extra/additional MCQs
1. What led the British to realise the need to divide Hindus and Muslims to maintain their rule in India?
A. The First War of Independence
B. The Partition of Bengal
C. The formation of the Indian National Congress
D. The Wahabi Movement
Answer: A. The First War of Independence
28. What was a major drawback of the Lucknow Pact according to its critics?
A. Involvement of masses
B. Emphasis on communal unity
C. Excessive representation for Muslims
D. Reduction of British control
Answer: C. Excessive representation for Muslims
Extra/additional questions and answers
1. When was the First War of Independence fought?
Answer: 1857.
45. Discuss the significance and impact of the Lucknow Pact on Hindu-Muslim relations and the Indian National Movement.
Answer: The Lucknow Pact of 1916 was significant as it marked a milestone in Hindu-Muslim unity and the Indian National Movement. By agreeing to the pact, both the Congress and the Muslim League compromised on their respective positions for the greater cause of Indian self-government. The Congress, traditionally secular, accepted separate electorates for Muslims, while the Muslim League accepted the principles of election and majority rule. This agreement facilitated cooperation between Hindus and Muslims, enabling them to work together from 1916 to 1922, which strengthened the National Movement. The pact also unified the two factions within Congress—Assertive Nationalists and Early Nationalists—after years of division, significantly bolstering the party’s strength. Moreover, the unity between the Congress and the League, along with the pressure they exerted on the British Government, led to the Declaration of August 20, 1917, where the British promised a policy of gradual development of self-government institutions in India. However, the pact also had its drawbacks, such as emphasizing the separate political existence of Hindus and Muslims and providing for a ‘Communal Veto’ in legislation, which later contributed to communal tensions.
Ron’e Dutta is a journalist, teacher, aspiring novelist, and blogger. He manages Online Free Notes and reads Victorian literature. His favourite book is Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte and he hopes to travel the world. Get in touch with him by sending him a friend request.
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