An Evolution of Muslim Nationalism in British India

An evolution of Muslim
Nationalism in British
India
Partition of Bengal 1905
Hindus Reaction towards the partition of Bengal
Simla Deputation 1906
Formation of All India Muslim League 1906
Minto-Morley Reforms 1909
Annulment of Partition of Bengal
Partition of Bengal
• When British occupied India Bengal was the largest province of sub-
continent. With a population of approximately 78 million
• The whole province was one administrative unit under single Lt.
Governor. It was impossible for him to look after the whole of the
province whenever required. The eastern part of Bengal remained
neglected due to the vastness of the region.
• It was decided that the Bengal should be partitioned into two
provinces for the smooth administration of the region.
• In 1899, Lord Curzon became the viceroy of India.
• Lord Curzon realized the problem and prepared a partition plan of the
province. In 1905, he sent the partition plan to England for its
approval
• The British government approved the partition plan, and Bengal was
divided into eastern and western part. The new province of Bengal
consisted of Dacca (capital city), Memensingh, and Assam. Rajshahi,
Rangpur, Khulna, and Bogra as the constituent districts.
• The Muslims became a majority in the newly created province of
Eastern Bengal. The Muslims were 18 million out of 31 million in the
new province.
• Now the creation of new province where Muslims where in majority
created opportunities for the Muslims.
Hindu reaction toward the partition of Bengal
 Hindus have turned into a minority in the new province of Eastern
Bengal, they feared the Muslim domination on them.
 The provincial high court was to be shifted to Dacca; the Hindu
lawyers feared that their legal practice would be affected.
 As the Dacca was to become the new center of journalistic and
academic activities. The Muslim point of view would be given
consideration in the newspaper.
 The income of the Hindus would be affected. The exploitation of the
poor Muslims by the rich Hindu landlords, capitalists, and traders
would be finished.
• Indian National Congress was established in 1885. It had announced
that the political party would represent the interests of all the
communities of India.
• However, when the movement were launched by the Hindus against
the partition of Bengal, and strikes were held throughout the country,
The Congress actively participated in it.
• The opposition of Hindus became violent when the people started
refusing to pay taxes to the British government.
• Swadeshi movement was started in which the British products were
boycotted by the people. The train which was carrying the Governor
of Eastern Bengal was derailed by Hindus to kill him.
Simla Deputation 1906
• . The Hindus were opposed to Urdu and the partition of Bengal. The
British government had also favored Hindus by replacing Urdu by Hindi.
• The Muslims realized that they also need to organize themselves in order
to safeguard the interests of the Muslims.
• The principal of Aligarh College, Mr. Archbold assisted the Muslims
leaders to get an appointment from the Viceroy.
• Hence, a delegation of 35 Muslims leaders went to meet the Viceroy. The
Muslims asked the Viceroy that adequate protection for the Muslims
must be considered while introducing constitutional reforms in India.
• The Muslim deputation asked the Viceroy that separate electorate
should be introduced through which the Muslims should elect their own
representative for municipalities, rural councils, provincial and central
councils.
• The Viceroy Lord Minto appreciated the stance of the Muslims, and he agreed
that the Muslims should have right to separate electorate. He assured the
Muslims that he would give due consideration to the demand of the Muslims.
Formation of All India Muslim League 1906

• The anti-Muslim stance of the Congress following the partition of Bengal
proved that Congress was not going to safeguard the interests of the Muslims.
The Muslim leaders consulted each other for forming a political organization
• The annual session of All India Muslim educational conference was held in
Dacca in 1906. When the meeting was finished Nawab Salimullah convened a
meeting of the Muslim leaders at his residents. The meeting was presided
over by Nawab Viqar-ul-Mulk on 30th December 1906.
• Nawab Viqar-ul-Mulk had emphasized the need of having a political
association of the Muslims because Congress had not catered the needs of
the Muslims.
• The Muslim leaders thought that the Muslims are one-fourth of the
population in India, and if the British left India the Hindus would
dominate them politically due which they needed a political
organization.
• Hence a resolution was forwarded by Nawab Salimullah for the
creation of All India Muslim League. The Muslim leaders attending the
meeting approved the resolution
Objectives of the Muslim League
 To promote loyalty among the Muslims for the British, and remove any
misconception related to British government among the Muslims.
 To protect the political rights and interests of the Muslims and to
represent the Muslim interest to the British government.
 To prevent the origination of any hostility among the Muslims towards
any community of sub-continent.
• The regular annual session of the All India Muslim League was held at
Karachi on December 1907. The session was presided over by a
prominent Muslim leader from Bombay Sir Adamjee Pirbhai presided
over the session.
• The draft constitution which was prepared by the appointed
committee was discussed in the meeting. The constitution of the
Muslim League was finally approved.
• After the Karachi session of the Muslim League the next session was
held at Aligarh in 1908. Justice Shah Din presided over the meeting.
Sir Agha khan, who led the Simla deputation was elected as the
President of Muslim League.
• It was decided in the meeting that the branches of the Muslim
League would be opened in other parts of the country.
Minto-Morley reforms of 1909
• The British government wanted to introduce constitutional reforms in
India. The Simla deputation had already asked for the right of
separate electorate.
• The Viceroy of India Lord Minto and The secretary of state Lord
Morley worked together to prepare a draft bill to introduce
constitutional reforms in India.
• The constitutional reforms were introduced were named after the
Viceroy and the secretary of state, which was known as Minto-Morley
reforms of 1909.
Main points
 The right to separate electorate was given to the Muslims.
 The preparation of separate electoral rolls were initiated.
Annulment of Partition of Bengal
• The opposition of the Hindus increased up to the level that the British
government was compelled to reverse the partition plan.
• The Hindus threatened the British government that they would
boycott the visit of the King George to India. The threat worked and
the British government agreed to annul the partition plan.
• On 12th of October 1911, when King George was on the tour of India,
he announced the annulment of the partition plan.

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Formation of All India Muslim League 1906

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