India partition Flashcards
inevitable?
the fact that is was on religious lines indicates that partition was the logical and inevitable outcome of irreconcilable opposition between hindus and muslims
Horowitz-
“if it is impossible for groups to live together in a homogeneous state, perhaps it is better for them to live apart in more than one homogeneous state”
difficult co-existence: conflicting religious outlooks
Hinduism: outsiders considered ‘polluted’ and barbarians.
muslims not allowed to touch a hindus glass
cow is sacred in hinduism
muslims are allowd to slaughter and eat beef and once a year, during Eid Ul Zuha, muslims are expected to make a sacrifice in homage to Prophet Ibrahim’s willingness to sacrifice his own son to Allah
music is forbidden in islam, musical activities aren’t permitted
hindu festivals feature marching through streets
music is an integral part
led to violent clashes as muslims couldn’t tolerate the beating of the drums and others in front of mosques
Jinnah
“they belong to two different civilizations which are based mainly on conflicting ideas and conceptions”- has led to “growing discontent”
British imperialism- wouldn’t not occurred if Britain had not colonised India
wanted to raise position of hindus, leading to hindu revival
Gandhi
: ‘The British can retain their hold on India only by a policy of ‘divide and rule’
Partition of Bengal 1905: home secretary to government of india
Bengal is united- “One of our main objects is to split up and thereby weaken a solid body of opponents to our rule”
inability of congress to satisfy Muslim demands
dissatisfaction could have been remediated if Congress had agreed to the demands of the Muslims to grant them more power
Delhi proposal by Jinnah
hindu-muslim settlement, including reservation of seats for muslims on a population basis in Punjab and Bengal
and one third of the seats in the central legislature for the muslims
BUT CONGRESS REFUSED
Round table conference 1930
another example of attempt at settlement, but hindus refused again
alarmed Jinnah, he realised best course of action was to demand a separate state
fears of Mughal empire
1765- removed emperor Shah Alam from position, meaning that muslms lots a majority of posts in revenue and judicial systems
1793- settlement of Bengal, elevated Hindu’s positions in society eg land rights and wealth, which would have gone to muslims
Revisionist historians
believe Jinnah didn’t want partition
Asim Roy
congress ran a knife over India, pakistan was invented by Hindus
