The Muslim League

Question 1

factors leading to the formation of the muslim league

Answer 1

1. loss of sovereignty by muslim rulers
2. british policy of divide and rule
3. relative backwardness of the muslim community in education, trade, industry
4. role of Sir Sayyid Ahmed Khan
5. erroneous interpretation of history
6. rise of assertive nationalism
7. economic backwardness of the country

Question 2

loss of sovereignty of mughal rulers

Answer 2

1. dethroned muslim mughal rulers
2. muslims participated in Wahabi movement, aimed at ending british domination
3. british held them responsible for uprising of 1857
4. british separated hindus and muslims, and encouraged separatist and communal tendencies

Question 3

british policy of divide and rule

Answer 3

1. in 1871 Lord Mayo’s government made Urdu the medium of instruction for muslims in primary and secondary schools run by Muslims
2. tried to create hatred bw muslims and hindus by portraying muslim rulers as plunderers, and hindu rulers as cruel kings to muslim subjects
3. tried to justify partition of bengal and convinced muslims into thinking that it was to create a new muslim majority
4. tried to use caste system to turn the non brahmins and lower castes against the high castes
5. spread communal hatred through press, posters, literature, public platforms

Question 4

relative backwardness of muslim community in education, trade, industry

Answer 4

1. upper class muslims were conservative and hostile to modern education
2. muslims were discriminated after 1857, and held responsible for the uprising. they were discriminated in the recruitment to civil and military services
3. muslim community was not much involved in the growth of any organised industry
4. muslims did not keep up with modern trends in social and cultural spheres, they were too proud of their own culture and did not adopt western system of education

Question 5

role of Sir Sayyid Ahmed Khan

Answer 5

great educationist and social reformer
regarded hindus and muslims to be one Quam/nation
founded Mohammedan Anglo-Oriental College at Aligarh
under the influence of Theodore Beck, he declared that political interests of hindus and muslims were different
opposed INC
founded United Indian Patriotic Association in 1888

Question 6

erroneous interpretation of history

Answer 6

1. divided Indian history into Hindu and Muslim periods
2. historians ignored the notion of a composite culture in India and tried to create a rift between hindus and muslims
3. historians highlighted the myth that indian culture had reached great heights during the ancient period but was declining during the medieval period which was dominated by Mughal rulers
4. communal bias was propagated through poetry, drama, novels, newspapers, etc

Question 7

events leading to the formation of muslim league

Answer 7

1. the hindu urdu controversy
2. foundation of Mohammaden Anglo-Oriental association
3. Aligarh politics
4. partition of bengal
5. muslim deputation to the viceroy, Lord Minto

Question 8

when was Mohammaden anglo-oriental association formed

Answer 8

1893

Question 9

partition of bengal when?

Answer 9

1905

Question 10

formation of muslim league

Answer 10

1. success of the muslim deputation with Viceroy Minto encouraged them to start a separate political organisation
2. Nawab Salimullah of Dacca took the initiative, and became president
3. Agha Khan was elected as Permanent President
4. headquarters where to be at Aligarh but central office was shifted to Lucknow in 1910

Question 11

when was muslim league formed

Answer 11

december 30, 1906

Question 12

aims and objectives of the muslim league

Answer 12

1. to promote, among the muslims of india, support for the british government and to remove and misconceptions regarding the intention of the government in relation to Indian muslims
2. protect and advance the political rights of the , muslims and to represent their needs to government in moderate language
3. prevent the rise of feelings of hostility between the muslims of india and other communities

Question 13

lucknow pact

Answer 13

period during WW1 was of intense nationalist political activity
it was signed between the congress and muslim league
they decided upon post-war constitutional reforms
1st session: bombay
2nd session: lucknow

Question 14

terms of lucknow pact

Answer 14

Bombay session of the league was attended by the congress leaders
they forged a joint plan of post-war constitutional reforms
adopted by both parties

Question 15

when was lucknow pact

Answer 15

1916

Question 16

significance of the lucknow pact

Answer 16

1. hindu muslim unity
2. unity within the congress
3. pressure on the government
4. necessity to pacify indians

Question 17

hindu muslim unity

Answer 17

congress compromised on its secular character by accepting the scheme of separate electorates for muslims
muslim league accepted principles of election and majority rule

Question 18

unity within the congress

Answer 18

unity between assertives and moderates
came together after surat split in 1907

“if united congress was buried at Surat, it is reborn at Lucknow”

Question 19

president of lucknow session of 1916

Answer 19

Ambica Charan Majumdar
(session where assertives and early nationalists were united again)

Question 20

pressure on government

Answer 20

unity between congress-league, assertive-moderates became a threat to british

Question 21

necessity to pacify indians

Answer 21

WW1 continues, and congress and league impressed upon the british govt that their demands for constitutional reforms must be met if the indians were to remain loyal to the british

Question 22

Declaration of August 20, 1917

Answer 22

promised a policy of gradual development of self government institutions in India

Question 23

drawbacks of Lucknow pact

Answer 23

1. did not involve the masses, only confined to rich and educated hindus and muslims
2. laid stress of separate interests of hindus and muslims and separate political existence
3. by accepting separate electorates for muslims, congress lost its secular character
4. pact provided for muslim representation in council in excess of their proportion in total population