Major political Developments 1857-1918

Major political developments from 1807 to 1918 are an important phase in the history of
Muslims of India. These two dates are important 1857 was the year when there was an uprising
in India against the British and in 1858 the British Govt that is the British Crown directly
assumed the responsibility of India.1918 was the year when the First World War came to an end.
This was an important phase a period of decline of the Muslims and then their revival. The
identity formation of the Muslims and their political positioning.

The year 1857 brought decline to the Muslim rule in India. Muslims and Hindus participated in
the War of Independence but the British held only Muslims responsible for the rebellion. The
Muslims were persecuted ruthlessly and left at the mercy of time. The post war era was
disastrous for the Muslims but some personalities emerged on the national scene and played
excellent role to guide their people in this critical situation. The Central Mohammedan
Association of Justice Amir Ali Syed and the Aligarh movement are very prominent in this
regard. Their efforts for revival of the self-identity and political positioning in the Indian society
enabled them to face any challenge in the future.
Some important issues have already been discussed in the previous pages. So a brief reference to
events in historical context may be given:
Decline after the 1857 Uprising
Sir Syed and his colleagues efforts for revival
Removal of misunderstanding between the Muslims and the British
Educational movement or acquisition of modern knowledge and English
Hindi-Urdu Controversy was the issue that unearthed the hatred and enmity of Hindu
community towards the Muslims.
Formation of the Congress was a method to incorporate the Muslims in Hinduism. It
popularized the agitational politics that Muslims could not afford because they were still
recovering the past gaps.
Hindu Revivalist movements mostly targeted the Muslims that accelerated the pace of
widening the gulf between the two nations.
In the preceding space we are going to discuss the events since the beginning of the 20 th century
to 1918. These were the developments that influenced the Muslim interests and Muslim identity
formation process.
Events since the Beginning of 20TH Century:
1. Partition of Bengal, 1905
2. Simla Deputation, 1906
3. Formation of the Muslim League, 1906
4. Changes in the Goals of the Muslim League, 1913
5. Lucknow Pact, 1916
1: Partition of Bengal: 1905:
Background:
At that time Bengal was a united province a very large province. Its area was approximately
189000 sq miles with 80 million populations. In todays context the united Bengal meant the
present day Indian state of West Bengal plus Bangladesh and you could also some up the tertiary

of the Indian state of Asam. So it was a big province and unmanageable for Governor General in
Calcutta. The negative impact of such a big province was mainly on Eastern regions
of Bengal where Muslims were in majority.
Why partition?
Viceroy Lord Curzon decided in 1905 purely on administrative grounds that Bengal should be
divided into two provinces, East Bengal and West Bengal. The East Bengal had eastern Bengal
and Asam or you could say more or less, East Pakistan of 1947 or Bangladesh of today. West
Bengal is more or less West Bengal of today. So in place of one two different provinces were
created.
Opposition of Hindus:
The idea of partitioning Bengal was opposed by Hindu organizations. They had started opposing
it before it was actually implemented and when it was implemented in 1905 they were up against
this decision. A massive agitation was launched by different Hindu organizations. They describe
the partition of Bengal as a conspiracy to divide and fragment Indian political forces. To them it
was a division of motherland. So they opposed it and subsequently the Congress party joined this
agitation. The Congress also opposed the partition of Bengal and other groups that had
spearheaded this movement resorted to violence, killings and violence of all sorts.
Muslims point of view:
The Muslims were in favor of partition because it provided an opportunity to eastern regions of
original Bengal to develop and Muslims were in majority in eastern part of Bengal. In the past
eastern part was neglected because capital was in Calcutta and for a long time Calcutta was a
seat of British Indian govt. So Calcutta was hub of activity political centre and eastern parts
which were Muslim majority parts were neglected. So the Muslims were happy that now they
had a province of their own.
Annulment of the partition of Bengal (Dec 1911):
However, the Hindus and the Congress opposed it. So in 1911, the British acceded to the demand
of Hindus and the Congress. In 1911 King George 5th was to visit to India and the Indian govt
didnt want any trouble during his visit therefore the partition of Bengal which was introduced in
1905 was done away with in 1911.The whole episode that is first the partition of Bengal then its
annulment in Dec, 1911 had a profound impact on Muslim thinking. Now they had clear
evidence in front of them that their interests were in clash with the majority community. They
saw during there years when violence was going on in Bengal then lines between them and other
communities were developing very sharply. They realized that they will have to stand on their
own feet in order to protect and promote their interests and they could not rely on the majority
because the majority opposed that provided some relief, some advantage, some benefit to the
Muslims living in eastern part of Bengal, the region that was neglected in the past, the region
where the Muslims were suffering because the centre or the focal point of administration was
Calcutta which neglected the eastern part. They thought that sooner or later they will have to
stand on their feet to protect their rights and interests.
2: The Simla Deputation (1906):
Background:
The next important development that we would discuss is the Simla Deputation. In fact Simla
Deputation (SD) is in line with the kind of thinking which was developing among the Muslims

during that time that is they have certain interests and they must stand up to protect their rights
and unless they do that the objective will not be achieved. The SD was the first systemic attempt
on the part of the Muslims to present their demands to the British govt and to seek their
acceptance. The SD comprised 35 prominent Muslims from all over India. It was a galaxy of
Muslim leaders from all over India from one end of India to the other and you have Muslims of
all backgrounds. Therefore in 1906 when this deputation called on the Viceroy Lord Minto, it
was the most representative delegation of the Muslims.
Details:
This delegation or what was known as the Simla deputation was led by Sir Agha Khan and
Nawab Mohsin-ul-Mulk served as its secretary and these 35 Muslim personalities met the
Viceroy Lord Minto in Simla thats why it is called as the Simla Deputation. The memorandum
which they presented to the British govt was a kind of the demands which were the upper most in
the minds of the Muslims at that time. The delegation emphasized that Muslims should not be
viewed simply in numerical terms but they should take into account their historical importance
and the kinds of contribution the Muslims have made to British India and keeping in view that
importance they should work towards accommodating their demands.
Features:
The delegation emphasized that the democratic principle or the principle of election should be
introduced keeping in view the peculiar conditions and circumstances of India. The diversity and
the fact that there are different kinds of people living here, the fact that the Muslims consider
themselves to be a separate identity. All these things have to taken into account because India
was not a homogeneous, amalgamated or monolithic political identity. It was a political identity
comprising diversity, divergence in views and outlook and when you introduce some kind of
system then these realities have to be accommodated.
Demands:
In view of these submissions they presented some demands.

Representation more:
Representation more than their population because of their importance. So that that
representation have some significance, some importance and the representatives are able to play
an important role.
Separate electorate:
They demanded the introduction of Separate electorate in India. The principle of Separate
Electorate in India implied as demanded by the Muslims in 1906 that the Muslims should elect
the Muslim representatives that is for electing Muslim representatives only Muslims should vote
and for electing others those communities should vote. So that Muslims should be in a position
to elect their own representatives that will go to the different institutions of India and represent
their point of view. This demand of the Separate Electorate was the key demand the most
significant demand the Muslims made at that time and this demand was accepted by the British
in 1909.Three year later the principle of Separate Electorate was introduced in British India and
it remained effective there until 1947.
Share in jobs:
Reservations of Muslims seats in government jobs.

Muslim representation:
Special share in Municipal or district boards University senates and syndicates.
Reservation of seats mean that you make sure that Muslims are represented that certain no. of
Muslims would be sitting in these institutions in order to represent their point of view.
Muslim representation in Viceroy Executive Council:
They also demanded that they should have Muslim representation in Viceroy Executive
Council. The British Viceroy had an Executive Council and the Indians were its representatives
but the Muslim demand was that they should also be accommodated in that Viceroy, Council so
that they could represent their demands.
Muslim university at Aligarh:
The last significant demand made was that the college at Aligarh should be elevated to
the status of Muslim University at Aligarh. This was the demand which the Muslims were
advocating for the last several years and this appeared even in this demand list here.
Conclusion:
Now if you look at the content of the demands of the Muslims here to the Viceroy at Simla you
will find that this is a very clear manifestation of realization amongst the educated Muslims that
there are certain special interests and special concerns of the Muslims which have to be protected
and in order to protect those interests they will have to get together organize and present those
demands to the authority for consideration.
The Viceroy was sympathetic towards the demands. It encouraged the Muslims to launch
struggle for their rights parallel to the Indian National Congress but it required an organized
platform.
3: Formation of All India Muslim League (AIML):
Formation:
The Formation of the Muslim League is the logical step from the Simla Deputation. The Muslim
leaders thought that time had come to formally organize the Muslims after the success of the
Simla Deputation. Just 3 months later on 30th December the Muslim leaders desired to create a
permanent political forum or the Muslim League. The Muslim League was established in Dhaka
on 30th December in 1906.It was set up after the meeting of the Mohammedan Educational
Conference, which was meeting in the same city, the Muslim leaders had gathered there to set up
the All India Muslim League. It was a historical step taken by the Muslim leaders that was the
formation of the Muslim League .Wiqar-ul-Mulk chaired the meeting for setting the ML and the
idea of setting up of a political organization was proposed by Nawab Salimullah of Dhaka and
Hakim Ajmal Khan and Maulana Zafar Ali Khan seconded. All these Muslim leaders discussed
their issues and problems and decided to set up this organization that is the Muslim League.They
argued that time has come that they should have a political organization of their own.
Factors:
During the 19th century Sir Syed Ahmed Khan had advised that during the situation prevailing at
that time they should focus on education rather than any other policy. By the turn of the century
and by 1906 you had a generation of Muslims who had acquired modern knowledge; modern
education, English Language and some of them had been educated in England. It is this group of
conspicuous and dedicated Muslims who decided to set up this organization. The encouragement

for setting up of this organization also came from the success of the Simla Deputation where they
gather together and presented their demands and here they thought that the next logical step is to
have an organization on a permanent base that would pursue the demands which they had
presented to the Viceroy. So it was a change of strategy on the part of the Muslims they thought
that now they had a generation of educated people, conditions have changed where they aught to
have a forum of their own which they created.
Further developments:
One year later in the Karachi session Dec. 1907 its constitution was approved and in March 1908
at Aligarh, Agha Khan was formally elected as the president of ML.In this way from Dec 1906 to
1908 ML came into existence as an autonomous political organization as a body that began to
represent the Muslim interests and work for the Muslims of the Sub-Continent
London Branch: May 1908:
Justice Amir Ali Syed organized a branch of Muslim League at London and responded
effectively to the misunderstandings and conspiracies of the Hindus against the Muslims.

GOALS:
It had 3 broad objectives:
Protection:
Protection and promotion of political rights and interests of the Muslims.
Cooperation:
Cooperation with other communities without prejudice to the above goal.
Promotion of loyalty:
Promotion of loyalty, among the Muslims and towards the British government.
If you look at these 3 broad objectives I think that 3 basic things are very clear here.
Political platform:
In the light of the SD now the Muslims had established a political platform that was to
carry forward what they had presented at Simla to the Viceroy.
Cooperation:
They were for working together with other communities; they were willing to cooperate
to prepare their programs in consultation with others to discuss the issues with others however
they asserted here and also subsequently that their cooperation will be aiming at protection and
promotion of their interests. So they were for cooperation not for conflict.
Peaceful Policies:
The 3rd thing which emerges out of these goals is that the Muslims in 1906 were not for
agitational politics. The objective was to create a political forum within which they could
articulate their demands and then present them in a logical, coherent and persuasive manner to
the British govt. So agitational politics was not part of their strategy at that time. They believed
that negotiations, dialogue and persuasion are the way through which they can achieve their
objectives, in their interaction with the British govt and also with the majority community
in India.
4: Change in the Goals of the Muslim League 1913:
Factors:

You would recall that when ML was established in 1906.it had 3 major objectives, but by 1913
these objectives were some what modified. The changes in the ML objective reflected a change
in the outlook and strategies of the Muslim leaders as well as it brought the 2 major political
parties that ML and the Congress closer to each other. During 7 years several changes took place
in India and outside. Important developments occurred during the first decade of the 20th century
like annulment of the Partition of Bengal and there were several developments in the Muslim
world which affected the Muslims in British India. Western aggression towards Muslim
countries, Balkan wars started Libya was in war with-Italy, Italy had also a war with Turkey and
during these days when the Balkan Wars were going on the general Muslim sympathies were for
the Muslims. Other important developments that changed the Muslim thinkings were
Demolition of the mosque in Kanpur (1913), another factor was a realization in the 2 leading
political parties ML and Congress to work together for achievement of certain political
objectives and they thought they have to share certain goals and the most significant factor was
the role and contribution of Quaid-e-Azam who enjoyed respect with both political parties.
Though he joined the ML in 1913 but before that he had contacts and interaction with the ML
and Congress. In 1910 and 1911 the ML Council in its meeting underlined the need of changing
the objectives or revising the objectives in the light of the situation. This led to a major drift in
the Muslim Leagues policy. In 1913, the League changed its goals: Quaid-e-Azam attended the
ML session in 1912 he emphasized on not only on changing the objectives but also the need for
working together with the Congress for achieving certain defined goals and objectives. One year
later that is 1913 Quaid-e-Azam formally joined the ML and from 1913 to 1920 Quaid-e-Azam
was the member of the ML as well as the Congress. It is the 1920 that he left the Congress and
stayed completely with the ML.
Changes made in constitution:
In 1913 when the ML met it decided to change its objectives and bring about or add new things
to its goals

One significant change was Self government under the British was declared as one of the
important goal of this political party that the Ml would work for establishing a self govt in India
keeping in view the peculiar conditions in India.
It will have good relations with other communities cooperation with any party working
for similar goals.
Outcome:
This change brought the ML and Congress closer because the Congress had adopted a similar
goal n 1906 that is self govt.This resulted in a very significant development between ML and the
congress that we will be discussing very soon. However going back to the change of objectives
one has to keep in mind that it reflected the change of method, change of strategy but the goals
remained the same. The goals were protection and promotion of Muslims rights and concerns. In
1906 they were as a basic organization that would petition the British govt for certain
concessions and favours.In 1913 the goals were the same but now they were demanding self govt
in India and also they were prepare to work with other political parties with similar goals and
objectives. In this way the era of cooperation between Hindus and Muslims set in. The role of the
Quaid-i-Azam is highly noteworthy to bring the Congress and the Muslim League to the table.
He joined the Muslim League in 1913.This takes me to the 5 th important phase of the lecture
which I want to discuss with you and that is the Lucknow Pact.

5: Lucknow Pact, 1916

Background:
The Luck now pact was a political arrangement between the ML and the Congress party about
the future political and constitutional arrangements. Why this agreement became possible
because in 1913 the ML and the Congress developed one common objective that was self govt.
2nd is that by that time the British were talking about the constitutional changes in India in a
couple of years time, therefore both parties in their own way were thinking that what kind of
proposals should they prepare. Another reason was that Quaid-e-Azam who was the member of
both the political parties was playing a decisive role. He was trying to bring both the political
parties closer to each other for the achievement of certain objective. It was because of his role
that he was describe as the ambassador of Hindu-Muslim unity. In December 1915, the ML and
Congress met separately in Bombay and held separate sessions in Bombay on their own discuss
the political agenda which they want to pursue and also both parties agreed to work together for
evolving a constitutional formula. That is an agreement on certain political arrangements. A joint
committee of both Congress and ML was set up to prepare a scheme for constitutional changes.
This scheme was presented to the both the political parties in Luck now in 1916 and both the
parties accepted that and thats why this scheme of constitutional changes is called as Luck now
Pact because it was in that city that they agreed on certain constitutional arrangements.
Role of the Quaid-i-Azam:
Jinnah did a lot to unite the two nations along with the recognition of the rights of Muslims.
Meeting of both parties held at Luck now in 1916. The constitutional proposals were approved:
The major features of this pact which the ML and the Congress agreed were:
Imperial Legislative Council:
One Third seats for Muslims in the Imperial Legislative Council that was the highest
legislative body at that time in India.
Separate Electorate:
The Congress party for the first time accepted the principle of Separate for the Muslims.
In the past it was not accepted by the Congress but now through this agreement they
had agreed to that.
Representation in Viceroys council:
It was also decided that the Muslims would be given representation in the Viceroys
council. Half members of the Executive Council to be elected by the Imperial
Legislative Council.
Commission in army:
Commissioned ranks of the army for Indians.
Provincial Legislative Council:
Expansion of Provincial Legislative Councils.
Muslim representation:
Similarly they agreed that at the provincial level in the provincial legislative council and in
governors council Muslims would be given representation. Half members of the Governors
Executive Council be elected by Provincial Legislative Council
They also agreed that minorities would be given Weight age in the provinces. It meant that the
minorities would be given more representation in the provinces than warranted by their
numerical strength. In other words the majority community will surrender some of its

representation and minority will get that representation. For example if minority has 25 %
population they may get representation 26 or 27%, it mean that the representation of the majority
will be reduced.

Outcomes:
This Lucknow Pact is very significant because in this pact for the 1 st time Congress accepted SE
for the Muslims and the Muslim representation in the imperial and provincial legislative councils
and in this way the congress accepted the distinct and separate character of the Muslims of this
region
Gains from Muslim Point-of-view
Separate Electorate
One Third Muslim seats in Central Legislature.
Unofficial bill, if opposed by three-fourth members of a community, it will not be passed.
August 20, 1917 Announcement by British Government
Secretary of State Montagu promised for:
Greater association of Indian in all branches of government.
Responsible government
Induction of Indians in the commissioned ranks.
Conclusion:
The historical struggle of the Muslims confirmed their identity. They organized their political
party to address the demands. They also got recognition by the Hindus as a separate nation. The
British accepted their role in the political domain.