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6. Formation and Objectives of Muslim league

Factors responsible for the growth of Muslim league-
Divide and rule: -
British started creating problems between Hindus and Muslim. First they ignored the Muslims as they felt that the Muslims were behind the revolt. Then as a way to keep the Muslims away from the national movement and the congress, the British tried to win over the Muslims. Backwardness of the Muslims in the field of education and industry:- As the British administration neglected the muslims after 1857 muslims in terms rejected western education. Hindus on the other hand graved the opportunity, but the Muslims lacked behind. This widened the gap between two communities. Muslims found themselves in inferior position. Government jobs were not open for them. This led to growth of communalism in India.
Role of sir Syed Ahmad Khan:-
Sir Syed Ahmad Khan was instrumental in fostering differences between the Hindus and the Muslims. Sir side Ahmad khan realized that the educational backwardness of the Muslims had led to fewer job opportunities for them. So he went all out to win favour of the British. Thus, he established a school at Aligarh in 1857 which developed into the Mohammedan Anglo oriental collage (MAO). There he introduced the study of western science and English. Theodore Beck the British principal of MAO College at Aligarh supported him. Now onward Sir Syed Ahmad khan became more and more communal under the influence of Mr. Beck.
Indian history with a communal flavor: -
The interpretations of country’s history in school and in text books fanned communal feelings. British scholars like James Mill divided the history of the country according to the Hindu and Muslims ages respectively. The rule of the Turks, Afgans and the Mughals was termed as the period of Muslim rule in India. In the so called Hindu period, the Muslims were described as invaders. The British historians also gave a detailed account of the cruelty inflicted by the Muslim rulers on their Hindu subject. Such a communal representation of history poisoned the minds of the ordinary people.
Radical nationalist gave their nationalism a religious tinge:
-The radical nationalist derived inspiration from religious traditions and regarded the scriptures as necessary tools for spiritual wisdom. British deliberately misinterepted these to their advantage. Tilak started Ganpati and Shivaji festivals to arouse the spirit of courage to fight the foreign power. In vocation of the radical to goddess kali, arousing inspiration from Maharana Pratap and Shivaji who fought the Mughals instilled fear of Hindu domination in the Muslim masses. The British official played on this sentiment of the Muslims and encouraged them to keep their distance from the national movement.
Event leading to the formation of Muslim league
Hindi –Urdu controversy: -
The Hindu Urdu controversy in U.P in the year 1900 made the rift between Hindu and the Muslims worse. The Hindu request for acceptance of petitions to govt. offices and courts in Hindi as well was accepted. This upset the Muslims, as by this way the importance of Urdu would be lowered. They openly agitated against the govt. order allowing the use of Hindi. Automatically the rift between the Hindus and Muslims widen.
Partition of Bengal – (1905)
Both Hindus and Muslims opposed Lord Curzon scheme for the partition of Bengal in the initial stages. But the government won over the Muslims on the ground that the news province of eastern Bengal and Assam would be a Muslims majority region. This fulfilled the desire of the Muslims for a separate state Nawab Salimullah the Muslim leader from Dhaka welcomed the partition. Therefore the Muslims did not support the Swadeshi movement.
Shimla Deputation –
The Arundale committe had been setup by lord Minto to draft methods of increasing the strength of the legislative council. On 1st October 1906, a Muslim deputation headed by Aga Khan met Lord Minto and put forward their demands which included the following: 1. They wanted representation not according to the numbers but they felt Muslims representation in the legislature should be according to their status. 2. the setting up of separate or communal representation 3. They were to have assured a greater representation in the military, civil, education and even municipal bodies. 4. They also asked help in founding a Muslim university which would teach religious, cultural and intellectual concepts. 5. Competitive exams for recruitment to the services should be abolished.
Formation of Muslim league-
Anti-partition agitation was gaining ground. Muslims were happy with the favorable reforms that the govt. gave to the deputation. It was at such time when in Dhaka, Muslim representation were gathered in 1906, Nawab Salimullah suggested the setting up of an organization just to represent Muslims in India. The Muslim league was thus formed in Dhaka on 30th December 1906
Objectives –
1. To protect the right of the Muslims. 2. To put forward their problems in front of the British rulers. 3. To spread loyalty towards the British among the Muslims. 4. To prevent any feeling of hostility towards the other communities of India

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