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Chapter 4
Chapter 4
Q1. Why did Sir Syed find the Aligarh Movement?
Sir Syed founded the Aligarh Movement due to many reasons. Firstly, he wanted to improve the relations between the British and Muslims by removing British doubts about Muslim loyalty and Muslim doubts about British intentions. Since the War of Independence in 1857, the British had placed all the blame on Muslims and hence Muslims were considered to be unhelpful and rebellious. They were denied opportunities in the armed forces and the British withdrew funding from Muslim schools. The Muslims, not the other hand, hand considered the British as foreign invaders who were here to impose western ideas. This had created a distance between the two which was having a negative impact not the social position of Muslims.
Secondly, he also wanted to improve the social and economic position of Muslims by getting them to receive western education and take up posts in the civil service and army.The Hindu's cooperation with the British had led to them receiving education in new schools, which was increasing their confidence, leading them to view Muslims with an increasing lack of respect. Sir Syed knew that Muslims had to adopt a similar approach to excel in the community just like the Hindus.
Lastly, Sir Syed wanted Muslims to increase their political awareness to make them aware of the threat from the Hindu policy of cooperation with the British and the fact that Hindus would soon overpower Muslims if they did not achieve political awareness. Sir Syed wanted Muslims to realize that the British were too powerful to be overthrown and that Muslims would gain only by collaborating with them.
Q2. Why did Sir Syed Ahmad Khan develop his 'Two Nation Theory'?
Sir Syed Ahmad Khan developed his 'Two Nation Theory' due to a couple of reasons. One of them was the Indian National Congress which had been formed in 1885. The party claimed to be speaking on the behalf of all the communities of India; however, it soon became apparent that it was in fact a Hindu-dominated body that was working to establish Hindu supremacy over the Muslims. Furthermore, Congress called for a democratic system of political representation, similar to the one being practiced in Britain. Though, this sounded fair; however, Sir Syed countered this demand by saying that Hindus, being a majority, were bound to win every election. Hence, it would lead to the Muslims having no representation at all.
Another demand of the Congress that further convinced Sir Syed to practice his 'Two Nation Theory; was the call for the more competitive examination for the civil service in India. Since the Muslims were not receiving education at a standard similar to that of Hindus, this would greatly disadvantage them and lead to little chance for Muslims to get any seat in the civil service. Therefore, he argued that this could only work if both the communities had equal educational opportunities. The last and final push was the 'Hindi Urdu Controversy'. Hindus demanded that Hindi should be made the official language in the place of Urdu; however, Urdu had great importance in the hearts of the Muslims as most of the finest writings were in it. This then ultimately coupled with the previous reasons led to Sir Syed developing his 'Two Nation Theory'.
Chapter 6
Chapter 6
Q1. Why did the Congress Party oppose the Morley-Minto Reforms of 1909?
The Congress Party opposed and rejected the Morley-Minto reforms of 1909 due to multiple reasons. Firstly, because of the limited power that was given to the locals. Though the number of members in the Imperial and Provincial councils was increased, the truth was that the actual power still remained in the hands of the British. The councils could only suggest, thus their job was purely advisory while the British had the right to decide on matters. After 1906, the Congress had already added "self rule/swaraj" to their aims; hence, these reforms that did not provide any kind of effective powers to the Indians to operate the government, greatly unsettled them. The British intended that the Indians should be given a voice in the councils but Congress wanted greater responsibility which the government was not yet willing to give.
Secondly, the fact that separate electorates had been given to the Muslimscaused a great outcry in the Congress. From the very beginning, Congress claimed to represent all the communities of India and thus was only in favor of joint electorates, Furthermore such concessions were too much as they could damage the national feeling. Thirdly, the Congress also resented the relative high number of seats for Muslims in the councils despite their smaller numbers according to population. As a result such measures were considered to be 'undemocratic; and caused the Congress Party to oppose the reforms.
Q2. Why was the Simla Deputation of 1906 an important turning point/event for the Muslims of the subcontinent?
The Simla Deputation was an important event for the Muslims for many reasons. Firstly, in 1906, when a Muslim delegation led by Aga Khan met Lord Minto in Simla, some very crucial propositions were presented. These includedemand of separate electorates and a high percentage of seats in the councils as compared to their population. The explanation presented to support the demands was the fact that the numerical value of the Muslims should not be judged bur rather their importance in the Indian community should be recognized. These demands were accepted by Lord Minto though John Morley considered them to be undemocratic. Altogether, through this pivotal conference, Muslims were now able to secure a position in the constitution by their own means, guaranteeing Muslims an independent role in politics, suggesting that they were a separate community that should be dealt differently,
Moreover, this led to the formation of the Muslim League in 1906 at the 20th session of Mohammadan Educational Conference chaired by nawab Viqar-ul-Mulk. This was important for the Muslims as this organization worked for Muslim interest and made sure the views of the Muslim community were presented and received a hearing from the British. Lastly, this deputation in 1906, resulted in improved relations between Muslims and British, as after years of mistrust, the British were finally working with the Muslims and were even convinced to make further concessions. Hence, this displayed that efforts of Sir Syed and others in making the relations between the two communities had proved to be successful. Muslims now could finally take advantage of such improved healthy relations with the British for further causes.
Q3. Why was Bengal Partitioned in 1905?
Firstly, Bengal was the largest of the provinces of India. It consisted of East Bengal with a population of 21 million ( Muslim majority) and West Bengal with e population of 54 million ( Hindu majority ). This was a huge area to govern as one unit; hence, the British had to face administrative problems. British claimed that Bengal was too large to be governed as one province and that it would be more effective if it was divided into two smaller provinces. In 1903, Lord Curzon proposed that Bengal should be partitioned into East and West parts. Consequently, in 1905, the British officially partitioned the area just as Curzon had suggested.
The Muslims believed that the British have taken such steps to improve their relations with them after years of distrust since 1857. Muslims were delighted at the fact that they had been given a province where they were in majority and considered this to be an initiative by the British to ensure that millions of Muslims could escape from Hindu oppression. Thirdly,Hindus, on the other hand, believed that Bengal had been partitioned as part of the British traditional 'divide and rule policy', which they had used to weakened Hindu unity so that they could reduce the so-called ' Hindu-threat '. Hence, for the Hindus, the partition had more 'sinister' reasons. These were the different aspects of why Bengal was partitioned at that time.
Q4. Why was the partition of Bengal reversed? / How did the Hindus oppose the Partition of Bengal?
The British partitioned Bengal in 1905 by claiming that the province was too large to be governed. Though the Muslims were delighted however the Hindus considered this to be part of the British "divide and rule policy". To show their discontentment, the day of partition, 16th October 1905, was called the day of mourning. Thousands of people came out to protest and petitions were signed and sent to the government. Mob rallies were organized and shutter down strikes were observed as a token of resentment against the partition. The Hindu workers also began a series of strikes in areas like Calcutta. Soon senior British officials were attacked and there was even an assassination attempt on the future Viceory, Lord Minot. This caused problems for the British to run the state affairs effectively.
The Indian National Congress also started the Swadeshi Movement which called for the Indians to boycott British goods and instead to use locally made goods. At many places, the British factor made cloth was thrown into bonfires to mark the hatred against the foreign goods. It now became a matter of pride to wear the local cloth and thus the British began suffering economically. Lastly, King George V was scheduled to visit India in 1911. However, the Congress threatened to boycott the Coronation Ceremony of the King that was a royal tradition and a hallmark of British authority over its colonies. Thus threat was a serious blow to the pride of the British who had now been pressurized to consider the petition. As Lord Curzon, the originator of the idea, was no longer a viceroy so a change of policy was easier. Consequently, in 1911, the partition was reversed by Lord Handigs, stating that it was part of British policy in ruling India, though the reality was, they had been forced to take such a step.
Q5. Why was the Muslim League founded/established in 1906?
Multiple factors led to the establishment of the Muslim League in 1906. Firstly, was the Indian National Congress, which was the single Indian political body founded in 1886. Even though it stated that it was representing the view of all the communities living in India; however, it soon became apparent that it was in fact a Hindu dominant party that was working to establish Hindu supremacy over the Muslims. Thus, this led to the Muslims realizing that they had to establish their own political party if they wanted to ensure their views are represented and received a hearing by the British.
Moreover, after Simla Deputation, Muslims were overwhelmed by the fact that the British had finally started to work with them and were now even ready to make concessions. They had accepted the demand of the Muslim delegation led by Agha Khan that Muslims should have separate electorates and a larger number of seats in the council as compared to their population. These demands were accepted by the British which encouraged Muslims that now was the right time to form a party in order to secure a place in the constitution by their own means. Lastly, after the partition of Bengal on 10th October 1905, the Hindus has started a mass campaign to oppose it. Muslims feared that Hindu agitation might lead to the partition being reversed or even Hindi to be made the official language. Thus, the Muslims League was founded in 1906 to work towards and safeguard Muslim interests.
Chapter 7
Chapter 7
Q1. Why was the Khilafat Movement founded?
Firstly, were the deep-seated Muslim fears. Afghanistan and Persia, both Muslim countries had been the subject of rivalry between Russia and Britain. Both the powers had agreed on how these counties were to be run but little attention was paid to the views of the local population. Thus, Muslims believed that the British policy of harshness with Muslims all over the world was to be used in India as well. Maulvi Fazl-ul-Haq in 1918 also stated that whatever was happening to Muslims in the world was bound to have an adverse effect on Indian politics. Hence, there was a concern about British policy towards Muslims.
Secondly, Brtish needed help in fighting Germany and Turks. They promised Indian Muslims that the rights of the Khalida and Turkish Empire would be maintained. At first, there was desertification as Muslim soldiers refused to fight fellow-Muslims or play a part in something that led to Turkey being broken. However, after this promise, thousands of Muslims joined the army. After the war, treaties were being drawn. the British presented the 'Treaty of Versailles' which suggested Germany's break up. Later, Lord George, the British prime minister said that the Turkish Empire should be split up as well. This outraged many Muslims to a great extent.
Lastly, was the Caliph who was the Sultan of Turkey. He had immense importance and was the head of the worldwide Islamic community. He ruled over an empire that included important religious centers such as Mecca and Medina. Therefore, when the British threatened to take territory away from the Khalifa, the Muslims in India, in religious sentiments, finally decided to form the Khilafat Movement in order to safeguard their Muslim community all over the globe
Q2. Explain why the Khilafat Movement had failed by 1924?
The Khilafat Movement failed due to a couple of reasons. Firstly, was the withdrawal of Gandhi's support. In 1922, in Chauri Chara in United Province a large group of protestors, participating in the non-co-operation movement, clashed with police, who opened fire. In retaliation, the demonstrators attacked and set fire to a police station. This incident resulted in the death of 22 policemen. Gandhi who was strictly opposed to violence was convinced with this event that India was not yet ready for a mass campaign, withdrawing his support. Thus, this weekend the Movement as now it only had the support of Muslims and not the Hindus, who were actually the majority of the country, thus, the main strength.
Secondly, in 1920, 18,000 Muslims sold all their property and goods and tried to migrate to Afghanistan. They were told that India was Dar-ul-Harb, a place where non-Muslims ruled, and Friday and Eid prayers should not be offered. However, the Afghans refused to let such a large number of immigrants to enter; thus, many people died on their way back as the journey was long, even those who reached back had lost all their wealth. This Hijrat took away the enthusiasm of many supporters after looking at the miserable condition of these Muslims. Thirdly, in 1924, Kenal Attaturk, the new leader, himself abolished the Khilafat and exiled the Khalifa, Muhammad VI. Hence, the Khilafat Movement in India also came to an end.
Chapter 8
Chapter 8
Q1. Why did Jinnah produce his 14 points in 1929?
There are many reasons why Jinnah drafted his 14 points. Firstly, in 1928, theNehru Report was drawn which basically suggested the ways in which India should be governed. Though this was produced in an All-India Party Conference; however, its proposals horrified the Muslims. Some of these were: Hindi to be made the official language, India to be a federation, and no separate weightage or electorates for any community. Such suggestions implied that the Hindus were turning their backs on the agreements in Lucknow as what they were demanding was totally against Muslim interests. Hence, Jinnah realized that he had to present his own proposals in order to present Muslim views in front of the British.
Secondly, Jinnah produced his 14 points to set out the demands of any future negotiations with either Congress or the British government. Some of these included 1/3 seats for Muslims, separate electorates, and the same amount of autonomy. He wanted to lay the foundation of Muslim interest that would be strictly demanded by the league and nothing else. Lastly, Jinahh produced his 14 points to suggest the fact that Muslims and Hindus were two separate communities with different demands. Thus, both should be dealt differently by the British. This is why he announced it "parting of ways" as he believed Muslims and Hindus could no longer work as one.
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