The First War of Independence in 1857 Essay Example

in India and to respectfully advocate for their needs and aspirations to the government. Additionally, the League aims to prevent any development of animosity towards other communities amongst Indian Muslims without neglecting its other objectives. The formation of the League has several, and widely discussed reasons as per public discourse. However, the predominant reason is often attributed to the emergence of Hindu resurgence. In the late 19th century, Indian Muslims grew concerned about the reviving Hindu sentiments among the country's majoritarian Hindu population.

Due to the Ban on Cow Slaughter movement and the emergence of Hindu nationalist leaders like Bal Gangadhar Tilak, Muslims in India were increasingly feeling threatened. The utilization of religion as a means to promote nationalism only intensified their concerns. Festivals such as Ganesh Puja and Durga Puja became platforms for promoting nationalist principles. Even though the All India National Congress Party professed to represent all faiths, they encountered obstacles when addressing these religion-centric approaches. They confronted the challenging task of gaining support from minority Muslim groups whilst simultaneously navigating sensitive topics such as cow slaughter and religious-nationalist figures like Tilak.

Muslim intellectuals emphasized the need for adequate representation of Muslims in order to safeguard their community's interests and prevent their minority status from resulting in suppressed interests. The partition of Bengal in 1905 was also a factor contributing to the notion of separate representation, as Hindus opposed this division initiated by the British government due to its view that Bengal was too vast for effective governance.

The region was intended to be divided into two parts, East Bengal with a Muslim majority and West Bengal with a Hindu majority, based on religion. The

partition had the goal of offering improved governance to underdeveloped East Bengal, which would benefit Muslims. However, Hindu minorities in East Bengal, who were landowners and employed Muslims, strongly objected to the decision.

The formation of the party was prompted by Muslim resentment over a perceived lack of representation for their interests. The catalyst for this sentiment can be traced back to October 1, when Agha Khan led a group of 35 Muslims in a meeting with Governor-General Minto in Shimla. During the meeting, they discussed the importance of Muslim representation in the constitution and voiced their grievances about various issues.

Following the conclusion of the Shimla Deputation, in which Minto pledged to address their grievances, only three months later the All India Muslim League was established. Some Indian and British historians argue that this party was formed along religious lines to undermine Congress, which had gained immense popularity throughout the country. Although many attribute heightened tensions between these two groups to a possible "Divide and rule" policy, there is insufficient evidence to support this. Nonetheless, the All India Muslim League Party maintained positive relations with the British government.

Within three years of its creation in 1909, the party attained a significant triumph with its call for a distinct electorate, despite strong opposition from the Congress party. Concurrently, rising Hindu protests against the partition of Bengal prompted the British government to reverse its decision in 1911.

The belief held by Muslims that they would be neglected was further reinforced, instigating the need for a separate nation. Muhammad Ali Jinnah, a Congress party supporter and member, joined the Muslim League in 1913 with the intention of aligning their policies

with Congress' progressive and national aims. Jinnah remained a supporter of separate electorate, even during his time in Congress. Later, Jinnah would become the Quad-i-azam of Pakistan and lead the demand for a separate nation.

In 1916, an individual's sustained efforts led to the creation of the Lucknow Pact, which united the All India Muslim League and National Congress Party. The pact aimed to advocate for increased legislative council powers and greater Indian representation in them. This event was significant as it marked the first collaboration between the Muslim League and Congress Party, with the latter acknowledging the former's legitimate representation of Muslims in India and accepting separate electorates for them. The relationship lasted over eight years before deteriorating.

In 1919, the Khilafat Movement was initiated in aid of the Turks by the renowned Ali siblings, Mohammad Ali and Shaukat Ali. This movement gained support from the Non-cooperation movement, which ultimately led to a high point in the unity of Hindus and Muslims. Later in the 1920s, due to several incidents, the relationship between the two communities deteriorated, and the league separated from the congress.

The Muslim peasants in Bengal initiated a mutiny against the Hindu landlords, leading to escalated tensions and bloodshed. The cry for a separate nation first emerged in 1930, during Allama Muhammad Iqbal's presidential address at the League's Allahabad event. Iqbal advocated for a separate state for Muslims as he believed they possessed a distinct identity and required protection of their interests.

In 1930, the "two nation theory" was born when it was suggested that the state of Punjab, North West Frontier Province, Baluchistan, and Sindh be transformed into a single province. The proposal asserted

that this northwestern region was meant to become a self-governing entity either within the British Empire or independent from it. The aim was to prevent communal riots and unite the area into a cohesive unit.

According to Chatterji (52), Iqbal, a renowned poet and philosopher, expressed the deeply suppressed fears of millions of Muslims in India through his theory. As the clashes intensified between the Muslim League and Congress, the demand for a separate nation grew stronger. The introduction of the "Communal Award" by the British government in 1932 aggravated the situation, particularly in Bengal, increasing communal tensions in the region.

The 1940 endorsement of the two nation theory by Jinnah was a result of his fear that the interests of minority Muslims would not be met in a majority Hindu nation, despite initially opposing the creation of a separate nation. The Muslim League gained support in Muslim-dominated regions, but suffered a major defeat in the 1937 provincial elections despite separate electorates being used.

Despite the Congress party winning the majority of seats in the polls, the Muslim League only secured 108 out of the 482 reserved for Muslims. Furthermore, they lost control of some Muslim-dominated regions such as the North-West Frontier Province to Congress. However, the outbreak of World War II resulted in Britain requesting India's participation, causing Congress to withdraw from governing various states. The Muslim League celebrated this as deliverance day and took over governance in Muslim-dominated regions, even without a mandate.

The Muslim League supported the British government in the war as a means to negotiate for independence and a separate nation for Muslims. The League effectively utilized this opportunity to gain widespread

support for a separate state, with the idea of partition gaining momentum (Keen 3). In 1940, at the Lahore session, Muhammad Ali Jinnah officially demanded a separate nation known as Pakistan. This demand was based on the "two-nation" theory and called for regions with a Muslim majority, such as those in the North-Western and Eastern Zones of India, to become autonomous and sovereign independent states (Jinnah, 1940).

India experienced a surge in nationalism during the 1940s, as demonstrated by the successful "Quit India" movement. This movement reflected the widespread belief that independence was essential due to British Government's involvement of Indians in war efforts. The protests persisted despite attempts to suppress them, leading the British government to realize their rule over India was nearing its end. Eventually, in 1946, Prime Minister Attlee dispatched a commission to resolve conflicts between Hindus and Muslims and supervise elections.

Muhammad Ali Jinnah, who headed the Muslim League - the sole representative of Muslims in the nation - won 73 out of 78 seats for Muslim voters in elections decided not by adult franchise but provincial legislatures. The Congress and League both concurred with a British government proposal for an interim government, but it was ultimately denied, resulting in violent reactions.

In August 1946, Muhammad Ali Jinnah declared Direct Action Day, a precursor to his leadership of the newly-formed Pakistan. The announcement sparked widespread riots, with Calcutta experiencing the deadliest in history and over 5000 fatalities (Chatterji 233). Though lasting only three days, the violence instilled deep-seated animosity that made India's partition inevitable. Fearing further conflict and unrest, the proposal was accepted and on August 14th, 1947 Pakistan was established; one day later

on August 15th, India became independent. The All India Muslim League played a crucial part in both India's fight for freedom and creation of Pakistan.

The website "The story of Pakistan" documents the numerous leaders in the Muslim League who aided in constructing its ideology and garnering support for its mission. Among these members was Nawab Mohsin-ul-Mulk, who, alongside Nawab Viqar-ul-Mulk, composed the constitution for the Muslim League in 1906. He recognized the significance of a distinct state for Muslims and thus assisted in establishing the Muslim League as a party. Another leader who played a role in establishing this party was Nawab Viqar-ul-Mulk.

Maulana Shaukat Ali was a pivotal figure in shaping the path for Pakistan's independence. A member of the 35-member delegation that met Governor-general Minto at Shimla in 1930, he emphasized the need for Muslims to safeguard their interests through action. In 1936, he joined the Muslim League and played a significant role in popularizing it throughout the country. Additionally, he helped Jinnah gain support for the league and toured various countries advocating for India's struggle for independence.

Syed Ameer Ali is frequently cited as a significant figure of the party, mainly for his establishment of a branch of the Muslim League in London during 1908. Nevertheless, the undeniable paramount leader of the Muslim League is Muhammad Ali Jinnah, who became an avid supporter of the Indian National Congress after returning to India following the completion of his law studies in England.

Joining the Muslim League in 1913 to unite Hindus and Muslims, Jinnah played a key role in bringing out the Lucknow Pact. However, as the relationship between Congress and League

deteriorated, Jinnah also became disillusioned and fully embraced the two Nation theory. He led the demand for Pakistan and became the prominent figure representing Muslims in India.

Following the Partition of India, the All India Muslim League founded a religiously-based party, leading to the appointment of their leader as Quad-i-azam, or head of state. As such, their significant role in the events leading up to the country's independence and ultimate partition cannot be overlooked. It was the emergence of such communal parties that served to expedite the process of Partition.

Another party, called Hindu Mahasabha, was formed with a different religion as its foundation. They shared the same belief as the Muslim League, which was that Hindus and Muslims could not coexist. These actions only contributed to further disunity. Muslim League was the first party to successfully unite Muslims in India. Before this, there was no significant representation of Muslims in the Indian National Congress. Congress had given up on the idea of aligning Muslims with their nationalistic movement.

The Muslim League united people's representation and grievances, and introduced the "two-nation" theory that altered history. This proposition caused widespread violence in Calcutta and Punjab during partition. The enduring effects of this partition continue to strain relations between both countries, even sixty years later.