Pakistan Affairs & Islamiyat (in the light of Islam)

Lecture# 4

1.Partition of Bengal2. Formation of Muslim League3. Minto Morley Reforms & 4. Lucknow Pact & Khilafat Movement

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Partition of Bengal (1905)• Introduction• Finding the Bengal Presidency too large for one governor to

administer, in 1905 the English (Lord Curzon; viceroy of India) decided to redraw its boundaries and divided it into two parts. • The provinces of Bengal was reconstituted so as to form the

two provinces of manageable size. • The provinces of Bengal was reconstituted so as to form the

two provinces of manageable size. Western Bengal, with a population of 54 million (42 million Hindus and 9 million Muslims); and Eastern Bengal and Assam with a population of 31 million (12 million Hindus and 18 million Muslims). • Dhakka became the capital of the new province and hence

the centre of Muslim political activities

Partition of Bengal (1905)• Process of the Partition:• Curzon, the Viceroy of India, sent the proposal to London in

February 1905. The Secretary of State for India St. John Brodrich sanctioned it in June, and the proclamation/declaration of the formation of the new province was issued in September. • The province of Bengal came into being on October 16 1905.

• Advantage of the Partition:• Incidentally, the partition went in favor of the Muslims.

Before the partition, Western Bengal, being the first area to come under western influence, was developed and industrialized. • It was a striking contrast to the eastern part where the

Muslim peasantry was crushed under the Hindu landlords, the river system was infested with pirates, and very few funds were allocated for education.

Partition of Bengal (1905)• Background:

• This resulted in a series of unprecedented agitation by the Hindus. They alleged that Lord Curzon had deliberately tried to divide the Hindus and the Muslims by drawing a line between the Hindu and the Muslim halves of Bengal.

• And by favoring the Muslims by giving them a new province in which they were in a clear majority, had struck a deadly blow to Bengali nationality. They branded him as the upholder of the devilish policy of 'divide and rule'.

• The Hindu community strongly opposed it. They launched a mass movement, declaring October 16 as a day of mourning.

• Influenced by the Chinese boycott of American goods, the Hindus started the Swadeshi Movement against the British.

• In the meantime, the Hindus raised the Band-i-Mataram as the national cry protecting worship of Shivaji as a national hero. This organized rebel movement took a terrorist turn resulting in political sabotage and communal riots.

Partition of Bengal (1905)• British Reaction:

• Keeping in view the fluid political situation in India and the cult of Hindu revivalism, the British decided to undo their earlier decision to please the Hindus. The provinces were reunited in 1911.

• This act saddened the Muslims. It was a catalyst in making the Muslims of India realize the “need for a separate homeland”.

• Influence of Annulment:• Muslim realized that their loyalty towards British cannot pay fruition• Thus adopted a new attitude to come closer to congress to find some

common ground on which the two organizations could stand against the British.

• On the other hand there emerged a new set of young political leaders i.e. Mohammad Ali Jauhar, Shaukat Ali, Abul Kalam Azad, Zafar Ali Khan, and Hasrat Mohani; who through the press and platform, set the ball rolling in the direction of a full scale battle for the freedom of the country from the foreign yoke.

All India Muslim League (ML)-1906• Background:• Congress (dominated by Hindus) failed to gain confidence of

Muslims/minorities• Acid Test of Sir Syed’s apprehensions-Congress announcement of

“Swodeshy Movement”- against partition of Bengal (1905)• Fissures among the Indian society were deep rooted-religion,

tradition and culture, norms and values-one platform was not possible

• Factors for Formation1. Separate Identity• Conflicting interests between Hindus and Muslims-Congress

could not safeguard interests of Muslims• Sir Syed’s apprehensions/contentions proved by the events and

circumstances• Sir Syed’s opposition to joint electorate (demand for separate

electorates) was the first seed to culminate in the formation of AIML

All India Muslim League (ML)-1906

2. The attitude of Congress towards Muslims• Congress primarily safeguard Hindu Interest- no

consideration for justifiable rights of Muslims• Congress passed resolution against partition of Bengal• Congress aanounced “Sowdeshi Movement”-serious

Hindu – Muslim riots• Thus, a separate political organization was formed

3. Hindu Agitation of Partition of Bengal (1905) • First partition of Bengal by the British on administrative

grounds-not a Muslim demand but intense reaction of Congress/Hindu was an eye opener for Muslims

4. Diversity of Political Views• Joint electorate and separate electorate

All India Muslim League (ML)-1906

• Aims and Objectives• Phase I

1. Secure Political Rights2. Create loyalty to the British and to remove

misunderstandings3. Secure supremacy of Urdu Language

• Phase II1. System of self government under British Government2. New Constitution passed on 23rd March, 1909 (Minto

Morley Reforms)3. Hindu Muslim Unity leading to Lucknow Pact (1916)

• Phase III1. Struggle for Independent State (Starts from 1939)

All India Muslim League (ML)-1906• Achievements

1. A separate political platform for Muslims2. Political leadership (Mohammad Ali Jinnah joined in

1913, many others subsequently)3. Filled up the vacuum of Sir Syed Ahmed Khan4. Separate Electorates through Minto-Morley Reforms

(1909)5. Appointment of Muslim Judges in High/Supreme Court6. Approval of Trust Bill- trust a social entity works for

social benefit. Many Trusts in India denied to Muslims-act extended benefits to Muslims

7. Creation of Pakistan

Minto Morley Reforms (Viceroy)-1909• Introduction • Tension between Congress and ML after the Partition of

Bengal (1905)• Muslims demanded “Separate Electorate” during Simla

Deputation (1906) prior to creation of Muslim League • Muslim League intensified efforts for the said demand and

convinced British who brought reforms in the shape of Indian Council Act 1909

• Indian Council act 1909• Approved by British Parliament and enforced on 23rd

March 1909

• Salient Features• Muslims’ demand of Separate Electorate accepted• Modus operandi for election• Members of Councils could raise questions relating to

administration and policy and discuss budget item wise

Minto Morley Reforms (Viceroy)-1909• Congress/Hindu Reaction• Hindu Politicians and Congress launched a campaign

against the adoption of the main demand of Separate Electorate for Muslims• Hindu-Muslim relation further deteriorated

• Role of Muslim League• First achievement of ML within two years of the

establishment • British govt for the first time accepted that in India where

different nationalities live western type of democracy was inapplicable-voice of Sir Syed Ahmed Khan reality• The status of ML established as the only political

organization representing Muslims

Minto Morley Reforms (Viceroy)-1909• Importance of Reform for Muslims

• Muslims’main demand of separate electorate was accepted in the provinces

• Muslims were given double vote (they could vote separately for Muslims and also for general constituency)

• Legal and constitutional status of Muslims in India as a separate entity was accepted

• Congress had not accepted ML and Muslim as separate entity• Congress realized that ML was an important factor in Indian Politics

• Conclusion • The reforms play significant role in the constitutional

history/development in India• But for Muslims they were of paramount importance and shaped their

political fate• Had there been no provision of Separate Electorate least Chances of

Lucknow Pact (1916) consequently no concept of Pakistan Resolution.

Lucknow Pact (1916)• Introduction

• An episode of great political and constitutional magnitude• A bridge to narrow down the gulf between Hindus and Muslims• A step towards establishment of a bi-national state and self

government in India when Congress and ML agreed over the political and constitutional future of India

• Salient Features of the Pact• Congress conceded/approved the ML demand of separate

electorate• Muslim minority provinces: UP (seats 30%), Madras seats 14%;

more share was given to Muslims• Muslim majority provinces: Hindus were given weightage more

than their population in Bengal (25% more) and Punjab (10%)• Muslim lost majority in Bengal and Punjab while no real benefit

accrued in Muslim minority provinces

Lucknow Pact (1916)• Communal Veto: no bill, affecting a particular community, should

be processed in any council, if 75% of members of that community in the council opposite it

• Maximum administrative and financial autonomy for provinces

• Significance of the Pact• First time an agreed solution to the constitutional issues in India

was found by the two parties• Created trust among Hindus and Muslims • Three clear benefits to Muslims• Separate Electorate accepted by Hindus• More seats in Muslim minority provinces• Communal veto

• Heavy price paid by Muslisms-lost majorities in Bengal and Punjab• The Hindu-Muslim honeymoon culminated into• Khilafat Movement

Lucknow Pact (1916)• Conclusion• Though Hindu-Muslim unity and the influence of the pact

proved short lived yet it greatly impacted the future course of events in next few years.• The political strength of Congress and ML increased• Although this Hindu Muslim Unity was not able to live for

more than eight years, and collapsed after the development of differences between the two communities after the Khilafat Movement, yet it was an important event in the history of the Muslims of South Asia. • It was the first time when Congress recognized the Muslim

League as the political party representing the Muslims of the region. As Congress agreed to separate electorate, it in fact agreed to consider the Muslims as a separate nation. • They thus accepted the concept of the Two-Nation Theory.

Khilafat Movement (1919-1924) 1. Introduction:

• The Khilafat Movement was started by Maulana Muhammad Ali, Maulana Shaukat Ali, Maulana Abdul kalam Azad, Hasrat Mohani, and Dr. Mukhtar Ahmed Ansari.

• It was started in 1919 to support Ottaman Caliphate and was short lived, ending in 1924 by the overthrow of the Caliph by Kamal Ataturk in Turkey

2. Background• The Khilafat movement was a very important event in the political

history of India. The Muslims of India had a great regard for the Khilafat (Caliphate) which was held by the Ottoman Empire.

• During World War I, the Ottoman Empire (Turkey) joined the war in favour of Germany. But Turkey and Germany lost the war and a pact commonly known as Istanbul Accord was concluded between the Allied Forces on 3rd November 1918.

• According to this Pact the territories of Turkey were to be divided among France, Greece and Britain.

Khilafat Movement (1919-1924)3. Mass Movement Started:

• Thus, Muslims organized a mass movement, which came to be known as Khilafat Movement. The aims of this movement were• To protect the Holy place of Turkey• To restore the Territories of Turkey• To restore the Ottoman Empire.

• In December 1919 both the Khilafat Committee and Congress held their meetings simultaneously at Amritsar and a delegation was prepared which was sent to England but British Prime Minister, Lloyd George who paid no heed to the delegations demand.

4. Non Co-operation Movement:• When the leaders of Khilafat movement announced the Non Co-

operation Movement, the Congress extended its full support to the Khilafat Movement.

• The leaders of the two met at Amritsar and resolved to launch a country wide agitation under the leadership of Mr. Gandhi.

Khilafat Movement (1919-1924)

• The agitation was against the British government. The Jamiat-ul-Ulama Hind issued a Fatwa of Tark-e-Mawalat. The following points were included in it:1. Renunciation of all Government titles.2. Boycott of legislature and court.3. Withdrawal of student’s from educational institutions.4. Resignation from government posts.5. General civil disobedience.

5. Reaction of Movement:• Muslim ulama had issued a verdict and declared India as Dar-ul-Harab

and the Muslims therefore needed to migrate to some other country or Dar-ul-Salam.

• Thousands of families sold out their properties for a tenth of their value and hastily left for Afghanistan. As many as 18000 people marched towards Afghanistan, which was unable to bear the influx of the people.

• Thus, the Afghan authorities closed their frontiers. Eventually the Muhajarins had to return to their homes.

Khilafat Movement (1919-1924)

• A great number of old man, women and children died on their way during returning to homes and those who luckily reach alive their former places. They found themselves homeless and penniless.

• In fact they faced great difficulties. Even the preachers of Khilafat Movement realized the fact.

6. Death blow to Khilafat Movement:• The abolition of Khilafat by Kamal Ataturk was a serious blow on

Khilafat movement in the sub-continent and he exiled Sultan Abdul Majeed, a helpless Caliph and abolished Khilafat as an institution, due to this all agitational activities came to an end in the Sub-continent.

• The Hijrat Movement made the Muslims disillusioned with the Khilafat Movement due to the declaration of India as Darul-Harab. A large number of Muslims migrated from Sindh and N.W.F.P to Afghanistan.

• The Afghan authorities did not allow them to cross the border. After this tragic event those who had advocated the Hijrat movement come to realize their mistake which resulted in failure of movement.

Khilafat Movement (1919-1924)

• When Khilafat movement became mature and was reaching its climax. A tragic incident took place in the village of Chora Churi in which the police opened fire on the procession of local resident. The agitated mob in counteraction set the police station on fires which in result twenty one police constables were burnt alive. Due to this incident the Ali brother and other Muslim leader were arrested and Mr. Gandhi put off the movement. As a consequence the movement lost its intensity.

• Conclusion:• Khilafat Movement reached at its success, the Hindus especially Mr.

Gandhi gave up from movement and leaved the Muslims alone and caused the failure of Movement.

• The Khilafat movement proved that Hindus and Muslims were two different nations as they could not continue the unity and could not live together. The Khilafat Movement created political consciousness among the Indian Muslims, which inspired them to constitute another movement for then Independence. Thus, they started Pakistan Movement.

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