Pakistan Studies

1905-1911
Partition of Bengal 1905

 Thispartition embittered the

relations between Hindus and
Muslims.
Reasons of Partition

 The reason for partition was mainly

administrative.
 In those days, Bengal included the present
Bihar and Orissa, it was difficult to
administer such a large area and
population with one governor.
Reasons

 The agrarian economy of Bengal was

dominated by the capitalists of Calcutta
and this was hindering local initiative for
progress and industrialization.
 The partition of Bengal was meant to lead
to greater administrative efficiency and
to encourage local initiative.
Reaction of Muslims

 The Muslims of Bengal welcomed partition.

 The new province of Eastern Bengal
brought happier prospect of political and
economic life for the Muslims.
 This partition of Bengal provided chances
of great progress to the Muslim who
formed the majority group in the new
setup.
Reaction of Hindus

 Hindus bitterly opposed it .

 They thought that it would weaken their
economic and political position.
 Violent agitation by Hindus pressurized
the British government to annul the
partition.
Simla delegation 1906

The Simla deputation proved a landmark in the history of modern India. The Simla deputation was unique, because for the first time
Muslims were anxious to take their share in the political activities as a separate identity.
Another purpose of the delegation was to get the representation of Muslims at political platforms, and also was to take the
Government into confidence.
Simla Delegation 1906

 The demand of separate electorates,

which were presented through the
deputation, was the foundation of all
future constitutional amendments for
India.
 The inevitable consequence of
deputation was the partition of Indian
and the emergence of Pakistan.
 The Simla Deputation was a gathering of
35 prominent Indian Muslim leaders led by
the Aga Khan III in Simla in October 1906.
The deputation aimed to convince Lord
Minto, then Viceroy of India, to grant
Muslims greater representation in politics.
 The deputation took advantage of the
liberal values of the newly-appointed
Minto and his Secretary of State, John
Morley
Simla delegation 1906

 The delegation requested that Muslims be

granted separate electorates at all levels
of government, district boards,
municipalities and legislative councils.
 The viceroy, Lord Minto assured them that
he was entirely in accord with their case
and agreed to extend favorable
consideration to their demand.
Demands of delegation

 Separate Representation
 Separate Electorate
 Weightage
 More seats for the Muslims
 Membership of judges and
Executive Councils
Demands of Simla Delegation

Representation in the Senate and Syndicate of Universities.

Making of Muslim University

What is separate electorate?

 Separate Electorates are that type of

elections in which minorities select their
own representatives separately, as
opposed to Joint Electorates where
people are selected collectively. When
minorities fear that they would not get
representation in state affairs and
government then they demand separate
electorates.
Separate Electorate
 Same was the case with the Indian
Muslims. They were very large in number,
but in case of combined elections they
would not get due representation. When
the British implemented the system of
democracy in India in order to strength
their rule, and to involve local people in
government, the Muslims demanded
separate electorates. These were not
imposed by British, however were granted
on the request of the Muslims.
Formation of All India Muslim
League

 The All India Muslim League was formed

mainly to protect the partition of Bengal.
 Later on, it was recognized as the
political body representing Indian Muslims
which later led the Pakistan Movement.
Reasons of the establishment
of All India Muslim League
 Establishment of Indian National
Congress1885
 Communalism
 Reaction of Hindus on Partition of Bengal
 Urdu-Hindi Controversy 1867
 Political Reforms
 Simla delegation 1906
 Deprivation of the Muslims
Reasons in detail

 1. Indifferent Attitude of the Congress towards

Muslims: All India National Congress was a pre-
dominantly Hindu body. Its interests were always at
odds ends to those of the Muslims. By 1906, Muslim
leaders were convinced that they must have their own
party which may speak for the community on all
important occasions.
 2. Educational and Economic Backwardness: Muslims
had lagged far behind from the Hindus in education
and economic progress. Educational and economic
conditions could only be up graded by establishing a
separate Muslims organization that could represent
the wishes of the Muslims.
Reasons in detail
 Urdu-Hindi Controversy: The Urdu-Hindu
controversy began with the demand of
Hindus to replace Urdu by Hindi as official
language in Deva Nagari Script. Sir
Anthony Macdonal, the then Governor of
UP ousted Urdu from public offices.
Congress clearly sided with Hindi and
supported the movement against Urdu
and there was no other political party to
support Urdu. Thus, the need of formation
of a Muslim political party was felt
severely.
Reasons in detail

 The Evolution of Minto Marley Reforms:

The turning point came in the summer of
1906 during John Morley’s budget speech,
in which he hinted of constitutional
reforms. At that time Muslims did not
have a political platform to demand their
share. It was reasserted that they wanted
a separate political platform.
Reasons in detail

 The Success of Simla Deputation: Minto

offered fullest sympathy to the Muslim
demands. The success of Deputation
compelled the Muslims to have a separate
political association of their own.
Reasons in detail

 To Save Muslim Entity: The belief uttered

by sir Syed Ahmed Khan that the Muslims
were somehow a separate entity. The
Muslims did not believe that Hindus and
Muslims formed one nation. They were
different by religion, history, languages
and civilization. It became essential for
Muslims to establish a political party of
their own.
Objectives of All India Muslim
League

 To create an understanding between the

government and the Indian Muslims.
 To co-ordinate with other nations and
political parties for general welfare.
 To protect the rights of the Muslim nation
and to interact with the government.
Minto Morely reforms
1909-1919

 This Act enlarged the size of Legislative

Council of the Governor-General.
 The function of the legislative council
were increased.
Main Provisions

 Enlargement of provincial council

 Election partly direct, partly indirect
 Members could raise questions
 No powers to members to control
government.
Significance for Muslims

 System of separate Muslim

representation.
 Separate electorate to save from Hindu
exploitation.
 Weightage given.
Inadequacy of reforms

 These reforms did not satisfy the Indians.

 The Inadequacy of the reforms of 1909
and the resultant discontent and
disappointment of the people gave rise to
revolutionary and terrorist activities.
Annulment of Partition of
Bengal
 The vigorous Hindu agitation rocked the
government which could not withstand
the extreme pressure of the movement.
 The Hindu threatened the government to
boycott the forthcoming tour of India of
the King George.
 The partition of Bengal was ultimately
annulled on 12th December 1911.
Affects of Cancellation of
partition

 Start of extremism
 Unveiling of Congress true face
 Promotion of Muslim’s Political awakening
 Establishment of Dhaka University
Presentation

 Presented by
 Humera Malik
 Lecturer at FAST-NU (LHR)