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History Notes

Simla Deputation
Q1. What was the Simla Deputation? (4) Ans. On 8 October 1906 a deputation of prominent Muslims led by the Aga Khan visited Viceroy Minto at Simla to present their demands. The demands were set out in what has become known as The Simla Deputation. In they demanded that in all local and provincial elections Muslims should have their own representatives and that Muslims in all councils should have a higher percentage of seats than their percentage of the India population. Q2. Why was Simla Deputation of 1906 a turning point in the lives of Muslims in the subcontinent? (7) Ans. The British acceptance of the Simla Deputation was an extremely important moment in the history of the subcontinent. The acceptance showed that the attempts made by Sir Syed and others to restore relations between the Muslims and the British had been successful. The long-term importance of the meeting was that the underlying tensions between the two main communities in the subcontinent, the Hindus and Muslims, were now on a constitutional plane. The granting of the right of separate electorates for Muslims gave them their rights to express their demands. The Simla Deputation was also a factor that made Muslims feel a need for their own political party. It can rightly be called the first real political step towards a separate homeland.

All India Muslim League


Q1. Why did the Muslims of the subcontinent feel a need for a separate political party? (7) Ans. In 1885, the Indian National Congress was formed to represent the aspiration and demands of the Indians to the British government but within years it turned out to be a Hindu

dominated body. It was only working for Hindu interests neglecting other communities. In 1905 when Bengal was partitioned, Congress was against it and immediately demanded for its reversal. The Muslims were disappointed at this. The HindiUrdu Controversy back in the year was another major cause. The Hindus openly demonstrated against Urdu language neglecting the importance it had for the Muslims. They wanted Hindi to become the official language. The congress also demanded competitive examination to be held for government jobs. Since most of the Muslims were uneducated, they were unable to pass them. The congress also felt that there was no need for separate electorates for Muslims as India was a cultural whole. The role of Hindu extremist groups like Arya Samaj was another factor which aroused Muslim attention. These extremist played loud music outside mosques which was disgraceful and offensive and also banned the slaughter of cows. Not only this but these groups also wanted Muslims to be forcibly converted to Hinduism. The Muslims were not to tolerate it anymore. These anti- Muslims activities increased the need of a political platform for the Muslims from where their interest could be projected. On 8 October 1906 the Simla episode took place in which a group of Muslims leaders led by the Aga khan met Viceroy Minto at Simla to present their demands. Their demands were granting of separate electorates for Muslims in all local and provincial elections and also that Muslims should be given a greater weightage than their population. These demands were readily accepted which were truly a victory for the Muslims. The success of Simla Deputation made it imperative for the Muslims of the subcontinent to have their own political organization. These events ultimately led to the formation of the All India Muslim League in 1906. Q2. Which of the following was the most important factor leading to the creation of Muslim League? (14) i) Role of Congress ii) Extremist Hindu groups iii) Simla Deputation

Ans. The formation of the All India Muslim League in 1906 was not just because of a single cause rather due to a number of factors. In 1885, the Indian National Congress was formed to represent the aspiration and demands of the Indians to the British government but within years it turned out to be a Hindu dominated body. It was only working for Hindu interests neglecting other communities. In 1905 when Bengal was partitioned, Congress was against it and immediately demanded for its reversal. The Muslims were disappointed at this. The HindiUrdu Controversy back in the year was another major cause. The Hindus openly demonstrated against Urdu language neglecting the importance it had for the Muslims. They wanted Hindi to become the official language. The congress also demanded competitive examination to be held for government jobs. Since most of the Muslims were uneducated, they were unable to pass them. The congress also felt that there was no need for separate electorates for Muslims as India was a cultural whole. The role of Hindu extremist groups like Arya Samaj was another factor which aroused Muslim attention. These extremist played loud music outside mosques which was disgraceful and offensive and also banned the slaughter of cows. Not only this but these groups also wanted Muslims to be forcibly converted to Hinduism. The Muslims were not to tolerate it anymore. These anti- Muslims activities increased the need of a political platform for the Muslims from where their interest could be projected. On 8 October 1906 the Simla episode took place in which a group of Muslims leaders led by the Aga khan met Viceroy Minto at Simla to present their demands. Their demands were granting of separate electorates for Muslims in all local and provincial elections and also that Muslims should be given a greater weightage than their population. These demands were readily accepted which were truly a victory for the Muslims. The success of Simla Deputation made it imperative for the Muslims of the subcontinent to have their own political organization. Among the three factors, the role of Congress was the most important one which lead to the creative of the Muslim League. Since its formation the Congress had always disappointed the

Muslims by neglecting their views and demands and opposing their religion and language. When a measure was take by the British government which benefited the Muslims, the Congress protested and took severe measures for its reversal. It was now not possible for the Muslims to stay quiet and keep tolerating any further offense. This ultimately led to the formation of a Muslims political party known as the All India Muslim League. Q3. What were the early objectives of the Muslim League? (4) Ans. The All India Muslim league was founded in the year 1906. The early objectives adopted by the League was to promote feelings of loyalty to the British government and remove any misconception that may arise to any of the measure taken by the British, to protect and advance the political rights and interests of the Muslims of India and respectfully to represent their needs and aspirations to the government and to prevent the rise of hostility towards other communities amongst Muslims.

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