Last updated: Jan 2019

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Two nation theory in the historical perspective (an

outline)

Ideology defined:

“It is a scheme of ideas or the characteristic way of thinking on the basis of a politico-economic
system. Ideology provides approved mode of actions to realize the common goals and objectives
of a society, nation and a state.”

The following all events tell upon one thing that Muslims and Hindus were two distinct
communities by way of religious beliefs, strict cast divisions, eating habits, and with respect to
many other socio-cultural expositions. That kept them from fusing or assimilating as one nation
or community even after living together for more than 1000 years. For instance, Hindu protest
against making Urdu official language in parts of some provinces in the North of India was for
the reason that Hindus considered Urdu as the language of Muslims written not like Hindi in
Devanagari script. Likewise, when Bengal was partitioned in 1905 being a large province by the
British on administrative grounds, the Hindu protest against the same was just for the reason that
newly created province consisting East Bengal and Assam became a Muslim majority province.
Such events and many others as narrated below created a sense of insecurity among Muslims and
feelings that Hindus didn’t consider them equal citizens of the sub-continent. That forced them to
establish their own political party Muslim League in 1906, i.e., after Hindus’ protests against the
partition of Bengal, and subsequently demanding separate electorates for themselves. This
demand for separate electorate went on till the 1936 elections and formation of Congress
government in the sub-continent as result of those elections. But when Muslims saw that Hindu
government in the form of Congress rule 1937-39 was not treating Muslims equally, their
demand changed from the separate electorate to separate country which they resolved in the form
of Pakistan resolution on 23rd March 1940.

1. Mujahedeen’s’ movement led by Syed Ahmad Shaheed – 1831

2. Urdu-Hindi controversy – 1867 to replace Urdu with Hindi as the court language in the
North Western provinces.
3. Partition of Bengal -1905- by Lord Curzon, and its annulment in 1911. Hindu
resentment- Boycott of English manufactures (Swadeshi movement).
4. Shimla deputation – Oct-1st 1906 – Agha Khan to Lord Minto – Separate electorate for
Muslims, and more representation to Muslims than their numerical strength.
5. Indian Council act 1909 – Minto Morley reforms
 6. Muslim League established – Dec-1906
7. Khilafat movement – 1919-1924—Gandhi- ‘Suraj’ for India and Khilafat for Muslims
8. !911 Italy captures Tripoli and Muslim resentment in India
9. 1912 – Balkan states – Montenegro, Serbia, Bulgaria, and Greece invaded Turkey- and
Muslim resentment against the British.
10. 1923 – ‘Shudhi and Shanghtan’ movement by Hindus, and Muslims’ ‘Tableegh and
Tanzeem’
11. Allama Iqbal’s Allah Abad address – 1930
12. Round Table conferences – London 1930, 31, 32
13. India Act 1935 and 1936-37 elections
14. Congress rule – 1937-39
15. Resolution of Pakistan- 1940, and demand for a separate country.
16. 1946 elections and victory of Muslim League as a true representative of Muslims’ of
India
17. 1947 – Pakistan emerges as a reality

(Students are suggested to prepare answers on ‘Khilafat movement’ and, ‘Sir Syed’s
contributions towards Muslims of the Sub continent’ separately)