The British intention to grant self-government to India along the lines

of British parliamentary democracy is evident in the Government of

India Act of 1935. Up to that time, the question of Hindus and
Muslims sharing in the governance of India was generally acceptable,
although it was also acknowledged that Hindus more so than Muslims
had accommodated themselves to British customs and the colonial
manner of administration. Moreover, following the failed Indian
Mutiny, Hindus were more eager to adopt British behaviours and
ideas, whereas Indian Muslims bore the brunt of British wrath. The
Mughal Empire was formally dissolved in 1858, and its last ruler was
banished from the subcontinent. Believing they had been singled out
for punishment, India’s Muslim population was reluctant to adopt
British ways or take advantage of English educational opportunities.
As a consequence of these different positions, Hindus advanced under
British rule at the expense of their Muslim counterparts, and
when Britain opened the civil service to the native population, the
Hindus virtually monopolized the postings. Although influential
Muslims such as Sayyid Ahmad Khan recognized the growing power
imbalance and encouraged Muslims to seek European education and
entry into the colonial civil service, they also realized that catching up
to the more progressive and advantaged Hindus was an impossible
task.