Question 1

Question 7Which of the following factors made leaders in the Muslims League realise that rapproachement with the Congress was desirable?Britain's hostility to TurkeyProvision of separate electorate in the Morley-Minto ReformsTwo-nation Theory of JinnahDrain Theory of Dadabhai Naoroji.

Accepted Answer

Britain's hostility to Turkey

Question 2

Question 8Which two leaders were instrumental in the culmination of the Lucknow Pact?Abul Kalam Azad and Shaukat AliLala Lajpat Rai and Annie BesantBal Gangadhar Tilak and Annie BesantNawab Salimullah and Archibald.

Accepted Answer

Bal Gangadhar Tilak and Annie Besant

Question 3

Question 9The Muslim League changed its objectives from 'support for the British Government' to ............... leading to the Lucknow Pact.'a system of self-government under Turkey.''a system of self-government like Britain.''a system of self-government under the aegis of the British Crown.''a system of self-government together with the Congress.'

Accepted Answer

'a system of self-government under the aegis of the British Crown.'

Question 4

Question 10Which of the following was a drawback of the Lucknow Pact?Acknowledgement of separate political interests of Hindus and MuslimsNecessity to introduce reformsSeparation of the executive from the judiciary.Promotion of support to the British.

Accepted Answer

Acknowledgement of separate political interests of Hindus and Muslims

Question 5

Question 11From the given list identify the statements which reflect the significance of the Lucknow Pact?(i) It brought about unity between the two factions in the Congress.(ii) It was confined only to the educated and rich Hindus and Muslims. It did not involve the masses.(iii) It seemed to have laid stress on the separate interests of the Hindus and the Muslims and their separate political existence.(iv) It provided for a 'Communal Veto' in legislation.(i), (ii) and (iii)(i) onlyAll of the aboveNone of the above

Accepted Answer

(i) only

Question 6

Question 1(a) Identify the person in the picture. What were his views regarding Hindu-Muslim unity?(b) What role did he play in the formation of the Muslim League?(c) State the impact of the Muslim League on the National Movement.

Accepted Answer

(a) The person shown in the picture is Sir Sayyid Ahmad Khan. His views regarding Hindu-Muslim unity were as follows:He regarded Hindus and Muslims to be one Quam (nation).He founded the Mohammedan Anglo-Oriental College at Aligarh which had both Hindu and Muslim patrons.However, under the influence of the British Principal of Mohammedan Anglo-Oriental College, in the 1880s, he gave up his earlier views and declared that the political interests of Hindus and Muslims were different.When the Indian National Congress was founded, Sir Sayyid Ahmad Khan opposed it.He founded the United Indian Patriotic Association in 1888 mainly with a view to oppose the Congress.In this effort, he was supported by Mr. Beck, the British Principal of Mohammedan Anglo-Oriental (MAO) College (Aligarh). Beck's idea was that Anglo-Muslim unity was possible, but Hindu-Muslim unity was impossible.It was said that Sir Sayyid Ahmad Khan believed that since the Hindus formed the majority of the Indian population, they would dominate the Muslims in case of a withdrawal of the British rule.He felt that the continuance of British rule was a "guarantee for the welfare and progress of the community."Therefore, he declared that if the educated Muslims support the British, the latter would reward them with government jobs and other special favours.(b) Sir Sayyid Ahmad Khan founded the Mohammedan Anglo-Oriental College at Aligarh which had both Hindu and Muslim patrons.Sir Sayyid Ahmad believed that since the Hindus formed the majority of the Indian population, they would dominate the Muslims in case of a withdrawal of the British rule.He felt if he supported British, they would secure their rights and be rewarded with government jobs and other special favors.Theodore Beck was invited by Sir Sayyid Ahmed Khan to serve as the Principal of the Mohammedan Anglo-Oriental College in Aligarh.He identified with the Indian Muslims and made a systematic effort to alienate them from the Hindus.His objective was to protect the political rights of the Muslims and to strengthen the British rule in India.His idea was that Anglo Muslim unity was possible, but Hindu-Muslim unity was impossible.This paved the way for the formation of the Muslim League.(c) The impact of the Muslim League on the National Movement is as follows:League's Role in the Beginning —Initially Muslim League sought greater representation of Muslims in all services.As regards representation in Assemblies, it wanted more seats than its numerical representation warranted.Its political activities were directed not so much against the foreign rulers as against the Congress.Its leaders, belonging to the upper class, had little in common with the Muslim masses and they did not fight for the removal of their grievances.Government Support to the League —The Morley-Minto Reforms of 1909 provided separate electorates for Muslim whereby seats were reserved for the Muslims from where Muslims could vote for the Muslim candidates.The provision for separate electorate in the Morley-Minto Reforms was intentionally incorporated to please the Muslim League and create a rift between the Muslim League and the Congress.The Phase of Rapprochement — From 1910 to 1913, new forces emerged in Muslim League politics and some of its leaders realised that rapprochement with the Congress was desirable. Several factors were responsible for this change in attitude:Britain's hostility to Turkey in the Turko-Italian War (1911-12) and the Balkan Wars (1912-13) and the annulment of the Partition of Bengal in 1911 made a large section of Muslim leaders critical of British policiesThe younger section of emerging Muslim leaders disliked the loyalist politics of the Aligarh group and the leadership of big Nawabs and Zamindars. Some young scholars, influenced by the Deoband school of Muslim studies were inspired by nationalist sentiments.Congress and the League —When the British Government acted against the Turkish interests and supported the cause of the Balkan countries, the Indian Muslims stood up and launched the Khilafat Movement against the British.The Congress cooperated with them and the Khilafat issue was included as one of the demands of the Non-cooperation Movement.As a result, a pact which is known as the Lucknow Pact was signed. The Lucknow Pact refers to the joint scheme of political reforms agreed to by both the Congress and the Muslim League in 1916 regarding the structure of government in India and the relationship between the Hindus and the Muslims.Partition of the Country on Communal Lines —In 1930 the idea of two nation states was born and in the 1940 session of the League at Lahore, Jinnah put forward his two-nation theory.Thus, despite a severe opposition from Gandhiji, the country drifted towards the partition.The communal riots broke out in the country and in 1947, a separate country, Pakistan, came into existence.

Question 7

Question 2(a) Identify the persons in the given picture. Which agreement for a joint scheme of political reforms was signed by these two persons? The agreement was signed post which international event?(b) Mention any three factors that led to the signing of this agreement.(c) State any two significant outcomes of this agreement.

Accepted Answer

(a) The persons in the given picture are M.A. Jinnah and Bal Gangadhar Tilak.They signed the Lucknow Pact in 1916.The agreement was signed post the start of the First World War (1914-1919).(b) Three factors that led to the signing of the Lucknow Pact in 1916 were-National Events — The important national events that changed the attitude of the Muslim League were:Annulment of Bengal Partition.Nationalist Muslims like Abul Kalam Azad and the Ali Brothers - Maulana Mohammad Ali and Shaukat Ali, mobilized support for self-government.Tilak’s release in 1914 and arrests of Muslim leaders under the 'Seditious Meetings Act' brought Congress and the League closer.Changes in the Objectives of the Muslim League — There were important changes in Muslim League’s Objectives:In 1913, the League amended its constitution to support self-government under British rule.Shared political goals led to cooperation with Congress.Annie Besant and Tilak played key roles in uniting the two groups.Congress Unity — A compromise was reached between the two factions of the Congress:Annie Besant helped reunite Early and Assertive Nationalists.Tilak rejoined Congress in 1916, facilitating Congress-League collaboration.(c) Two significant outcomes of this agreement were:Hindu-Muslim Unity — The joint scheme symbolised Hindu-Muslim unity. Both the communities agreed to compromise in some areas for the common good. As a result of this pact, the Hindus and the Muslims worked together from 1916 to 1922.Unity Within the Congress — The Lucknow Session and the signing of the Lucknow Pact brought about unity between the Assertive Nationalists and the Early Nationalists. As a result, the Congress was strengthened.

Question 8

Question 4What promises were made by Lord Minto to the Muslim deputation led by Agha Khan in 1906? Why did the British imperialists encourage the formation of the Muslim League?

Accepted Answer

The Viceroy, Lord Minto received the deputation led by Agha Khan and expressed his sympathy with their aspirations. He assured them that their political rights and interests as a community would be safeguarded.The British welcomed the formation of the Muslim League. They supported the League to provide an opposition to the Congress. They won initially the support of the Muslims by asserting that the Muslim interests were different from those of the Hindus. Thus, the policies of the Muslim League to some extent weakened nationalist sentiments.

Question 9

Question 5What is meant by Separate (Communal) Electorates?

Accepted Answer

Separate electorates means the system of election to legislatures which divides voters on the basis of religion, caste or occupation. The Morley-Minto Reforms of 1909 provided separate electorates for Muslim whereby seats were reserved for the Muslims from where Muslims could vote for the Muslim candidates.

Question 10

Question 6What was the Lucknow Pact?

Accepted Answer

The joint scheme of political reforms agreed to by both the Congress and the Muslim League in 1916 is known as the Lucknow Pact.

Question 11

Question 3Not many people are aware of the friendship built on mutual respect that was a symbol of Hindu-Muslim unity of India—the friendship between Lokmanya Tilak and Mohammed Ali Jinnah. When Tilak, as the President of Home Rule League, was leaving for England to press for India’s demand for Swaraj, Jinnah had proclaimed that there was no man more fitted to voice the opinions of Indians other than Tilak who had devoted his whole life to the cause of his country. Trace the events that led to Jinnah demanding Partition of the country and the establishment of Pakistan. The relationship between the two countries till date is a proof of the discord sowed by the British. What in your opinion, can be done to improve relations between the two countries.

Accepted Answer

The demand for the partition of India and the establishment of Pakistan can be traced back to a series of events:Two-Nation Theory — The Muslim League, under the leadership of Muhammad Ali Jinnah, proposed the Two-Nation Theory, which asserted that Hindus and Muslims were two distinct nations and should have separate homelands.Lahore Resolution (1940) — The Lahore Resolution, which later came to be known as the Pakistan Resolution, called for independent states in the Muslim-majority areas of India.Mountbatten Plan (1947) — The final plan for independence, proposed by Lord Mountbatten, the last Viceroy of India, included the partition of British India into two dominions, India and Pakistan.In my opinion, improving relations between India and Pakistan would require several steps:Both countries should engage in constructive diplomacy and maintain open channels of communication.Efforts should be made to resolve longstanding disputes through peaceful means.Encouraging cultural exchanges and people-to-people contact can foster mutual understanding and goodwill.Cooperation on Common Issues such as climate change, water scarcity, and regional instability can build trust and improve relations.

The Muslim League

Multiple Choice Questions

Picture Study

Short Answer Questions

Thinking Skills