Context:
On 30th December 1906, the All India Muslim League was founded in Dhaka.
All-India Muslim League:
- Founders – Nawab Salimullah of Dhaka, Nawab Viqar-ul-Mulk, Nawab Mohsin Ul-Mulk, and Aga Khan.
- Background –
- Preceded by the Aligarh Movement, which promoted Muslim education and political awareness.
- Simla Deputation (1906) – Muslim leaders meeting Lord Minto II to demand special representation.
- Earlier Objectives –
- To protect the political and religious rights of Muslims.
- Seeking separate representation for Muslims in legislative bodies.
Key Agreements and Resolutions:
- Lucknow Pact (1916) – A rare moment of cooperation between Congress and the Muslim League.
- Leaders like Bal Gangadhar Tilak and Muhammad Ali Jinnah signed the pact, agreeing to work together for India’s independence.
- Congress accepted separate electorates for Muslims, leading to the rise of communal politics.
- Fourteen Points (1929) of Jinnah – Outlined Muslim political demands, including federalism, minority safeguards, and autonomy.
- Lahore Resolution (1940) – Under Jinnah’s leadership, the League adopted a stance favoring Partition, advocating for “Independent States” for Muslims in the northwestern and eastern regions where they were a majority.
- Later termed the Pakistan Resolution, it became the ideological foundation for the creation of Pakistan in 1947.
- Direct Action Day – Observed on 16th August 1946, led by Muhammad Ali Jinnah.
- A communal strike to press for the creation of Pakistan.
Muhammad Ali Jinnah:
- Born on – December 25, 1876, in Karachi (then part of British India, now in Pakistan).
- Initially joined the Indian National Congress (INC) and advocated for Hindu-Muslim unity.
- Later joined the All India Muslim League and was elected as its president in 1916.
- Transformed the Muslim League into a mass political force.
- Led the demand for the creation of Pakistan, culminating in the partition of India in 1947.
- Became the 1st Governor-General of Pakistan and is revered as “Quaid-e-Azam” (Great Leader) in Pakistan.
- Passed away on September 11, 1948
Source: IE
Previous Year Question
With reference to Indian National Movement, consider the following pairs:
Person Position held
1. Sir Tej Bahadur Sapru President, All India Liberal Federation
2. K.C. Neogy Member, The Constituent Assembly
3. P.C. Joshi General Secretary, Communist Party of India
Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched?
[UPSC Civil Service Exam – 2019 Prelims]
(a) 1 only
(b) 1 and 2 only
(c) 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (d)