Vardaan Learning Institute

Chapter 5: Muslim League and its Objectives

PART F: The Muslim League (1906)

Key Facts Founded: 30 December 1906 at Dhaka | Founders: Nawab Salimullah Khan of Dhaka, Nawab Mohsin-ul-Mulk, Aga Khan III

Fear of Hindu majority dominance: Muslim elites feared that in a representative democracy, the larger Hindu population would dominate politics and government, marginalizing Muslims.
Demand for separate electorates: A Muslim deputation led by Aga Khan met Viceroy Lord Minto (1906) and demanded separate electorates — that only Muslims should vote for Muslim candidates. The British encouraged this demand.
British encouragement — Divide and Rule: The British saw that a united Congress was a threat to their rule. Encouraging Muslim separatism would divide the nationalist movement.
Influence of Syed Ahmed Khan (1817–1898): He had earlier opposed the INC and argued that Hindus and Muslims were two separate nations — this "two-nation theory" influenced Muslim thinking.
East Bengal partition (1905): The creation of a Muslim-majority province (East Bengal) was welcomed by many Muslims — they feared that a reversal would harm Muslim interests.

To protect and advance the political rights of Indian Muslims.
To foster a sense of loyalty to the British government among Indian Muslims (the League was initially pro-British).
To prevent hostile feelings between Muslims and other communities.
To represent Muslim interests separately from the Congress.