Foundation of the All-India Muslim League in Dhaka (1906)

History Indian History

Posted by NewAdmin on 2025-02-03 08:42:29 |

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The All-India Muslim League was founded on December 30, 1906, in Dhaka (now in Bangladesh), during a conference of Muslim leaders held at the Ahsan Manzil. This political organization was established to represent the political rights and interests of Muslims in British India, eventually leading to the creation of Pakistan in 1947. The formation of the League was a response to the growing political consciousness among Indian Muslims, especially after the formation of the Indian National Congress in 1885, which many Muslim leaders felt did not adequately represent their concerns.

The founding of the Muslim League was largely influenced by the Simla Deputation of 1906, in which a delegation of prominent Muslim leaders, led by Aga Khan III, met with the British Viceroy, Lord Minto. They demanded separate electorates and greater representation for Muslims in government institutions. The British government, seeking to strengthen its hold over India, responded favorably, further motivating the formation of a separate Muslim political body.

The inaugural session of the Muslim League was attended by prominent Muslim leaders such as Nawab Salimullah of Dhaka, who played a crucial role in organizing the event, Nawab Viqar-ul-Mulk, Nawab Mohsin-ul-Mulk, and Syed Amir Ali. The League's primary objectives were to promote loyalty to the British government, protect and advance the political rights of Muslims, and prevent the rise of hostility between Muslims and other communities, particularly Hindus.

Initially, the League worked alongside the British government and even supported the partition of Bengal in 1905, which was seen as beneficial to Muslim interests. However, as Indian politics evolved, particularly with the introduction of constitutional reforms and the growing influence of the Congress-led nationalist movement, the League gradually transformed into a more assertive body advocating for Muslim self-rule. This shift was significantly shaped by leaders such as Muhammad Ali Jinnah, who later became the driving force behind the demand for a separate Muslim state.

Over the years, the Muslim League played a pivotal role in Indian politics, particularly after the Lahore Resolution of 1940, which formally demanded the creation of Pakistan. The League's foundation in Dhaka in 1906 marked the beginning of a political journey that ultimately led to the partition of India and the establishment of Pakistan in 1947.

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