The formation of the Muslim League in 1906 can be seen as a part of the British policy of divide and rule, which was a strategy used by the British government to maintain control over their colonies by creating divisions among different groups within the colony.
The British government supported the formation of the Muslim League as a way to divide the Indian population along religious lines, and to create a separate political representation for Muslims. This helped to weaken the unity of the Indian National Congress, which had been gaining strength as a unified political movement for Indian independence. By pitting Muslims against Hindus, the British government could maintain control by playing off the different groups against each other.
The British government also used the Muslim League as a tool to counterbalance the Indian National Congress, which was seen as a major threat to British rule. By creating the Muslim League, the British government could create an alternative political representation for Muslims and use it to counter the demands of the Congress.
Additionally, the British government also provided financial and administrative support to the Muslim League, which helped it to establish itself as a powerful political organization. This further solidified the British government's divide and rule strategy and the Muslim League as a tool to maintain control over India.
In conclusion, the formation of the Muslim League can be seen as a part of the British government's divide and rule strategy, which was used to maintain control over India by creating divisions among different groups within the colony and creating an alternative political representation for Muslims to counter the Indian National Congress and weaken the unity of the Indian population.