Morning Star Textbook Solutions: The Muslim League | History and Civics Class 10 ICSE PDF Download

Multiple Choice Questions

Q1: Sir Sayyid Ahmed Khan had started a reform movement among the Muslims called the ____ Movement
(a) Sufi
(b) Aligarh
(c) Jaipur
(d) Wahabi
Ans: (b) 

Q2: What were Sir Sayyid's initial views on 'Hindu-Muslim' unity?
(a) He regarded them to be different entities.
(b) He regarded them to be one Quam (nation).
(c) He believed that their interests were different.
(d) He regarded them to be two separate Quams (nations)
Ans: (b)

Q3: The First President of the Muslim League was ____ .
(a) Shaukat Ali
(b) Agha Khan
(c) Sir Sayyid Ahmad
(d) Nawab Salimullah
Ans: (d)

Q4: Who led the deputation to the Viceroy with a view to secure more political rights for Muslims?
(a) Agha Khan
(b) Nawab Salimullah
(c) Archibald
(d) Shaukat Ali.
Ans: (a)

Q5: Which of the following was NOT an objective of the Muslim League when it was formed?
(a) To promote support for British government
(b) To protect and advance political rights of Indian Muslims
(c) To promote hostility between Indian Muslims and other communities
(d) To represent the needs of Muslims in India to the British in mild and moderate language.
Ans: (c)

Q6: Which of the following is NOT true about the role of the Muslim League in the beginning?
(a) It stood apart from the National Movement
(b) It worked against the Congress
(c) It focussed its action on the problems faced by the upper class
(d) Its political activities were directed against the British.
Ans: (d)

Q7: Which of the following factors made leaders in the Muslims League realise that rapproachement with the Congress was desirable?
(a) Britain's hostility to Turkey
(b) Provision of separate electorate in the Morley-Minto Reforms
(c) Two-nation Theory of Jinnah
(d) Drain Theory of Dadabhai Naoroji.
Ans: (a)

Q8: Which two leaders were instrumental in the culmination of the Lucknow Pact?
(a) Abul Kalam Azad and Shaukat Ali
(b) Lala Lajpat Rai and Annie Besant
(c) Bal Gangadhar Tilak and Annie Besant
(d) Nawab Salimullah and Archibald.
Ans: (c)

Q9: The Muslim League changed its objectives from 'support for the British Government' to ____ leading to the Lucknow Pact.
(a) 'a system of self-government under Turkey.'
(b) 'a system of self-government like Britain.'
(c) 'a system of self-government under the aegis of the British Crown.'
(d) 'a system of self-government together with the Congress.'
Ans: (c)

Q10: Which of the following was a drawback of the Lucknow Pact?
(a) Acknowledgement of separate political interests of Hindus and Muslims
(b) Necessity to introduce reforms
(c) Separation of the executive from the judiciary.
(d) Promotion of support to the British.
Ans: (a) 

Q11: From 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.
(a) (i), (ii) and (iii)
(b) (i) only
(c) All of the above
(d) None of the above
Ans: (b)

Assertion (A) & Reason (R)

Q1: (A) In 1871, Lord Mayo’s government adopted a resolution which made Urdu the medium of instruction for Muslims in primary and secondary schools.
(R) It was as an attempt to create rift between the Hindus and the Muslims.
(a) (R) contradicts (A)
(b) (R) is the reason for (A)
(c) (A) is true but (R) is false
(d) (A) and (R) are independent of each other.
Ans: (b)
The British favored specific groups to cause resentment and jealousy, which was part of their divide-and-rule strategy to weaken the national movement.

Q2: (A) The British and communal historians ignored the notion of a composite culture in India.
(R) They failed to recognise that the diversity in India was region-wise and caste-wise and not religion-wise.
(a) (R) contradicts (A)
(b) (R) is the reason for (A)
(c) (A) is true but (R) is false
(d) (A) and (R) are independent of each other.
Ans: (b)
The British and communal historians ignored India's composite culture and tried to sow division between communities. They failed to recognize that the diversity in India was mainly based on region and class, not religion.

Q3: (A) The British wanted to prevent Muslims from participating in any political movement.
(R) The British opposed the formation of the Mohammedan Anglo-Oriental (M.A.O) Defence Association in 1893.
(a) (R) contradicts (A)
(b) (R) is the reason for (A)
(c) (A) is true but (R) is false
(d) (A) and (R) are independent of each other.
Ans: (c)
The British actually supported the formation of the Mohammedan Anglo-Oriental (M.A.O) Defence Association in 1893.

Q4: (A) The success of the Muslim Deputation to the Viceroy Lord Minto motivated the Muslims to start a separate political organisation.
(R) The political activities of the Muslim League were directed not so much against the British as against the Congress.
(a) (R) contradicts (A)
(b) (R) is the reason for (A)
(c) (A) is true but (R) is false
(d) (A) and (R) are independent of each other.
Ans: (b)
The Muslim League's political activities were aimed more at the Congress, which they felt was not adequately representing Muslim interests, rather than directly opposing the British.

Q5: (A) The Lucknow Pact brought about unity between the Hindus and the Muslims.
(R) The Lucknow Pact laid stress on the separate political existence for the Hindus and the Muslims.
(a) (R) contradicts (A)
(b) (R) is the reason for (A)
(c) (A) is true but (R) is false
(d) (A) and (R) are independent of each other.
Ans: (a)
While the Lucknow Pact was seen as a step toward Hindu-Muslim unity, it also established separate electorates, which contributed to the rise of communal politics in India.

Short Answer Questions

Q1: Why did the British treat the Muslims harshly immediately after the Uprising of 1857? Why did the British attitude towards the Muslims change in the later part of the 19th century?
Ans: The British established their supremacy in India after dethroning the Mughal rulers. Therefore, the Muslims became bitter enemies of the British. They participated in the Wahabi Movement and also took part in the uprising of 1857. This made the British view them with suspicion. The British government consciously discriminated against the Muslims, holding them responsible for the uprising of 1857.
After the 1870s, the British government changed its attitude and followed the policy of appeasing the Muslims in order to undermine the National Movement. They sowed the seeds of dissension between the Hindus and the Muslims and encouraged separatist and communal tendencies.

Q2: How did the Hindi-Urdu controversy become an important factor in the formation of the Muslim League?
Ans: In the United Provinces, Urdu was used as the official court language, and all petitions to offices and courts were submitted in Urdu. However, some sections of society opposed this practice. On April 8, 1900, the government ordered that all petitions be submitted in Hindi, written in Devanagari script, and that court summons and official announcements be issued in both Hindi and Urdu. This decision angered the Muslims, and the controversy lasted for months, further escalating tensions between the communities.

Q3: How did the relative economic backwardness of the Muslims foster communal feelings in India?
Ans: The rise of communal and separatist sentiments among Muslims was partly due to their economic backwardness in areas like education, trade, and industry. The upper-class Muslims were conservative and resistant to modern education, which led to a small number of Muslims receiving a Western-style education. After 1858, the British government discriminated against Muslims, blaming them for the 1857 uprising and limiting their opportunities in civil and military services. Muslims were also not significantly involved in organized industrial growth, leaving them behind in this area. In contrast, many Hindus embraced Western education, which was necessary for government jobs. This disparity in education and economic opportunities made it easier for British officials to exploit divisions between Hindus and Muslims.

Q4: What 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?
Ans: Lord Minto, the Viceroy, met with the deputation led by Agha Khan and expressed understanding for their concerns, assuring them that their political rights and interests as a community would be protected. The British supported the formation of the Muslim League as a counterbalance to the Congress, seeking to create an opposition group. They initially gained Muslim support by emphasizing the differences between Muslim and Hindu interests, which helped to weaken nationalist sentiments among Muslims.

Q5: What is meant by Separate (Communal) Electorates?
Ans: 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.

Q6: What was the Lucknow Pact?
Ans: The joint scheme of political reforms agreed to by both the Congress and the Muslim League in 1916 is known as the Lucknow Pact.

Structured Questions

Q1: The growth of communalism in India was encouraged by the British authorities as well as certain trends in Indian society. In the light of this observation, explain:
(a) The Divide and Rule Policy of the British.
(b) The writings and speeches of the Assertive Nationalists.
(c) The erroneous interpretation of Indian History.
Ans: (a) The British viewed the unity between Hindus and Muslims as a threat to their rule. To prevent the growth of a unified national sentiment in India and to foster communal and separatist tendencies, they implemented a 'Divide and Rule' strategy. This involved several measures:

• In 1871, under Lord Mayo's government, a resolution was passed that made Urdu the medium of instruction for Muslim students in primary and secondary schools, while also increasing government funding for educational institutions run by Muslims.
• They aimed to fuel hostility between Hindus and Muslims by portraying Muslim rulers as plunderers and Hindu rulers as oppressive to Muslims.
• The Partition of Bengal was justified by convincing Muslims that it was done to create a Muslim-majority province, thus protecting their interests from Hindu influence.
• They sought to exploit the caste system by encouraging non-Brahmins and lower castes to oppose the higher castes.
• The British treated Hindus, Muslims, and Sikhs as distinct communities, recognizing their communal leaders as legitimate representatives.
• They also used the press, posters, literature, and public platforms to spread communal animosity.

(b) Assertive nationalists played a key role in the national movement, but some of their actions hindered the growth of national unity.
The speeches and actions of some assertive nationalists alienated certain sections of the Indian population. For example, Tilak’s promotion of Shivaji and Ganapati festivals, Aurobindo Ghosh's concept of India as a mother and nationalism as religion, and the initiation of the Anti-Partition agitation with dips in the Ganga were not well-received by some Muslims.
(c) The way Indian history was interpreted during this period contributed to the rise of communal thinking among Hindus and Muslims.

• Some British and communal historians divided Indian history into distinct "Hindu" and "Muslim" periods. The Turk, Afghan, and Mughal rule was considered the "Muslim period," with rulers portrayed as followers of Islam and their subjects as adherents of other religions. In contrast, the so-called "Hindu period" depicted Muslim rulers as foreign invaders who had settled in India. Historical figures like Rana Pratap and Shivaji were celebrated as national heroes, while Akbar and Aurangzeb were portrayed as foreigners, thereby fostering communal sentiments.
• The British and communal historians ignored the idea of a composite Indian culture and sought to drive a wedge between the two communities. They overlooked the fact that diversity in India was more class-based and regionally influenced, rather than purely religious.
• Some communal historians perpetuated the myth that Indian society and culture peaked in ancient times and declined during the medieval period under Mughal rule, disregarding the significant contributions of the Mughal era to the Indian economy, religion, art, literature, culture, and society.
• This communal bias was spread through various forms of media, including poetry, drama, novels, short stories, and newspapers.

Picture Study

Q1: (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.
Identify the person in the picture. What were his views regarding Hindu-Muslim unity? 
Ans: (a) The individual in the picture is Sir Sayyid Ahmad Khan, and his views on Hindu-Muslim unity were as follows:
He initially saw Hindus and Muslims as a single nation (Quam). He established the Mohammedan Anglo-Oriental College in Aligarh, which had both Hindu and Muslim supporters. However, in the 1880s, under the influence of the British Principal of the College, he revised his earlier perspective and stated that the political interests of Hindus and Muslims were distinct. Sir Sayyid Ahmad Khan opposed the founding of the Indian National Congress and, in 1888, formed the United Indian Patriotic Association primarily to counter the Congress. He was supported in this effort by Mr. Beck, the British Principal of the college, who believed that Anglo-Muslim unity was possible, but Hindu-Muslim unity was not. Sir Sayyid Ahmad Khan also believed that, as the majority, Hindus would dominate Muslims if the British left India. He argued that continued British rule was crucial for the well-being and progress of the Muslim community. As a result, he urged educated Muslims to support the British in exchange for government jobs and other benefits.
(b) Sir Sayyid Ahmad Khan founded the Mohammedan Anglo-Oriental College in Aligarh, with both Hindu and Muslim patrons. He believed that Hindus, being the majority, would overpower Muslims if British rule ended. He felt that by supporting the British, Muslims would secure their rights and receive government jobs and privileges. Sir Sayyid invited Theodore Beck to become the Principal of the college, and Beck's views contributed to creating a divide between Muslims and Hindus. His goal was to protect Muslim political rights and support British rule in India. Beck believed in Anglo-Muslim unity but rejected the possibility of Hindu-Muslim unity, a stance that ultimately influenced the creation of the Muslim League.
(c) The Muslim League's Impact on the National Movement:

• League's Initial Role: Initially, the Muslim League sought more representation for Muslims in government services and assemblies, asking for more seats than their population warranted. The League's political focus was more on opposing the Congress than on challenging British rule. Its leaders, mainly from the upper class, did not advocate for the Muslim masses' grievances.
• Government Support for the League: The Morley-Minto Reforms of 1909 granted separate electorates for Muslims, allowing them to vote only for Muslim candidates. This provision was deliberately included to appease the Muslim League and to drive a wedge between it and the Congress.
• The Phase of Rapprochement (1910-1913): During this period, some Muslim League leaders realized the need to reconcile with the Congress. Several factors contributed to this shift, including British opposition to Turkey in the Turko-Italian and Balkan Wars, as well as the annulment of the Partition of Bengal in 1911, which led many Muslim leaders to question British policies. The younger generation of Muslim leaders, influenced by nationalist ideas, distanced themselves from the Aligarh group and its loyalist politics.
• Congress and the League's Cooperation: In response to British actions against Turkey, Indian Muslims launched the Khilafat Movement. The Congress supported this movement, incorporating the Khilafat issue into its Non-cooperation Movement. This cooperation led to the Lucknow Pact of 1916, which outlined political reforms agreed upon by both the Congress and the Muslim League regarding governance in India and the relationship between Hindus and Muslims.
• Partition and the Idea of Two Nations: In 1930, the idea of two separate nation-states emerged. By 1940, Jinnah articulated the Two-Nation Theory at the Muslim League's Lahore session. Despite strong opposition from Gandhi, this theory eventually led to the partition of India. Communal riots erupted, and in 1947, Pakistan was created as a separate nation.

Q2: (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.

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? 
Ans: (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.

Thinking Skills

Q1: Realising the aims and objectives of the Muslim League when it was formed in 1906, do you think that more than the Muslim League, it was the British policy of Divide and Rule, that encouraged the communal forces to create a rift between the two communities in India?
Ans: Yes, the British policy of Divide and Rule played a significant role in creating a rift between Hindus and Muslims in India. Historically, both communities had coexisted peacefully for centuries. They even united during the First War of Independence in 1857 to oppose British rule, which posed a threat to British imperial interests. To weaken this unity and extend their control, the British intentionally sowed discord between the two communities. They promoted the idea that the National Movement was a Hindu-centric movement, encouraging Muslims to form their own separate political organization. This divide-and-rule strategy directly contributed to the rise of communalism and the formation of the Muslim League in 1906.

Q2: Mahatma Gandhi said, "Communal harmony could not be permanently established in our country so long as highly distorted versions of history were taught in her schools." State your views on this statement and justify it by giving examples.
Ans: The way Indian history was taught during that time played a significant role in fostering communal tensions between Hindus and Muslims. Some British and communal historians divided Indian history into separate "Hindu" and "Muslim" periods, focusing on religious differences rather than the shared culture. For example, the period of Muslim rule under the Mughals was often portrayed as a foreign occupation, while the so-called "Hindu period" was depicted as an era of cultural flourishing. This distorted view ignored the rich, composite culture of India, where both communities had contributed to the development of Indian art, economy, and society. The lack of emphasis on the cooperation and contributions of different religious groups during the medieval period further deepened the divide. These biased historical interpretations were propagated through various forms of media, reinforcing communal prejudices.

Q3: Not 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.
Ans: The demand for India's partition and the creation of Pakistan emerged from a series of pivotal events:

• Two-Nation Theory – Under Jinnah's leadership, the Muslim League adopted the Two-Nation Theory, which argued that Hindus and Muslims were distinct nations and should have separate homelands.
• Lahore Resolution (1940) – The Muslim League passed the Lahore Resolution, calling for independent states for Muslims in the majority areas of India.
• Mountbatten Plan (1947) – Lord Mountbatten, the last British Viceroy of India, proposed a plan that resulted in the partition of British India into two independent nations, India and Pakistan.

To improve relations between India and Pakistan, several steps could be taken:

• Both nations should engage in regular, meaningful diplomatic talks and maintain open communication.
• Efforts should be focused on resolving long-standing disputes through peaceful negotiations.
• Cultural exchanges and people-to-people interactions can help foster mutual understanding and goodwill.
• Joint cooperation on pressing issues like climate change, water management, and regional security could build trust and promote cooperation.