What led to the formation of the Muslim League?

The Muslim League was formed due to growing Muslim political consciousness and demand for separate representation in British India.

The formation of the All India Muslim League in 1906 was a significant event in the political history of the Indian subcontinent. The late 19th and early 20th centuries were a period of growing political consciousness among the Indian populace. This was particularly true for the Muslim community, which felt increasingly marginalised and underrepresented in the political sphere dominated by the Indian National Congress, a largely Hindu-led political organisation.

The seeds of the Muslim League were sown in the aftermath of the partition of Bengal in 1905 by Lord Curzon, the then Viceroy of India. The partition, which divided Bengal into two provinces, was seen by many Muslims as a protective measure that would safeguard their interests against Hindu domination. However, the decision was vehemently opposed by the Congress and the Hindu community, leading to a widespread agitation that eventually forced the British to annul the partition in 1911.

This episode served as a wake-up call for the Muslim intelligentsia, who realised the need for a separate political platform to articulate and safeguard Muslim interests. The Simla Deputation, a group of Muslim leaders, met with the Viceroy in 1906 to demand separate electorates for Muslims. This demand was accepted by the British, marking a significant victory for Muslim political rights.

The success of the Simla Deputation led to the formation of the All India Muslim League in December 1906. The League was established with the objective of promoting loyalty to the British government, protecting and advancing the political rights and interests of Muslims, and preventing the rise of hostility between Muslims and other communities. The formation of the Muslim League marked the beginning of a separate political identity for Muslims in India, which would later play a crucial role in the demand for a separate Muslim state, Pakistan.