Muslim League

F: loss of sovernigity

• The British dethroned the Mughal rulers, which made Muslims their enemy

• The British were displeased with the Muslims as they took part in the Wahabi movement and the uprising

• British attitude toward Muslims changes, and they followed policies appeasing to the Muslims to create conflict between the two communities

F: Divide and Rule policy

1. Lord Mayo’s government adopted a resolution that made Urdu the medium of instruction for all Muslim schools and increased the government aid provided to institutes owned by Muslims

2. They portrayed Muslims as Plunderers and Hindus as cruel kings to their Muslim subjects

3. They tried to spread communal hatred using the press, posters, literature, and public platforms

4. Tried to utilize the caste structure and turn the lower castes against the upper caste

F: Backwardness

• Education: Were conservative and hostile to the Western system of education, thus the number of educated Muslims in the Western education system was very low

• Society: The British still blamed the Muslims for the uprising. They were discriminated against in the recruitment to civil and military service

• Industry: They were not much involved in the development of any organized industry. Here, too, they lagged behind

• Community: They did not keep up with trends. They were too proud of their own literature and culture to adopt the Western system of education, which was essential for entry into government service

Aims

1. To promote, among the Muslims, support for the British and remove any misconceptions regarding the intention of the government about the Indian Muslims

2. To protect the rights and interests of the Muslims and to present their needs to the government

3. To prevent the rise of any feelings of hostility between the Muslims and other communities

Significance of the Lucknow Pact

1. Hindu-Muslim unity: The two communities agreed to work together and compromise on some grounds for the common good

2. Unity with the Congress: It brought unity between the Early and Assertive Nationalists

3. Pressure on the Government: The unity among the early and assertive nationalists and the Muslims became a threat to the British

4. Need to pacify Indians: As WW1 was ongoing, Indians refused to remain loyal to the British if their demands were rejected. The British agreed to a policy of gradual development of self-rule