Background: In the year 1905 Bengal was divided by the British into two provinces namely East Bengal and West Bengal. East Bengal became a Muslim-majority province as Dacca it's capital. This provided Muslims an opportunity to develop themselves. Congress and other rigid Hindu leaders did not like the partition of Bengal and considered it an anti –Hindu act. Keeping in view the hostility of Congress, the Muslim leaders decided to establish a political party to safeguard the rights of Muslims in South Asia. As a result, the All India Muslim League was formed in 1906 A. D during the annual meeting of Mohammedan Educational Conference. Sir Aga Khan – III was the first president and Syed Ali Hassan Bilgrami was the first secretary-general of the Muslim League.
Aims and Objectives of the Muslim League: Muslim League was established to protect the rights of Muslims and to promote their cause. The following are the main aims and objectives of the Muslim League.
- To establish working relations between the British Govt. and the Muslims of South Asia.
- Coordination between the Muslim League and other political parties like Congress for the common welfare.
- To protect Muslim rights and promotion of their cause.
- To unite the Muslims of South Asia.
Role of the Muslim League in the Establishment of Pakistan:
The Muslim League provided Muslims an opportunity to unite themselves on one platform. They struggle for their rights and attain freedom from the British. The role of the Muslim League can be mentioned below.
- Protection of Rights: As a political party, the immediate cause before the Muslim League was to safeguard Muslim rights. Muslim League adopted a balanced attitude towards Congress and the British Govt. as they were in the numerical minority of South Asia.
- Political Settlement with Congress: From the very beginning, the Muslim League wanted a close and cordial term with Congress. The Quaid-e-Azam joined the Muslim League in the year 1913. He was a champion of Hindu-Muslim unity. Due to his efforts, a political settlement was achieved between the two political parties in 1916 in Lucknow, commonly known as the Lucknow Pact. It was the first time that Congress accepted Muslims as a separate nation and the Muslim League as a political party of Muslims of South Asia.
- Muslim Representation in the Legislative Assemblies: Due to the efforts of the Muslim League, Muslim representation was increased to one-third in the Central Legislative Assembly.
- Protection of the Muslim Majority in Bengal and Punjab: It was because of the Muslim League that the strength of Muslims was established in Bengal and Punjab.
- Formation of Sindh Province: The British occupied Sindh in the year 1843 A.D. since then the separate status of Sindh as a province was abolished. It was the effort of the Muslim League that Sindh was restored as a province in 1935.
Conclusion:
The greatest achievement of the Muslim League was the creation of Pakistan. Under the dynamic leadership of Quaid-e-Azam, the Muslims united themselves on the platform of the Muslim League and achieved Pakistan in 1947.