a. Introduction:

In 1906 a group of Muslim landed magnates organized a deputation to Lord Minto, the then Viceroy, at Simla.

This was the famous Simla Deputation in which the deputationist pleaded for some concessions for the Muslims of India.

The deputation, in fact, was a stage-managed affair of the British, and eventually ended up with the foundation of the Muslim League.

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b. The Muslim League:

Really speaking Muslim League founded in 1906 was an organizational attempt of the communalist Muslims to oppose the Congress.

At the same time it aimed at advancement of the interests of the Muslims as a community.

The Muslim League also from the very beginning followed a policy of co-operation with the British while the Congress regularly used to place various demands to the British government.

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Thus from the very beginning a separatist tendency was noticeable in the Muslim League.

c. Change in the Attitude of the Muslim League :

The Congress- League understanding reached through the Lucknow Pact (1916) was an important event in the history of the Indian national movement.

The Congress and the League agreed to raise similar demands to the British. The Muslim demand for ‘separate electorate’ was accepted by the Congress.

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There was a new trend in the Muslim politics during the Khilafat movement.

d. Khilafat and Non Co-operation:

In the Khilafat and Non Co­operation the Muslim politics followed the nationalist line.

Congress supported the demand of the Khilafatists while the Khilafatists supported the attainment of Swaraj as their goal.

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e. Muslim Politics after Non Co-operation:

After the suspension of the Non Co-operation movement once again the Muslim politics proceeded along communal lines for some time.

But the appointment of the Simon Commission was an opportunity when the Muslim League and the Congress came closer and opposed the Simon commission.

Soon after there was a new trend in the Muslim politics when under the leadership of Jinnah the Muslim League rejected the Nehru Report.

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Not only that Jinnah raised the demand of Fourteen Points (1929). The Fourteen Points raised by Jinnah was opposed to the national unity.

It may also be said that the disunity amongst the Indians became clear to the British and taking advantage of it they could extend their rule for some years.

The Two-Nation theory put forward by Jinnah in 1940 finally paved the way for the foundation of a separate State of Pakistan for the Muslims of India.