Question

Certain factors brought the Congress and the Muslim League nearer to each other. Substantiate.

Answer 1

Instructions: Discuss the following factors that brought the Congress and the League closer:

• Changes in the objective of the Muslim League
• International events: The First World War
• Compromise between the factions of the Congress
• Settlement between the Congress and the League

Solution:

• In 1913, the Muslim League began demanding self-government for India.
• The League, initially pro-British, later agreed with the Congress regarding the political goal of India. This unity of aim and purpose brought the Congress and the Muslim League closer to each other.
• In the First World War, Turkey fought against Great Britain. The ruler of Turkey, the Caliph or Khalifa, was the religious head of the Muslims. The Ali Brothers started spreading anti-British sentiments among the Muslims in India.
• This change in the attitude of the Muslims towards the British led to a joint meeting of the Congress and the League at Lucknow.
• Mrs. Annie Besant strove to unite the two factions of the Congress. In 1916, Tilak again joined the Congress and played an instrumental role in settling the differences between the Congress and the League.
• Liberal leaders like Muhammad Ali Jinnah wanted to join hands with the Congress. This brought the Congress and the League nearer to each other. This further led to leaders like Tilak, Jinnah, and Dr. Ansari take the initiative
• to bring the Congress and the League to an agreement on the scheme of political reforms in India.