Key of Revision Test 1

Revision Test 1 Key

Q2 (b)

importance of aligarh movement

Aligarh Movement, History, Founder, Reasons, Objectives, Notes

The Aligarh Movement, led by Sir Syed Ahmed Khan, was crucial for revitalizing Indian Muslims by promoting modern Western education alongside traditional Islamic values. It facilitated social reform, encouraged political awareness, fostered a distinct community identity, and laid the groundwork for the future Pakistan movement.

Key Aspects of the Importance of the Aligarh Movement:

Educational Transformation: The movement bridged the gap between traditional and modern education by establishing institutions like the Muhammadan Anglo-Oriental College (later Aligarh Muslim University). It emphasized scientific education to enable Muslims to compete with other communities.

Social & Religious Reform: It aimed to eradicate social evils and modernise Muslim thought, encouraging them to adopt a more progressive, rational outlook.

Political Awakening: By encouraging Muslims to participate in politics and improving their standing with the British government, the movement facilitated political empowerment, Wikipedia explains.

Advocacy for Muslim Identity: It fostered a strong, distinct sense of identity among Muslims in the subcontinent, preparing them to protect their interests.

Cultural & Intellectual Impact: Through the Scientific Society and literary efforts, the movement promoted the translation of Western literature into Urdu, fostering intellectual growth.

Q1d

Expansion of British Rule

how did british expand their empire in india

The British expanded their empire in India primarily through the East India Company (EIC) using a mix of military conquest, strategic alliances, and administrative policies from the mid-18th to the mid-19th century. Key methods included the Battle of Plassey (1757), the Subsidiary Alliance system, the Doctrine of Lapse, and direct wars against regional powers like Mysore, the Marathas, and the Sikhs.

Key Mechanisms of Expansion

Military Conquest and Wars: The EIC expanded territorially through numerous conflicts, notably the Anglo-Mysore Wars, Anglo-Maratha Wars, and Anglo-Sikh Wars, which dismantled major opposition.

The Subsidiary Alliance System: Introduced by Lord Wellesley, this policy forced Indian rulers to pay for British troops to be stationed in their territory, effectively making them dependent on the EIC for protection and reducing their sovereignty.

Doctrine of Lapse: Implemented by Lord Dalhousie, this policy allowed the British to annex any princely state if the ruler died without a direct male heir, leading to the acquisition of states like Jhansi and Nagpur.

Exploitation of Political Fragmentation: Following the decline of the Mughal Empire, the British exploited divisions among regional Indian powers to install puppet rulers, particularly in Bengal after the Battle of Buxar.

Administrative and Economic Control: The EIC secured revenue rights (Diwani) over wealthy regions like Bengal, Bihar, and Orissa, allowing them to fund their military expansion using local resources.

Annexation on Pretext of Misgovernance: Territories such as Awadh were annexed in 1856, justified by the British on grounds of internal mismanagement.

Following the 1857 Revolt, the British Crown took direct control of India from the EIC in 1858, cementing the British Raj.

Q1c

Importance of religious services of Shah Waliullah

How did he save the Indian Muslims?

Shah Waliullah (1703–1762) was a pivotal 18th-century reformer who revitalized Indian Muslim society by translating the Quran into Persian, promoting rational ijtihad over blind taqlid, and fostering sectarian unity. His efforts corrected spiritual, social, and political degeneration, paving the way for Islamic intellectual revival in the subcontinent.

Key Religious Services

Translation of the Quran: His most significant contribution was translating the Holy Quran into Persian, the language of the elite and educated, making its teachings accessible to the masses and reducing reliance on flawed interpretations and monopoly of Ulamas developed self research about Quranic orders.

Hujjatullah-al-Baligha: Authored this magnum opus to explain the philosophy of Islamic laws, the rationale behind rituals, and the causes of social decline.

Promotion of Ijtihad: He challenged the strict, blind adherence to traditional schools of thought (taqlid), advocating for ijtihad (independent reasoning) to interpret Quran and Sunnah in the context of changing times.

Sectarian Harmony: He worked to bridge the divide between Sunni and Shia sects, as well as between Sufis and legalists, emphasizing unity to strengthen the Muslim community.

Hadith Revival: He played a crucial role in preserving the chains of Hadith transmission in the region, focusing on topic-wise arrangement.

Impact on Muslim Community

Intellectual Awakening: His teachings fostered a move away from superstitious practices toward a rational understanding of Islam.

Socio-Political Reform: He aimed to reform social justice, inequalities, and iniquitous wealth distribution.

Political Guidance: He advised rulers to uphold justice and, by inviting Ahmad Shah Abdali against the Marathas, aimed to protect Muslim political existence in India.

Through his efforts, Shah Waliullah prevented the complete intellectual and social collapse of Muslims in 18th-century India, providing a foundation for future reform movements.

Q 2 c)

Key political developments included:

Partition of Bengal (1905): The partition created a Muslim-majority province in East Bengal and Assam, which was welcomed by Muslims as it freed them from Hindu economic and educational dominance. This event acted as a catalyst for political self-awareness.

Simla Deputation (1906): A delegation of prominent Muslim leaders led by Sir Aga Khan met Viceroy Lord Minto to demand separate electorates, which was accepted in the Minto-Morley Reforms of 1909. This established the principle of religious representation.

Formation of the All-India Muslim League (1906): Established in Dhaka on December 30, 1906, to protect Muslim rights, promote loyalty to the British, and counter the influence of the Indian National Congress.

Reversal of the Partition of Bengal (1911): The British annulled the partition due to intense Hindu protests, which severely shocked the Muslims and caused them to lose faith in the British government, leading to a shift in the Muslim League’s objectives toward self-rule.

Lucknow Pact (1916): The Muslim League and Congress formed a temporary alliance, with Congress accepting the principle of separate electorates for Muslims and reserving seats in provincial councils, marking the high-water mark of Hindu-Muslim unity.

Khilafat Movement (1920–1922): Following the downfall of the Ottoman Empire after World War I, Muslims launched this movement to protect the institution of the Caliphate. It marked the first major mass political mobilization of Muslims, often in collaboration with Gandhi's Non-Cooperation Movement.

Collapse of Unity (1922): Following the calling off of the Non-Cooperation movement by Gandhi and the abolition of the Caliphate by Mustafa Kemal, the joint front collapsed, leading to heightened communal tensions.

This period solidified the Two-Nation Theory, as Muslims realized the need for a separate political platform to safeguard their distinct identity.