causes of simla deputation (1906)

Question 1

to secure Muslim position in the future constitution

Answer 1

one of the reason was to secure Muslim position in the future constitution. the Muslims were not satisfied with the Indian council act of 1892 as they did not get enough representatives in the councils e.g not a single Muslim had succeeded in entering the provincial legislative council due to mixed electorates. therefore when the new liberal government announced to introduce new constitution, the Muslim leaders in order to safeguard their rights and interests took the opportunity to demand a right to separate electorates.

Question 2

avoid Hindu domination

Answer 2

another was to avoid Hindu domination in councils. the liberal party announced to increase local participation in the government through elections which made it necessary to form simla deputation.as the Hindus were in the majority, the Muslims feared they would be dominated by Hindus in the government and therefore went lord minto to demand a certain number of seats allocated to Muslims to be filled by Muslim voters.

Question 3

ensure partition of Bengal

Answer 3

Muslims also met lord minto to ensure the partition is final and they had their full support in this matter. as Hindus opposed the partition they organised massive wide spread protests that Muslims knew they could not match that level of protests and feared the partition being reversed due to Hindu agitation. hence they visited the victory to ensure that the partition is final.

Question 4

protect Urdu

Answer 4

the Muslims went to protect Urdu as the official language of India. Hindus had be demanding Hindi to become the official language of in place of Urdu for a long time and the Muslims feared that due to Hindus current agitation the British would agree to this demand to please them however the Muslims were committed to protect Urdu as it had a special place in their heart and was economic security to an extent therefore they visited lord minto to get insurance that Urdu would remain the official language.

Question 5

demand religious freedom

Answer 5

the simla deputation visited the viceroy to demand religious freedom against Hindu extremist groups. few Hindu nationalist groups were emerging e.g Arya Samaj who were demanding Muslims to be forcefully converted to Hindus, this was seen as a threat to Islam by the Muslims who visited the viceroy to protect Muslims and their religious freedom.

Question 6

congress became a Hindu political party

Answer 6

the Muslims of India decided to protect their rights themselves as congress became a Hindu dominant party. congress was established to protect and advance the interest of all the communities of India however they only advanced the views of the Hindus e.g Hindi as the official language therefore the Muslims decided to protect their political interest in India by meeting the viceroy and demanding separate electorates and higher percentage of seats in all councils.