Introduction

The late 19th and early 20th centuries were pivotal periods in the history of the Indian
subcontinent when political movements struggled for independence from British Colonial Rule.
Among the many voices seeking self-determination, the Muslim League emerged as a
significant political entity that played a central role in shaping the destinies of millions.
This project will demonstrate how the Muslim League transformed from a demand for Muslim
rights within a united India to a key player in the creation of Pakistan, and later, its role in
Pakistan’s early politics.

Formation and Early Years

In 1906, the All India Muslim League was founded against the growing political consciousness in British
India under the Indian National Congress. The primary reason for its establishment was to safeguard the
political rights and interests of Muslims who felt underrepresented in the Hindu dominated Congress.

For several decades, the Muslim League called for unity among Hindus and Muslims in an independent
India, however, in comparison to Hindus in India, Muslims made up a quarter of the population thus
they began to fear that their voices would not be heard (Innocence, n.d.). Muslim League provided a
platform for Muslim leaders to express their concerns and negotiate with the British government.

The early leaders and members of the Muslim League included prominent figures like Aga Khan, Nawab
Salim Ullah, and Mohammad Ali Jinnah, who later became the driving force behind the demand for a
separate Muslim state. These leaders, along with other influential Muslim figures, formed the core of
the party and shaped its early agenda.

Role in the Pre-partition Period