The reasons for the formation of the Muslim League were many. In this context explain:

(a) Any three factors that led to the formation of the Muslim League in India.

(b) Any three aims of the Muslim League.

(c) Any four demands made by the Muslim Deputation in 1906 to the Viceroy, Lord Minto.

(a) Three factors that led to the formation of the Muslim League in India are-

1. Loss of Sovereignty by Mughal Rulers — The British established their supremacy in India after dethroning the Mughal rulers. The British government consciously discriminated against the Muslims, holding them responsible for the uprising of 1857. However, after the 1870s, the British government changed its attitude and followed the policy of appeasing the Muslims in order to undermine the National Movement. They sowed the seeds of dissension between the two communities and encouraged separatist and communal tendencies.
2. British Policy of Divide and Rule — The British saw the unity between the Hindus and the Muslims as a threat to them. Thus, to check the growth of a united national feeling in India and to encourage communal and separatist tendencies in Indian politics they decided to follow the policy of 'Divide and Rule'.
3. Relative Backwardness of the Muslim Community in Education, Trade and Industry — The communal and separatist trend of thinking grew among the Muslims to some extent because of their relative backwardness in education, trade and industry.

(b) Three aims of the Muslim League are-

1. To promote, among the Muslims of India, support for the British government and to remove any misconceptions regarding the intention of the government in relation to Indian Muslims.
2. To protect and advance the political rights and interests of the Muslims and to represent their needs and aspirations to the government in mild and moderate language.
3. To prevent the rise of feelings of hostility between the Muslims of India and other communities.

(c) Four demands made by the Muslim Deputation in 1906 to the Viceroy, Lord Minto are as follows-

1. Representation of Muslims in elected bodies on the basis of their political importance and not on their numerical strength.
2. Separate electoral constituencies for the Muslims in the Provincial Council and the Imperial Legislative Council.
3. Preference to be given to Muslims while nominating members of the Viceroy's Council.
4. Reservation of seats for Muslims in the State services.