There were many events and factors which finally led to the formation of the Muslim League in 1906. In this context describe:

(a) Rift caused by the Hindi-Urdu controversy.

(b) The Aligarh politics.

(c) Movement against the Partition of Bengal.

(a) In U.P. the petitions only in Urdu could be submitted to the offices and courts.

1. The Hindus protested against this practice.
2. The Government gave instructions on 8 April, 1900 that offices and courts should entertain petitions written in Hindi, i.e., Devanagri script also.
3. This angered the Muslims who called protest meetings in different parts of the Province.
4. The Hindus also held meetings to meet the challenge.
5. The controversy worsened relations between the two communities.

(b) The Anglo-Oriental College at Aligarh became the Centre of a movement, popularly known as the Aligarh Movement.

1. The theme of the Movement was "loyalty, approval and support of the Government".
2. After the death of Sir Syed in 1898, Nawab Mohsin-ul-Mulk led the Aligarh Movement.
3. When the Hindi-Urdu controversy raged, he was the Secretary of the M.A.O. College Trust.
4. He had severely criticised the Government order granting equal status to Hindi and Urdu in U.P.
5. The Lt. Governor of U.P., A. Macdonell, demanded that he should either resign from the Secretaryship of the Trust or separate himself from the agitation against the Government order.
6. The Nawab cooled down for the time being.
7. But other Muslim leaders were angry and put forward the suggestion of establishing a political organisation of the Muslims.

(c) During the early phase of the Anti-Partition Movement, a large number of Muslims took part in the protest meetings.

1. The Government was eager to prevent the Muslims from joining the mainstream of Indian life.
2. It won over Nawab Salimullah of Dhaka to its cause.
3. As days passed by, more and more Muslims came under the influence of the British.
4. The Government could secure the support of the Muslims on the ground that the new Province would be a Muslim majority region.