Rise of communalism under colonial rule

Communalism is described as an ideology stating the division between states (people, groups of
people or communities) on the basis of ethnicity, religion, beliefs, values, etc. The difference of
two or more religious, ethnic and social communities can sometimes produce clashes in the
society.
Reasons of communalism under the colonial rule in Bengal
Communalism refers to the belief that a person's religious or ethnic identity is the most important
aspect of their identity, and that this identity should determine their political and social
affiliations. In the context of Bengal under colonial rule, communalism emerged as a result of
various factors, including:
Divide and rule policy:
The British colonial rulers adopted a policy of "divide and rule," which sought to create divisions
among different communities to weaken them and maintain their grip on power. This policy
exacerbated existing religious and communal differences and tensions, and created an
atmosphere of mistrust and suspicion between different communities.
Economic competition:
Bengal was an important economic center under colonial rule, with many communities vying for
economic resources and opportunities. This competition often took on a communal dimension, as
communities sought to assert their dominance and exclude others.
Social reform movements:
The 19th century saw the emergence of various social reform movements, such as the Brahmo
Samaj and the Arya Samaj, which sought to reform and modernize traditional Hindu society.
These movements often created tension and conflict with more conservative and orthodox
sections of society, leading to communal tensions.
Religious revivalism:
Alongside the social reform movements, there was also a revival of traditional religious practices
and beliefs, particularly within the Hindu and Muslim communities. This revivalism often took
on a communal character, with different communities seeking to assert their religious identity
and dominance.
Political mobilization:
The early 20th century saw the emergence of various political movements, such as the Indian
National Congress and the Muslim League, which sought to mobilize support for political rights
and independence. These movements often appealed to communal identities and sentiments to
gain support, leading to communal tensions and conflict.

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Overall, communalism in Bengal under colonial rule emerged as a result of a complex interplay
of political, economic, social, and religious factors, and was exacerbated by the divide-and-rule
policy of the British colonial rulers.

Lahore Resolution 1940

The Lahore Resolution was a political resolution adopted by the All India Muslim League during
its annual session held in Lahore on March 23, 1940. The session was chaired by the League's
President, Muhammad Ali Jinnah. The proposal for the Lahore resolution was presented by A.K.
Fazlul Haque. The resolution called for the creation of an independent Muslim state in British
India, comprising the Muslim-majority regions in the northwestern and eastern areas of the
country.
The Lahore Resolution stated that Muslims in India were a separate nation with their distinct
cultural, religious, and social identity. It called for the establishment of autonomous Muslim
states within India or the creation of an independent Muslim state if the British colonial
authorities did not agree to the former.
The resolution was passed by a majority of the delegates attending the conference. It was seen as
a significant development in the Muslim League's demand for a separate Muslim homeland in
India. The resolution gave a clear direction to the Muslim League's political strategy, which was
focused on achieving a separate homeland for Muslims through negotiations with the British
colonial authorities.
The Lahore Resolution was a response to the growing demand of the Muslim community for a
separate homeland. The Lahore Resolution played a crucial role in shaping the political
landscape of the Indian subcontinent and had far-reaching implications for the future of the
region.

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The Proposal of Suhrawardi and Sarat Bose for Sovereign
Undivided Bengal, consequences
In 1947, India was partitioned into two independent states, India and Pakistan, along religious
lines. However, prior to partition, there were alternative proposals for the future of the Indian
subcontinent, including a proposal for a sovereign and undivided Bengal put forth by Huseyn
Shaheed Suhrawardy, a Muslim leader, and Sarat Chandra Bose, a Hindu leader.
The proposal put forth by Suhrawardy and Bose called for the creation of a united Bengal, which
would be a separate sovereign state from India and Pakistan. The proposed state would comprise
the Hindu-majority areas of Bengal, including Calcutta, as well as the Muslim-majority areas of
East Bengal, which is now Bangladesh. The proposal was based on the idea that a united Bengal,
comprising both Hindus and Muslims, would be able to transcend religious differences and work
towards economic and political development.
However, the proposal was not accepted by the Indian National Congress or the Muslim League,
the two major political parties in India at the time. The Indian National Congress feared that the
creation of a separate Bengal state would weaken the overall movement for independence, while
the Muslim League was more focused on the creation of a separate Muslim state.
The rejection of the proposal had significant consequences for Bengal. After partition, Bengal
was divided along religious lines, with the Hindu-majority areas becoming part of India and the
Muslim-majority areas becoming part of Pakistan. The partition resulted in the displacement of
millions of people and led to widespread violence and communal tensions.
The rejection of the proposal for a united Bengal also had long-term political implications for the
region. The creation of East Pakistan, which comprised the Muslim-majority areas of Bengal,
was marked by political and economic marginalization of the region. This eventually led to the
Bangladesh Liberation War in 1971, which resulted in the creation of the independent state of
Bangladesh.
Overall, the proposal for a sovereign and undivided Bengal put forth by Suhrawardi and Bose
had significant consequences for the future of the region. While the proposal was not accepted at
the time, it remains an important part of the history of the Indian subcontinent and continues to
be a topic of discussion and debate.

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 The Creation of Pakistan 1947
The creation of Pakistan in 1947 was a significant event in the history of the Indian subcontinent.
The creation of Pakistan was the result of the Indian Independence Act of 1947, which was
passed by the British Parliament and granted independence to British India.
The act provided for the partition of British India into two separate states, India and Pakistan,
based on religious lines. The Muslim-majority regions in the northwestern and eastern areas of
British India were to form the new state of Pakistan, while the rest of the country would become
the independent state of India.
The creation of Pakistan was the culmination of years of political and social struggles by the All-
India Muslim League, which was led by Muhammad Ali Jinnah. The Muslim League had been
demanding a separate Muslim homeland in India for several years, citing the growing communal
tensions between Hindus and Muslims and the fear of Hindu dominance in a united India.
The partition of India and the creation of Pakistan were accompanied by widespread violence
and the displacement of millions of people. The communal tensions between Hindus and
Muslims led to riots and massacres, resulting in the deaths of hundreds of thousands of people.
The violence and displacement of people led to one of the largest migrations in human history,
with millions of Hindus and Muslims crossing the newly created borders of India and Pakistan.
The creation of Pakistan had a profound impact on the political and social landscape of the
Indian subcontinent. It led to the formation of two independent states, India and Pakistan, with
Pakistan comprising two separate regions, East and West Pakistan (which later became
Bangladesh and Pakistan). The creation of Pakistan also led to the establishment of a separate
Muslim identity and culture, with Urdu becoming the national language of Pakistan.
Overall, the creation of Pakistan was a significant event in the history of the Indian subcontinent,
with far-reaching political, social, and cultural implications that continue to shape the region
today.