Question

“Now, suppose that all the English and the whole English army were to leave India, taking with them all their cannon and their splendid weapons and everything, then who would be rulers of India? Is it possible that under these circumstances two nations—the Muslims and the Hindus—could sit on the same throne and remain equal in power? Most certainly not.

The aims and objects of the Indian National Congress are based upon an ignorance of history and present-day realities; they do not take into consideration that India is inhabited by different nationalities; they presuppose that the various religions, castes, and ethnic groups of India can all be treated alike and all of them belong to the same nation. For the successful running of a democratic government, it is essential that the majority should have the ability to govern not only themselves but also unwilling minorities. I consider the experiment that the Indian National Congress wants to make fraught with dangers and suffering for all the nationalities of India, but especially for the Muslims. The Congress cannot rationally prove its claim to represent the opinions, ideals, and aspirations of the Muslims.”

Syed Ahmad Khan, Indian Muslim educator and political reformer, speech given before the Muslim community of Meerut in northern India, 1888

a) Explain ONE way that the passage illustrates a response to European colonialism.

b) Explain ONE way in which the circumstances of the speech might have affected the author's argument in the passage.

c) Explain ONE way in which the author’s point of view is significant for illustrating how European ideologies influenced the development of Indian society in the nineteenth century.

Answer 1

Syed Ahmad Khan's speech illustrates the response to British colonialism in India, expressing concerns over the domination of Hindus in a post-colonial Indian society. The context of British rule and Hindu-led Indian National Congress shaped his argument for the need for Muslim-specific governance. His viewpoint demonstrates European colonial ideologies' lasting impacts on India's societal development.

Step-by-step explanation:

Syed Ahmad Khan's speech exemplifies a critical response to European colonialism, specifically British rule in India. He recognized the complex tapestry of religious and ethnic identities within the Indian subcontinent and expressed concerns that a withdrawal of British forces and administrative systems would lead to Hindu dominance to the detriment of Muslim interests. This foresight ultimately fed into calls for separate Muslim representation, as realized in the formation of the Muslim League in 1906 and the later demand for a distinct Muslim state of Pakistan, showcasing a divide-and-rule legacy left by British colonialism.

Given the context of the speech in 1888, Syed Ahmad Khan was responding to the contemporary social and political climate, where British rule still loomed over India and the Indian National Congress was advocating for Indian self-rule. As a member of the Muslim minority, his perspective was shaped by the observation that Congress was primarily Hindu-led, which he feared would result in Muslim marginalization in a post-colonial India. This influenced his argument for separate governance and protection for Muslims.

The significance of Syed Ahmad Khan's point of view lies in the broader narrative of European ideologies influencing Indian society. During the 19th century, British colonial practices nurtured division within Indian society, promulgating the idea that different religious and ethnic groups should govern themselves separately. This had long-term effects on Indian political evolution and the eventual partition at independence. The author's perspective reflects the complexities that continued to challenge the unfolding vision of India's identity and political structure, shaped in part by European colonial principles of governance and social hierarchy.

Answer 2

Check Explanation

Step-by-step explanation:

In Question one. The passage illustrates a response to European colonialism when Syed Ahmad Khan mention that the European occupation of India has brought peace between the Muslims and the Hindus. In his speech to the Muslim community in Meeerut, he said “Now, suppose that all the English and the whole English army were to leave India, taking with them all their cannon and their splendid weapons and everything, then who would be rulers of India? Is it possible that under these circumstances two nations—the Muslims and the Hindus—could sit on the same throne and remain equal in power? Most certainly not". In the passage, he illustrates that the Muslims and the Hindus will not tolerate each other in the aspect of Government and that the English occupation has brought peace between the two religion

ONE way in which the circumstances of the speech might have affected the author's argument in the passage are the words he said about the ropes of Government. He said that "For the successful running of a democratic government, it is essential that the majority should have the ability to govern not only themselves but also unwilling minorities". This words affected his argument. He was speaking on the possibility that if the Europeans were to leave India, it Hindus and the Muslims can't formed a peaceful goverment together, while again saying that a democratic goverment has the Ability to control not only the majority but also the minority. In is speech, he stated that both were of different Nationality and therefore both can not formed a goverment together but he fail to realize that he was also against his point when he laid down the attributes of a Democratic goverment

In his Author' views, the European ideologies influenced the development of Indian society in the nineteenth century through the new ideologies made by the aims and objectives of the Indian National Congress which they presuppose that the various religions, castes, and ethnic groups of India can all be treated alike and all of them belong to the same nation. It can also be seen in the general acceptable goverment of democracy which which was being enforce in India by European.