Examine the long and short-term causes of the growth of Muslim separatism.

The question requires that candidates consider the interrelationship between long- and short-term causes of the growth of Muslim separatism. The causes may predate the timeframe but they must be clearly linked to the issue raised in the question. Candidates may offer equal coverage of long-and short-term causes or they may emphasize their examination of one over the other. However, both aspects will be a feature of the response. Candidates may refer to the historic division between Muslims and Hindus; the role of the British government in fanning communal hatred through their “divide and rule” policies and the offer of separate electorates to the minority group, Muslims, who feared that the Hindu majority would have political power in an independent India. The election of 1937 made Muslims fearful that they would have no protection in India. Candidates may also refer to the All India Muslim League, the role of Jinnah and other Muslim leaders, and militant groups on both sides that inflamed opinion. The result of these tensions was the Lahore Resolution in 1940 demanding a Muslim state and also Direct Action Day in 1946. While other relevant causes may be considered the bulk of the response will be on those raised in the question.

Candidates were required to consider the interrelationship between long- and short-term causes of the growth of Muslim separatism. Responses seen were rather narrative in nature. Few candidates defined what they interpreted as short and long causes.