Compare and contrast the reasons for the development of the Indian National Congress and All India Muslim League up to 1918.

The question requires that candidates give an account of the similarities and differences between the reasons for the development of the Indian National Congress (INC) and the All India Muslim League up to 1918, referring to both throughout. There does not need to be an equal number of each. Reasons may predate the timeframe but they must be clearly linked to the issue raised in the question. Candidates may refer to the similarities seen in the establishment of the two organizations. The INC was founded upon the initiative of Hume, with the initial purpose of establishing a body to represent Indian interests and to create a platform for dialogue between educated Indians and the British Raj. Similarly, the Muslim League was founded in 1906 to protect the rights of Indian Muslims. The British remained resistant to many of the INC’s desires, however, which led the organization to take more radical positions (e.g. pushing for Indian independence). In contrast to their view of the INC, the British at first encouraged the All India Muslim League, who in turn were generally favourable to British rule; however, like the INC, the League adopted the goal of Indian self-government in 1913.