Question

How did the relative economic backwardness of the Muslims foster communal feelings in India?

Answer 1

The communal and separatist thinking among Muslims grew partly because of their backwardness in education, trade, and industry.

1. Many upper-class Muslims were traditional and did not support modern education. As a result, fewer Muslims received Western education.

2. After 1858, the British government discriminated against Muslims, blaming them for the 1857 uprising. This affected their chances in civil and military jobs.

3. Muslims were less involved in the growth of industries and lagged behind in this area.

4. Some Muslims did not adopt modern trends in society and culture, while many Hindus embraced Western education, which was important for getting government jobs. This put Muslims at a disadvantage.