Pakistan Affairs: Pre-Partition Timeline (1857–1947)

Part I: Chronological Events & Meetings

1857 – Indian Rebellion (“First War of Independence”): Armed uprising against the East India
Company; marks the shift to British Crown rule.
1858 – British Crown takes control under the Government of India Act, dissolving the East India
Company.
1866 – Deoband Movement: Launch of Darul Uloom Deoband seminary, promoting Islamic
education.
1885 – Indian National Congress founded to facilitate political discussion among Indians.
1905 – Partition of Bengal: British divide Bengal, granting Muslims a majority in Eastern Bengal.
1906 (Oct 1) – Simla Deputation: 35 Muslim leaders petition Viceroy for separate electorates and
representation; spurred Muslim League’s formation.
1906 (Dec) – All■India Muslim League founded in Dhaka, aiming to protect Muslim interests.
1909 – Minto–Morley Reforms (Indian Councils Act): Introduced separate electorates for Muslims,
following Simla Deputation.
1911 – Annulment of Bengal Partition, reversing earlier 1905 division.
1913–1920 – Silk Letter Movement: Muslim-led clandestine effort against British colonial rule.
1916 – Lucknow Pact: Agreement between Congress and Muslim League favoring separate
electorates and increased Muslim seats.
1919 – Rowlatt Act & Jallianwala Bagh Massacre: British clampdown and massacre ignites Indian
political outrage.
1919 – Montagu–Chelmsford (Dyarchy) Reforms: Introduced limited self-governance in provinces.
1919–1922 – Khilafat Movement: Muslim mobilization to save the Ottoman Caliphate.
1922–1929 – Hindu–Muslim Riots: Widespread communal tensions and violence.
1927 – Delhi Muslim Proposals: Muslim League’s constitutional proposals for communal
safeguards.
1928 – Nehru Report: Congress-led constitutional reform draft, rejected by Muslim League.
1928 – Simon Commission (Boycotted): All-India protest due to absence of Indian members.
1929 – Jinnah’s Fourteen Points: League’s response to Nehru Report, outlining Muslim demands.
1929 – Majlis-e-Ahrar-e-Islam founded: Deobandi political party opposing Muslim League.
1930 – Iqbal’s Allahabad Address: First public conceptualization of a separate Muslim state.
1930–1932 – Round Table Conferences: British-All-India political discussions; Muslims among
participants.
1932 – Communal Award: British grants separate electorates to minorities, including Muslims.
1933 – “Now or Never” (Pakistan Declaration) by Rahmat Ali – first coined term “Pakistan”.
1935 – Government of India Act: Expanded provincial autonomy; raised expectations for self-rule.
1937 – Provincial Elections: Muslim League gains foothold amid Congress victories; stronger
anti-Congress stance in Punjab and Bengal.
1938 – Iqbal–Madani debate, Fazlul Huq joins League, Sikandar–Jinnah pact, Pirpur Report: critical
political repositioning.
1939 – Congress ministries resign; League assumes new political leverage.
1940 (Mar 22–24) – Lahore (Pakistan) Resolution adopted: Demand for “independent states” for
Muslims.
1940 (Mar 19) – Khaksar Massacre in Lahore: Suppression of Khaksar Movement.
1942 – Cripps Mission & “Quit India” movement: British attempt to maintain war support; unleashes
mass protest.
1944 – Gandhi–Jinnah talks: Last major attempt at Hindu–Muslim reconciliation; inconclusive.
1945 – Simla Conference: Failed talks for a united interim government.
1946 (Mar–May) – Cabinet Mission Plan: Proposed united India with provincial groupings;
ultimately failed.
1946 (Aug 16) – Direct Action Day: Muslim League calls for action—triggers massive communal
violence.
1946 – Interim Government formed post-Cabinet Mission breakdown.
1946 (Apr 8) – Delhi Resolution: League insists on a united Pakistan.
1947 (Mar 2–5) – Rawalpindi Massacres: Communal violence in Punjab following agitations and
Holi.
1947 (June 3) – Mountbatten Plan: Official British blueprint for partition and transfer of power.
1947 (Aug 14–15) – Partition and Independence of Pakistan: British India divided; Pakistan
emerges as independent dominion.

Part II: Major & Minor Movements with Leaders (1857–1947)

1857 – War of Independence (Indian Rebellion): First organized revolt against British colonial rule,
led by Bahadur Shah Zafar, Rani Lakshmibai, Tantia Tope, and others.
1866 – Deoband Movement: Islamic revivalist movement focusing on religious education, led by
Maulana Muhammad Qasim Nanotvi and Rashid Ahmad Gangohi.
1871 – Faraizi Movement (continuation): Religious reform movement among Bengali Muslims, led
by Haji Shariatullah and Dudu Miyan.
1884 – Aligarh Movement: Educational and social reform initiative for Muslims, led by Sir Syed
Ahmed Khan.
1905 – Swadeshi Movement: Boycott of British goods after Bengal Partition, led by Bal Gangadhar
Tilak, Bipin Chandra Pal, and Lala Lajpat Rai.
1913 – Muslim League's shift: From loyalty to British towards self-governance demands, influenced
by Mohammad Ali Jinnah.
1919–1924 – Khilafat Movement: Mobilization to protect the Ottoman Caliphate, led by Maulana
Mohammad Ali, Maulana Shaukat Ali, and Maulana Abul Kalam Azad.
1920–1922 – Non-Cooperation Movement: Nationwide boycott of British institutions, led by
Mahatma Gandhi, with Muslim participation from Khilafat leaders.
1928 – Simon Commission Boycott: Protest against exclusion of Indians from the Commission, led
by Lala Lajpat Rai (Punjab) and other nationalist leaders.
1928–1929 – Muslim response movements: Against Nehru Report and in favor of communal
safeguards, led by Mohammad Ali Jinnah.
1930 – Pakistan Movement inception: Inspired by Iqbal’s Allahabad Address, led ideologically by
Allama Iqbal.
1931–1935 – Civil Disobedience Movement: Mass protests against British rule, led by Mahatma
Gandhi and the Indian National Congress.
1937–1947 – Pakistan Movement consolidation: Muslim League’s campaigns for a separate
homeland, led by Muhammad Ali Jinnah.
1940 – Lahore Resolution Movement: Formal call for independent Muslim-majority states, led by
Muhammad Ali Jinnah and A.K. Fazlul Huq.
1942 – Quit India Movement: Demand for immediate British withdrawal, led by Mahatma Gandhi
and Congress leaders.
1945–1946 – Freedom Movements' peak: League and Congress mass mobilizations, led by
Muhammad Ali Jinnah and Jawaharlal Nehru respectively.
1946 – Direct Action Movement: League’s call for demonstrating demand for Pakistan, led by
Muhammad Ali Jinnah.