During the second half of the nineteenth century, when the British dominance had been firmly established throughout the Indian subcontinent, some novel trends were in the making. Colonialism boosted a spirit of nationalism, but at the same time, also caused feelings of communalism to rise up. Thus, the colonial rule had a dubious role in the making of India. The flare-up of the communal issue ultimately resulted in the partition of the subcontinent into India and Pakistan. In fact, the Congress opposed the partition up to 1945, but it had to accept it subsequently, as a remedial measure.
Nationalist historians blame this on the colonial policy of divide and rule, but imperial ideologues maintain that the Indian socio-cultural milieu caused it. The demand of the Muslim League and Jinnah for a separate nation was found unreal by Congress leaders like Jawaharlal Nehru. But when the League rejected long term provisions of the Cabinet Mission plan and announced the ‘Direct Action’ from 16th August 1946, the Congress leaders were compelled to reconsider their approach towards the demand.
The League envisaged the Congress as a Hindu elitist group, and was fearful of the Hindu Swaraj. This led to the partition of India, despite all of the peacemaking efforts of the Congress Party.