When the British came to power, they began a policy called divide and rule. The divide and rule policy worked by turning Hindus and Muslims against one another so the British could come in and take control. The Muslim League was formed in 1906 to protect Muslim interests in India. Jinnah left the Congress Party as he believed that Muslim interests were not being heard. In 1937, Congress won more support in India compared to the Muslim League. Jinnah needed to somehow gain Muslim support in these areas. At the Simla Conference in 1945, the idea of forming an Executive Council which would largely have Muslims in it was suggested. Jinnah turned this down. In 1929, Nehru became President of the Congress Party. In 1946, Jinnah instigated riots in Calcutta after the Congress Party turned down an offer of partitioning India.

Jinnah argued for a Muslim state because he wanted the voice of Muslims heard. The original transfer date for Indian independence was June However, Mountbatten moved this to August Congress refused to co- operate with the British during World War Two. In 1947, Mountbatten became Viceroy of India. A Viceroy is someone who governs an area on behalf of the British government. Britain wanted to look as if they were in control of India. The Congress Party was formed in 1885 for Hindus, Sikhs and Muslims. In 1940, Jinnah and the Muslim League announced that they wanted a separate Muslim nation. Jinnah was the leader of the Muslim League.

By 1947, the British were losing control of the forces and some went on strike. Two-thirds of the Indian population was Hindu. In 1946, Congress turned down the offer of partitioning India. In 1921, Gandhi became leader of the Congress. Master Tara Singh represented the Sikhs through the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), which was the main Sikh political party. Master Tara Singh was opposed to the partition of India as he knew that the state of Punjab had a Muslim majority and so could end up in a Muslim state. Many Sikhs lived in the state of Punjab. On 3 rd March 1947, Master Tara Singh, sword in hand, spoke of Death to Pakistan to crowds who were in favour of a Muslim country. After the Death to Pakistan speech by Master Tara Singh, there were riots and violence in parts of the Punjab.