SOAS Research Online

Abstract

The purpose of this thesis is to portray Bengalee Moslem Public Opinion as reflected in the Bengalee Moslem Press from 1901 to 1930. The thesis falls into two parts. The first comprising chapters I to VI, deals roughly, though not exclusively, with the external relations of the Bengalee Moslem community with : the Moslem World of the Middle East (Chapter I); the British and the Hindus in political matters (ChapterII); the Hindu community generally (Chapter III); Moslem reactions to Hindu-oriented Bengali Literature (Chapter IV); Moslem reactions to the Hindu-dominated educational system introduced by the British (Chapter V); and Moslem reactions to the Hindu-dominated economy introduced by the British (Chapter VI), An underlying theme during this first part of the thesis is the increasing consciousness of Moslems of their own identity and their attempts to preserve it by separatist efforts. This same theme continues throughout the second part dealing with press clippings on Language (Chapter VII) and Society (Chapter VIII), but here the internal relations within Bengalee Moslem society gain prominence especially in relation to what was ultimately to be their mother-tongue, Bengalee or Urdu; and where in fact did the unity of their society lie.