Question:

Who among the following advanced the ‘Two-nation theory’?

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Key Partition Ideologies: - Two-Nation Theory: Advanced by Muslim League (1940 Lahore Resolution). - Opposed by: Indian National Congress, Khan Abdul Gaffar Khan (Frontier Gandhi), and Maulana Abul Kalam Azad.
Updated On: Aug 11, 2026
  • British Government
  • Muslim League
  • Khan Abdul Gaffar Khan
  • Lord Mountbatten
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The Correct Option is B

Solution and Explanation

Concept: The Two-Nation Theory is an ideological principle stating that the primary identity and unifying factor of Muslims and Hindus in the Indian subcontinent are their respective religions, rather than their language or geography. Consequently, it posited that Indian Muslims and Indian Hindus were two distinct nations, regardless of ethnic or other similarities.

Step 1: Historical emergence and advancement of the theory.


• Although basic ideas of distinct political identity were articulated earlier by thinkers like Sir Syed Ahmed Khan and Muhammad Iqbal, it was the All-India Muslim League , under the leadership of Muhammad Ali Jinnah , that formally advanced and institutionalized the 'Two-Nation Theory'.
• At the Lahore session of the Muslim League in March 1940 , Jinnah formally presented the theory, declaring that Hindus and Muslims belonged to two different religious philosophies, social customs, and literatures.
• This theory became the foundational basis for the official demand for a separate independent nation-state for Muslims, named Pakistan .

Step 2: Analyzing other options for historical clarity.


Option (A) British Government: While the British policy of 'Divide and Rule' exacerbated communal divisions, the British government did not officially advance the 'Two-Nation Theory' as an ideological manifesto.
Option (B) Muslim League: Correct. Advanced the theory as the core justification for Partition.
Option (C) Khan Abdul Gaffar Khan: Known as 'Frontier Gandhi', he was the leader of the Khudai Khidmatgars in the North-West Frontier Province (NWFP). He strongly opposed the Two-Nation Theory and opposed the partition of India.
Option (D) Lord Mountbatten: The last Viceroy of India who drafted and implemented the June 3 Plan for partition, but did not formulate or advance the underlying ideology.

Step 3: Final Conclusion.

The 'Two-nation theory' was advanced by the Muslim League .
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