Hindu Mahasabha
Also called: Akhil Bharatiya Hindu Mahasabha · Topic: The National Movement: Gandhian Era · NCERT: Class 10, Ch 2 "Nationalism in India"
Meaning
The Hindu Mahasabha was a Hindu nationalist organisation founded in 1915. It claimed to speak for Hindu interests in politics. From the mid-1920s, many Muslims felt pushed away because the Congress seemed to be moving closer to it. It matters because this growing distance between the communities helped prepare the ground for Partition.
Example
In 1927, Jinnah was ready to give up separate electorates in return for reserved seats and other guarantees. At the All Parties Conference of 1928, M.R. Jayakar of the Hindu Mahasabha strongly opposed this compromise and wrecked it.
Don't confuse with
- Muslim League: this party spoke for Muslim interests and later demanded Pakistan. The Mahasabha claimed to speak for Hindus.
Related concepts
- All India Kisan Sabha
- Swami Sahajanand Saraswati
- FICCI
- G.D. Birla
- Jamnalal Bajaj
- All India Trade Union Congress
- Communist Party of India
- Meerut conspiracy case
- Women in the civil disobedience movement
- Women's Indian Association