Read the source below carefully to answer question (a). Sir Syed Ahmad Khan decided to change Muslim attitudes towards receiving British education. He travelled to England to study the university system there. He believed in setting up a university for Muslims in the sub-continent and was impressed by the universities of Oxford and Cambridge. However, on his return home he found that his plans were met with suspicion from some people. Nevertheless he wanted to pursue the idea of providing better education for Muslims.

Mark scheme

Marking points from the official mark scheme (Oct/Nov 2013). The mark or mark type is shown in brackets.

1. [4] Reward each correct statement with 1 mark. 2 marks can be awarded for a developed statement. Candidates might refer to: Set up in 1875 on May 24th in Aligarh on pattern of English public school system. The British refused to allow it to be affiliated with a Muslim university outside British territory so it couldn't become the Muslim university that Sir Syed wanted. The school offered western some Islamic and Indian education and became a symbol of Muslim unity. Many of future Pakistan leaders educated there e.g. Liaquat Ali Khan and Ayub Khan.
2. [1] LEVEL 1: Simplistic statement The Indians lost the war.
3. [2-4] LEVEL 2: Identifies reasons The opposition to the British was too weak.
4. [5-7] LEVEL 3: Explains reasons There was a lack of unity and common cause amongst the Indian population. The Punjab was uninterested in helping the rebellion and actually sent men and supplies to help the British. This also happened in Kashmir. The British had more modern methods of fighting and the army was better disciplined as well as being supplied by some of the local rulers.
5. [1-2] LEVEL 1: Simplistic statement They needed their own party.
6. [3-6] LEVEL 2: Description/identification of reasons The Hindus had the Congress party which represented Hindu views only.
7. [7-10] LEVEL 3: Explains the need for own party or other reasons
8. [9-13] LEVEL 4: Explains the need for own party and other reasons Muslims were increasingly aware that their political rights would not be advanced if they continued to rely on the Indian National Congress. By not organising a Muslim group they would continue to be disorganised and disunited. It was also set up because of the growth of a better understanding between the British and Muslims that was reflected in the Simla Declaration in 1905. In 1905 a new Liberal government had taken office that seemed likely to make changes in political representation and Muslims felt that they needed their own political party. The Congress was demanding that India should be treated as a cultural and political whole and Hindi should be declared the official language. It was seen as an organisation which would only advance Hindu views. They did not feel that had the same influence as Congress with the British. Also the Hindus were beginning to protest against the partition of Bengal and the Muslims saw this as a sign of the influence the Hindus had and they were worried about their own interests. Even more worrying was the growth of extreme Hindu nationalist groups who demanded that Muslims be forcibly converted to Hinduism. Therefore a number of prominent Muslim leaders founded the Muslim League.
9. [14] LEVEL 5: As Level 4 – also produces a judgement or evaluation