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However despite Islamic extremist bigots like Dehlavi, the vast majority of Indian Muslims considered themselves as culturally Indian and not Arab. For instance, Wajid Ali Shah of the Kingdom of Awadh, was well known for composing and singing Radha Kanhaiyya Ka Kissa(Tale of Radha and Krishna).<ref>https://www.thecitizen.in/index.php/en/NewsDetail/index/9/8548/When-Lucknows-Wajid-Ali-Shah-Directed-a-Play-on-Krishna-and-Radha-in-1843</ref> Additionally, there was Mir Taqui Mir, an Urdu poet who wrote, "What do you ask Mir of his faith and religion? Since long he as put on janew(sacred thread of Hindus), sit in the temple and has given up Islam." <ref>https://books.google.com/books?id=wVr_f_gXOX4C&pg=PA47&lpg=PA47&dq=mir+taqi+mir+why+do+you+ask+what+religion+is+mir&source=bl&ots=_WxVAO6ufx&sig=ACfU3U2C67dlMwDerQ3eaJ6MSeVztugAJQ&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjmncKyztLoAhXghHIEHTUZAYEQ6AEwA3oECAsQNg#v=onepage&q=mir%20taqi%20mir%20why%20do%20you%20ask%20what%20religion%20is%20mir&f=false</ref>

However despite Islamic extremist bigots like Dehlavi, the vast majority of Indian Muslims considered themselves as culturally Indian and not Arab. For instance, Wajid Ali Shah of the Kingdom of Awadh, was well known for composing and singing Radha Kanhaiyya Ka Kissa(Tale of Radha and Krishna).<ref>https://www.thecitizen.in/index.php/en/NewsDetail/index/9/8548/When-Lucknows-Wajid-Ali-Shah-Directed-a-Play-on-Krishna-and-Radha-in-1843</ref> Additionally, there was Mir Taqui Mir, an Urdu poet who wrote, "What do you ask Mir of his faith and religion? Since long he as put on janew(sacred thread of Hindus), sit in the temple and has given up Islam." <ref>https://books.google.com/books?id=wVr_f_gXOX4C&pg=PA47&lpg=PA47&dq=mir+taqi+mir+why+do+you+ask+what+religion+is+mir&source=bl&ots=_WxVAO6ufx&sig=ACfU3U2C67dlMwDerQ3eaJ6MSeVztugAJQ&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjmncKyztLoAhXghHIEHTUZAYEQ6AEwA3oECAsQNg#v=onepage&q=mir%20taqi%20mir%20why%20do%20you%20ask%20what%20religion%20is%20mir&f=false</ref>

==Divide and Rule Policy of the British==

==Under British Rule==

It was under British rule in India that the idea of dividing India on religious lines came about. The earliest recorded reference to dividing India goes back to 1843. In a speech to the British Parliament, Thomas Macaulay, who introduced English education in India, offered a suggestion on how the British government should deal with India Hindu majority versus the Muslim minority. He stated that Britain should, "take no part in the disputes between Mahometans and idolaters. But, if our government does take a part, there can be no doubt that Mahometanism is entitled to the preference.<ref>https://books.google.com/books?id=LoJUAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA134&lpg=PA134&dq=%22take+no+part+in+the+disputes+between+Mahometans+and+idolaters.+But,+if+our+government+does+take+a+part,+there+can+be+no+doubt+that+Mahometanism+is+entitled+to+the+preference.&source=bl&ots=xa6COkeUSm&sig=ACfU3U19H5awy0EEkP_Dp8S0qsGWmOyxnA&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiaq7vM3tLoAhUxgXIEHT0HDs8Q6AEwAHoECAsQKA#v=onepage&q=%22take%20no%20part%20in%20the%20disputes%20between%20Mahometans%20and%20idolaters.%20But%2C%20if%20our%20government%20does%20take%20a%20part%2C%20there%20can%20be%20no%20doubt%20that%20Mahometanism%20is%20entitled%20to%20the%20preference.&f=false</ref>

It was under British rule in India that the idea of dividing India on religious lines came about. The earliest recorded reference to dividing India goes back to 1843. In a speech to the British Parliament, Thomas Macaulay, who introduced English education in India, offered a suggestion on how the British government should deal with India Hindu majority versus the Muslim minority. He stated that Britain should, "take no part in the disputes between Mahometans and idolaters. But, if our government does take a part, there can be no doubt that Mahometanism is entitled to the preference.<ref>https://books.google.com/books?id=LoJUAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA134&lpg=PA134&dq=%22take+no+part+in+the+disputes+between+Mahometans+and+idolaters.+But,+if+our+government+does+take+a+part,+there+can+be+no+doubt+that+Mahometanism+is+entitled+to+the+preference.&source=bl&ots=xa6COkeUSm&sig=ACfU3U19H5awy0EEkP_Dp8S0qsGWmOyxnA&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiaq7vM3tLoAhUxgXIEHT0HDs8Q6AEwAHoECAsQKA#v=onepage&q=%22take%20no%20part%20in%20the%20disputes%20between%20Mahometans%20and%20idolaters.%20But%2C%20if%20our%20government%20does%20take%20a%20part%2C%20there%20can%20be%20no%20doubt%20that%20Mahometanism%20is%20entitled%20to%20the%20preference.&f=false</ref>