This study offers a reappraisal of some important themes relating to Indian nationalism and the growth of community-oriented formations, which are described in historical literature as `communal` or `separatist`. Its central concern, however, is to analyse how various segments among Muslims related to and defined their relationship with nationalist forces, spear­headed by the Indian National Congress. This exercise is backed by an examination of several vital issues which reflect on the Congress move­ment, the structure of its support amongst Muslims and the crucial deter­minants that dictated its strategy towards the communal question.

Also discussed is the part played by the colonial government in defining political identities in religious terms and translating them into constitutional arrangements. Some other issues, such as the role of ulama in promoting an `Islamic ideology`, the content and structure of political separatism and the crystallization of communal identities, also figure in the discussion.

The aim is to unfold the breakdown of inter-communal networks which had, for so long, kept intact the social fabric of Indian society, and to offer possible explanations to a larger historical question: Why did secular nationalism fail to create a united nation, drawing equally upon the parti­cipation of the major communities?