At the early stages of the anti-Pasrtition movement it was supported by the Muslims of East Bengal. Even the Nawab of Dacca was at firts disposed to stand by the Hindu Zamindars. A Muslim zamindar of of Faridpur warned his co-religiousists not to believe that the partition would benifit the Mohammadans by creating a Mohammadan Province.Another Muslim zamindar cordially co-operated Aswini Kumar Dutta of Barisal. A. Rasul was a staunch Swadeshist and prisided over the Barisal Conference held in April 906, to which reference has been made above.Abdul Hamid Ghaznavi of Mymensingh, Abul Kassem of Burdwan, Liakat Hussain and many other prominent leaders among Muslims were enthusiastic supporters of the Swadeshi Movement. Even in Mofussil areas, particularly Barisal, the Muslim masses joined the Swadeshi movement and were inspired by the folk songs composed for the purpose. But Lord Curzon visited East Bengal in February 1904, and induced Nawab Salimullah of dacca to declare himself in favour of the partitionIn return for these political and public services the Government of India granted a loan of Rs. 14 lakhs to the Nawab of Dacca at a very low rate of interest.Under the influence of the British Government insidious movements were set on foot to wean away the Muslims from the Hindu agitators. They arranged counter-demonstrations in suppot of Partition. As official report dated 20 Sept. 1906,expressed the fear that the Muhammadans , who have been sorely provoked , might cause some trouble.
In Dec 1906, A mohammadan Vigilance Association came into being, in order to collect evidence of the oppression committed on the Muhammadans by the Swadeshi agitators.Reference has been made above to the anti-Hindu policy inaugurated by Sir Syed Ahmad at Aligarh.It culminated in the formation of the Muslim League, a rival organisation to the Congress , the foundation of which was done in Dacca on the last day of Dec 1906. 
