However, the foundation of the All India Muslim League (AIML) in 1906 in Dhaka was a landmark in Muslim politics in India as well as in Bengal. Although for three decades from its inception the League remained an elitist body, it was the first attempt to organise an all-India Muslim political community. Except for certain years, a provincial League was in existence in Bengal throughout the period. The following is an attempt to make a brief study of the nature and activity of the Bengal Muslim League. The study will further focus on aspects such as its stages of growth, the nature of its leadership and its relationships with the parent all-India body (i.e. AIML) and other parties in Bengal, always bringing out the policy dilemma fragmenting the Bengali Muslim community. The whole 1906-1936 period is divided into five phases.