- The Partition of Bengal was announced on July 19, 1905, by Lord Curzon, the then Viceroy of India.
- It came into effect on October 16, 1905.
- The partition divided Bengal into two provinces: East Bengal and West Bengal.
- East Bengal included Assam and had a majority of Muslim population.
- West Bengal consisted of Bihar and Orissa with a majority of Hindu population.
- The official reason given by the British was to improve administrative efficiency.
- The actual motive was to weaken the growing unity among Indians by fostering communal divisions.
- The partition was viewed as a deliberate attempt to divide Hindus and Muslims.
- It led to widespread protests and marked the beginning of the Swadeshi Movement.
- Indians boycotted British goods and promoted indigenous products as a form of protest.
- Prominent leaders like Surendranath Banerjee and Rabindranath Tagore strongly opposed the partition.
- Rabindranath Tagore initiated the practice of tying Rakhi as a symbol of Hindu-Muslim unity.
- Mass rallies, petitions, and resolutions were organized to protest against the partition.
- The movement saw the rise of extremist leaders like Bal Gangadhar Tilak, Bipin Chandra Pal, and Lala Lajpat Rai.
- The Swadeshi Movement also emphasized the establishment of national education institutions.
- Many small-scale industries were set up to produce indigenous goods, boosting economic nationalism.
- The partition intensified anti-British sentiment across India and united people from diverse backgrounds.
- The protests were particularly strong in Calcutta, the then capital of British India.
- The Indian press played a crucial role in spreading awareness about the movement.
- The partition was widely criticized by moderate leaders of the Indian National Congress.
- It marked a shift in Indian politics, with increasing support for radical approaches.
- The British attempted to suppress the movement through repressive measures, including arrests and censorship.
- Despite British repression, the movement spread to other parts of India.
- The unity shown during the protests inspired future movements for independence.
- The partition was reversed in 1911, following widespread opposition and unrest.
- The reversal of the partition coincided with the shifting of the capital from Calcutta to Delhi.
- The partition and its aftermath exposed the British strategy of "divide and rule".
- The Swadeshi Movement brought economic self-reliance to the forefront of the nationalist agenda.
- It also emphasized the importance of cultural revival as a means to resist colonial rule.
- The movement encouraged the use of Bengali literature and art to promote national identity.
- The partition left a lasting impact on Indian politics, deepening the divide between Hindus and Muslims.
- The protests showcased the potential of mass movements in mobilizing Indian society.
- The involvement of women in the Swadeshi Movement was a significant development.
- The boycott of foreign goods led to the growth of Indian industries and artisanship.
- The partition sowed the seeds of communal tensions that would later impact Indian society.
- The movement brought Indian students, peasants, and workers into the nationalist struggle.
- It highlighted the role of economic measures as a tool for political resistance.
- The failure to sustain Hindu-Muslim unity during the movement was a setback for the nationalist cause.
- The partition reinforced the need for a unified and inclusive nationalist movement.
- It underscored the importance of addressing both political and cultural dimensions of colonialism.
- The Swadeshi Movement laid the groundwork for future struggles, including Gandhi’s Non-Cooperation Movement.
- The partition remains a significant event in Indian history, symbolizing both resistance and division.
Questions
- Who was the Viceroy of India at the time of the Partition of Bengal in 1905?
- In which year was the Partition of Bengal implemented?
- The Partition of Bengal was officially implemented on:
- What was the stated reason for the Partition of Bengal by the British?
- Which two regions were created after the Partition of Bengal?
- What was the predominant religion in East Bengal after the partition?
- The Partition of Bengal led to the rise of which movement?
- Which Indian leader called the Partition of Bengal a "divide and rule" policy?
- The Swadeshi Movement emphasized:
- Who composed the song "Amar Sonar Bangla" during the Swadeshi Movement?
- What was the main objective of the Swadeshi Movement?
- Which of the following was a significant result of the Partition of Bengal?
- The Partition of Bengal was reversed in which year?
- The reversal of the Partition of Bengal was announced at which event?
- Which movement was directly influenced by the Partition of Bengal?
- Who played a prominent role in organizing the Swadeshi Movement in Bengal?
- The boycott of British goods as part of the Swadeshi Movement was termed as:
- The Partition of Bengal was primarily opposed by which section of society?
- Who described the Partition of Bengal as the "first blow to Indian nationalism"?
- Which event marked the end of Lord Curzon's tenure as Viceroy?
- The capital of British India was shifted from Calcutta to Delhi in which year?
- The Partition of Bengal was opposed through which form of protest?
- Which prominent leader coined the term "Vande Mataram" as a patriotic slogan?
- What was the impact of the Swadeshi Movement on Indian industries?
- The Muslim League supported the Partition of Bengal because:
- Which movement spread as a direct outcome of the Swadeshi Movement?
- Which revolutionary leader emerged during the protests against the Partition of Bengal?
- What was the British government's unofficial motive behind the Partition of Bengal?
- The Hindu-Muslim divide caused by the Partition of Bengal eventually led to:
- Who was the Secretary of State for India during the Partition of Bengal?
- The term "Bande Mataram" became associated with which event?
- Which newspaper played a significant role in opposing the Partition of Bengal?