Question

Lord Curzon had partitioned Bengal citing administrative reasons. What was the real reason for the partition? What was one of the major impacts of this in the Indian political climate?

Answer 1

Instructions: The answer to this question should have the following points:

• Describe the inherent fear of the British due to the rising political consciousness in Bengal.
• Explain their desire to incite communal differences.
• Rise of extremists as the main impact.

Solution: In 1905, the then Governor General Lord Curzon partitioned Bengal, the biggest province of British India, citing ‘administrative inconvenience’. Bengal had a population of more than 7 crores 80 lakhs and included certain parts of Bihar and Orrisa.

Instead of removing the parts of Bihar and Orrisa, Lord Curzon separated Eastern Bengal from a majority of the Muslim population.

Bengal was the centre of political awareness and the most politically active province. Lord Curzon’s main intention was to promote communal differences between Hindus and Muslims and to weaken this political awakening among the people. This partition was severely opposed by the national leaders and common people.

The main impact of the partition of Bengal was the rise of the Extremist Phase in the Indian political climate.