Question

The Partition of Bengal was undertaken with ulterior motives and infuriated people all over India. Explain the statement citing the causes and impact of the partition.

Answer 1

Instructions: Make sure to cover the following points in your answer:

• The Partition of Bengal
• Impact of the partition
• The Swadeshi Movement

Solution:

The Partition of Bengal

• Viceroy Curzon partitioned Bengal in 1905. The reason cited for the partition was ‘administrative convenience’. However, it was clearly done in the interests of the British officials.
• Rather than removing the non-Bengali areas, East Bengal was separated and merged with Assam.
• This was done to split the Bengali population and to restrict the influence of the Bengali politicians.

Impact of the partition

• The partition of Bengal enraged people all over India. It was opposed both by the Moderates and the Radicals and met with organised methods of mass protest, public meetings, and demonstrations.
• This culminated in the Swadeshi Movement, which was the strongest in Bengal.

The Swadeshi Movement

• The Swadeshi Movement encouraged self-reliance, use of swadeshi goods, national education, and the use of vernacular languages.
• It also advocated mass boycott of British goods and institutions.