Question

One of Lord Curzon's administrative measures that resulted in a strong resentment from the masses was the partition of Bengal in 1905. In this context, answer the following questions:

1. What was Lord Curzon's argument in favour of the partition of Bengal? How did the nationalists interpret Lord Curzon's motives?
2. How did the people react to the partition of Bengal?
3. What was the impact of the Anti-Partition Movement?

Answer 1

1. 1. Lord Curzon claimed that Bengal was too large to be governed efficiently by a single government.
   2. The province had a population of 8 crores and an area of 1,90,000 square miles, making administration difficult. Thus, the British introduced a plan to divide Bengal. However, the Nationalists believed the real reason for the partition was to weaken the Nationalist Movement and show British power. The British used the "divide and rule" policy to create division between the Hindu and Muslim communities, aiming to weaken Bengal, which was the center of the Nationalist Movement.
2. People strongly opposed the partition through the Anti-partition movement.
   1. The partition led to a powerful protest, uniting people and political leaders.
   2. The Indian National Congress and nationalists of Bengal opposed the partition.
   3. Different groups like landlords, merchants, lawyers, students, and women in Bengal all protested.
   4. Leaders such as Surendranath Banerjee, Krishna Kumar Mitra, P.C. Ray, B.C. Pal, and Ananda Mohan Bose held many protest meetings.
   5. Both Early Nationalists and Assertive Nationalists worked together during the movement.
   6. Newspapers like Bengali, Hitabadi, and Sanjibani condemned the partition, declaring it a day of national mourning.
   7. There was a strike in Kolkata.The streets of Kolkata echoed with cries of 'Bande Mataram', which became the song of the movement.
   8. Rabindranath Tagore composed the patriotic song 'Amar Sonar Bangla' (My Golden Bengal), which was sung by crowds in the streets.
   9. Raksha Bandhan was celebrated in a new way, with Hindus and Muslims tying rakhis on each other's wrists to symbolise the unity of Bengal.
   10. In the afternoon, a large demonstration took place where Ananda Mohan Bose laid the foundation of a Federation Hall, symbolising Bengal's unity. All attendees vowed to follow Swadeshi.
3. 1. The Partition of Bengal and the Anti-Partition Movement helped speed up the Nationalist Movement by involving the general public. People united, ready to resist, suffer, and sacrifice for the cause.
   2. The ideas of Swadeshi and Boycott, which emerged in 1905, became key strategies. People realised that Swadeshi and Boycott had to go hand in hand for success. These methods were used as tools for political protest and to promote self-reliance, with the goal of achieving Swaraj. British goods were burnt in public, and shops selling them were picketed. The spirit of Swadeshi spread to industries, education, culture, and literature.
   3. People lost trust in the fairness and justice of the British. Lord Curzon refused to cancel the partition, stating that "Partition of Bengal is a settled fact and what is settled cannot be unsettled."