PARTITION OF BENGAL (Syllabus GS Paper 1 – History)

Context: On this day in 1905, the Indian National Congress declared a boycott of British goods in protest against the Bengal partition. This move marked a significant step in India's struggle for independence.

Partition of Bengal

• Announcement: The partition of Bengal was announced by Lord Curzon, the viceroy of India, on July 20th, 1905.
• Effective Date: The partition went into effect on October 16th, 1905.
• Reversal: The partition was reversed six years later.
• Original States: Bengal Presidency included Bengal, Bihar, parts of Chhattisgarh, Orissa, and Assam.
• New Provinces: Bengal was divided into two provinces: Bengal with a Hindu majority and Eastern Bengal and Assam with a Muslim majority.
• Administrative Motives: 

o Justification: The British government claimed the partition was necessary for better governance and administrative efficiency.

o Population: Bengal was British India's largest province with a population of 78.5 million people.

Impact of the Bengal Partition

• Political Turmoil: The partition led to significant political unrest and strong opposition from various groups.
• Unity vs. Division: Bengalis sought unity, while the Indian National Congress criticized the division as religiously motivated.
• Linguistic Concerns: West Bengal's Bengali-speaking population opposed becoming a minority due to an influx of Odia and Hindi speakers.
• Support from Bengali Muslims: Some Bengali Muslims supported the partition, hoping for benefits in education, economy, and politics.

The Swadeshi Movement

• Origins and Objectives: Began as a backlash against the partition, emphasizing the use of Indian-made goods and boycotting foreign products.
• Public Actions: Involved mass meetings, public bonfires of foreign clothing, and picketing against foreign goods.
• Support from Muslims: Some prominent Muslims supported the movement, although others remained neutral or supported the partition.