Partition of bengal

1. Partition of Bengal
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Hamza Mahmood

2. Why was Bengal partitioned in 1905?
Unwieldy for administration; very large consisting of Bengal, Bihar and Orissa with 78
million population, poor means of communications, difficulties in relief work during
times of trouble (famine, plague), smaller units can be managed efficiently.
To address the misery of Muslims, sense of deprivation in Eastern
Bengal, social, economic and educational backwardness, neglected and isolated due
to under-governance, flow of all investments towards Calcutta in Western Bengal.
According to Hindu version: Bengal partitioned to weaken the solidarity of Bengali
Hindus, Bengal was the hub of creating national awakening posing real threat to the
rulers, British played the communal card widening the hostilities between Hindus and
Muslims, division along religious line, weakened INC to curb the growing sense of
Hindu nationalism.

3. Why was the partition of Bengal reversed in 1911?
Surrender in front of protests and demonstrations, Law and order situation, cult of
bomb and terrorism developed, violence spread to most parts of India, attacks on
British officials and their Indian associates.
Economic reasons: boycott of British goods and Swadeshi Movement, decline in
demand of British products in Indian markets, imports dropped, profits of British
traders ruined, local industry flourished, use of home-made products increased.
British measures proved ineffective, restrictions on print media and public
gatherings, imprisonment of leaders, activists sent into exile, reconciliatory efforts
also failed, Morley-Mintoreforms of 1909 could not pacify Indians.
Delhi Durbar in December 1911, George V (King of United Kingdom and Emperor of
India) had to address the Indians, British wanted peaceful proceedings.

4. Bengal was partitioned in 1905 due to geographical factors. Do you agree?
1.Very large province consisting of Bengal, Bihar and Orissa with 78 million
population, poor means of communications, difficulties in relief work during times of
trouble (famine, plague), inefficient administration, smaller units can be managed
efficiently.
But there were other reasons also:
2.To address the misery of Muslims, sense of deprivation in Eastern
Bengal, social, economic and educational backwardness, no infrastructure
facilities, neglected and isolated due to under-governance, flow of all investments
towards Calcutta in Western Bengal, now opportunity to Muslims to flourish under
direct control of British governor.

5. Bengal was partitioned in 1905 due to geographical factors. Do you agree?
3.According to Hindu version: Bengal partitioned to weaken the solidarity of Bengali
Hindus, Bengal was the hub of creating national awakening posing real threat to the
rulers, British played the communal card widening the hostilities between Hindus and
Muslims, division along religious line, weakened INC to curb the growing sense of
Hindu nationalism.
4.To break the business monopoly of Hindu traders, to reduce the influence of Hindus
on Muslim peasants and weavers, British could now take advantage of direct trade
with Muslims of East Bengal
Conclusion:
Some hidden motives behind the partition, divide and rule, Hindus were to be
weakened by bringing them in confrontation with Muslims, Bengal being the most
potential place for launching anti-British campaign, national movement for
independence.

6. How did Hindus oppose the partition of Bengal between 1905 and 1911?
LAWFUL METHODS
Moderate and liberal Hindus protested through constitutional methods, passed
resolutions, sent petitions to the government and to the Secretary of State, wrote in
print media, met with English politicians in England and conveyed them Indian
grievances.
PRESSURE TACTICS
Hindus kept fast on the day of partition as symbolic hunger strike, wore threads on
their arms (rakhis) to convey message of solidarity and unity.
Streets of Bengal echoed with BandeMataramsong
Protests, strikes, demonstrations with banners in hands, marches, public speeches.
Swadeshi Movement launched encouraging use of home-made goods, boycott of
British goods.
Volunteer associations formed to spread the message of Swadeshi Movement to far-
flung villages.
Hindu militant groups emerged launching attacks on British officials and their Indian
associates, revolutionary terrorists.
Demanded self-rule

7. Partition of Bengal
The reasons for partitioning Bengal in 1905 were more important than those
that caused its reversal in 1911. Do you agree? Explain your answer. [14]
Partition was done after lengthy deliberations, reversal done under pressure of
protests and boycotts, obviously the reasons of partitioning more important.
Partition done for administrative efficiency, but goal not achieved, all British energies
wasted on suppressing the anti-partition movement, partition was important for
development of East Bengal to improve means of
communications, education, health care and other infrastructure.
With partition Muslim support obtained, it was important to address their
grievances, their sense of deprivation, their social, educational and economic
backwardness, now Muslim support could be used against Hindus particularly in the
Provincial Legislative Councils, divide and rule formula proved effective before
reversal of partition.

8. Partition of Bengal
Calcutta in West Bengal was becoming stronghold of Congress politics, threat of
launching national movement against British rule, it was important to counter the
growing influence of Hindus, decision of partition thus important.
Now coming to reversal: Muslim support lost, Hindu support not regained, Hindu
resistance not weakened rather strengthened, reversal proved disastrous.
Reversal of partition was victory for Hindus, invigorated their stamina for lengthy
struggles, surrender of British put a question mark on their future control on
India, reversal proved weakness of British.

9. Partition of Bengal
Conclusion
Both decisions were fatal for the British, partition didn’t achieve administrative
efficiency, reversal created hostility with Muslims, relations with Hindus not
normalized.
If the hidden aim was to divide Hindus and Muslims, both decisions were
important, partition created the rift ,annulment intensified the rift, but British
couldn’t take advantage of this rivalry.
For detailed discussion, you can contact Hamza Mahmood on
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