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Partition of Bengal
http://olevel-answers-cie.blogspot.com
Hamza Mahmood
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.
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-Minto reforms 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.
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.
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.
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 Bande Mataram song 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
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.
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.
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 Skype ID: hamza.mahmood95
