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Questions and Answers
What was a primary reason cited by British officials for the partition of Bengal in 1905?
Who was the Viceroy of India responsible for the first partition of Bengal?
What was the population of the Bengal Presidency at the time of the partition?
What was the main consequence of the anti-partition movements in Calcutta?
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Which region was primarily affected by the new province of 'Eastern Bengal and Assam' created after the partition?
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Why did the British shift the capital from Calcutta to New Delhi?
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What was one outcome of the agitation led by Bengali Hindus in response to the partition?
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What did Lord Curzon emphasize regarding the nature of the partition?
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What was a major reaction from the Muslim community regarding the annulment of the Bengal Partition?
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Who was executed at the age of 18 for the ‘Muzaffarpur Conspiracy’?
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What was the primary concern of the upper-class Hindus in Calcutta regarding the partition?
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What was the expectation of the Muslim delegation in response to the annulment of the Bengal Partition?
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Which provinces were included in the newly formed province along with western Bengal after the partition?
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What did King George V announce at his Delhi Darbar in December 1911?
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Which movement was aimed at opposing British trade interests during the anti-partition agitation?
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What did the establishment of Dhaka University aim to address according to the Muslim delegation?
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Study Notes
Bengal Presidency
- Encompassed Bengal, Bihar, Assam, Orissa, and part of Chhattisgarh.
- The region had a population of 78.5 million, making it the largest province in British India.
- British officials felt the vast size of the Bengal Presidency made it challenging to manage the eastern region efficiently.
- This led to a lack of attention to the region's needs.
The First Partition of Bengal, 1905
- Announced on July 19, 1905, by Viceroy Lord Curzon.
- Implemented on October 16, 1905.
- Separated the predominantly Muslim eastern districts from the largely Hindu western districts.
- Led to the creation of 'Eastern Bengal and Assam' province with Dhaka as its capital.
- The western districts formed a separate province with Orissa and Bihar.
Hindu Opposition to Partition
- Hindus in West Bengal feared becoming a minority in a province that included Bihar and Orissa.
- They viewed the partition as a 'divide and rule' tactic by the British.
- The union of western Bengal with Bihar and Orissa reduced the number of Bengali speakers, making them a minority.
- The Calcutta-centric upper-class Hindus, especially absentee landlords, worried about losing their land and interests in eastern Bengal.
Agitation in Calcutta and the Boycott Movement
- Bengali Hindus protested their minority status.
- This agitation saw the rise of terrorism, with bombings, shootings, and assassinations carried out by young revolutionaries.
- The boycott movement threatened British commercial interests in India.
Annulment of the Bengal Partition, 1911
- The partition was annulled in response to the violent anti-partition movement and the boycott movement.
- The announcement was made by King George V at the Delhi Darbar in December 1911.
- Bengali-speaking districts were unified.
- Assam, Bihar, and Orissa became separate provinces.
British Reactions to the Annulment
- The capital of British India was shifted from Calcutta to New Delhi.
- This was intended to provide a safer and more secure base for the British colonial government.
- By moving the capital to a Mughal site, the British aimed to appease Muslims who felt alienated by the loss of eastern Bengal.
Muslim Reactions and the Muslim League
- Muslim leaders in eastern Bengal saw the creation of Eastern Bengal and Assam as advantageous.
- They felt that the new province would provide opportunities for progress and advancement.
- The Muslim League was formed in 1906 to support the partition, believing it would improve the status of Muslims in the region.
- Separate elections were introduced for Muslims and Hindus in 1909.
The Annulment and the Establishment of Dhaka University
- Muslims in Bengal were disappointed by the annulment of the partition.
- They perceived it as a betrayal of their interests to appease Hindus.
- A delegation led by Sir Nawab Salimullah, Nawab Syed Nawab Ali Choudhury, and A.K. Fazlul Haq expressed concerns about the annulment's impact on Muslim education.
- The delegation advocated for the establishment of a university in Dhaka to address these fears.
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Description
Explore the historical events surrounding the First Partition of Bengal in 1905. This quiz covers the formation of 'Eastern Bengal and Assam', Hindu opposition, and the implications of British colonial strategies in the region. Test your knowledge about the intricate dynamics of Bengal's population and political landscape during this pivotal time.
