Partition of Bengal (1905) & Swadeshi Movement: Rise of Nationalism

Partition of Bengal in 1905 was one of the most disputed decisions made by the British during their rule in the India and it became a significant milestone in the evolution of the Indian Nationalism. It was introduced by Viceroy Lord Curzon, this Partition was justified on the administrative grounds, but for Indian nationalists, it was a policy of “Divide and Rule,” which was used to reduce the strength of the nationalistic movement.

It brought about great unrest among the people and revived Swadeshi and Boycott Movements, where people rejected goods from Britain and encouraged the production of domestic industries. After many years of strong opposition, the Partition was revoked in 1911.

What Was the Partition of Bengal 1905?

Prior to 1905, Bengal was a vast administrative region that consisted of modern-day Bengal, Bihar, Orissa and Assam during different periods of British administration. The government cited the great size of the region and its enormous population as problems in the process of administration.

Partition was officially announced in July 1905 and was introduced on 16 October 1905. Thus, there were two main administrative divisions of Bengal:

Eastern Bengal and Assam, with Dacca as its capital, which had Muslim majority.
Western Bengal with the center in Calcutta, which had Hindu majority.

While administrative problems were real, nationalist leaders claimed that the purpose of the Partition was to divide the people and weaken Bengal that became an important center of politics and nationalism.

Why Partition of Bengal by Lord Curzon?

According to the British government, administration was the primary factor. But as far as the Indian nationalists were concerned, politics had its role to play too.

Bengal became one of the most powerful regions in terms of the newly rising nationalist movement. Through partitioning the province on communal and linguistic lines, the colonial government would be able to diminish political strength and impact of the nationalist movement.

Thus, partitioning Bengal was a part of the British policy of divide and rule.

Anti-Partition Movement and the Swadeshi Movement

There was a wave of protest against the decision all over Bengal. Initially, the moderate nationalist leaders resorted to public meetings, petitions, newspapers and constitutional agitation to convince the British government to change their decision.

A turning point in the history of anti-partition movement was on 7 August 1905, when a huge meeting took place at Calcutta’s Town Hall to resolve in the boycott of British goods. Thus, the Swadeshi Movement started.

The movement led to,

• Boycott of British goods.
• Use of Indian goods.
• Development of indigenous industry and handloom.
• Setup of national institutions.
• Holding of public meetings and nationalist campaign.

On 16 October 1905, the date on which the partition came into operation, there were observances of mourning and demonstrations. Rakhi was tied to symbolize the Hindu-Muslim unity and people used to gather around the banks of River Ganga to sing patriotic songs such as Vande Mataram.

Extremist Nationalism’s Emergence

Besides that, the anti-partition agitation was also instrumental in the emergence of the Extremist Nationalist school of thought in the Indian National Congress.

Political leaders like Bal Gangadhar Tilak, Bipin Chandra Pal and Lala Lajpat Rai believed in a sterner mode of political activism through the methods of boycott, Swadeshi and national education.

The movement extended outside the state of Bengal and was thus able to take nationalism from being an activity of the educated politicians to a much more general campaign.

Repeal of the Partition of Bengal

The decision to abolish the partition came after long years of nationalist opposition.

The partition of Bengal was revoked in 1911 during the Delhi Durbar. There was no return to the earlier provincial set-up as the state was now reunited.

However, the two states of Bihar and Orissa were carved out of Bengal, while Assam too became a separate administrative division. The other important decision taken during the Delhi Durbar was that the capital of British India was shifted from Calcutta to Delhi.

Significance of the Partition of Bengal 1905

The partition of Bengal marked a milestone in India’s struggle for independence. It proved that a well-organised mass protest could yield results and provided a wider context to the Swadeshi Movement.

Besides, it also gave boost to indigenous industries, national education and politics. However, at the same time, the perceived communal nature of the partition process led to political fragmentation among communities.