Mains Daily Question
Dec. 6, 2023
Q2. ‘The partition of Bengal was not carried out for administrative convenience but rather as the culmination of Curzon’s systematic assault against Bengali nationalism.’ Analyse.(10M, 150W)
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Approach to the answer: Understanding the question: The question talks about the how the partition of Bengal was not carried out because of the administrative convenience but it was the result of Lord Curzon’s years of measures taken to suppress Bengali nationalism. Here we should first state what the British stated as the official reasons for Bengal’s partition and then enlist how they were merely a cloud for the malicious intentions of Curzon. (Highlighting multiple events preceding to Bengal’s partition) Introduction: We can introduce the answer by stating what was the partition of Bengal or we can also introduce by stating Curzon’s opinions on Bengali Nationalism. Body: Since the directive of the question is to analyze, we have to break the issue into its constituent parts. Look in depth at each part using supporting arguments and evidence for and against as well as how these interrelated to one another. Here we can first state the official reasons cited for the partition of Bengal whereas the second half needs to delve on the real intentions of Curzon or British for actualizing the partition of Bengal. Conclusion: We can conclude by summarizing the arguments of the body section or we can also conclude by stating what was the result of Curzon’s policies. |
Answer: The British in 1905 decided to partition Bengal into Western Bengal with the provinces of Bihar and Orissa, and Eastern Bengal and Assam. This resulted into public outcry and massive backlash of British Viceroy of the period, Lord Curzon.
Official Administrative Reasons Stated:
- Administrative Inconvenience: The official reason given for the decision was that Bengal with a population of 78 million (about a quarter of the population of British India) had become too big to be administered.
- Development of Assam: It was also stated that partition would help in the development of Assam if it came under the direct jurisdiction of the government.
- Muslim Empowerment: The British stated that Dacca would become the capital of the new Muslim majority province (Assam), which would enhance unity in the community and would aid in their development.
Real Intentions: Curzon’s Systematic Assault against Bengali Nationalism
- Curtailing Indian Liberty: Curzon sought to throttle the growing aspirations of the educated Indian middle class. He wanted to curtail the political rights of Indians.
- For instance, he passed the Calcutta Municipal Amendment Act, 1899, which reduced the number of elected representatives in the Calcutta Corporation.
- Controlling Indian Education: To counter growing nationalism, Curzon brought in regulation which curbed the Indian education system.
- For instance, Curzon passed the Indian Universities Act, 1904 which placed Calcutta University under government control.
- Curtailing Press Freedom: Restrictions on the press were put to stop the spread of nationalist ideas.
- For instance, passing of the Indian Official Secrets Amendment Act (1904)
The Partition of Bengal united nationalists across spectrum (both moderates and neo-nationalists) as they launched the Swadeshi movement. This movement saw the first large scale participation of the masses, which culminated in the nullification of the partition in 1911.
