Partition of Bengal

The Bengal Partition of 1905 was a contentious administrative decision by the British Raj, dividing Bengal into two regions. It was met with widespread resistance. The Moderates opposed through petitions, but Lord Curzon proceeded. The Swadeshi Movement emerged in response, advocating boycotts and self-reliance. Extremists like Tilak and Lajpat Rai urged a more aggressive approach, leading to a split in the Indian National Congress in 1907 Surat Session. The movement saw diverse participation: students, women, Muslims, and labor unions. The partition was revoked in 1911 due to protests, reuniting Bengal and illustrating the power of mass mobilization. This event marked a pivotal moment in India's nationalist struggle against British rule, leaving a lasting impact on the region's history and identity.

The British Empire's expansion in India led to the establishment of the Bengal Presidency, encompassing present-day West Bengal, Bangladesh, Bihar, and Odisha. However, the vast size and diverse population of Bengal posed administrative challenges for the British authorities, leading to the proposal for partition.

The Bengal Partition of 1905 was a significant administrative reorganization by the British Raj in India, dividing the Bengal province into two separate entities: Eastern Bengal and Assam, and West Bengal. It designated Calcutta as the capital of Western Bengal and Dacca as the capital of Eastern Bengal. This controversial decision was met with widespread opposition and had profound socio-political implications for the region.

• Administrative convenience: The official reason they gave was that Bengal was too big to be administered and that partition would help in the development of Assam.
• Divide and rule strategy: In reality, the partition was a deliberate attempt by the British to weaken the growing nationalist movement in Bengal by dividing the Hindu-majority western region from the Muslim-majority eastern region.

• Resistance by Moderate Leaders: Under the leadership of figures like Surendranath Banerjee, K.K. Mitra, and Prithwish Chandra Ray, moderate leaders initiated efforts to oppose the partition through petitions, public meetings, and propaganda. They aimed to mobilize educated public opinion in India and England to prevent the unjust partition of Bengal.
• Government's Decision to Proceed with Partition: Despite the efforts of moderate leaders and the creation of public opinion against partition, Lord Curzon, the Viceroy of India, chose to ignore the opposition and announced the partition of Bengal in July 1905.
• Initiation of Swadeshi Movement: In response to the partition announcement, a massive public meeting was held in Calcutta Town Hall, where the Boycott Resolution was passed, marking the formal proclamation of the Swadeshi Movement on August 7, 1905. Leaders urged people to boycott Liverpool salt and Manchester cloth as a form of protest.
• Formal Implementation of Partition: On October 16, 1905, the partition of Bengal officially came into effect. This day was observed as a day of mourning throughout Bengal, with people fasting, bathing in the Ganga, and participating in processions while singing patriotic songs like Vande Mataram and ‘Amar Sonar Bangla,’ composed by Rabindranath Tagore.
• Nationalist Response: The Indian National Congress (INC) condemned the partition and Curzon's policies through a resolution passed in 1905 under the presidency of Gokhale. INC extended its support to the anti-partition and Swadeshi Movement in Bengal.
• Emergence of Extremist Leaders: The extremist leaders such as Tilak, Lajpat Rai, Bipin Chandra Pal, and Aurobindo Ghosh advocated for a more widespread and aggressive movement.They wanted the movement to be taken to other parts of the country and expand the scope of resistance beyond boycotting foreign goods and advocated for full-fledged political mass struggle with the ultimate goal of attaining Swaraj (self-rule).
• Divergence and Surat Split: The differing approaches between moderate and extremist leaders eventually led to a split within the Indian National Congress during the Surat session in 1907, marking a significant divergence in the strategies and ideologies within the nationalist movement.

• Introduction to New Methods of Struggle
  • As the resistance against British colonial rule intensified, nationalists in India began exploring new methods of struggle to mobilize the masses and challenge imperial authority.
  • These methods went beyond traditional forms of protest and encompassed a range of innovative approaches to promote self-reliance, instigate social reforms, and foster nationalist sentiment.
• Boycott and Mass Mobilization
  • Boycott of foreign goods, public meetings, and processions emerged as prominent methods of mass mobilization during the anti-colonial struggle. These activities aimed to galvanize public support and foster a sense of collective resistance against British rule.
• Formation of Volunteer Organizations
  • Volunteer organizations, known as 'Samitis,' played a crucial role in mobilizing the masses and generating political consciousness. For instance, the Swadesh Bandhab Samiti, led by Ashwini Kumar Dutta, actively engaged in organizing grassroots movements and promoting nationalist ideals.
• Social Works and Organizing Festivals
  • In addition to traditional forms of protest, nationalists utilized social works and organized festivals as platforms to disseminate political messages. Festivals such as Ganesh and Shivaji festivals became mediums of Swadeshi propaganda, allowing nationalists to reach out to a broader section of society.
• Education
  • Bengal National College, led by Aurobindo Ghosh, was established.
  • In August 1906, the National Council of Education was formed to structure education along nationalist principles under Indian oversight.
  • A Bengal Institute of Technology was founded to provide technical education.
  • Funds were raised by nationalists to facilitate students' pursuit of advanced education in Japan
• Swadeshi:
  • Self-reliance ( ‘Atmashakti’) was encouraged which included social reform and campaigns against caste oppression, early marriage, dowry system, consumption of alcohol, etc.
  • Swadeshi Industries:
    • Swadeshi textile mills, soap and match factories, tanneries, banks, insurance and shipbuilding companies were established.
    • Eg Swadeshi Steam Navigation Company was established by V.O.C Pillai at Tuticorin
  • Swadeshi in Cultural Realm: Nationalist songs, paintings, and traditional folk theatre were utilized to disseminate Swadeshi messages among the masses

• Students:
  • Participated in large numbers to promote and practice Swadeshi.
  • Engaged in picketing shops selling foreign goods.
• Women:
  • Urban middle-class women actively took part in processions and picketing.
• Muslim:
  • Attendance: Most upper and middle-class Muslims refrained from active participation.
  • Support for Partition: They backed the partition, envisioning a Muslim-majority East Bengal.
  • Leadership: Led by Nawab Salimullah of Dacca, a prominent figure in advocating the Muslim cause.
  • Formation of All India Muslim League: Nawab Salimullah established the All India Muslim League in December 1905, representing the interests of the Muslim community in the political landscape.
• Labor and Trade Unions:
  • Some strikes were organized, politicizing economic grievances.
• Peasants:
  • Peasant participation remained minimal due to conflicting interests between the Bengali middle class and peasantry.

• In response to mounting protests and nationalist fervor, the British government annulled the partition on December 12, 1911, as announced by Lord Hardinge, the Viceroy of India.
• Assimilation of Eastern Bengal: King George's declaration in December 1911 integrated eastern Bengal back into the Bengal Presidency.
• Reunification of Linguistic Districts: Districts where Bengali was spoken were reunified, while Bihar and Orissa were separated.
• Capital Relocation: The capital was relocated to New Delhi as part of the administrative changes following the reunification.
• Political implications: The reversal of the partition was a significant victory for the Indian nationalist movement, demonstrating the power of mass mobilization and civil disobedience in challenging colonial policies.

The Bengal Partition of 1905 was a watershed moment in India's struggle for independence, marking the emergence of a resurgent nationalist movement against British colonial rule. While the partition itself was short-lived, its socio-political repercussions continued to reverberate throughout the Indian subcontinent, leaving a complex legacy that continues to shape the region's history and identity.