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Partition of Bengal (1905-1911 A.D.) and Swadeshi Movement

Key Points

  • The Background of Partition of Bengal
  • Partition of Bengal
  • Swadeshi Movement
  • Consequences of Swadeshi Movement
  • National Literature
  • National Education
  • Contribution of Women in Swadeshi Movement
  • Rise of National Industry
  • Establishment of Muslim League
  • Swadeshi Movement and Indian National Congress
  • Anti-movement Activities of the Government
  • Contribution of Swadeshi Movement

Introduction

  • The partition of Bengal is a crucial chapter in India's freedom struggle, occurring during Lord Curzon's reign (1899-1905).
  • It is regarded as the second significant political upheaval in India after the Sepoy Mutiny of 1857.
  • Strong national movement emerged in Bengal by the late 19th to early 20th century, which prompted British authorities to increase control.
  • Lord Curzon's partition of Bengal aimed to suppress this burgeoning national sentiment by dividing Bengal into "Eastern Bengal and Assam" and the remaining West Bengal including Bihar and Orissa, thus igniting widespread protests across India.

1. Background of Partition of Bengal

  • The Regulating Act of 1773 structured British governance in India by upgrading the Governor of Bengal Presidency to Governor-General.
    • This implemented centralized governance and oversight over the Bombay and Madras presidencies.
  • In the aftermath of the Sepoy Mutiny (1857), administrative reforms were initiated. The partition of Bengal was part of these reforms.
  • The creation of Assam in 1874 involved disjoining six districts from Bengal, marking early steps toward Bengal's partition.
  • British governance was heavily centralized, with Calcutta, Mumbai, and Madras serving as administrative hubs.
  • Population of Bengal was about 78 million at the time of partition proposals, leading to administrative pressures.

1.02. The Partition of Bengal

  • In 1903, upon direction from Lord Curzon, Andrew Fraser proposed a partition plan that suggested appending certain districts (Dhaka, Chattagram, Rajshahi) to Assam.
  • Curzon's proposal was officially known as the ‘Risley papers’.
  • The partition officially announced on July 19, 1905, emphasized the need to create smoother administration through bifurcation, but underlying motives included severing Hindu-Muslim unity, considered a threat to British rule.
  • Population breakdown of the new provinces:
    • Eastern Bengal and Assam: 31 million total, 18 million Muslims, and 12 million Hindus.
    • Bengal Province: 5.4 crore total population, with a Hindu-Mulsim ratio reflecting minority status for Hindus.

1.03. Swadeshi Movement (1905-1911 A.D.)

  • The British government's unilateral decision on partition ignited widespread discontent. Notably, intellectuals like Surendranath Banerjee and others spearheaded public protest campaigns.
  • Various forms of activism included signature collection against partition, rallying public sentiment, and the founding of anti-partition organizations.
  • The Swadeshi Movement arose in response, calling for a boycott of British goods and promoting indigenous products.
  • The inaugural protest meeting occurred in Khulna on July 14, 1905, and later meetings solidified a widespread movement.
  • A notable rally organized by Ripon College students marked a significant engagement of the youth in these movements.
  • On October 16, 1905, the day of partition implementation, was observed as a National Mourning Day, with many activities coordinated to foster unity across communal divides through symbolic gestures such as the Rakhibandhan initiated by Rabindranath Tagore.

1.04. Consequences of the Swadeshi Movement

  • National Literature: The surge of nationalism led to a richness in literary productions, including various periodicals and patriotic songs contributing to the fostering of national sentiment. Key publications included:
    • Bengali (1904)
    • Sanjibani (1904)
    • Yugantar (Weekly, 1906)
    • Numerous songs such as Rabindranath Tagore’s influential works became cultural staples.
    • Plays, articles, and institutions centered around Indian Fine Arts emerged, indicating a marked shift in cultural expression conducive to national pride.
  • National Education: The movement propelled educational reform, with students rejecting government institutions, leading to a significant uptick in the establishment of national schools and colleges fostering indigenous educational values.
  • Women’s Contribution: Women gained momentum in activism, with leaders like Sarala Devi Choudhurini and Sister Nibedita (Margaret Noble) driving awareness and participation among women and youth, showcasing the integral roles women played in challenging imperial dominance.
  • Rise of National Industry: There was a marked inclination towards self-reliance, with industries emerging to meet societal demand for locally produced goods, laying the foundational stones for a specifically Indian industrial infrastructure.

1.05. Establishment of Muslim League

  • The British employed the partition as a strategic device to cultivate a divide between Hindus and Muslims, purportedly benefiting Muslim interests while subtly undermining Hindu unity.
  • The All India Muslim League was established on December 30, 1906, under Nawab Salimullah Khan, aiming to fortify Muslim political stance in India against perceived threats from growing Hindu nationalism.

1.06. Swadeshi Movement and Indian National Congress

  • The Indian National Congress evolved from being primarily economically focused to embracing mass mobilization as a response to popular discontent.
  • Key leaders united to oppose the partition, marking a critical transition in the Congress's focus towards advocating for Swaraj and asserting national rights.

1.07. Anti-movement Actions of the Government

  • To undermine the anti-partition sentiment, British authorities offered incentives to moderate leaders, including titles and governmental positions in an attempt to quash dissent, which were largely rebuffed by prominent activists.

1.08. Contributions of Swadeshi Movement

  1. Created political consciousness around mass mobilization against colonial rule, establishing the importance of collective action.
  2. Shifted the ideology of Indian National Congress towards recognizing the efficacy of mass movements in advocating for nationalist interests.
  3. Deepened the sense of nationalism across diverse demographics in India, including women's involvement at unprecedented levels.
  4. Inaugurated the concept of Swaraj into popular discourse, pushing Congress towards formal demands for self-rule.
  5. Resulted in foundational shifts within Indian society, promoting indigenous products and establishing industries that would catalyze further economic independence.

Summary

  • The partition of Bengal was enacted for administrative reasons but served as a mechanism to fracture Indian unity.
  • A larger socio-political movement known as the Swadeshi Movement emerged from this discontent.
  • The Swadeshi Movement had profound implications on literature, education, women's roles, and the conceptualization of national identity, leading to heightened awareness and eventual calls for Swaraj.

Exercises

  • Very Short Answer Questions:
    1. In which Viceroy’s time did the partition of Bengal take place?
    2. On which date in 1905 did the partition of Bengal come into force?
    3. In which meeting was the proposal of giving up foreign commodities accepted?
    4. Who was the editor of the journal Yugaantar published during the Swadeshi movement?
    5. When was the National Education Council (Jatiya Siksha Parisad) established in Bengal?
    6. Who was the main introducer of the industry named Bengal Chemicals?
    7. Under whose presidentship did the Indian National Congress accept the proposal of Swaraj for Indians?
    8. When did the unification of Bengal take place?
  • Short/Long Answer Type Questions:
    1. Discuss the intentions behind the partition of Bengal.
    2. Why was the anti-partition movement named the Swadeshi movement?
    3. Describe the contributions of the Swadeshi movement towards national education.
  • Write Short Notes On:
    1. Kabiguru Rabindranath Tagore
    2. Margaret Elizabeth Noble (Bhagini Nivedita)
    3. Nawab Salimullah

Concluding Note

  • The Swadeshi Movement demonstrated the efficacy of collective actions against colonial rule and laid the groundwork for future freedoms and national consciousness towards self-governance in India.