My answer: (b) Why was Bengal partitioned in 1905?

[7] (b) Bengal was the largest province in the Indian subcontinent in 1905 in the southern part of the country. Bengal was a majorly Hindu dominated province with a total population of 84 million of which 54 million were Hindus. The new British government that came into power felt that the province was too vast in both size and population to govern or administer effectively hence it needed to be divided into two parts namely, East Bengal and West Bengal. This partition was put into effect in 1905 by Viceroy Lord Curzon. East Bengal joined with Assam therefore became a Muslim dominated province with 18 million Muslims compared to 12 million Hindus whereas; West Bengal was dominated by Hindus with 42 million Hindus and 12 million Muslims. The Hindus saw this as a betrayal to the Hindus and regarded it as a move which had sinister motives behind it. They believed it had nothing to do with administrative efficiency but rather, the British were imposing their divide and rule policy to disunite the Indian peoples and deny the Hindus any real power. The Muslims on the other hand were delighted with the partition as their position had improved over night and saw this as a British attempt to recognize the Muslims after years of mistrust and domination by the Hindus.

Marking scheme:
(b) Why was Bengal partitioned in 1905? LEVEL 1: Simplistic statement [1] It wanted to be free. LEVEL 2: Identifies reasons [24] It was too large and Hindus were in the majority. LEVEL 3: Explains reasons [57] Of the 54 million people in Bengal 42 million were Hindus. It seemed sensible to divide up the province on religious grounds and also because it was becoming very large and producing significant administrative problems. By doing this it was felt that the province would be easier to administer especially at the time of a new British government in power. The Hindus saw it as a policy of Divide and Rule, an attempt by the British to work against the Hindus. The Muslims felt that it was a British attempt to recognize the Muslims after years of mistrust and domination by the Hindus.