Topic of the Assignment #2

“Partition of Bengal and Annulment of Partition”

Following points should be covered in a brief manner while

preparation of an assignment. Also highlight each point with separate
heading.

Q1: Background of the Partition of Bengal (1905)

(Means why did the Britishers take the decision to split up Bengal into
two parts eastern and western?)

The decision to split Bengal came in July and by October 16, 1905, Bengal had been divided
into Piston Bengal and Assam (with a population of 31 million) and the rest of Bengal (with a
population of the 4 million of who 18 million were Bengalis, and 36 million Biharis and
Oriyas).
 The decision had come after Lord Curzon claimed that Bengal was too large to be
governed effectively
Divide and rule
 The partition separated the largely Muslim eastern areas from the largely Hindu
western areas
 It was definitely the 'divide and rule' policy for the Indians and the whole population
was outraged about the fact that the colonisers were turning native population
against itself in order to rule.
 The provincial state of Bengal had a population of nearly 80 million at that time
 It included the Hindi-speaking regions of Bihar, the Odia-speaking regions of Odisha
and the Assamese-speaking region of Assam
 The government announced the idea for partition in January 1904
 The idea was opposed by Henry John Stedman Cotton, Chief Commissioner of Assam
 But the Partition of Bengal went on to happen on October 16, 1905 by Viceroy Curzon
 The former province of Bengal was divided into two new provinces -- 'Bengal' (which
comprises of western Bengal and the province of Bihar and Orissa) and Eastern Bengal
and Assam, with Dacca as the capital of the latter.

Q2: Reaction of Hindus and Muslims over the Partition

(Reason of Hindu agitation and the gesture of the Muslims)
Muslim Reaction:

 It received a favorable response from the Muslims. It was thought that it would bring
the emancipation of Muslims socially and economically. The Muslims welcomed the
Partition of Bengal for the following reasons:
 In the majority province of East Bengal the Muslims would be free from Hindu
dominance in economic field. They would get opportunities of services and
advancement of agriculture.
 The city of Dacca, where the Muslims were in majority was the centre of Muslim
culture. In Dacca Muslims had a great chance of success for social and cultural
advancement than in Calcutta.
 The Partition could result in political uplift and securing represent action in the
Government.
 The partition of Bengal relieved the Muslims from competing with Hindus, who were
more advanced in every field of life.

Hindus Reaction:

 The Hindus did not accept it, as it dealt a telling blow to their monopolies and
exclusive hold on economic, social, Political life of the whole of Bengal. They called it
as a deliberate attempt by British Government
 The Partition of Bengal had brightened the possibility of betterment of Muslims; while
the Hindu landlords, capitalists and traders wanted status quo and to continue the
exploitation of the Muslims.
 Hindu lawyers also reacted to the partition of Bengal because they thought that the
new province would have its separate courts and thus their practice would be
affected.
 Hindu press was not different from that of Hindu advocates. Hindus had their
monopoly over almost whole of the province press. They were afraid that new
newspapers would be established which would decrease their income naturally.
 The Hindus launched Swadeshi Movement whose sole purpose was to boycott of
British goods.

Q3: Outcome of the partition with reference to both nations

(Means what advantages Muslim gained and what disadvantages
Hindus assumed)
Following the partition of Bengal between the Hindu-majority West Bengal and the Muslim-
majority East Bengal, there was an influx of refugees from both sides. An estimation suggests
that before Partition, West Bengal had a population of 21.2 million, of whom 5.3 million, or
roughly 25 percent, were Muslim minorities, and East Bengal had 39.1 million people, of
whom 11.4 million, or roughly 30 percent, were predominantly Hindu minorities. Nearly 5
million Hindus have left Pakistan's East Bengal for India's West Bengal region, and about 2
million Muslims have left India's West Bengal for Pakistan's East Bengal region immediately
after Partition because of violence and rioting resulting from mobs supporting West Bengal
and East Bengal.
An estimated 30 lakh Hindu refugees had entered West Bengal by 1960, and close to 7 lakh
Muslims left for East Pakistan. The refugee influx in Bengal was also accompanied by the fact
that the government was less prepared to rehabilitate them, which resulted in huge housing
and sanitation problems for the millions, most of whom were owners of large property back
in East Bengal.
During East Pakistan riot of 1964, it is estimated according to Indian authorities, 135,000
Hindu refugees arrived in West Bengal from East Pakistan, and the Muslims started to
migrate to East Pakistan from West Bengal. According to Pakistani figures, 43,000 Muslim
refugees have arrived from West Bengal since 1 January.

Q4: Annulment of Partition (1911)

(Means Final decision to combine again both parts, western and
eastern into single state)

When Lord Hardinage assumed charge as Governor General of India Hindus again became
active and sent a representation to him for the annulment of partition of Bengal. He
recommended the same to the British Prime Minister for Indian Affairs. On the occasion of
the visiting His Majesty George V to Indo-Pakistan and holding of Darbar at Delhi on
12th December 1911 the partition of Bengal was cancelled.

 The united Bengal was placed under a Governor and Assam was placed under a Chief
Commissioner. This decision was shattering blow to Muslims. It left them sullen and
disillusioned. Their anger and indignation had widespread repercussions. The Muslims
leaders and intelligentsia condemned the decision as betrayal of worst kind.