“

History is cinematic and historical

developments are absolutely
unpredictable. That is why History
is such an  interesting discipline
and worth nurturing but the
frustrating thing is that nobody
learns from it. 

-Professor Sharifuddin
Ahmed, DHP, nsu
 Webinar on
“The Partition of
Bengal, 1905 and the
Foundation of Dhaka
University,1921”

Date: 31st May’21

 HELLO!
I am Dr. Sharifuddin Ahmed.
I am here because I love to give presentations on History.

3
Historical background of the Partition of
Bengal 1905

Formation of Dhaka University 1921

George Nathaniel Curzon

(11 Jan 1859-20 March 1955)
Viceroy of India from 1899-1905

4
5
 Problems of Administration
➢ Growth of British territory
➢ Lack of policy & ideas of administration
➢ Extra-ordinary growth of Bengal
presidency
➢ Improper administrative structure &
neglect of governance
➢ Natural calamities-Famine of
Orissha/Odisha

Map of East Bengal & Assam

 Famines
➢Famine of 1770 in Bengal
➢Famine of 1866 in Orissa
➢Famine of 1943 in Bengal
Ideas of Administrative Changes & reshaping the map of India

Bengal presidency map 1900-1904

Curzon hall in 1908 Lord Curzon Dhaka university in 1930
Map of Partition of Bengal 1905
 Prelude
 Beginning of British Rule
 Policies & major events
 Pre-Diwani period
 Evolution of East India companies,
Monopoly of trades and business.
 EI Company’s control over Opium
Trade
 Famine of 1770
 Permanent settlement of 1793
 Introduction of Western education
 Foundation of Universities
 Social & Cultural Developments & Growth of Calcutta
➢ Rise of Hindu middle ➢ The attempt of
class Hindu middle class
➢ Awareness of the Muslim & Hindu
community intelligentsia to
become the leader of
➢ Growth of Calcutta city
Bengali nation as
& the rise of powerful well as of new India
Hindu middle class
➢ The rise of local press &
media
Map of Bengal 1905-1911
Calcutta madrasa in early Kolkata in early 20th century
20th century

Anglicized Indians of Kolkata

in early 20th century

Presidency College in early Fort William in early 20th century

20th century
 Reason of Formation of East Bengal
Bengal united is a power; Bengal divided will pull in several
different ways. That is perfectly true and is one of merits of the
scheme; the only rejoinder that I can think of is that Bengal is
very densely populated; that eastern Bengal is the most densely
populated portion, that it needs room for expansion towards the
East. So far from hindering national development we are really
given it greater scope, and enabling Bengal to absorb Assam.
.

15
60.0

50.0

40.0

30.0

20.0

10.0

0.00
sh ia ina ar nd
l
de pa
la Ind Ch nm a ila Ne
ng ya Th
Ba M

Comparative percentage of Area of Jute Production 1860-1992

East Bengal and Assam
Partition & it’s Aftermath

Response of Hindu Community

Response of Muslim Community

Response of Government
Muslim Community

Government Community

Hindu Community
 Educational Growth & Development

Sl Educational Increasing Number

.
1. Primary stage of Muslim students 53%
2. Primary stage of Muslim students 27-36%
3. Number of educational institutions for 22,141 - 24,550
Muslims
4. Number of Public Institution in Chittagong, 12.6 %, 15.2%, and
Dhaka, Rajshahi 1.9% respectively.
5. Number of pupils learning English in public 72,019 -140,235
schools
 250,000 rupees
Colonial government sanctioned as loans to the Muslim
peasants of Mymensingh in East Bengal.

57%
Colonial government increased expenditure on Islamic
primary education.
Role of Viceroy Hardinge
Outbreak of first world war
Passing of Dhaka
University bill 1920 by the
Government India
Reaction of the Muslim
Community to annulment
of partition.
Proposal of Dhaka
University on imperial
compensation for the
annulment of the partition.
Postponement of Nathan
Comity report
Formation of Nathan
Commission
Appointment of Sadler
commision
Annulment of Partition of December 1911

Delhi Darbar in 1911

Journey of Dhaka University from
1st July 1921
 Students of DU 1990-2000
Student of DU 1920-1930

100 years Students of DU 1980-1990

of Dhaka
University

Students of DU 1970-1980
Students of DU 1940-1950 Students of DU 1960-1970
Balliol College & it’s surroundings
 Whether the present Dhaka University can be
considered as “Oxford of the East” may be subject
of serious soul-searching but it is a fact that today
the University of Dhaka is widely known and well
recognized throughout the length and breadth of
the academic world. It is also true that the
University has lived up-to its origin by
continuously contributing politically to the welfare
and distinctiveness of the community which it
served. It was established from a political view
point and it has served its clientele extremely well
politically. But for Dhaka University, the emergence
and prosperity of Bangladesh which we now
observe might never have become a reality.
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Bangladesh National Flag
Lord Curzon Balliol College, Oxford Dr. Sharifuddin Ahmed
 THANKS!
For Your Precious Time
Hope you have liked it!