- Partition announced by Lord Curzon (1905)
- Swadeshi and Boycott movement: use of indigenous goods
- Mass mobilisation: students, women, national schools
- Growth of extremist leadership: Tilak, Bipin Chandra Pal, Lajpat Rai
- Anti-Partition agitation: newspapers, songs, bonfires
- Annulment of Partition (1911), capital shifted to Delhi
- Partition of Bengal & Swadeshi Movement (1905–1911)
Background
The late 19th and early 20th centuries were marked by a growing sense of nationalism in India. The Indian National Congress, founded in 1885, had begun to articulate the demands of the Indian people for greater self-governance and representation. The British colonial government, however, was resistant to these demands and sought ways to maintain control over the Indian population. One such strategy was the partition of Bengal in 1905, which was announced by Lord Curzon, the Viceroy of India.
Partition Announced by Lord Curzon (1905)
Reasons for the Partition:
Administrative Efficiency:
- Lord Curzon argued that partition was necessary to improve administrative efficiency. Bengal was one of the largest provinces in British India, and it was claimed that it was too large to be effectively governed from a single administrative center.
Economic Development:
- The British government claimed that the partition would facilitate better economic development, particularly in the eastern part of Bengal, which was less developed compared to the western part.
Political Divide:
- Some historians suggest that the partition was a strategic move to divide the Bengali-speaking population and weaken the growing nationalist movement. By creating a Muslim-majority East Bengal and a Hindu-majority West Bengal, the British hoped to create divisions and reduce the strength of the Indian nationalist movement.
Details of the Partition:
- Date of Announcement:
- July 19, 1905
- Implementation Date:
- October 16, 1905
- New Provinces:
- West Bengal (with a Hindu majority)
- East Bengal and Assam (with a Muslim majority)
Swadeshi and Boycott Movement: Use of Indigenous Goods
Objectives:
- Promotion of Indian Industries:
- The Swadeshi Movement aimed to promote Indian-made goods and reduce dependence on British imports. This was seen as a way to economically weaken British rule and support Indian industries.
- Boycott of British Goods:
- The Boycott Movement called for the rejection of British goods, institutions, and services. This included boycotting British educational institutions, law courts, and administrative offices.
Key Actions:
- Burning of British Goods:
- Public bonfires were organized to burn British goods, symbolizing the rejection of British economic policies.
- Promotion of Khadi:
- Khadi, or hand-spun and hand-woven cloth, became a symbol of the Swadeshi Movement. Leaders like Rabindranath Tagore and Aurobindo Ghose encouraged the use of khadi and the establishment of indigenous industries.
- Establishment of National Schools:
- National schools were set up to provide education that was free from British influence. These schools aimed to instill a sense of national pride and cultural identity among students.
Mass Mobilisation: Students, Women, National Schools
Students:
- Role in Protests:
- Students played a crucial role in the anti-partition agitation. They organized strikes, processions, and public meetings to protest against the partition.
- Youth Organizations:
- Youth organizations like the Anushilan Samiti and Jugantar were formed to channel the energy of young people into the nationalist movement.
Women:
- Participation in Protests:
- Women actively participated in the Swadeshi and Boycott movements. They organized meetings, distributed literature, and encouraged the use of indigenous goods.
- Leadership:
- Notable women leaders like Sarala Devi Chaudhurani and Nirmala Devi played significant roles in mobilizing women and spreading the message of Swadeshi.
National Schools:
- Establishment:
- National schools were established to provide an alternative to British educational institutions. These schools aimed to instill a sense of national pride and cultural identity among students.
- Curriculum:
- The curriculum in national schools focused on Indian history, literature, and science, promoting a more indigenous and nationalist education.
Growth of Extremist Leadership: Tilak, Bipin Chandra Pal, Lajpat Rai
Bal Gangadhar Tilak:
- Philosophy:
- Tilak was a prominent leader of the extremist faction of the Indian National Congress. He advocated for aggressive and direct action against British rule.
- Role in Swadeshi:
- Tilak played a key role in promoting the Swadeshi Movement. He organized public meetings and wrote extensively in his newspaper, Kesari, to mobilize the masses.
Bipin Chandra Pal:
- Philosophy:
- Pal was another leader of the extremist faction. He emphasized the importance of self-reliance and the need for Indians to take control of their own destiny.
- Role in Swadeshi:
- Pal was a vocal supporter of the Swadeshi Movement and worked to spread its message through public speeches and writings.
Lala Lajpat Rai:
- Philosophy:
- Lajpat Rai, known as the “Lion of Punjab,” was a leader of the extremist faction and a strong advocate for Indian independence.
- Role in Swadeshi:
- Lajpat Rai organized protests and boycotts in Punjab and other parts of India. He also wrote extensively on the need for economic self-reliance and the importance of the Swadeshi Movement.
Anti-Partition Agitation: Newspapers, Songs, Bonfires
Newspapers:
- Key Publications:
- Amrita Bazar Patrika
- The Bengalee
- Sanjivani
- Impact:
- These newspapers published editorials, articles, and letters from prominent leaders and ordinary citizens, highlighting the injustices of the partition and calling for unity and resistance.
Songs:
- Famous Compositions:
- “Amar Sonar Bangla” by Rabindranath Tagore
- Other notable songs by various poets and musicians
- Role in Mobilization:
- Songs were sung at public gatherings, meetings, and processions, serving as a powerful tool to inspire and unite the masses.
Bonfires:
- Symbolic Acts:
- Public bonfires were organized to burn British goods, such as cloth and other imported items. These acts were symbolic of the people’s rejection of British economic policies and their commitment to swadeshi.
- Impact:
- The bonfires not only had a psychological impact but also helped to reduce the demand for British goods, thereby supporting Indian industries.
Annulment of Partition (1911), Capital Shifted to Delhi
Reasons for Annulment:
- Public Pressure:
- The sustained pressure from the Indian public and the widespread resistance forced the British government to reconsider its decision.
- Political Consequences:
- The partition had led to the formation of the All India Muslim League in 1906, which initially supported the partition but later became a significant political force in the struggle for independence.
Announcement of Annulment:
- Date:
- December 12, 1911
- Event:
- The decision was made public at the Delhi Durbar, a grand ceremonial event held to celebrate the coronation of King George V.
Shift of Capital:
- Reason:
- The shift of the capital from Calcutta to Delhi was part of the same announcement. This move was intended to reduce the influence of the Bengali nationalist movement and to centralize British administration.
- Impact:
- The shift of the capital was seen as a significant symbolic gesture, indicating the British government’s recognition of the strength of the Indian nationalist movement.
Tables
Reasons for the Partition of Bengal (1905)
| Reason | Explanation |
| Administrative Efficiency | Bengal was one of the largest provinces, and it was claimed that it was too large to be effectively governed from a single administrative center. |
| Economic Development | The partition was intended to facilitate better economic development, particularly in the eastern part of Bengal, which was less developed. |
| Political Divide | The partition aimed to divide the Bengali-speaking population and weaken the growing nationalist movement by creating a Muslim-majority East Bengal and a Hindu-majority West Bengal. |
Key Actions of the Swadeshi and Boycott Movement
| Action | Explanation |
| Burning of British Goods | Public bonfires were organized to burn British goods, symbolizing the rejection of British economic policies. |
| Promotion of Khadi | Khadi, or hand-spun and hand-woven cloth, became a symbol of the Swadeshi Movement. Leaders encouraged the use of khadi and the establishment of indigenous industries. |
| Establishment of National Schools | National schools were set up to provide an alternative to British educational institutions, focusing on Indian history, literature, and science. |
Leaders of the Extremist Faction
| Leader | Philosophy | Role in Swadeshi |
| Bal Gangadhar Tilak | Advocated for aggressive and direct action against British rule. | Organized public meetings and wrote extensively in Kesari to mobilize the masses. |
| Bipin Chandra Pal | Emphasized the importance of self-reliance and the need for Indians to take control of their own destiny. | Vocal supporter of the Swadeshi Movement, spreading its message through public speeches and writings. |
| Lala Lajpat Rai | Strong advocate for Indian independence, known as the “Lion of Punjab.” | Organized protests and boycotts in Punjab and other parts of India, writing extensively on economic self-reliance. |
Tools of Anti-Partition Agitation
| Tool | Explanation |
| Newspapers | Key publications like Amrita Bazar Patrika, The Bengalee, and Sanjivani published editorials and articles to mobilize public opinion against the partition. |
| Songs | Notable compositions like “Amar Sonar Bangla” by Rabindranath Tagore were sung at public gatherings, inspiring and uniting the masses. |
| Bonfires | Public bonfires were organized to burn British goods, symbolizing the rejection of British economic policies and supporting Indian industries. |
Conclusion
The Partition of Bengal and the subsequent Swadeshi and Boycott movements (1905–1911) were pivotal in the Indian struggle for independence. The partition, announced by Lord Curzon, was a strategic move by the British to divide and weaken the nationalist movement. However, it backfired, leading to widespread resistance and the growth of a more radical and determined nationalist leadership. The use of newspapers, songs, and bonfires as tools of resistance demonstrated the creativity and unity of the Indian people. The annulment of the partition in 1911, along with the shift of the capital to Delhi, marked a significant victory for the Indian nationalist movement and laid the groundwork for future struggles against colonial rule. The period from 1905 to 1911 was a crucial phase in the development of Indian nationalism, characterized by mass mobilization, the rise of extremist leaders, and a strong commitment to economic and cultural self-reliance.
MCQ
1.The use of festivals like Ganesh Utsav and Shivaji Jayanti during the Swadeshi Movement was primarily aimed at:
(a) Religious revivalism.
(b) Promoting British cultural values.
(c) Mobilizing masses and fostering national unity.
(d) Celebrating regional deities.
Answer: (c) Mobilizing masses and fostering national unity.
Explanation: Leaders like Bal Gangadhar Tilak utilized popular festivals to bring people together, instill national pride, and spread the message of self-reliance.
2.Which of the following institutions was established as a direct outcome of the Swadeshi Movement’s emphasis on national education?
(a) Banaras Hindu University.
(b) National Council of Education, Bengal.
(c) Aligarh Muslim University.
(d) Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore.
Answer: (b) National Council of Education, Bengal.
Explanation: In response to the Swadeshi Movement’s call for national education, the National Council of Education was established in Bengal to promote indigenous learning.
3.Which of the following was NOT a method employed during the Swadeshi Movement?
(a) Boycott of British goods.
(b) Promotion of indigenous industries.
(c) Armed rebellion against British officials.
(d) Establishment of national educational institutions.
Answer: (c) Armed rebellion against British officials.
Explanation: While the Swadeshi Movement involved economic and educational initiatives, it did not officially endorse armed rebellion, although some revolutionary activities occurred independently.
4.Which of the following leaders was associated with the Swadeshi Movement in the Madras Presidency?
(a) Chidambaram Pillai
(b) Bal Gangadhar Tilak
(c) Lala Lajpat Rai
(d) Bipin Chandra Pal
Answer: (a) Chidambaram Pillai
Explanation: Chidambaram Pillai led the Swadeshi Movement in the Madras Presidency.
