Partition of Bengal and The Swadeshi Movement

Partition of Bengal

With the partition of Bengal, Indian National Movement entered its second stage
On 20 July, 1905, Lord Curzon issued an order dividing the province of Bengal into two parts: Eastern Bengal and Assam with a Population of 31 mn and the rest of Bengal with a population of 54 mn.
Reason given: the existing province of Bengal was too big to be efficiently administered by a single provincial government
The partition expected to weaken the nerve centre of Indian Nationalism, Bengal.
The partition of the state intended to curb Bengali influence by not only placing Bengalis under two administrations but by reducing them to a minority in Bengal itself as in the new proposed Bengal proper was to have seventeen million Bengali and thirty seven million Oriya and Hindi speaking people.
The partition was also meant to foster division on the basis of religion.
Risley, Home Secretary to the GoI, said on December 6, 1904 – ‘one of our main objects is to split up and thereby weaken a solid body of opponents to our rule.’
the nationalists saw it as a deliberate attempt to divide the Bengalis territorially and on religious grounds

The Swadeshi Movement

The Swadeshi movement had its genesis in the anti-partition movement which was started to oppose the British decision to partition Bengal.
Mass protests were organized in opposition to the proposed partition.
Despite the protests, the decision to partition Bengal was announced on July 19, 1905
It became obvious to the nationalists that their moderate methods were not working and that a different kind of strategy was needed.
Several meetings were held in towns such as Dinajpur Pabna, Faridpur etc. It was in these meetings that the pledge to boycott foreign goods was first taken.
The formal proclamation of the Swadeshi movement was made on 7 August 1905 in a meeting held in the Calcutta town hall. The famous boycott resolution was passed.
The leaders like SN Banerjee toured the country urging the boycott of Manchester cloth and Liverpool salt.
The value of British cloth sold in some of the districts fell by five to fifteen times between September 1904 and September 1905.
The day the partition took effect – 16 October 1905 – was declared a day of mourning throughout Bengal.
The movement soon spread to the entire country.
Militant nationalists
- The extremists were in favor of extending the movement to the rest of India and carrying it beyond the programme of just Swadeshi and boycott to a full fledged political mass struggle. The moderates were not as willing to go that far.
- The differences between the extremists and moderates came to had in 1907 Surat session where the party split with serious consequences for the Swadeshi Movement.
- In Bengal, the extremists acquired a dominant influence over the Swadeshi movement.
- They proposed the technique of extended boycott which included, apart from boycott of foreign goods, boycott of government schools and colleges, courts, titles and government Services and even the organization of strikes.
- Aurobindo Ghose: Political freedom is the lifebreath of a nation.
- Boycott and public burning foreign cloth, picketing of shops selling foreign goods, became common in remote corners of Bengal as well as in many towns across the country.
- The militant nationslists, however, failed to give a positive Leadership to the people. They also failed to reach the real masses of the country, the peasants.
The movement also innovated with considerable success different forms of mass mobilization such as public meetings, processions and corps of volunteers.
The Swadesh Bandhab Samiti set up by Ashwini Kumar Dutt, a school teacher, in Barisal was the most well known volunteer organization.
During the Swadeshi period, traditional festivals were used to reach out to the masses. The Ganapati and Shivaji festivals were popularized by Tilak. Traditional folk theatres such as jatras were also used.
Another important aspect was the great emphasis given to self-reliance or Atmasakti as a necessary part of the struggle against the government.
Self-reliance was the keyword. Campaigns for social reforms were carried out.
In 1906, the National Council for Education was setup to organize the education system.
Self-reliance also meant an effort to set up Swadeshi or indigenous enterprises.
Marked impact in the cultural sphere
- The songs composed by Rabindranath Tago, Mukunda Das and others became the moving spirit for nationalists.
- Rabindranath’s ‘Amar Sonar Bangla’, written at that time, was to later inspire the liberation struggle of Bangladesh and was adopted as the National Anthem of the country in 1971.
- Nandalal Bose, who left a major imprint on Indian art, was the first recipient of a scholarship offered by the Society/”>Indian Society of Oriental Art founded in 1907.
The social base of the national movement was now extened to include certain zamindari section, lower middle class and school and college students. Women also participated in large numbers.
Drawback: Was not able to garner the support of the mass of Muslims, especially the muslim peasantry. The British policy of Communalism responsible for this.
By mid-1908, the movement was almost over. The main reasons were:
- The government, seeing the revolutionary potential of the movement, came down with a heavy hand.
- The split of the congress in 1907 had weakened the movement.
- The movement lacked an effective organization and party structure.
- The movement decline dpartially because of the logic of the Mass Movements itself – they cannot be endlessly sustained at the same pitch of militancy and self-sacrifice.
The anti-partition movement, however, marked a great revolutionary leap forward for Indian nationalism.
The decline of Swadeshi engendered the rise of Revolutionary Terrorism.
Assessing the movement
- Cultural impact
- Social Impact
- Economic impact
- Role of students and Women
- All India aspect of the movement
- From passive protest to active boycott

The Partition of Bengal and the Swadeshi Movement were two major events in Indian history. The Partition of Bengal was a political decision made by the British government in 1905 to divide the Indian province of Bengal into two parts. The Swadeshi Movement was a social and economic boycott of British goods and services that was launched in response to the Partition of Bengal.

The Partition of Bengal was caused by a number of factors, including the growing nationalist movement in India, the desire of the British government to divide and rule, and the economic rivalry between the Hindu and Muslim communities in Bengal.

The British government had been ruling India for over 100 years, and the Indian people were becoming increasingly dissatisfied with British rule. The Indian National Congress, a political party that had been founded in 1885, was leading the nationalist movement. The Congress was demanding greater self-government for India, and it was gaining support from more and more Indians.

The British government was concerned about the growing strength of the nationalist movement. In order to divide and weaken the movement, the British government decided to partition Bengal. The province of Bengal was the largest and most populous province in India, and it was also the center of the nationalist movement. By partitioning Bengal, the British government hoped to create two separate provinces, one with a Hindu majority and one with a Muslim majority. The British government believed that this would divide the nationalist movement and make it more difficult for the Congress to achieve its goals.

The Partition of Bengal was announced in July 1905. The province of Bengal was divided into two parts, East Bengal and West Bengal. East Bengal was predominantly Muslim, while West Bengal was predominantly Hindu. The capital of East Bengal was Dhaka, while the capital of West Bengal was Calcutta.

The Partition of Bengal was met with widespread protests from the Indian people. The Congress and other nationalist organizations condemned the partition, and they called for a boycott of British goods and services. The boycott was successful in raising awareness of the Indian nationalist cause and in promoting the use of Indian-made goods.

The Partition of Bengal also had a number of negative effects on India. The partition led to increased communal tension between Hindus and Muslims. There were riots and violence in many parts of Bengal. The partition also caused economic hardship for many Indians. Many people lost their jobs, and businesses were disrupted. The partition also led to political instability in India. The Congress and other nationalist organizations were demanding that the British government reverse the partition. The British government refused to do so, and this led to further tensions between the British government and the Indian people.

The Swadeshi Movement was a social and economic boycott of British goods and services that was launched in response to the Partition of Bengal. The movement was successful in raising awareness of the Indian nationalist cause and in promoting the use of Indian-made goods. However, the movement was ultimately unsuccessful in preventing the Partition of Bengal.

The Swadeshi Movement was led by a number of prominent Indian nationalists, including Mahatma Gandhi, Rabindranath Tagore, and Bipin Chandra Pal. Gandhi was a lawyer who had become involved in the nationalist movement in the early 1900s. He was a strong advocate of non-violence, and he believed that the Indian people could achieve independence through peaceful means. Tagore was a poet and writer who was also a strong advocate of Indian independence. He was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1913. Pal was a lawyer and politician who was also a strong advocate of Indian independence. He was a member of the Indian National Congress, and he was one of the leaders of the Swadeshi Movement.

The Swadeshi Movement began in 1905, shortly after the Partition of Bengal. The movement called for a boycott of British goods and services. The boycott was successful in raising awareness of the Indian nationalist cause and in promoting the use of Indian-made goods. The movement also led to the establishment of a number of Indian-owned businesses.

The Swadeshi Movement was ultimately unsuccessful in preventing the Partition of Bengal. However, the movement was a significant event in Indian history. The movement helped to raise awareness of the Indian nationalist cause and to promote the use of Indian-made goods. The movement also helped to unite the Indian people against British rule.

What is the Partition of Bengal?

The Partition of Bengal was a political event that took place in 1905. The British Indian Empire divided the Bengal Presidency into two new provinces, one predominantly Muslim and one predominantly Hindu. The partition was met with widespread protests and violence, and it was eventually reversed in 1911.

What was the Swadeshi Movement?

The Swadeshi Movement was a nationalist movement that began in India in 1905 in response to the Partition of Bengal. The movement called for Indians to boycott British goods and products, and to support Indian-made goods instead. The Swadeshi Movement was successful in raising awareness of Indian nationalism, and it helped to unite Indians against British rule.

What are some of the key events in the history of India?

Some of the key events in the history of India include:

The Indus Valley Civilization (3300-1900 BCE): This was one of the earliest civilizations in the world, and it was located in what is now Pakistan and northwestern India.
The Aryan Invasion (1500-1200 BCE): This was a period of time when Indo-Aryan peoples migrated to India from Central Asia.
The Mauryan Empire (321-185 BCE): This was the first major Indian empire, and it was ruled by Chandragupta Maurya and his grandson, Ashoka the Great.
The Gupta Empire (320-550 CE): This was a golden age of Indian culture and Learning.
The Islamic conquest of India (11th-16th centuries CE): This was a period of time when Muslim invaders from Central Asia conquered much of India.
The Mughal Empire (1526-1857 CE): This was the last major Indian empire, and it was ruled by Akbar the Great, Jahangir, Shah Jahan, and Aurangzeb.
The British Raj (1857-1947 CE): This was the period of time when India was ruled by the British Empire.
The Indian independence movement (1857-1947 CE): This was a movement that sought to end British rule in India.
The Partition of India (1947): This was the division of British India into two independent countries, India and Pakistan.
The Indo-Pakistani War of 1947: This was a war between India and Pakistan that was fought shortly after the Partition of India.
The Kargil War (1999): This was a war between India and Pakistan that was fought over the disputed territory of Kargil.

What are some of the challenges facing India today?

Some of the challenges facing India today include:

POVERTY: India is one of the poorest countries in the world, and millions of Indians live in poverty.
Illiteracy: India has a high rate of illiteracy, especially among women.
Corruption: Corruption is a major problem in India, and it affects all levels of government.
Terrorism: India is facing a growing threat from terrorism, especially from Islamic militants.
Climate change: India is one of the countries that is most vulnerable to the effects of Climate Change.

What are some of the opportunities for India in the future?

Some of the opportunities for India in the future include:

Economic Growth: India is one of the fastest growing economies in the world, and there are many opportunities for businesses to invest in India.
Human Resources: India has a large and young population, which provides a great workforce for businesses.
Natural Resources: India is rich in natural resources, such as coal, iron Ore, and oil.
Technology: India is a leader in information technology, and there are many opportunities for businesses to develop and use technology in India.
Tourism: India is a popular tourist destination, and there are many opportunities for businesses to develop and promote tourism in India.

Sure, here are some MCQs about the Partition of Bengal and the Swadeshi Movement:

The Partition of Bengal was a political event that took place in 1905. Which of the following is NOT a reason for the Partition of Bengal?
(A) To weaken the Indian National Congress
(B) To appease the Muslim League
(C) To increase British control over India
(D) To improve the Economic Development of Bengal
The Swadeshi Movement was a boycott of British goods that began in 1905 in response to the Partition of Bengal. Which of the following is NOT a goal of the Swadeshi Movement?
(A) To promote Indian-made goods
(B) To reduce India’s dependence on Britain
(C) To create a sense of national unity among Indians
(D) To overthrow British rule in India
The Partition of Bengal and the Swadeshi Movement were both important events in Indian history. Which of the following is NOT a similarity between the two events?
(A) Both events were caused by British rule in India
(B) Both events led to increased Indian nationalism
(C) Both events had a significant impact on Indian society
(D) Both events were met with violence and repression by the British
The Partition of Bengal and the Swadeshi Movement were both important events in Indian history. Which of the following is NOT a difference between the two events?
(A) The Partition of Bengal was a political event, while the Swadeshi Movement was an economic and social movement.
(B) The Partition of Bengal was imposed by the British, while the Swadeshi Movement was a spontaneous movement by Indians.
(C) The Partition of Bengal led to violence and bloodshed, while the Swadeshi Movement was largely peaceful.
(D) The Partition of Bengal had a long-term impact on Indian history, while the Swadeshi Movement was a short-lived movement.
The Partition of Bengal and the Swadeshi Movement were both important events in Indian history. Which of the following is the most important lesson that we can learn from these events?
(A) That British rule in India was oppressive and exploitative.
(B) That Indians are capable of great unity and strength in the face of adversity.
(C) That economic boycotts and other forms of nonviolent resistance can be effective in achieving political goals.
(D) That all people have the right to self-determination and independence.