Partition of Bengal 1905 History, Causes and Conclusion

Events during India’s freedom struggle constitute an important part of India’s Modern History, and one such event is the partition of Bengal, the British divided Bengal into two regions in 20 July 1905, against the objections of many Indians. Because Bengal, Bihar, and Orissa combined were too large to manage, the British aimed to simplify government.

As a result of the partition, East Bengal was created as a separate region, while the rest was merged into West Bengal and Bihar. This division also played a role in shifting the political ideology from moderates to extremists in India. For more detailed information about the reasons, consequences, and British strategy behind the 1905 Bengal Partition, read this article. It will help you in your preparation for the UPSC CSE prelims and mains GS1.

Partition of Bengal 1905 Background

Causes of the Partition of Bengal

In 1905, Lord Curzon, the British ruler of India, decided to divide Bengal to improve governance, especially in the eastern part, which was considered poorly managed. Bengal was a large region, similar in size to France, and had a diverse population. The division sparked strong reactions: many Bengalis felt insulted and wanted the region to remain united. Rabindranath Tagore’s song “Amar Sonar Bangla” became a symbol of this unity. The Indian National Congress opposed the partition, as did most Bengalis in the western part. However, some Bengali Muslims supported the division, hoping it would benefit them, especially after Lord Curzon promised to build a university in Dhaka. Most people in India saw the partition as a British strategy to divide and control them. This led to the Swadeshi and Boycott movements, where people rejected British goods and supported local industries. The partition also deepened religious and political divides, contributing to the formation of the Muslim League in 1906.

Reasons for partition of Bengal

Religious, political, and social differences between Hindus and Muslims played a major role in the partition of India in 1947. Over time, the two communities grew further apart due to differences in their beliefs, practices, and economic conditions. These tensions were made worse by the rise of Muslim nationalism in the early 1900s. Politically, the Indian National Congress, which was dominated by Hindus, and the All-India Muslim League, founded in 1906 to represent Muslim interests, had conflicting views on how power should be shared in a united India.

The British colonial policy of “divide and rule” also contributed to the divide, as the British supported Muslim separatism to weaken the growing nationalist movement. Economically, Hindus and Muslims often lived in separate areas and had different interests, with Hindus more involved in trade and industry, while Muslims were largely focused on agriculture. Socially, the caste system among Hindus created another layer of division, as Muslims did not follow such practices. Language differences, along with the diversity of cultures and traditions in India, further deepened the rift between the communities, leading to the eventual partition of the country.

Partition of Bengal Date

The Partition of Bengal took place on October 16, 1905, when the British divided the large province of Bengal into two parts: East Bengal and West Bengal. The British, led by Lord Curzon, did this to weaken the growing independence movement and to balance the Hindu and Muslim populations. Bengal was very large, including Bengal, Bihar, and Orissa, making it difficult to govern. So, the British decided to split it into smaller regions for better management.

Impact of Partition of Bengal 1905

On October 16, 1905, Bengal was divided into two halves by British ruler Lord Curzon. This division was primarily created to increase administrative effectiveness. Bengal, with its large size and population, was split to create a more manageable governance structure in the eastern region.

• The division of Bengal sparked significant political unrest and widespread opposition across the region.
• Bengalis perceived the partition as an affront to their nationhood and called for the reunification of Bengal.
• The Indian National Congress, a prominent political entity of the era, decried the partition on racial grounds.
• The majority of Bengalis in the western part of the province opposed the division, fearing they would become a linguistic minority within their province.
• Many Bengali Muslims supported the partition, viewing it as a means to advance their educational, economic, and political interests by achieving majority status in the new province though a few also opposed it and viewed it as an attack.
• Lord Curzon’s pledge to establish a university in Dhaka was seen as an avenue for Muslims to enhance their education and living standards.
• The partition of Bengal was perceived as a tactic employed by the British government to implement their “divide and rule” strategy, aimed at weakening nationalist sentiments within the nation.
• Opposition to the partition spurred the emergence of nationalist organizations like the Swadeshi and Boycott movements, which advocated for boycotting British goods and fostering Indian industries.
• The religious schisms resulting from the partition also contributed to the formation of the Muslim League in 1906.

Role of Lord Curzon in Bengal Partition

During Lord Curzon’s tenure as Viceroy of India from 1899 to 1905, he left a lasting impact on the country’s history as it was his decision to announce the Partition of Bengal in 1905 sparked widespread protests, marking a contentious period, he did so by citing the reasons for difficulty in administration of such large area and population. However, amid the turmoil, Curzon demonstrated an unmatched understanding of India, as recognized by his contemporaries due to his extensive knowledge. Notably, he authored three insightful books on Asian issues.

Under his rule, several significant milestones were achieved, including the implementation of the Calcutta Corporation Act in 1899, the establishment of the University Commission and Police Commission in 1902, the passing of the Ancient Monuments Preservation Act in 1904, and the initiation of Younghusband’s mission to Tibet in 1904. These events collectively shaped India’s trajectory during his administration.

Partition of Bengal 1905 Reaction 

The 1905 Partition of Bengal led to widespread protests and sparked the Swadeshi Movement, uniting Indians against British rule.

Partition of Bengal 1905 Annulled

Response of Muslim Bengalis to the Partition of Bengal (1905)

When the British proposed the partition of Bengal in 1905, many Muslim organizations initially opposed it. Leaders like Chowdhury Kazemuddin Ahmed Siddiky and Delwar Hossain Ahmed feared that partition would harm Bengali unity and reduce opportunities for Muslims in East Bengal.

However, when British officials promised a separate Muslim-majority province with its own capital in Dacca, many educated Muslims began to support the idea. In 1905, the Mohammedan Literary Society issued a manifesto backing the partition, and the Mohammedan Provincial Union was formed, with Nawab Bahadur Sir Khwaja Salimullah as its leader. This union sought to unite Muslim voices and promote their interests.

While most Muslims supported the partition, a few prominent figures, like Khwaja Atiqullah and Abdur Rasul, opposed it, fearing it would divide the Muslim community. Some Muslim leaders, including AK Fazlul Huq and Nibaran Chandra Das, worked for Hindu-Muslim unity. The partition, however, offered East Bengal an opportunity to address Muslim concerns that had been overlooked in the united Bengal.

By 1911, the British reversed the partition, and Bengal was reunified. Many Muslims were disappointed, feeling that the government’s decision to end the Muslim-majority province was a compromise with Hindu demands. Despite this, Muslim representation in government positions increased, with Muslims occupying a larger share of civil service appointments.

The partition of Bengal in 1905 led to greater political divisions, and after the introduction of separate electorates in 1909, Muslims began demanding greater autonomy. This set the stage for the eventual partition of India in 1947, which created Pakistan, and later, Bangladesh in 1971.

Outcome

The 1905 partition of Bengal was meant to weaken Bengali nationalism, but it instead strengthened resistance, especially from Congress extremists. Although the partition was reversed in 1911, it helped form a unified Bengali nationalist identity and boosted separatist Muslim politics, ultimately leading to the creation of Pakistan in 1947 and Bangladesh in 1971.

Resolution about Partition of Bengal

On June 20, 1947, the Bengal Legislative Assembly voted on the proposal to partition Bengal. The joint session of all members saw 126 votes against and 90 votes in favor of partitioning Bengal and joining India’s Constituent Assembly. In a separate session, the Muslim-majority areas voted 106–35 against partition, wanting to join Pakistan’s Constituent Assembly. Meanwhile, the non-Muslim-majority areas voted 58–21 in favor of partition. According to the Mountbatten Plan, a majority vote from either side would decide the partition, so the result on June 20 led to the division of Bengal. This created West Bengal in India and East Bengal in Pakistan.

A referendum on July 6 saw Sylhet vote to join East Bengal, and the Boundary Commission, led by Sir Cyril Radcliffe, set the borders. Power was transferred to India and Pakistan on August 14 and 15, 1947, under the Indian Independence Act.

Bengal Partition and Swadeshi Movement

• Bengali Hindus spearheaded the movement for increased participation in administration, while Muslims advocated for the partition to establish Muslim rule in the East as they thought that they would get more advanced opportunities for education and jobs in their own majority-ruled area.
• Following the partition, a nationwide anti-British movement erupted, marked by boycotts, protests, and an assassination attempt on the head of West Bengal province.
• The partition of Bengal endured for only five years.
• And was reunited in 1911.
• Separate elections for Hindus and Muslims were introduced in 1919, exacerbating communal divisions.
• The call for two separate states, one for Hindus and one for Muslims, gained momentum nationwide.
• In 1947, Bengal underwent religious partition again, resulting in the formation of East Pakistan.
• Partition often exacerbates existing problems and deepens societal rifts.
• The Bengal Partition resulted in bloodshed, loss of lives, and a fractured community.

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