Partition Of Bengal (Continued : Pakistan Movement)

The Partition Of Bengal, 1905

The administrative problem that faced Lord Curzon, the Viceroy of India, was the bigness of the Bengal presidency. The area of the presidency was too large, the population was too dense, and the communication was too difficult. The Bengal with a population of 54 million, of which 42 million were Hindus and 9 million Muslims, and Eastern Bengal and Assam, with a population of 31 million of which 18 million were Muslims and 12 Million Hindus. The territories to be transferred from Bengal to the new province consisted of the districts of Chittagong and Dhaka divisions, those of Raj-shahi division except Darjeeling, and the district of Malda.

This scheme was sent to London by Lord Curzon in February, 1905. It was sanctioned bu the Secretary of State for India, St. John Brodrick, in June, and the proclamation of the formation of the new province was issued in September. The province of Eastern Bengal and Assam came into being on 16 October, 1905.

Muslim Reaction Toward Partition:

The new province if Eastern Bengal brought happier prospects of political and economic life for the Muslims. The Muslims turned into majority by the creations of new province. The partition of Bengal provided chances of great progress to the Muslims who formed the majority group in the new setup. In the combined province of Bengal, the Muslims were a suppressed class of society. The Hindus had monopolized trade and government services which aggravated the economic condition of the Muslims. The partition of Bengal provided them with a chance to rehabilitate their social position. They hoped that their social status would get a tremendous boost in the new province. The Muslims expressed their utmost happiness over the partition of Bengal. They offered their gratification in the loyal way to the government for taking a step for their social, economic and political uplift.

Hindu Reaction Toward Partition:

The Hindus reacted toward the partition of Bengal in a hostile and violent manner. The Hindus could never support a move which was to bring prosperity and happiness to the Muslims. The reasons for Hindus opposition to the partition were as follows:

1. The Hindus believed that they would come under the domination of the Muslim majority in the new province and their superior position would be downgraded to the inferior status.
2. As the provincial High Court and other judicial bodies were to be shifted to Dhaka, the Hindu lawyers feared that their legal practice would be affected.
3. Since Dhaka was to become the center of journalistic and other academic activities, the Hindu press and media believed that from now onward the Muslim point of view would be projected in the newspapers and magazines. They also feared that their income would seriously be lessened.
4. The Hindu landlords, capitalists and traders did not like the partition as it was to put an end to their exploitation of the poor Muslims.
5. Before the partition of Bengal the Hindus enjoyed dominant position in the political sphere of the province over the Muslims. The new setup was to put an end to their superior political position and their political dominance over the Muslims would finish.
   

The Hindus, therefore, launched an intensive movement against the partition of Bengal, They termed the partition as degrading and an insult to the national character of the Hindu population. Religions color was given to the agitation and the partition was termed as the dissection of the 'Scared Cow Mother' in order to arouse intense opposition by the Hindu masses. They considered the partition as an attempt to sow the needs of hatred and discontentment among the Indian people to weaken the national movements for independence.

The day of 16 October, 1905, when the partition was enforced, was declared as a national tragedy. Strikes were held throughout the country. The Indian National Congress also jumped in to support the agitation against partition. The Hindu students put up violent demonstrations against the partition. The Congress severely criticized the partition in the annual session of 1906.

The Hindu agitation soon turned into a violent reaction. The people disobeyed government orders by refusing to pay taxes and rentals. Communal clashes erupted at a number of places which upset the law and order situation in the country. The political disorder and unrest largely largely prevailed in the country. Bombs were thrown and attacks were made on the lives of the British people. Swadeshi movement was organized by the Hindu majority to boycott the British manufacturers. The train carrying the Governor of the Eastern Bengal was derailed and an attempt was made on the Viceroy's life which failed.

The Muslims kept away from the Hindu agitation and adopted a humble and loyal posture. They welcomed the partition and passed resolutions supporting the partition of Bengal. They impressed upon the government to maintain its decision of the partition of Bengal.

The most serious result of the Hindu agitation was a steep rise in Hindu - Muslim riots. The net result of this was that the Hindu agitation definitely disunited the Muslims from the Congress.