Partition of Bengal, Swadeshi and the radical nationalists
Curzon split Bengal in 1905 to divide and rule. The answer was Swadeshi and boycott, led by the radicals Lal, Bal and Pal, and Bengal was reunited in 1911.
Why Bengal was partitioned
Lord Curzon, a firm imperialist, announced the partition of Bengal in 1905. The official reason was better administration of a very large province. The real aim was to divide and rule. A separate province with a Muslim majority would set Hindus against Muslims and weaken the strong national movement in Bengal. Indians saw through this at once.
How the people fought back: Swadeshi and boycott
- Meetings, processions and demonstrations were held across India, and the press attacked the partition.
- Hindus and Muslims tied rakhis on each other's wrists to show their unity.
- Swadeshi means made in our own country by our own people. Indian goods, Indian business, national education and Indian languages were promoted.
- Boycott meant refusing foreign goods. Tilak saw it as a weapon that could stall the whole British administration.
- Swadeshi enterprises sprang up: textile mills, banks, hosiery units, tanneries, chemical works and insurance companies. Swadeshi stores opened, and volunteers took goods to every doorstep.
- All classes joined, including women and children; students were the most active.
- Result: the British reversed the partition in 1911.
Moderates and radicals compared
| Point | Moderates (Naram Dal) | Radicals (Garam Dal) |
|---|---|---|
| Period of lead | 1885 to 1905 | 1905 to 1918 |
| Leaders | Dadabhai Naoroji, Gokhale, Pherozeshah Mehta | Lala Lajpat Rai, Bal Gangadhar Tilak, Bipin Chandra Pal |
| Goal | Reforms and a larger Indian share in government | Swaraj (self-rule) as a right |
| Methods | Petitions, speeches and resolutions, within the law | Mass protests, boycott, swadeshi and national education |
| Support | Urban, educated and landed classes | All classes: students, peasants, workers and women |
| View of British rule | Trusted the British sense of justice | Saw it as exploiting India and draining its wealth |
Timeline: from partition to reunion (1905 to 1916)
- 1905★Curzon partitions Bengal; the Swadeshi and boycott movement begins.
- 1906The All India Muslim League is founded at Dacca (next topic).
- 1907The Congress splits into moderates and radicals at its Surat session.
- 1911The partition is cancelled and Bengal is reunited.
- 1914Annie Besant begins working for Home Rule, meaning self-government for India.
- 1916With Annie Besant's efforts, moderates and radicals reunite at the Lucknow session of the Congress.
★ key step
National Handloom Day is held every 7 August because the Swadeshi movement was launched on 7 August 1905. Khadi and handloom shops, and campaigns to buy goods made in India, carry the same idea today.
2 marks: “What was the real aim of the partition of Bengal in 1905?” To divide and rule: to split Hindus and Muslims and weaken the national movement in Bengal. The stated reason, better administration, was only a cover.
3 marks: “Give three differences between the moderates and the radicals in the Congress.” (1) Goal: moderates wanted reforms; radicals wanted swaraj as a right. (2) Methods: petitions within the law against mass protest, boycott and swadeshi. (3) Support: urban educated classes against all classes, including students, peasants and women.
6 marks: “Explain the aims behind the partition of Bengal in 1905 and describe the Swadeshi and boycott movement that followed it.” Open: Lord Curzon partitioned Bengal in 1905. (1) Stated aim: better administration of a very large province. (2) Real aim: divide and rule, setting Hindus against Muslims and weakening nationalism in Bengal. (3) Protest: meetings, processions and press campaigns across India; Hindus and Muslims tied rakhis. (4) Swadeshi: Indian goods, national education, swadeshi mills, banks and stores. (5) Boycott of foreign goods, a weapon Tilak backed; students and women took part. (6) The radicals, Lal, Bal and Pal, came to the front, and the partition was reversed in 1911. Close: a Bengal issue became a national movement.
1905 split, 1911 reunited. Lal (Punjab), Bal (Maharashtra), Pal (Bengal): three regions, one Garam Dal.