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 Hiridus 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 ‘Scanned with CamScanner110 — to the now provinge consisted ofthe districts of Chittagong and Dhaka divisions, honsortajnaht division except Darectng, and the ditectof Malia : . ‘don by Lord Curzon in February, 1905. Tt was ‘This achemo was sent to London OY jada, St. John Brodrick, in June, and the sanctioned by the Seeraiar) of the new province was issued in Soptomber. The a of the formation of the new province was iss rosa tern Bengal and asm oily came ito being on 16 tober, 2006, action Toward Partition: Tho now province of Eastern Bengal brought apples preety the creations of new province. The partition of Bengal provided aoe ry) progress to the Muslims who formed the majority group in the new capnees ele combined province of Bengal the Muslims were a supproseed class of Suk Mine Hindus ed monopolized trade and government secviced which ‘SGguvated the economic condition of the Muslims, The partition of Bengul provided than with a chance fo rehabilitate thair social postion, ‘They hoped that their social atue would get a tremendous boost in the new province, ‘The Muslims expressed {her utmost happiness over the partition of Hengel. They offered their gratification ina loyal way to the government for taking a step for their social, economic and politica uplif. Hindu Reaction Toward Partition: The Hindus reaited toward the partition of Bongal 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 Hindu ‘epposition tothe partition were as follows: 1. The Hindu believed that they would come undor the domination ofthe Musi ‘alot in the new province and thee sperion potion would be downgraded to 4s ‘the provincial High Court and other judicial bod i the Frovin wt and other judicial bodies were to be shifted to a puis the Hind yes ered that hire ration woud be afte ee Dhaka was to become the centre of journalistic ‘and other academi activites, the Hindu press and media bel eee pants Hind press nd media bivd dat rom now onward the Muslin is es arts ths yA 4, The Hindu landlords, capil en toputan ond ‘ote pone eis _ like the partition as it was 5 Bie the partion of Bengal the Hindus enored feng . ion the ; oe ' spe rine err Mans oe sn ston i thee . ior political positis te Dail sebul to put an enc eir finish, Position and thelr political dominance over the Muslims would ‘The Hindus, Bengal. ‘They character of the Hindu the partition was term: therefore, termed ‘th * ey considered the parti and discontentmer ki indegenamtentment among the Indian people ‘Scanned with CamScanner111 he day of 16 Octcher, 1905, when 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 the 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 couniry. The political disorder and unrest 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 manufactures. The train carrying the Governor of the Eastern Bengal was derailed and an attempt was made on 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.* / ‘Scanned with CamScanner