Section 2

Chapter # 6
1906-1920
Partition of Bengal — 1905
What?
•The largest province located in the eastern part with an
area of nearly 189,000 square miles.
•It is the most densely province with a total population of 85
million.
•It was the most resourceful, richest and productive
province of India.
 When?
Lord Curzon divide it in to two parts East and West Bengal in 1905-1906.

How?
West Bengal
•Comprising areas of Bihar, Orissa and Central Province (C.P).
•It was a Hindu Province.
Hindu = 42 million
Muslims = 12 million
•An industrial region and more developed.
East Bengal
•Comprising areas of Assam,Dhaka,Chittagong and Mymensingh
•It was a Muslim majority province:
Muslim = 18 million, Hindu = 12 million Other=1 million
•An agricultural region and less developed
How?
A. Geographical Factors
i. Vast area was difficult to manage or govern

• The largest province .

• Resulting difficulties in relief works during floods, famine and plague
• It was very difficult for a Single Lieutenant Governor to administer because of
inaccessibility, vastness and poor means of transport and communication.
ii. Densely populated area with a population of 85 million people
•Its population was 10 times greater than the population of Britain.
•Due to this it was difficult to maintain law and order situation and relief works
B. Economic Factors
i. Economic disparity between East and West Bengal
•East Bengal, rural slum, Agricultural land, depriving of all basic necessities with
very poor communication infrastructure.
•West Bengal was developed with communication and infrastructure due to
industries, which were utilizing the raw materials produced in East Bengal.
ii. To break the hold/Control of the Hindu capitalists
•The Hindu capitalists had strong control over economic activities over all matter
directly or indirectly
•The Muslim farmers took loans from Hindu capitalists on very high markups and
selling their product on low price with little profit
•East was providing the raw material but in return not benefitted with any
development from the west.
iii. To create better economic opportunities for the Muslims of East Bengal
• better opportunities for them which was not provided before due to Hindu
Businessmen and landlords.
•Before the partition, Kolkata was the hub of most businesses, factories and
universities.
•Curzon Hall College (completed in 1900, later became the base of the science
department of Dhaka university) and other educational institute were set up.
C. Administrative Factors
i. Maintaining law and order situation in the province of Bengal
•Maintaining the law and order and running the administration was a very
difficult task.
•Lietenent Governor General could not even make a tour of whole province
when needed due to inaccessiblity.
ii. Language issue in United Bengal
•Orissa was at that time divided into three parts namely; Bangle, Madras and
Central Province who speak Orissa language which is creating difficulty in
arrangement in public offices.
•Therefore, to avoid this difficultly and to reduce expense the government made
it an independent administrative unit under West Bengal with its own language.
Muslim reaction towards partition of Bengal
•The new province brought heavier prospects of political and economic life for
the Muslims who were before a suppressed class of the society.
•The partition provided them with a chance to rehabilitate their social and
economic position.
• The Muslims expressed their utmost happiness over the partition.
Hindus reaction toward partition of Bengal
The Hindus reacted over partition of Bengal in a hostile and violating way against
the Muslims.
Why?
1. Their superiority and majority in politics and economics would be finished.
2. The Hindu landlords, capitalists and traders could not exploit the poor
Muslims.
3. They considered this partition as an attempt of British government of
dividing mother India.
4. Hindus and congress also made false propaganda about Muslims
incapability.
How?
1. The Hindus launched an intensive movement and considered as an insult to
the national character
Religious color was given ,the division of mother India.
British tried to sow the seed of hatred and discontent to weaken the
movement of self rule.
2. The day of 16th October, 1905, was declared as a national tragedy. Strikes
were held and the INC also jumped in to the support.
The Hindus students put up a violent demonstration against the partition
The Hindu agitation soon turned to be a violent reaction such as
•Not paying taxes and rentals, communal clashes.
•The political disorder and unrest prevailed.
•Bombs were thrown and attacks were made on the British people.
•Under Swadeshi movement, British clothes were burnt, government properties
were destroyed.
•Assassination attempts on Lord Minto and Nawab Salimullah Khan.
Annulment of Partition of Bengal – 1911
•The vigorous Hindu agitation rocked the government due to the pressure of
Swadeshi Movement.
•The Hindus threatened the government to boycott the tour of King George to
India which was successful.
•The partition of Bengal was annulled and the two parts of Bengal were reunited
on 12th December 1911, at the occasion of his coronation ceremony at Delhi
Durbar.
A new partition which divided the province on linguistics and religious ground
followed
•The Hindi, Oriya and Assamese areas were separate administrative units.
•Bihar and Orissa province was created to the west, and Assam province to the
East.
•The administrative capital of British was moved from Calcutta to New Delhi as
well.
c) ‘The reasons for partitioning Bengal in 1905 were more important than
those that caused its reversal in 1911.’ Do you agree? Explain your answer.
LEVEL 1: Simplistic statement (1-2)
It wanted to be free.
LEVEL 2: Description of partition and/or reversals. (3-6)
Bengal was too large and needed partitioning. Hindus were in the majority and
wanted Reunification.
LEVEL 3: Explain reasons for partition OR reversal. (7-10)
LEVEL 4: Explain BOTH (9-13)
Partition
Supporters of Partition among the British thought it would be sensible to divide
up Province for administrative convenience. Bengal was very large and
producing significant Administrative problems. By doing this, the British felt that
the province would be easier to Administer, especially at the time of a new
British government in power.
Many Muslims supported partition because they believed that it would give
them dominance in the new province. Of the 54 million people in pre-Partition
Bengal, 42 million were Hindus, but a new separate East Bengal would have a
Muslim majority.
Reversal
Congress argued that Partition was part of the British ‘divide and rule’ policy
which would weaken India unity. Major protest (meetings and mass rallies)
organized by Congress, supported by many Hindus, was so great that it caused
the British to reconsider it. Many Hindus started a mass boycott of British goods
under the ‘Swadeshi Movement’. A few Extreme Hindus adopted terrorist
behavior and, among other attacks, attempted to Assassinate Lord Minto.
Level 5:
As level 4: also produces a judgment or evaluation. (14)
(b) Why did the British decide to reverse the partition of Bengal in 1911?
LEVEL 1: Simplistic Statement [1]
The Hindus didn’t like it.
LEVEL 2: Identifies Reason [2-4]
Hindus wanted to protest and banned British goods.
LEVEL 3: Explains Reasons [5-7)
The Hindus’ objection to Partition was so great that it caused to British to
reconsider it. Congress opposed it by holding meetings and there were mass
rallies which put and rule’ on the part of the British. The Hindus were so angry
that they attempted to Assassinate lord Minto and started their boycott of
British goods under the ‘Swadeshi Movement’. There was also on outbreak of
terrorist activities. Further Lord Curzon Originator of the idea, was no longer
viceroy so change of policy was easier.
Simla deputation – 1906
•The anti-partition movement showed the true color of Hindus
• To safeguard their interests Muslim leaders met viceroy, lord Minto on 8th
October 1906 at Simla.
•Mr. Syed Ali Bilgrami wrote the text of the plan.
•The Simla deputation consisted of 35 representatives, from all Muslim
community,
•Headed by Sir Aga Khan who read the address.
•He stated that the Muslims should be represented as a separate community.
Demand of Simla Deputation
Major Demands
•1/3rd seats reserved for Muslims in government councils or weight age.
•Rights of separate electorate.
Minor demands
•Appointment of Muslims judges in the court.
•Reserved seats for the Muslim in Government jobs.
•Muslims political rights and interests as a community should be safeguarded.
Reasons for Simla Deputation
•To show gratitude on partition .
•To counter the anti-partition propaganda of congress.
•To raise the political demands of Muslims.
 
Importance and success Simla Deputation
•The acceptance of demands proved to be turning point.
•The Hindu-Muslim conflict was raised to the constitutional plane.
•The Muslims had no confidence in the Hindu and could not rely on joint
electorate.
•This was the beginning of the demand of separate electorate under two nation
theory resulting Partition in 1947.
Success
•British responded to their separate electorate demand and wanted to
overcome their political discontent.
•The right to vote in general constituencies.
•They were also given weight age in representation.
•Formation of All India Muslim in December 1906.
Creation of All India Muslim League – 1906
•20th session of Muhammadan Anglo oriental educational conference at Shah
Bagh, Dhaka, in December 1906. 3,000 delegates.
•Nawab Salimullah Khan presented a proposal for the establishment of a
political party
•The first president of AIML was Nawab Viaqar-ul-Mulk and Maulana
Muhamamd Ali Johar wrote the constitution.
•The first Annual session was held at Karachi in December 1907, presided by Sir
Adam Jee Pir Bhai.
Aims and Objective of All Muslim League:
Following were the objectives of the Muslim League:
1. To create feeling of loyalty and remove misunderstanding.
2. To protect and advance the political rights and interests of the Muslim.
3. To prevent the growth of ill will between Muslims and other nationalities.
THE CAUSES OF FORMATION OF ALL INDIA MUSLIM LEAGUE (AIML):
A) Hindi Urdu Controversy: in 1888 INC demanded that India should be rerated
as cultural whole & Hindi should be the official language of India.
B) Behavior of different Hindu Organization: Hindu extremist group “ARYA
SAMAJ” demanded that Muslims should be forcibly converted into Hinduism.
C)Hindu Muslim riots: The frequent riots between Hindus and Muslims further
strengthened the formation of separate political party.
D) Reaction of the Hindus to the Partition of Bengal: the negative reaction of
the Hindus when the government declared the partition of Bengal in 1905
E) Simla Deputation (1906): (discussed earlier)
 Morley Minto Reforms 1909
Both secretary of state and viceroy worked together to draw series of
constitutional reforms which were passed by the British parliament in 1909 as
Indian Council Act or Morely-Minto reforms of 1909.
The main features of the Indian Council act are:
1.Imperial Council was increase to 60 members by adding non-official members).
Majority appointed and less nominated
2.Central Executive Council was increased by adding 60 new members. The
council could only discuss and advice on government policies.
3.Provincial Councils were increase to the 50 members in large provinces and 30
members in the smaller provinces.
4.Muslims demand for the right of separate electorate was accepted along with
1/3rd seats reserved for them in the central legislative.
British reaction on Morley-Minto Reforms:
Lord Minto, the viceroy of India described these reforms as “The opening of a
very important chapter in the history of relations of England and India”.
The enhancement of numbers and powers of the members in Govt. council and
the introduction of elections for the councils, were steps towards parliamentary
government but had no intention of fulfilling it.
Hindu reaction on Morley-Minto Reforms:
•The Hindu politicians and Congress started a campaign of criticism and
opposition against it.
•The congress condemned the provision of separate electorate
•Congress and Hindus also criticized the representation given to the Indians was
inadequate and they were given only the advisory powers but no real power of
making decision.

Muslim reaction on the Morley-Minto reforms:

Muslims of India were happy as they were given the right of separate electorate
along with 1/3rd representation in the central legislation.
 
 Morley-Minto Reforms 1909
British – Hindus relations
Partition of Bengal
Success of Muslim Simla Deputation
Failure of Anti Partition Delegation
Creation of Muslim league
British support to Muslim league
Right of separate electorates for Muslims
Reserved seats for Muslims in the councils
Inadequate representation in the councils
No real power was given to Indians
 Hindu – Muslim Relations
Partition of Bengal
Success of Muslim Simla deputation
Failure of Anti Partition Delegation
Creation of Muslim League
British support to Muslim league
Right of separate electorates for Muslims
Reserved seats for Muslims in the councils
 British- Muslims relations
Partition of Bengal
Success of Simla Deputation
Failure of Anti Partition Delegation
Creation of Muslim league
British support to Muslim league
Right of separate electorates for Muslims
Reserved seats for Muslims in the councils
1912-13: the British supported the Balkan states fighting against the Turkey and
the Muslims give respect to Turkey as the last seat of caliphate and this act of
British angered Muslims.
1913: Muhammad Ali Jinnah joined Muslim League as well.
World War – 1: 1914- 1918
World war – 1, started in 1914-1918 and the British government needed Indian
assistance and support.
A. Liberal Indians thought they should help the British government in the war.
B. Indian political parties also showed their interests and intentions to get more
constitutional reforms like self-rule.

Even Viceroy made a declaration and announced that;

•1/2 of the viceroy’s executive council being elected (Indians)
•Indians’ majority in the legislative council
Extremist Indian saw this as an opportunity to take action and to drive them out
of India.
Series of anti-British revolutionary activities started in India.
Revolutionary activities in India during the world war – 1:

1913 – Mutiny Party:

By Lala Hardiyal, an armed opposition against the British by sending arms from
America it proved unsuccessful mainly because follower were arrested.

1915 – Indian Nationalists:

Indian nationalists in Punjab planned an uprising for Punjab area against the
British rule which was easily put down by the British forces.
 
1915 – Mutiny by Indian troops in Singapore:
A mutiny by the Indian troops in Singapore
The soldiers were either executed or imprisoned.
1917 – Silk letter Conspiracy:
Silk letter conspiracy was a planned uprising by the Muslims to free Indian
Muslims from the British rule.
They use to convey messages across India written on silk letters.
The letters were caught by the British police, which made it unsuccessful.
1917 – Home rule leagues:
Two home rule leagues, one led by Annie Besant and the other one led by Bal
Gangadhar Tilak, in support of the demand of self-rule for India were organized,
but unsuccessful because their leaders were arrested by the government.
Annie Besant was later made the honorary president of Indian National
Congress.
Response of Indian political parties on World War – 1
Due to the persuasion of Jinnah, both political parties held their annual session
at Bombay in 1915.
At the end of this session, a joint council was setup to improve understanding
between them.
British response to joint annual session of Muslim league and Congress:
In October 1916, the British government announced a series of proposals on
constitutional reforms which would lead to:
•Half of the members of the executive council being elected (Indians)
•The legislative council having a majority of elected members.
Indian reaction of the British proposals:
Both parties approved these proposals and they must develop greater
cooperation among themselves for greater goals.
This led to the signing of Lucknow Pact in 1916.
Lucknow Pact – 1916
Mainly due to the efforts of Jinnah, both held their joint session at Lucknow in
1916.
A joint scheme of constitutional reforms was signed in which congress showed
that they wanted to gain M.L. support for the attainment of self-rule .
It also contained common political demands.
Political Concessions made by the Congress:
Acceptance of right of separate electorates .
Acceptance of 1/3rd seats/representation in the government councils
No act would be approved unless 3/4th (75%) members of the same community
in the council accept it.
Joint demand made by Muslim league and congress:
•Majority of Indians in the government councils.
•Bills passed by the majority political parties must be accepted.
•Rights of minorities must be protected.
•Adequate provincial autonomy.
Importance of Lucknow Pact:
This unity only lived for 8 years and collapsed during the Khilafat movement.
It was the first time when both congress and Muslim league worked together for
the attainment of self-rule; congress recognized the Muslim league as Muslim
representing party, the right of separate electorate and agreed to consider the
Muslims as separate nation under two nation theory.
Montague – Chelmsford Reforms – 1919
Montague Chelmsford reforms -Indian councils act of 1919, by the viceroy Lord
Chelmsford and the secretary of state Lord Montague, to restrict self-rule in
India.
Lord Montague, declared that in order to satisfy the local demands, giving more
representation to the natives and new reforms would be introduced.
After taking suggestions from natives and viceroy which was approved by the
British parliament and became the Indian Council Act of 1919.
Why was Montague Chelmsford Reforms Introduced?
Constitutional reforms were to be introduced in India after every ten years.
Previous one called Morley-Minto reforms
To announce post war confessional reforms as promised by the viceroy during
world war – 1 in order to win Indian support on the war issue.
Main features of Montague Chelmsford reforms:
•The council of the secretary of state was to comprise of 8 to 12 people,
3 Indians and at least half of them should have spent 10 years in India.
•Secretary of state was supposed to follow the advice of his council.
•Part of the expense of the India office was to be met by the British
government.
•The Bicameral Central Legislature was to consist of two houses
including the council of state (upper house) and the Assembly (Lower
House).
 The council of state (upper house) 60 members (33 elected and 27
nominated by the viceroy).
 the legislative assembly (lower house) was to consist of 145
members (103 elected and rest 42 nominated by the viceroy).
 Legislative council became legislative assembly because of Indian
majority.
•Muslims were given 1/3rd seats (32/103) among the elected members of the
legislative assembly.
•Upper and lower house had equal legislative council called as legislative
assembly.
•The viceroy had the power to nominate as many members to his council, but
they must have served 10 years in India, three of these were now to be Indians.
•A council of princes, 108 members from the princely state to discuss matters of
importance.
•The powers of viceroy were further enhanced as he could pass any law
necessary.
In the provinces a system of diarchy was introduced, under which areas of
responsibility were divided into lists. Reserved subjects including police justice,
revenue, power resources, press and publication were reserved by the British
government, comprising two to four nominated advisory members.
Transferred subjects including education, local government, forestry, public
health and public works were entrusted to the ministers (elected Indians),
responsible to the provincial legislative council, the ministers were chosen form
the legislative council by the viceroy.
The provincial legislative councils comprised 70% elected and30% members
were nominated.
Voting rights 5.5 million people 2% total Indian population could vote.
Indian Response to British reforms in 1919:
•The Act of 1919 disappointed the Muslims and Hindus as only minor
concessions for the locals.
•The British had granted right of separate electorates which was opposed by
Hindus on religious ground under Gandhi which led to anger and frustration.
•Principal of self-determination being implemented.
•Indians calling for self-rule, and were disappointed by the new structure,
Congress condemned as it was inadequate, unsatisfactory and disappointed.
•British labor party were sympathetic to Indian self-government and but nothing
was done which led to more frustration in India.
Rowlett act – 1919
A committee in 1917, under Justice Sydney Rowlett, made a bill for the
revolutionary activities during the World War – 1 known as The Rowlett Act.

Recommendation of Rowlett:
Jinnah was against it on the ground that it was against the law of justice that
any man shall be denied his rights without a judicial trial. He declared this law
inhumane and resigned from the imperial legislative council
Jallianwala Bagh incident Amritsar Massacre – 1919:
•Jallianwala Bagh at Amritsar
•Sikh pilgrims gathered at golden temple
•Indians, protesting peacefully against the Rowlett act and Montague
Chelmsford reforms.
• General Dyer ordered to control the situation.
•On his order troops opened fire on unarmed civilians.
•Nearly 1,600 rounds were fired, around 400 people were killed and 1,200
people were wounded.
•A committee, called Hunter Committee was formed to investigate the incident.
The Non-Cooperation Movement
1st August 1920 by (INC) under the leadership of Mahatma Gandhi
Features of the non-cooperation movement
•The movement was initially a peaceful and non-violent protest.
•Indians relinquish their titles and resign from nominated seats in the local
bodies.
•Resignation from their government jobs.
•Removal of children from British education institutes
•boycott foreign goods and use only Indian-made goods.
•boycott the elections to the legislative councils.
• no serving in the British army.
•Refusal of tax payments
•The INC also demanded Swaraj or self-government.
•First major step towards self rule.
•Gandhi had assured that Swaraj would be achieved in a year if this movement
was continued to completion.
Causes of the non-cooperation movement
Resentment at the British after the war:
•Indians expected autonomy for their war support.
•But the Act passed in 1919 was dissatisfactory.
•In addition, the Rowlett Act angered many Indians.
Home Rule Movement: 
•Annie Besant and Bal Gangadhar Tilak set the stage for the non-cooperation
movement.
•The extremists and the moderates of the INC were united.
•The lucknow Pact also saw solidarity between the ML and INC.
Economic hardships due to World War I:
•Inflation .
• Peasants suffered as the prices of agricultural products did not increase.
The Rowlett Act and the Jallianwala Bagh massacre:
• Indians faith in justice was broken.
• The whole country rallied behind its leaders who were pitching for a more
aggressive and firm stance.