PARTITION OF BENGAL

PARTITION OF BENGAL

(16 OCT, 1905 – 12 DEC 1911)

Lord Curzon assumed the viceroyalty of India On December 30, 1898. He soon drew up a programme  of administrative reforms, most of which evoked opposition. But none of his measure generated so much heat and aroused opposition as much as the partition of Bengal in 1905. The Partition was, in no way directly related to events during Curzon’s tenure office; it hung in balance since 1853 when Charles Grant proposed the partition of Bengal. Lord Dalhousie in1854 complained about the tremendous administrative burden on the Lt. Governor of Bengal. Later on, when Orissa was in the grip of great famine in 1866, the committee recommended demarcation of the huge province.

Six years later in 1872, the Lt. Governor, Sir George Campbell submitted in his report that one man could not supervise the affairs of the province efficiently.

The partition of Bengal was the most important event during the rule of Lord Curzon. It was carried out mainly for the convenience of administration. Bengal in those days was the biggest province of India extending over 189,000 square miles with a population of 80 million. It was comprising of Bengal, Behar and Orissa and was under the control of one lietenant Governor. After Lord Curzon took charge as Governor General of India the discussion over Partition of Bengal began due to the following issues:

1.                   Vastness of Province: The Province was spread over the of 189,000 square miles with the population of 80 million, which was too vast to be managed by one lieutenant Governor. He could not make a tour for the whole of province due to its vastness once in tenure.

2.                   Limited sources of Communication:       The sources of communication in the provinces were limited due to rivers and forests. The law and order condition of the provinces was also worst due to insufficient police and in-efficient management. Therefore, the need of partition was felt severely.

3.                   Difference of Language:               There was also the difference of Languages and civilization of the natives of West Bengal and East Bengal. The natives of West Bengal considered themselves superior in civilization to the resident of East Bengal. The Condition demanded for the division of Provinces.

4.                   Need of the time:           The division of Bengal was the need of the time to develop trade in East Bengal and to promote the port of Chittagong, which could be done only by the division of the Provinces.

PARTITION OF BENGAL

The partition took place on 16 October 1905 and separated the largely Muslim eastern areas from the largely Hindu western areas.

The Partition of Bengal was thus calculated to restore efficiency in the Government and administration on one hand and encouraged local initiatives for progress and development on the other. Lord Curzon partitioned Bengal and formed two new provinces of manageable size – East and West Bengal. East Bengal consisted of Dacca, Mamensingh, Assam, Kaula, Rangpur, and Bogra district, the Dacca was capital of East Bengal constituted a majority Muslim Province, while the Bihar and Orissa constituted a separate province to be called as West Bengal with the capital of Calculate and become the Hindu majority.

East Bengal contained a population of eighteen million Muslim and twelve million Hindus, whereas West Bengal had a population fifty four million of which 42 million where Hindus and thus was the Hindu majority province.

MUSLIM’S RESPONSE

It received a favourable response from the Muslims. It was thought that it would bring the emancipation of Muslims socially and economically. The Muslims welcomed the Partition of Bengal for the following reasons:

i.                     In the majority province of Bengal the Muslims would be free from Hindu dominance in economic field. They would get opportunities of services and advancement of agriculture.

ii.                   The city of Dacca, where the Muslims were in majority was the centre of Muslim culture. In Dacca Muslims had a great chance of success for social and cultural advancement than in Calcutta.

iii.                  The Partition could result in political uplift and security represent action in the Government .

iv.                 The partition of Bengal relieved the Muslims  from competing with Hindus, who were more advanced in every field of life.

v.                   A blessing in disguise.

vi.                 Nawab Salim Ullah khan of Dacca addressing in a meeting in Mushighanj supported the partition vehemently.

“The Partition of Bengal had aroused us from inaction and directed our attention to activity and struggle”

Nawab Ali Chaudry said “The Partition infused a new Life”

Sardar Ali wrote also about the partition.

BENEFITS OF THE PARTITION FOR MUSLIMS

I.                    Establishment of educational institution, science college, overall established six college six 1911.

II.                  Improvement in the filed communication and transportation

a.                   200 miles railways track laid

b.                  Postal services made good

c.                   Waterways established (New Province had 35 rivers)

d.                  River Guards (35—100)

e.                  Chittagong Port was upgraded.

HINDUS RESPONSE AND OPPOSITION

The Hindus did not accept it, as it death-Knell to their monopolies and exclusive hold on economic, social, Political life of the whole of Bengal. They called it as a deliberate attempt by British Government.

1.                   The partition of Bengal had brightened the possibility of betterment of Muslims: while the Hindus landlords, capitalists and traders wanted status quo and to continue the exploitation of the Muslims.

2.                   Hindus lawyers also reacted to the partition of Bengal because they thought that the new province would have its separate courts and thus their practice would be affected.

3.                   Hindu press was not different from that of Hindus advocates. Hindus had their monopoly over almost whole of the province press. They were afraid that new newspapers would be established which would decrease their income naturally. Newspaper like “Bengal” under editiorship of “Surrendaranath Banerjee” and “Amrita Bazar Patrika” under editorship of S.K Gosh opposed partition tooth and nail. Surrenderanath Banerjee wrote:

“We felt that we have been insulted, humiliated and tricked”

4.                   A Hindu leader “Mahindra Chandra of Kasim Bazar” said

“In the new province the muslims will be in majority and the Bengali Hindu will be in a minority. We shall be stranger in our own land. I dread the prospect and the outlook films me with anxiety as to the future of our face”

5.                   October 16, 1905, celebrated as Black Day, the staunch opponents of partition smeared foreheads with ash.

6.                   The Hindus launched “Swadeshi Movement” whose sole purpose was to boycott of British goods.

Swadeshi Movement:

a)                  Started on August 7, 1905.

b)                  They called upon all and sundry to start using only those things which were locally made.

i.                     Patronizing Hindu Industry.

ii.                   Pressuring the British Govt. to rescind its decision.

iii.                  Foreign Cloth put to torch.

iv.                 Letter written to “Manchester Chamber of Commerce.”

v.                   Was led to assume an anti-Muslim posture

(Ref: Nirad Chaudry’s Autobiography)

ANNULMENT OF THE PARTITION

When Lord Hardinge assumed charge as Governor General of India, Hindus again became active and sent a representation to him for the annulment of partition of Bengal. He recommended the same to the British Prime Minister for Indian Affairs. On the occasion of the visiting His Majesty George V to Indo –Pakistan and holding of Darbar at Delhi on 12^th December, 1911 the partition of Bengal was cancelled. This Royal Declaration rejuvenated the Bengali Hindus.

The United Bengal was placed under a Governor and Assam was placed under a Chief Commissioner. This decision was shattering blow to Muslims. It left them sullen and disillusioned. Their anger and indignation had widerspread recpercussions. The Muslims leaders and intelligentsia condemned the decision as betrayal of worst kind.

Abdullah Al-Mamun Suharwardy (Sir Abdullah al-Mamun Suharwardy was an Islamic scholar, barrister, and academic. He was the Tagore Law Lecture in 1911 and did an enormous amount of important educational work) expressed his anger in letter to Lord Curzon and called a meeting of Muslim notables.

Nawab Viaqar ul Mulk (Nawab Viqar ul Mulk Kamboh or Nawab Viqar ul Mulk Maulvi, real Mushtaq Hussain Zuberi born in Meerut o 24 March, 1841 was a Muslim politician and one of the founders of All India Muslim League.) wrote an article condemning the order.

.               Awakened the Muslims

.               emergence of Muslim League

.               Feeling of under-proviliged aroused

.               Broght the tremendous change in the body-politic of Sub- continent

Muslim Press

Zamindar (Lahore)

Vakil (Amritasar)

Al-Bashir (Etawah)                                           Unanimous in their opinion

Comrade (Calcutta)

Paisa Akhbar (Lahore)

Musalman (Calcutta)

Conclusion

The Muslims of India had appreciated the step and started turning in the favour of the British but the British soon gave in against mounting pressure of Hindus which helped the Muslims to realize the importance of standing on their feet and to organize themselves politically. It also affirmed the apprehension of sir Syed that the Muslim might submerge in the majority of Hindus and lose their rights. Thus, Sayyid Ameer Ali, Viqar-ul-Mulk, Nawab Ali Ch., Moulana M. Ali, Syed Raza Ali, Abdul Aziz, Salimullah baig and other felt a strong need to bring about a change in the political strategy of the Muslim. This annulment changed their posture from passive acquiescence to active and vigorous participation.