Why Did Lord Curzon Partition Bengal in 1905?

 


Lord Curzon, the Viceroy of India (1899–1905), decided to partition Bengal on July 20, 1905, and the partition came into effect on October 16, 1905. His official justification was administrative convenience, but the real reasons were deeply political.

1. Official Reason: Administrative Convenience

  • Bengal was the largest and most populous province in British India, with over 80 million people.
  • The British argued that governing such a vast region was difficult, so they divided it into two parts:
    • Western Bengal (Hindu-majority) – Included present-day West Bengal, Bihar, and Odisha.
    • Eastern Bengal (Muslim-majority) – Included present-day Bangladesh and Assam.
  • Curzon justified the partition by saying that smaller provinces would be easier to govern and develop.

2. Real Reason: "Divide and Rule" Policy

  • Bengal was the epicenter of Indian nationalism, with Calcutta (now Kolkata) as the political and cultural hub.
  • Many nationalist leaders, like Surendranath Banerjee, Aurobindo Ghosh, and Rabindranath Tagore, were from Bengal and were leading the anti-British movement.
  • Curzon’s real goal was to weaken the nationalist movement by creating religious divisions:
    • Hindus and Muslims would now be in separate provinces, reducing their unity against British rule.
    • The British supported the newly created Muslim-majority Eastern Bengal, hoping to gain Muslim loyalty and reduce Hindu influence.

3. Political and Economic Impact of Partition

  • Bengal’s Hindu elite, who were dominant in business, education, and politics, lost influence in Eastern Bengal.
  • The British encouraged Muslim landlords to support the partition, deepening communal divisions.
  • The partition fueled anti-British sentiment and led to the rise of the Swadeshi Movement (Boycott of British goods) and mass protests.

4. Reversal of Partition (1911)

  • Due to widespread protests, boycotts, and resistance, the British were forced to reunite Bengal in 1911.
  • However, as part of their new strategy, they shifted the capital of British India from Calcutta to Delhi to weaken Bengal’s political influence.

Conclusion

Lord Curzon partitioned Bengal under the pretext of better administration, but his real aim was to divide Hindus and Muslims, weaken the nationalist movement, and maintain British control. Instead, the move strengthened Indian nationalism, and the partition was ultimately reversed.

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