The Partition of Bengal (1905)
1. Introduction:
Announcement Date: July 20, 1905.
Viceroy: Lord Curzon was the British official in charge of India at the time.
Partition Date: The partition officially took place on October 16, 1905.
Outcome: Bengal was divided into two regions—Eastern Bengal and Western Bengal.
2. Reasons for the Partition:
Official Justification: The British claimed that Bengal’s large population made it difficult to
govern effectively, and splitting it into two regions would improve administrative efficiency.
Real Motives:
o Nationalism: Bengal was a major center for Indian nationalism and political activity.
The British aimed to weaken this center of resistance.
o Communal Divide: The partition was also intended to create divisions between
Hindus and Muslims, reducing the power of the educated middle class and
disrupting the unity of the nationalist movement.
3. Details of the Partition:
Western Bengal: Included the present-day state of Bengal, Bihar, and Orissa. This region had
a majority Hindu population.
Eastern Bengal: Consisted of the remaining areas of Bengal and Assam. This region had a
majority Muslim population.
Capitals:
o Western Bengal: Calcutta (now Kolkata) was the capital.
o Eastern Bengal: Dhaka (now in Bangladesh) was made the capital.
4. Background of the Partition:
Decision Making: The idea of partition was first suggested to the British government in
December 1903, and Lord Curzon finalized the decision.
Opposition: The partition faced strong resistance from various sections of Indian society.
Leaders and intellectuals saw it as a tactic to weaken their nationalist efforts and create
communal tensions.
5. Reactions to the Partition:
Nationalist Response:
o Leaders: Prominent figures like Surendranath Banerjee and K.K. Mitra led the anti-
partition movement. They organized protests and campaigns against the partition.
o Boycott: The Indian National Congress supported the Swadeshi movement, urging
people to boycott British goods such as Manchester cloth and Liverpool salt.
o Public Protests: There were widespread demonstrations across Bengal. People
mourned the partition on October 16, 1905, and expressed their opposition by
chanting “Bande Mataram” and tying Rakhis to symbolize unity.
People’s Reaction:
o The partition led to significant public unrest and protests. The Indian population,
including students, workers, and common citizens, actively participated in
demonstrations against the partition.
6. Reunification of Bengal:
Annulment: Due to intense opposition and protests, the British government decided to
reverse the partition in 1911.
Changes Made:
o Bengal was reunited as a single province.
o Bihar and Orissa were separated from Bengal and made into distinct provinces.
o Assam was also established as a separate province.
o The capital of British India was moved from Calcutta to Delhi.
7. Impact of the Partition:
Strengthening Nationalism: The Partition of Bengal was a turning point that intensified the
Indian nationalist movement and led to the rise of the Swadeshi movement.
Long-Term Effects: Although the partition was reversed, it left a legacy of division that
influenced future political events. In 1947, Bengal was divided again based on religion,
resulting in the creation of West Bengal and East Bengal (which later became Bangladesh).
Surat Split (1907)
1. Introduction:
Event: The Surat Split was a significant division within the Indian National Congress (INC) that
occurred during the party's annual session in Surat in 1907.
Factions: The split divided the INC into two main groups: the Moderates and the Extremists.
2. Background of the Surat Split:
Partition of Bengal: The initial cause of the split was differing opinions on how to handle the
anti-partition movement.
Moderates vs. Extremists:
o Moderates: Led by leaders like G.K. Gokhale and Dadabhai Naoroji. They believed in
gradual reforms and working within the British system.
o Extremists: Led by figures like Bal Gangadhar Tilak and Lala Lajpat Rai. They favored
more radical approaches, such as widespread boycotts and the Swadeshi movement
(promoting Indian-made goods).
3. Causes of the Surat Split:
Ideological Differences:
o Moderates wanted to limit the boycott to Bengal and foreign goods only, believing in
working within the existing British framework.
o Extremists aimed for a nationwide struggle against British rule and supported
broader Swadeshi and boycott movements.
Congress Sessions:
o 1905 Banaras Session: Both factions supported the Swadeshi and Boycott
movements against the Partition of Bengal.
o 1906 Calcutta Session: Four key resolutions were passed (Swadeshi, Boycott, Swaraj,
and National Education), but their implementation was unclear.
Leadership Conflict:
o 1907 Session: There was a conflict over the Congress Presidency. The Extremists
wanted B.G. Tilak or Lala Lajpat Rai, while the Moderates supported Ras Bihari
Ghosh.
o Venue Change: The session was moved from Nagpur to Surat, Tilak’s hometown,
which led to further disputes.
4. The Split at Surat:
Date: December 26, 1907.
Outcome: The Congress session in Surat led to a formal split with 1,600 delegates. The
Extremists and Moderates could not reconcile their differences, leading to a division in the
INC.
5. Aftermath of the Surat Split:
Repressive Measures: The British government took harsh steps against the Extremists:
o Seditious Meetings Act 1907
o Indian Newspapers (Incitement and Offences Act) 1908
o Criminal Law Amendment Act 1908
o Indian Press Act 1910
Notable Figures:
o B.G. Tilak was imprisoned in Mandalay for 6 years.
o Lala Lajpat Rai went to Britain.
o Aurobindo Ghosh left politics and focused on spiritual work in Pondicherry.
Divide and Rule: The British introduced new reforms to weaken the Congress further and to
play different groups against each other, like the 1909 reforms.
6. Impact on the INC:
Moderates’ Struggles: Without the support of the Extremists, Moderates lost popular
support and influence.
Long-Term Effects: The Surat Split highlighted the deep divisions within the Indian nationalist
movement, which continued to affect Indian politics in the following decades.
