Lord Curzon took the charge of Viceroyship of India in 1899. He decided to divide the province of Bengal into two parts. Moreover, on 16th October 1905, he divided the province and named its two parts as the Western Bengal and the Eastern Bengal. This is how the partition of Bengal happened.

Causes of the Partition of Bengal

Administrative Causes or Reasons for the Partition of Bengal

Bengal was the biggest province of India. It had a population of 78 million. It had a vast area. A Lieutenant-Governor looked after the administrative requirements of Bengal alone. Hence, the partition became necessary for the British Government.

Limited Sources of Communication in the Bengal Province

The communication system of Bengal was primitive (old). Therefore, connectivity between one part of the province to the other was not satisfactory.

No Progress in Eastern Districts of Bengal

The welfare funds of Bengal were spent only in the Western parts of the province. Consequently, the Eastern districts were not developed at all.

Muslims’ Reaction to the Partition

Muslims were happy with the partition of Bengal. The reason is, Muslims became the majority in Eastern Bengal. Where they were 18 million out of 31 million. Additionally, they became happier politically and economically. Because they had a say in the matters of the Eastern province.

Arguments against the Partition of Bengal by Indian National Congress

Indian National Congress gave it a Religious Touch

Hindus gave it a religious color. They termed it as the division of the Sacred Cow Mother to arouse deep opposition from the Hindu masses. In reality, they believed that after the Partition of Bengal they would come under the domination of the Muslim majority in the new province.

Splitting Bharat Motherland

Moreover, the Hindus termed the partition of Bengal as degrading and an insult to the national character of the Hindu population. They considered it an attempt to sow the seed of hatred and discontentment among the Indian people. Thus, they organized the Swadeshi movement by which foreign goods were boycotted.

Importance of the Partition of Bengal

Muslim Hindu Divide

On December 12, 1911, the annulment of the Partition of Bengal was announced by King George at Delhi Darbar. The annulment showed the true face of Hindus.

Furthermore, it made it clear to the Muslims that Hindus would never be their friends. It also showed them that Hindus would never like to see the Muslims happy and progress. Hence, the annulment of the divided the Muslims and Hindus apart.

Two Nation Theory and Partition of Bengal

Lastly, its annulment was a proof that Hindus and Muslims were two different nations with different ideas. One’s success was the other’s failure. It was a success for the Muslims and the Hindus considered it a failure for themselves. Therefore, the Hindus tried their level best to cancel the partition.