Hist 4538

March 4, 2004

The Partition of Bengal and the Division of Congress

Bengal Partition

• 1905: Viceroy Curzon announces plans to divide Bengal province in two

            ◦ ostensibly to ease administration

            ◦ but, at least in part, to divide burgeoning nationalist movement

            ◦ and to create a Muslim-majority province

• Muslims pleased, but Hindus outraged

• Oct 1905: despite protests, Curzon partitions Bengal

Nationalist Responses

• Moderate Congressmen circulate petitions of protest; ignored by the British

• Extremists convince reluctant moderates to boycott British goods and institutions

            ◦ swadeshi (“of own country”) campaign to buy only Indian goods

            ◦ police attacks on pickets outside shops selling British goods result in violence

◦ moderates withdraw support for boycott

• Radical extremists turn to violence: assassination attempts, bombings, armed robbery

The Congress Split

• 1906 Congress meeting

◦ moderates retain control, but radical agenda is passed

◦ Congress issues resolutions in favor of swadeshi and of swaraj (“self-rule”)

• 1907 Congress meeting

◦ shapes up as showdown between moderates and extremists

◦ delegates clash and moderates walk out

Debate: What is the best approach to the problem of the Bengal partition?

• How should nationalists relate to the British?

• Is a slower and more moderate or faster and more aggressive approach most effective?

• How should Hindus and Muslims relate?

Return to Hist 4538 Home