Question

One of lord Curzon’s administrative measures that resulted in a strong resentment from the masses was the partition of Bengal in 1905. In this context, answer the following questions:
a. What was Lord Curzon's argument in favour of the partition of Bengal? How did the nationalists interpret lord Curzon’s motives?
b. How did the people react to the partition of Bengal?
c. What was the impact of the swadeshi movement on Indian industries?

Answer 1

Hint:
George Nathaniel Curzon, First Marquess Curzon of Kedleston (11 January 1859 - 20 March 1925) best known as Lord Curzon, a British statesman who served as Deputy King of India from 1899 to 1905 with his controversial decision to move to Bengal in history for share two provinces.

Complete step by step solution:
(a) Lord Curzon's argument: The territory of Bengal was too large and difficult for the UK to manage effectively. So, according to Lord Curzon, the division of Bengal was an administrative necessity. Nationalist interpretation: Nationalists believe that this was done to break or break Hindu-Muslim unity, stop the tide of nationalism, limit Bengali influence by placing Bengalis not only under government, but also reduced to a minority in Bengal.

 (b) The people were aware of the move by the British government to divide the province of Bengal. So they started protesting against the proposal. 70,000 petitions have been filed with the government to stop the division. Various protest meetings took place in various cities in Bengal. The Swadeshi Movement was officially proclaimed on 7 August 1905. On the day of the distribution (16 October 1905), people marched on the streets of Calcutta chanting "Bande Mataram". They tie the crab together to show the bond of love and unity. People show their anger by boycotting foreign goods. They fasted and pledged nationalist support to force the government to lift the split.

 c) The Swadeshi movement provided a huge boost to Indian industry, particularly weaving. Textile factories, match factories and soap factories quickly sprang up across the country. The leather and tanning industry has also made significant progress. The Swadeshi movement led to the founding of the first Indian steel company Tata Steel in Bihar in 1911.

Note:
Lord Curzon was Deputy Secretary of State of India from 1891 to 1892 and Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs from 1895 to 1898. Lord Curzon became Salisbury's assistant private secretary in 1885 and entered Parliament in 1886 as a member of Southport in southwestern Lancashire.