Q. What was the real objective of the partition of Bengal?
(a) Create division among the ranks of Indian nationalists.
(b) Stop the tide of nationalism in Bengal.
(c) Build up separate administrative units for better efficiency of administration.
(d) Appease the large majority of Muslims.
Ans: (b) Stop the tide of nationalism in Bengal.
Explanation: The real objective of the partition of Bengal was (b) to stop the tide of nationalism in Bengal.
The partition of Bengal in 1905 was a political decision made by Lord Curzon, the then Viceroy of India, under the pretext of administrative efficiency. However, the underlying motive was to weaken the growing nationalist movement in Bengal, which was seen as a stronghold of Indian nationalism.
By dividing Bengal into two separate provinces, Bengal and Eastern Bengal and Assam, the British authorities aimed to disrupt the unity and strength of the Bengali-speaking population, which had been at the forefront of the nationalist movement. The partition was intended to dilute the concentration of nationalist sentiment and activism in Bengal by creating divisions along religious lines, with the Hindu-majority areas in Bengal and the Muslim-majority areas in Eastern Bengal.
The British hoped that by dividing Bengal, they could undermine the nationalist movement and create a sense of rivalry and animosity between Hindus and Muslims, thus weakening their collective opposition to colonial rule.
Therefore, the real objective of the partition of Bengal was to stop the tide of nationalism in Bengal and divide the nationalist ranks along religious lines, making it easier for the British to control and suppress the nationalist movement.
