Q. In the context of the Indian freedom struggle 16th October 1905 is well known for which one of the following reasons?
(a) The formal proclamation of Swadeshi Movement was made in Calcutta town hall
(b) Partition of Bengal took effect
(c) Dadabhai Naoroji declared that the goal of Indian National Congress was Swaraj
(d) Lokmanya Tilak started Swadeshi Movement in Poona
Ans: (b) Partition of Bengal took effect
The correct answer is (b) Partition of Bengal took effect.
Explanation:
On 16th October 1905, the Partition of Bengal took effect, which is well-known in the context of the Indian freedom struggle.
The Partition of Bengal was a controversial administrative decision made by the British colonial government. It divided the Bengal Presidency into two separate provinces: Bengal and East Bengal and Assam. The decision aimed to weaken the growing nationalist movement in Bengal by dividing the region along religious lines.
The partition sparked widespread protests and resistance from the Indian nationalist movement. The Indian National Congress and other organizations strongly opposed the decision, as it was seen as a strategy to create a divide between Hindus and Muslims and to undermine the unity of the people.
The Partition of Bengal also played a significant role in mobilizing the Swadeshi Movement, which aimed to promote the use of indigenous products and boycott British goods. The formal proclamation of the Swadeshi Movement was made in Calcutta (now Kolkata) on 7th August 1905, which was a direct response to the Partition of Bengal.
Therefore, option (b) Partition of Bengal took effect is the correct answer.
