Q. The Swadeshi movement was started because
(a) the British massacred innocent people at Jallianwala Bagh
(b) the British government did not grant responsible government in India
(c) Lord Curzon divided Bengal
(d) of de-industrialisation in India
Ans: (c) Lord Curzon divided Bengal
Explanation: The correct answer is (c) Lord Curzon divided Bengal.
The Swadeshi movement was a major phase of the Indian independence movement that emerged in response to Lord Curzon’s decision to partition Bengal in 1905. The partition of Bengal was seen as a deliberate attempt by the British to weaken the growing nationalist movement in Bengal by dividing the province along communal lines. The move was met with widespread opposition and led to a surge of patriotic fervor among Indians.
The Swadeshi movement aimed to promote the use of Indian-made products and boycott British goods as a means of protest against the partition. It encouraged the revival of indigenous industries and emphasized the importance of self-reliance and economic independence. The movement gained momentum with mass protests, boycotts, and acts of civil disobedience.
While events such as the Jallianwala Bagh massacre and the denial of responsible government also contributed to the nationalist sentiment, it was the partition of Bengal that specifically sparked the Swadeshi movement.
Therefore, the correct answer is (c) Lord Curzon divided Bengal.
