The document summarizes the partition of Bengal in 1905 and the reactions to it. It was partitioned for administrative reasons due to its large population and area. This benefited Muslims by making them the majority in East Bengal and opening new political and economic opportunities. However, Hindus strongly opposed the partition as it undermined their dominant social position and threatened their control of trade, government services, and the legal system. Their uprising turned violent and pressured the British to cancel the partition in 1911.

1. PARTITION OF BENGAL
(1905-1911)
Introduction
In 1899, Lord Curzon was appointed Viceroy of India. He was a capable and
effective manager. After taking a thorough tour of Bengal province, he
concluded that it was too large to be efficiently administered. The provincial
Governors have previously voiced their dissatisfaction with the
administrative challenges they faced in the big province. Given the
province's size and large population, they had suggested its division. The
split was completed in 1905 as a result.
Reasons for Partition of the Bengal

2. The partition of Bengal in 1905 was caused by a variety of factors. Here are
a few of them:
Large Population of Bengal
According to the census, seven crores eighty lac people made up the
population in 1901. Its separation into two portions was inevitable given the
size and population ratios.
Large Area of Bengal
Bengal had to be divided because, according to the 1901 census, its area was
one million eight hundred thousand square miles.
Destruction of Chittagong Sea Port
No effort was made to expand and improve the seaport in East Bengal at
Chittagong due to the existence of a seaport in West Bengal at Calcutta.
Problem of Language
The three provinces of Bengal, Assam, and Uttar Pradesh make up the region
of Arisa where the Arya language was spoken. As a result, both the people
and the government encountered numerous issues. The involved provincial
administrations were required to conduct official business in both local and
Arya. Additionally, they were unable to keep apart. As a result, Arisa has to
be included in each province.
Destruction of Industry and Skill

3. In vast quantities, jute was manufactured. East Bengal was not given any
weight in the industrial world, which led to the collapse of the local
industries and poor living conditions for the populace.
Economic Backwardness
Because the West Bengal region was completely overlooked by the previous
administration, Calcutta's surrounding territories experienced economic
stagnation.
Muslim Reaction to the Partition
For the Muslims, the new province of Eastern Bengal opened up better
political and economic prospects. With the establishment of the new
province, Muslims became the majority overnight. Out of the 31 million
people who lived in the new province, 18 million were Muslims. The
Muslims, who made up the majority in the new system, had significant
opportunities for advancement as a result of the division of Bengal.
Muslims were an oppressed and dominant class in the unified province of
Bengal. The Hindus controlled trade and government services, which made
the Muslims' financial situation worse. They had the opportunity to improve
their social standing thanks to the partition of Bengal. They believed moving
to the new province would greatly elevate their social stature. Therefore, the
Bengali division was met with extreme joy from the Muslim community.

4. They expressed their gratitude to the government in a devoted manner for
taking action to advance their social, economic, and political standing.
Hindu Reaction towards Partition
The division of Bengal was met with an angry and violent response from
the Hindus. Hindus could never be on board with a plan that would benefit
Muslims and make them happy. Hindus, however, also held the belief that
they would be subjugated to the Muslim majority in the new province,
losing their superior status in the process. The Hindu attorneys worried
that their field of law would be impacted by the relocation of the provincial
High Court and other judicial institutions to Dacca.
The Hindu Press and media claimed that the Muslim perspective will now be
projected in the newspapers and magazines since Dacca was to become the
centre of journalism and other scholarly activities. The division was opposed
by Hindu landlords, businessmen, and traders because it put an end to their
exploitation of the defenceless Muslims. Prior to Bengal's division, Hindus
held a privileged position over Muslims in the province's political system.
The new arrangement was intended to end their domination over Muslims
in politics and to undermine their superior political position. The Hindu
uprising quickly descended into violence.
The populace violated orders from the government by skipping rent and tax
payments. During that time and in a number of locations, communal

5. skirmishes broke out, worsening the law-and-order situation in the nation.
British citizens' lives were attacked with bombs and other means. The
boycott of imported goods was coordinated by the swadeshi movement. The
Viceroy was the target of a foiled assassination attempt after the train
carrying the Eastern Bengal Governor derailed.
Cancellation of Partition of Bengal
The ferocious Hindu uprising shook the government, which was unable to
withstand the movement's tremendous pressure. The government was
threatened by Hindus to boycott King George VI's upcoming visit to India.
The British Government gave in to the Hindu uprising after the threat was
proven to be effective. At a royal gathering called Delhi Darbar on
December 12, 1911, King George revealed his determination to annul the
partition of Bengal, much to the chagrin of the Bengali Muslims.
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