Partition of Bengal | Causes with Explanation?

PARTITION OF BENGAL 

Introduction 

Perhaps nothing illustrates so well the validity of Sir Syed Ahmed Khan's reading of the Hindu mind as the agitation against the partition of Bengal. The act of Curzon administration plunged the country into deep and fearful internal strike and fueled the Muslims out of their political lethargy. 

Causes of Partition

Bengal was too Big 

Bengal with an area of 189000 square miles, embracing the population of about 86 million was too unwieldy to be administered efficiently by one lieutenant governor. He could not make even a tour difficult for running administration of the whole province when it needed. Its huge size made Bengal very complicated. 

Limited Source of Communication

In the East Bengal, the communication system was requirements of the age, Primitive. Now it could not survive according to the modern

Linguistic Difference 

There was a great linguistic difference between the population of the Eastern and Western parts of Bengal. The Bengali language spoken in the Eastern Bengal was known as Musalmani , While the Western compared to those of the eastern Bengal considered as superior. 

High Rate of Crime 

In Bengal as a province, the crime rate was very high. It had become impossible for the police to control the criminal sandanti-social elements. Police had become virtually almost non-existent. 

Lack of Education Facilities 

The British allocated minimal funds for the education sector of East Bengal. This meager allocation of funds could not provide any fruitful impact over the people of East Bengal. Resultantly, East Bengal had become a victim of shameful government apathy. 

No progress in Eastern Districts 

In the united province of Bengal, the British utilized all welfare funds in the Western district of Bengal. They had no allocation and funds for the opening of new projects and programmers in the Eastern zone of Bengal. Resultantly the East Bengal lacked progress and prosperity as compared to the western Bengal. 

No Trade for East Bengal 

The Export trade of Assam was hampered because Calcutta authorities were indifferent from the needs of Chittagong port and there was an urgent need to take the matter out of their purview. 

Dr. Abdul Hamid said about the partition of Bengal, "If it had not been attempted by Curzon, it could not be delayed much longer after him" 

Partition Plan 

In 1905, the provinces of Bengal and Assam were reconstituted so as to form two provinces of manageable size. Bengal had a population of 54 million with 42 million Hindus. East Bengal and Assam was the other province with the population of 18 million Muslim and 12 million Hindus. Decca was made its its capital. It consisted of 106650 square miles. 

Muslim's Response

It received favourable response from the Muslims. Though the Muslims never made a demand for partition of Bengal, but it was beneficial for Muslims in many respects. 

Muslim Numerical Advantage 

The new province had a population of 31 million with 18 million Muslims having numerical superiority over the Hindus. 

Widened the Muslim Prosperity 

The possibility of Muslim economic uplift grew brighter. It was hoped that they would get rid of the hundred years of exploitation. 

Free from Hindu Restraints 

Muslims hoped that their status would be raised in society as they were in numerical strength. They hoped that they would be free from the restraints of Hindu Society. 

Political Uplift 

The partition would result in the political uplift of the Muslims in Bengal. Now they would be able to secure jobs and representation in the government institutions. 

Need of Muslim Organization (AWL) 

The events following the partition of Bengal strengthened the desire of the Muslims to organize themselves politically as a separate community. The birth of All India Muslim League on 30th December 1906 came as an expression of that desire. 

Hindu Response 

Hindus did not like this partition, as it dealt a death blow to their monopolies and exclusive hold on economic, political life of the whole Bengal. Hindus called it as a deliberate attempt of the British government to disrupt the national solidarity and Bengali nationalism. They termed Lord Curzon as the upholder of the British official policy of "Divide and Rule" 

Reaction from Hindu Capitalists 

Partition of Bengal had brightened the possibility of the betterment of the Muslims. The Hindu capitalists wanted to continue the exploitation of the Muslims. 

Loss of the Practice of Hindu Lawyers

Hindu lawyers opposed partition. They thought that the new province would have its separate courts, thus their practice would be affected. 

Loss of Political Domination 

After the partition of Bengal, Hindus did not want to share their power with the muslims in the subcontinent. They perceived that partition of Bengal meant they would lose their political dominance over the whole province. So they did not want to lose it. 

Reaction of Hindu Press 

Hindu press was not different from that of the Hindu advocates. Hindus had their monopoly over the whole press of the province. They were afraid that newspapers would be established in the new province. 

Annulment at Delhi Coronation Darbar

King George V announced the annulment of Bengal at Delhi Coronation Darbar on 12th December 1911. Prof. Shafiq-ur-Rehman said, "The most settled of the all the settled facts was unsettled by the announcement by the King at Delhi".

Results and Effects 

The partition of Bengal had serious consequences upon the Indian subcontinent. The Congress and Hindu reaction towards the partition of Bengal made the Muslims convinced that they would not want Muslim representation in the Indian administrative structure. They had no courage to face the Muslim prosperity. NawabSalim-Ullah  Says, "The partition of Bengal bestowed new life and new image to the Muslim". Muslims developed self-confidence in them and were on the way of gradual progress. It proved that congress did not care for any community except Hindus. The annulment of the partition of Bengal proved that in future, Muslims would have to fight for their rights alone. The thinking of Sir Syed Ahmed Khan "Hindus and Muslims were two separate nations" proved correct.

Conclusion

It may be concluded that the partition of Bengal exposed the Hindu mentality towards the Muslim representation in the British administrative System. It also illustrates the opinion of Sir Syed Ahmed Khan towards the Hindu mind. The annulment of the partition of Bengal only satisfied Hindu urge, but it provided nothing to the Muslims. The act of Curzon administration plunged the country into deep and fearful internal strife and brought the two communities into open hostility, fueling the Muslims out of their political lethargy.