The primary reason for the British government's decision to partition Bengal in 1905 was:
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: B
Explanation
Answer: (B) To improve the administrative efficiency of the large province.
Explanation:
In 1905, the then Viceroy, Lord Curzon, announced the Partition of Bengal. The official rationale provided by the British government was that Bengal was an extremely large province (with a population of approximately 78 million), making it difficult to administer from a single center; therefore, partition was deemed necessary for the sake of administrative efficiency. However, the actual objective was to suppress the rising wave of Indian nationalism in Bengal and to undermine Hindu-Muslim unity under the policy of "Divide and Rule." It was in protest against this partition that the Swadeshi Movement was launched.
Additional Points:
Date of Partition: Implemented on October 16, 1905 (which was observed as a Day of Mourning).
Annulment of Partition: It was annulled by Lord Hardinge II during the Delhi Durbar of 1911.
Potential Exam Questions and Answers:
Question: Who was the Viceroy of India at the time of the Partition of Bengal?
Answer: Lord Curzon.
Question: By whom and when was the song 'Amar Sonar Bangla' written?
Answer: By Rabindranath Tagore, in protest against the Partition of Bengal in 1905.