21.Lord Curzon, Partition of Bengal

Question 1

Who was Lord Curzon?

Answer 1

Lord Curzon was a British statesman and foreign secretary who served as the Viceroy of India from 1899 to 1905.

Question 2

How old was Lord Curzon when he became the Viceroy of India?

Answer 2

Lord Curzon became the Viceroy of India at the age of 39, making him the youngest Viceroy in India’s history.

Question 3

What economic reforms were implemented by Lord Curzon during his tenure?

Answer 3

Lord Curzon implemented several economic reforms, including declaring the British currency as legal tender in India, reducing the salt-tax rate, advocating for financial decentralization by taking over the provinces’ savings, and establishing a Department of Commerce and Industry.

Question 4

What was the exchange rate between the British pound and the Indian rupee under Lord Curzon’s reforms?

Answer 4

Under Lord Curzon’s reforms, one pound was equal to fifteen rupees.

Question 5

Why did Lord Curzon establish a Department of Commerce and Industry in India?

Answer 5

Lord Curzon established the Department of Commerce and Industry to oversee India’s industrial and commercial interests as a means of promoting economic development.

Question 6

What did Lord Curzon do to improve railway facilities in India?

Answer 6

Lord Curzon appointed a Railway Commission, expanded railway lines, abolished the Railway Department, and transferred railway management to a three-member Railway Board.

Question 7

Who chaired the Railway Commission appointed by Lord Curzon?

Answer 7

The Railway Commission appointed by Lord Curzon was chaired by Mr. Robertson.

Question 8

What was the goal of the Department of Railways established by Lord Curzon?

Answer 8

The Department of Railways, established by Lord Curzon, aimed to operate on a commercial basis and prioritize profitability.

Question 9

What agricultural reform was implemented by Lord Curzon to address the issue of high-interest rates charged by money-lenders?

Answer 9

Lord Curzon passed the Co-operative Credit Societies Act in 1904 to encourage the formation of societies for deposits and loans, providing peasants with an alternative to money-lenders.

Question 10

What restriction was imposed by Lord Curzon’s Punjab Land Alienation Act of 1900?

Answer 10

The Punjab Land Alienation Act restricted the transfer of peasants’ lands to money-lenders in cases of failure to repay debts, aiming to protect peasants from losing their lands.

Question 11

What did the Calcutta Corporation Act of 1899 entail?

Answer 11

The Calcutta Corporation Act reduced elected members and increased nominated officials, undermining the goal of local self-government.

Question 12

What was the purpose of the Police Commission established during Lord Curzon’s tenure?

Answer 12

The Police Commission oversaw police reforms and advocated for the appointment of Indians as police officers, although their advancement was limited to the position of Inspector of Police.

Question 13

What was the significance of the Department of Criminal Intelligence during Lord Curzon’s time?

Answer 13

Lord Curzon attached the Department of Criminal Intelligence to the Government of India, establishing it as the central domestic and foreign intelligence agency. Criminal Investigation Departments were also established at the provincial level.

Question 14

What was the role of the Indian Universities Commission appointed in 1902?

Answer 14

The Indian Universities Commission was tasked with recommending reforms in university education. It made recommendations for various aspects such as University Senates, representation of affiliated colleges, curricular reforms, examinations, research, student welfare, and state scholarships.

Question 15

What was the significance of the Indian Universities Act of 1904?

Answer 15

The Indian Universities Act, enacted by Lord Curzon, tightened control over Indian universities and implemented the recommendations of the Raleigh Commission.

Question 16

What were the key recommendations of the Raleigh Commission?

Answer 16

The recommendations included emphasizing education and research in universities, reducing the number of university fellows and giving the government majority control over their nomination, granting the government the power to veto or pass university senate regulations, tightening conditions for private college affiliation, and providing a grant for higher education and university improvement.

Question 17

What did the Ancient Monuments Preservation Act of 1904 establish?

Answer 17

The Act established an Archaeological Department led by a director. Its purpose was to repair, restore, and protect historical monuments. Lord Curzon also encouraged native rulers to implement similar measures and urged the establishment of museums for the safe storage of rare objects by provincial governments.

Question 18

When was the Partition of Bengal announced and when did it go into effect?

Answer 18

The Partition of Bengal was announced by Lord Curzon, the Viceroy of India, on 20 July 1905, and it went into effect on 16 October 1905.

Question 19

What was the purpose of the Partition of Bengal?

Answer 19

The Partition was proposed for administrative purposes, aiming to address the challenges of managing the vast Bengal Presidency and to address the perceived neglect of the eastern region.

Question 20

What were the territories affected by the Partition of Bengal?

Answer 20

The Partition divided the Bengal Presidency, including the states of Bengal, Bihar, and parts of Chhattisgarh, Orissa, and Assam. The predominantly Muslim eastern areas were separated from the predominantly Hindu western areas.

Question 21

What was the population of the eastern province affected by the Partition of Bengal?

Answer 21

The eastern province had a population of 31 million people, with a majority being Muslims. Its capital was Dhaka.

Question 22

Who supported and opposed the Partition of Bengal?

Answer 22

Muslims, led by Dhaka’s Nawab Sallimullah, supported the partition, while Hindus opposed it. The idea was to quell Calcutta as a center of nationalism and divide and rule the communities.

Question 23

What was the response of Bengalis to the Partition of Bengal?

Answer 23

Bengalis saw the partition as an insult to their motherland, and there was widespread political unrest. They expressed a strong desire for Bengal’s unity.

Question 24

How did the Indian National Congress react to the partition?

Answer 24

The Indian National Congress objected to the partition, considering it a divisive move based on communal lines. They opposed the partition and advocated for unity.

Question 25

How did the rest of the country respond to the partition?

Answer 25

The rest of the country united in opposition to the partition, seeing it as a manifestation of the British ‘divide and rule’ policy. The partition exposed the divisive tactics of the British authorities.

Question 26

What was the main goal of the partition according to the text?

Answer 26

The main goal of the partition was to create a schism between the Hindu and Muslim communities, with the intention of undermining the unity and nationalism of the country.

Question 27

How did the partition impact the national struggle?

Answer 27

The partition of Bengal became a catalyst for the Swadeshi and Boycott movements in the national struggle. People began boycotting British goods, which led to the promotion of indigenous industries and a resistance against British economic dominance.

Question 28

What was the Swadeshi movement?

Answer 28

The Swadeshi movement was a self-sufficiency movement that aimed to promote Indian industries and products as part of the Indian independence movement.

Question 29

When did the Swadeshi movement begin and end?

Answer 29

The Swadeshi movement began in 1905 as a response to the partition of Bengal and lasted until 1908.

Question 30

What triggered the Swadeshi movement?

Answer 30

The trigger for the Swadeshi movement was the British Government’s decision to partition Bengal, which caused widespread dissatisfaction among Indians.

Question 31

What was the significance of the Swadeshi movement?

Answer 31

The Swadeshi movement was one of the most successful pre-Gandhian movements and played a crucial role in shaping Indian nationalism and promoting self-reliance.

Question 32

What was the goal of the Swadeshi movement?

Answer 32

The goal of the Swadeshi movement was to boycott British goods and promote the use of Indian-made products, thereby supporting indigenous industries and challenging British economic dominance.

Question 33

When was the Swadeshi movement formally launched?

Answer 33

The Swadeshi movement was formally launched on August 7, 1905, from Town Hall Calcutta.

Question 34

What was the goal of the Swadeshi movement?

Answer 34

The goal of the Swadeshi movement was to reduce reliance on foreign goods and promote domestic production by boycotting British products.

Question 35

Who wrote the famous song ‘Amar Sonar Bangla’?

Answer 35

Rabindranath Tagore wrote the famous song ‘Amar Sonar Bangla,’ which later became the national anthem of Bangladesh.

Question 36

Which leaders played significant roles in spreading the Swadeshi movement to different parts of the country?

Answer 36

Tilak in Poona and Bombay, Lala Lajpat Rai and Sardar Ajit Singh in Punjab, Syed Haider Raza in Delhi, and Chidambaram Pillai in Madras played significant roles in spreading the Swadeshi movement.

Question 37

When was the Calcutta Session of the Indian National Congress held, and what was its significance?

Answer 37

The Calcutta Session of the Indian National Congress was held in 1906. It marked a division within the Congress between the Moderates and Extremists, and it was a period of passionate nationalism.

Question 38

Who were the key leaders of the Extremists in the Indian National Congress?

Answer 38

Bal Gangadhar Tilak, Aurobindo Ghosh, Bipan Chandra Pal, and Lajpat Rai were key leaders of the Extremists in the Indian National Congress.

Question 39

Who served as the President of the Indian National Congress during the Calcutta Session in 1906?

Answer 39

Dadabhai Naoroji served as the President of the Indian National Congress during the Calcutta Session in 1906.

Question 40

What was the goal declared by the Indian National Congress (INC) in 1906?

Answer 40

The goal declared by the INC in 1906 was ‘Self-government’ or Swaraj.

Question 41

What measures did the extremists in the national movement seek to infuse?

Answer 41

The extremists sought to infuse aggressive measures in the national movement, including the total boycott of anything British, such as schools, jobs, universities, legislative councils, courts, and municipalities.

Question 42

What slogan did Tilak give during the Swadeshi movement?

Answer 42

Tilak gave the slogan, “Swaraj is my birthright and I will take it.”

Question 43

How did the government respond to students’ participation in the Swadeshi agitation?

Answer 43

The government issued orders to penalize schools and colleges whose students actively participated in the Swadeshi agitation. Students found guilty of participating in nationalist agitation faced disciplinary action, including fines, expulsion, arrests, and occasionally beatings by the police.

Question 44

What notable feature of the Swadeshi movement was the active participation of women?

Answer 44

The active participation of women from the urban middle classes in processions and picketing was a notable feature of the Swadeshi movement. This marked their active role in the nationalist movement.

Question 45

When was the National Council of Education established, and what was its purpose?

Answer 45

The National Council of Education was established in August 1906 to organize the national education system. It aimed to establish Swadeshi institutions, including the Bengal National College and other national schools and colleges across the country.

Question 46

What were the results of the Swadeshi movement on Indian industries?

Answer 46

The Swadeshi movement resulted in the establishment of Swadeshi textile mills, soap and match factories, tanneries, banks, insurance companies, and shops. It also revitalized the Indian cottage industry and led to a significant decrease in foreign imports.

Question 47

How did the Swadeshi movement impact the use of indigenous goods and foreign goods?

Answer 47

The Swadeshi movement coincided with a resurgence in the use of indigenous goods, as foreign goods such as clothing, sugar, salt, and luxury items were not only boycotted but also burned. It also led to a social boycott of both buyers and sellers of foreign goods.

Question 48

What event led to the Surat Split in 1907?

Answer 48

The conflict between the extremists and moderates in the Indian National Congress culminated in the Surat Split in December 1907.

Question 49

Why was the venue of the 1907 session changed to Surat?

Answer 49

The venue of the 1907 session was changed to Surat, a Congress stronghold, to avoid issues that local delegates in Nagpur, Bal Gangadhar Tilak’s stronghold, would raise in favor of the extremists.

Question 50

Who were the leaders of the extremist and moderate camps during the Surat Session?

Answer 50

Lal Bal Pal led the extremist camp, while Gopal Krishna Gokhle led the moderate camp during the Surat Session.

Question 51

Who presided over the Surat session of the Indian National Congress?

Answer 51

Dr. Rash Behari Ghosh presided over the Surat session of the Indian National Congress.

Question 52

What was the outcome of the Surat Split?

Answer 52

The Surat Split resulted in the division of the Congress and a shift from active political activism to a passive environment in the country.

Question 53

What was the significance of the Surat Split for Indian nationalists and the British?

Answer 53

The Surat Split was a failure for Indian nationalists as it divided the Congress, while it was a success for the British as it achieved what they failed to accomplish with the Bengal Partition.

Question 54

How did the expulsion of extremists impact the effectiveness of both sections of nationalists?

Answer 54

The expulsion of extremists nullified the effect of both the moderate and extremist sections of nationalists because their effectiveness relied on working together.

Question 55

What impact did the work of Nawab Salimullah of Dhaka have on the Swadeshi movement?

Answer 55

Nawab Salimullah of Dhaka worked to undermine the Swadeshi movement and establish division between Hindus and Muslims, leading to the failure of uniting them.

Question 56

How did the establishment of the Muslim League contribute to the division between Hindus and Muslims?

Answer 56

The establishment of the Muslim League provided a platform for political representation of Muslims in British India, particularly in response to the Hindu opposition to Bengal’s partition. This further deepened the division between Hindus and Muslims.

Question 57

When was the All India Muslim League founded?

Answer 57

The All India Muslim League was founded in 1906.

Question 58

What was the purpose of the All India Muslim League?

Answer 58

The purpose of the All India Muslim League was to protect the political interests of Muslims in British India and seek concessions from the British government.

Question 59

Who proposed the formation of the All India Muslim League?

Answer 59

Nawab of Dhaka, Khwaja Salimullah, proposed the formation of the All India Muslim League during the annual meeting of the All India Muslim Education Conference in 1906.

Question 60

Who were some of the founders of the All India Muslim League?

Answer 60

Sir Agha Khan was one of the founders of the All India Muslim League.

Question 61

What were the goals of the All India Muslim League?

Answer 61

The All India Muslim League aimed to secure political rights for Muslims in British India and negotiate for concessions from the British government.

Question 62

Who were the individuals after whom the Indian Councils Act of 1909 is named?

Answer 62

The Indian Councils Act of 1909 is named after John Morley, the Secretary of State for India who formulated the act, and Lord Minto, the Viceroy of India.

Question 63

What was the demand made by the Indian National Congress (INC) in 1906?

Answer 63

In 1906, the Indian National Congress demanded home rule for the first time.

Question 64

Who met with John Morley in England to emphasize the need for changes?

Answer 64

Gopal Krishna Gokhale met with John Morley in England to stress the importance of changes in the Indian governance system.

Question 65

What proposal did the Simla Deputation present to Lord Minto in 1906?

Answer 65

The Simla Deputation, led by Aga Khan, presented a proposal for a separate electorate for Muslims to Lord Minto in 1906.

Question 66

What was the purpose of the Indian Councils Act of 1909?

Answer 66

The Indian Councils Act of 1909 aimed to bring the Moderates in the Indian National Congress and Muslims together by introducing reforms and granting certain political rights.

Question 67

What were the provisions of the Indian Councils Act of 1909?

Answer 67

The provisions of the Indian Councils Act of 1909 included an increase in the size of legislative councils, introduction of indirect elections through an electoral college, the ability to debate and propose resolutions on the budget and important issues, inclusion of Indians in the Viceroy’s Executive Council, and the introduction of separate electorates for Muslims.

Question 68

How was the size of legislative councils affected by the Indian Councils Act of 1909?

Answer 68

The size of legislative councils, both at the federal and provincial levels, increased. The Central Legislative Council consisted of members aged 16 to 60, while the Legislative Councils of Bengal, Madras, Bombay, and the United Provinces had 50 members each. The Legislative Councils of Punjab, Burma, and Assam had 30 members each.

Question 69

How were elected members chosen under the Indian Councils Act of 1909?

Answer 69

Elected members were chosen indirectly through an electoral college. The electoral college consisted of municipalities, universities, zamindars, Chambers of Commerce, etc. The members of the provincial legislative councils were elected by this electoral college, and these provincial council members, in turn, elected the members of the Central Legislative Council.

Question 70

Who became the first Indian member of the Viceroy’s Executive Council under the Indian Councils Act of 1909?

Answer 70

Satyendra P Sinha became the first Indian member of the Viceroy’s Executive Council under the Indian Councils Act of 1909.

Question 71

What was the significance of the introduction of separate electorates for Muslims under the Indian Councils Act of 1909?

Answer 71

The Indian Councils Act of 1909 introduced the concept of separate electorates for Muslims, which allowed Muslim members to be elected only by Muslim voters. This provision is considered to have “legalized communalism” and is attributed to sowing the seeds of partition in India. Lord Minto is often referred to as the Father of Communal Electorate.

Question 72

What significant event occurred in 1905 in relation to communalism in India?

Answer 72

In 1905, the Partition of Bengal took place, which is considered a significant event in the spread of communalism in India.

Question 73

What organization was created in 1906 that further divided Hindus and Muslims?

Answer 73

In 1906, the Muslim League was created, which led to a division between Hindus and Muslims in India.

Question 74

Which organization experienced a split in 1907, further contributing to the spread of communalism?

Answer 74

In 1907, the Indian National Congress experienced a split, which added to the spread of communalism in India.

Question 75

What measure was introduced in 1909 that solidified the concept of separate electorates for Muslims?

Answer 75

In 1909, the Indian Councils Act was passed, which introduced the provision of separate electorates for Muslims, furthering the divide between communities.