PARTITION OF BENGAL

Question 1

huge size

Answer 1

one of the reasons for the partition of Bengal was its huge geographical size and population. Bengal was British biggest administrative unit in India population and area wise. it was as big as France and had the population 10 times than that of Britain therefore it was extremely difficult for the British to administrate who were a new governing power hence they partitioned Bengal into two smaller provinces to govern easily

Question 2

religious reasons

Answer 2

Bengal was partitioned due to religious reasons. there were 30 million Muslims and 54 million Hindus who had opposite beliefs due to which communal clashes and religious rights were increasing day by day on issues such as slaughtering of cow therefore the British decided partitioning Bengal on the basis of religion to maintain peace was justified.

Question 3

to free Muslims from Hindu oppression

Answer 3

Bengal was partitioned to free Muslims from Hindu oppression. Hindus were the dominant force in Bengal after British in many sectors e.g Hindus were landlords and Muslims were farmers therefore Muslims had little opportunities to progress in Bengal hence the British partitioned Bengal to put an end to this oppression, allow the Muslims to be given more opportunities and unite the Muslims. thus Bengal wad partitioned

Question 4

regional disparity

Answer 4

regional disparity was another reason for the partition of Bengal. people living in east Bengal especially Muslims felt neglected and underdeveloped as compared to the west who was the hub of activities and had many important buildings e.g. the only university in Bengal. therefore, the British decided that by partitioning Bengal Muslims would be be better off in a Muslim majority province and benefit from new opportunities hence they partitioned Bengal.

Question 5

to counter growing nationalism

Answer 5

another reason for the partition was to counter growing nationalism. a form of radical nationalism began to develop and few Hindu nationalist leaders emerged like e.g Bal Gangadher Tilak. he made impassioned speeches and wrote provocative news paper that increased nationalism so much that attacks were made on the British. these activities worried the British who were a relatively new government in India decided to clamp down these activities by partitioning Bengal.

Question 6

counter Hindu political threat

Answer 6

further, Bengal was partitioned to counter Hindu political threat. Hindus were millions in population and quite united, they also had the platform of congress to express their opinions therefore began to demand more concessions and administrative role in the government. however these demands worried the British who were a new government and were committed to follow their own policies thus they partitioned Bengal to counter this political challenge.

Question 7

to improve relations with Muslims

Answer 7

Bengal was also partitioned by the British to improve Muslim-British relations. after the war of independence the British mistrusted and blamed the Muslims for the war however in the beginning of the 20th century their views of the Muslims changed and wanted to cooperate with the second largest community in India. Bengal was on of the area of India where Muslims lived in millions but had no opportunities to prosper therefore the British partitioned Bengal to end Muslims oppression in east Bengal and remove Muslims misunderstanding towards the British hence Bengal was partitioned.