Question

explain summary of partition of bengal

Answer 1

The partition of India led to the partition of Bengal (1947) dividing the British Indian province of Bengal into two. The western part with predominantly Hindu population became a part of India (West Bengal), while the predominantly Muslim eastern part (East Bengal) became a part of Pakistan. Prior to the partition of India, many rounds of deliberations took place to decide the future of Bengal, but no consensus among the members of the Bengal legislative Assembly belonging to West and East Bengal could be reached. Thus, the partition of British Indian province of Bengal was done according to the ‘June 3 Plan,’ also known as the ‘Mountbatten Plan.’ East Bengal, which was a part of Pakistan until 1972, is currently the People’s Republic of Bangladesh.

Historical Background

The first partition of Bengal was proposed in the year 1905 by the then Viceroy of India, Lord Curzon. The size of the state was mentioned as the reason of partition but the real motive behind the partition was the British policy of dividing Hindus and Muslims (East Bengal had a majority of Muslims, while West Bengal had a majority of Hindu population). Though the Muslims were generally happy about the decision, the Hindus were outraged as they recognized the move as Britain’s famous divide and rule policy. But Lord Curzon argued that the separation of the state was mandatory as it would make it easier for the government to administrate the state more efficiently. Hence Viceroy Curzon and the then Chief Secretary of Bengal, Cayan Uddin Ahmet went ahead and completed the partition on October 16, 1905.

Since the partition had left a considerable number of Hindu minorities in East Bengal and a similar number of Muslims in West Bengal, conflicting views regarding the partition arose, which, in turn, led to many protests and agitations. Hence the two provinces were reunited in 1911.

The second partition of Bengal took place at the time of the partition of India in 1947. On June 20, the members of the ‘Bengal Legislative Assembly’ decided to cast three separate votes to decide the fate of Bengal. At the end of the three separate elections, it was decided that Bengal will indeed be divided. Under the ‘Mountbatten Plan’ the Hindu majority West Bengal joined the Union of India, and the Muslim-majority joined the Dominion of Pakistan.

In accordance with the ‘Mountbatten Plan,’ a referendum was to be held in Sylhet in order to decide whether Sylhet wanted to remain in India as part of Assam or whether it wanted to join East Bengal to become a part of Pakistan. The Sylhet referendum, which was held on July 7, 1947, decided in favor of joining the Dominion of Pakistan. However, during the partition, the Barak Valley of Sylhet remained in India, while the rest of Sylhet joined Pakistan. The subsequent ‘Boundary Commission,’ which was headed by Sir Cyril Radcliffe, decided the territorial demarcations of the two newly created provinces.

hope it will helps you friend

Answer 2

The decision to effect the Partition of Bengal(Bengali: বঙ্গভঙ্গ) was announced on 19 July 1905 by the Viceroy of India, Curzon. The partition took place on 16 October 1905 and separated the largely Muslim eastern areas from the largely Hindu western areas. The Hindus of West Bengal who dominated Bengal's business and rural life complained that the division would make them a minority in a province that would incorporate the province of Bihar and Orissa. Hindus were outraged at what they saw as a "divide and rule" policy[1][2] (where the colonisers turned the native population against itself in order to rule), even though Curzon stressed it would produce administrative efficiency. The partition animated the Muslims to form their own national organization on communal lines. In order to appease Bengali sentiment, Bengalwas reunited by Lord Hardinge in 1911, in response to the Swadeshi movement's riots in protest against the policy and the growing belief among Hindus that east Bengal would have its own courts and policies.