BENGAL PARTITION
1. Context
The marking of West Bengal's Foundation Day by Governor C V Ananda Bose at the Raj Bhavan in Kolkata on June 20 has ignited a political controversy in the state.
The Ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) had earlier opposed the plan, arguing that June 20 Signifies a painful chapter in the State's history, as it marks the division of Bengal into West Bengal into East Pakistan (later Bangladesh). Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee expressed her concerns in a letter to the Governor, emphasizing the need to avoid rekindling bitter memories.
2. Partition of Bengal in 1947
- Muslim League's demand for a separate nation-state for Indian Muslims led to the partition.
- Communal violence in Calcutta in August 1946 intensified the religious division.
- Bengal was included in the partition plan due to its significant non-Muslim minorities.
- The Radcliffe Line, drawn by the boundary commission, demarcated separate Hindu and Muslim-majority districts.
3. Finalization of East Pakistan's Contours
- The Muslim-majority districts of East Bengal constituted East Pakistan.
- Similarly, Punjab was divided into Muslims in the West and Hindus and Sikhs in the East.
- The Radcliffe Line delineated the boundaries of East Pakistan.
4. The distinction between Curzon's Partition and the 1947 Partition
- Curzon's 1905 partition aimed to break the unity of Bengal-speaking people and create a province with a Muslim majority.
- The 1911 partition undid Curzon's partition, restoring linguistic unity.
- The two partitions were unrelated, except that the new Bengal after 1911 had a Muslim majority.
5. The aftermath of the 1947 Partition of Bengal
- Bengal experienced communal violence in 1946, but it was relatively less severe compared to Punjab due to the presence of Mahatma Gandhi.
- Continous migrations and displacement occurred over an extended period, leading to a large refugee population.
- Rehabilitation and settlement efforts were required to address the impact on lives, livelihoods and the economy.
6. The way forward
- The decision to mark West Bengal's Foundation Day has become a subject of political contention, with the TMC opposing it due to the painful memories associated with the partition of Bengal.
- The historical context of the 1947 partition, along with the resulting migrations and disruptions, highlights the complex ramifications on the region.
- As the controversy unfolds, it underscores the need for sensitivity and understanding of the shared history to foster reconciliation and unity in West Bengal.
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For Prelims: Bengal Partition, Lord Curzon, East Pakistan, West Pakistan, Bangladesh, TMC, Muslim League, Communal violence, The Radcliffe Line,
For Mains:
1. Discuss the circumstances that led to the partition of Bengal in 1947. How did the demand for a separate nation-state for Indian Muslims contribute to this partition? (250 Words).
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Previous Year Questions 1. The Partition of Bengal made by Lord Curzon in 1905 lasted until (UPSC 2014)
A. the First World War when Indian troops were needed by the British and the partition was ended.
B. King George V abrogated Curzon's Act at the Royal Durbar in Delhi in 1911.
C. Gandhiji launched his civil Disobedience Movement.
D. the Partition of India in 1947 when East Bengal became East Pakistan.
Answer: B 2. Which one of the following measures were NOT adopted by Lord Curzon? (UGC NET 2019)
A. The Calcutta Municipal Amendment Act
B. Indian Universities Act
C. Indian Officials Secrets Amendment Act
D. Law for Protecting Ancient Indian Monuments
Answer: C 3. In which year did Lord Curzon announce the Partition of Bengal? (SSC CHSL 2020) (SSC GD 2021) (ICAR Technician 2022) A. 1904 B. 1905 C. 1902 D. 1903 Answer: B 4. To which of the following event Lord Curzon is related? (SSC MTS 2019)
A. Partition of Bengal
B. Setting up of Durand Commission
C. Bhutan War
D. Introduction to system of Budget
Answer: A
5. The most opposed policy of Lord Curzon was the: (DSSSB Junior Secretariat Assistant 2022)
A. Partition of Bengal
B. Army Reforms
C. Judicial Reforms
D. Ancient Monuments Act
Answer: A
6. Which among the following is related to Lord Curzon? (Rajasthan CET Graduate Level 2023)
A. Partition of Bengal in 1905
B. Government of India Act, 1909
C. Universities Act, 1920
D. Indian Council Act, 1892
Answer: A
7. What was the present-day Bangladesh called when it was a part of Pakistan? (UPPCL AE CS 2018)
A. Pakistan (Bengal)
B. East Pakistan
C. Bengal Pakistan
D. Bangla Pakistan
Answer: B
8. When did Bangladesh get independence from Pakistan? (SSC CHSL 2021)
A. 1971 B. 1965 C. 1949 D. 1976
Answer: A
9. India fought against Pakistan in 1971 for the liberation of (APPSC Group 4 2012)
(Karnataka SI 2022)
A. Bangladesh B. POK C. Siachen Sector D. Poonch Sector
Answer: A
10. Which neighbouring country of India was formerly known as East Pakistan? (SSC MTS 2017)
A. Nepal B. Bhutan C. Bangladesh D. Myanmar
Answer: C
11. Till which year was Bangladesh a part of Pakistan? (SSC GD 2021)
A. 1962 B. 1974 C. 1971 D. 1956
Answer: C
12. Bangladesh was a part of Pakistan from ______ to ______. (SSC CPO 2020) SSC CHSL 2021)
A. 1947; 1989 B. 1947; 1962 C. 1947; 1971 D. 1947; 1958
Answer: C
13. Which of the neighboring Country of India did come in existence in 1971? (DSSSB Head Clerk 2022)
A. Nepal B. Sri Lanka C. Bangladesh D. Bhutan
Answer: C
14. Who was heading the Indian Army during the Bangladesh Liberation War of 1971? (ITBP Head Constable/Combatant Ministerial 2017)
1. A.J.N. Chaudhuri
2. B.P.P. Kumaramangalam
3. C.G.G. Bewoor
4. D. Sam Manekshaw
Answer: 4
15. Comprehension ( ESIC Stenographer 2019)
Below are given some sentences out of which the sentence numbered 4 has been correctly placed. The rest of the sentences A, B, C, D, E, F need to be arranged correctly in order to form a logical order.
A. The war began when Pakistan made preemptive airstrikes on 11 Indian air stations.
B. The war ended when the Eastern Command of the Pakistan military signed the instrument of surrender on December 16, in Dhaka.
C. The Indo-Pakistan war of 1971 was a military confrontation between India and Pakistan that occurred from December 3, 1971, to the fall of Dhaka on December 16 of the same year. 4. It was one of the shortest wars in history, lasting just 13 days.
D. This event marked the formation of East Pakistan as the new nation of Bangladesh.
E. During the short war, Indian and Pakistani militaries clashed both on the Eastern and Western fronts.
F. This led to the commencement of hostilities between India and Pakistan with India entering the war of independence in East Pakistan on the side of the Bengali nationalists.
Which of the following is the SECOND statement?
1. A 2. B 3. C 4. D 5. E
Answer: A
16. The Radcliffe Line demarcates India's borders with which of the following countries? (SSC JE 2021)
A. Bhutan B. Germany C. Pakistan D. China
Answer: C
17. India and Pakistan had signed the ______, under which the two countries agreed to sort out differences and disputes bilaterally. (SSC MTS 2021)
A. Calcutta pact B. Simla Pact C. Lucknow Pact D. Agra Pact
Answer: B
18. Match List I with List II (UGC NET Political Science 2020)
List I Landmarks in Indian foreign policy List II Prime Ministers
(A) Shimla Accord (I) Rajiv Gandhi
(B) Act East Policy (II) Indira Gandhi
(C) India's Peace keeping in Sri Lanka (III) Atal Behari Vajpayee
(D) Lahore Declaration (IV) Narendra Modi
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:
1. (A)-(I), (B)-(II), (C)-(III), (D)-(IV)
2. (A)-(II), (B)-(IV), (C)-(I), (D)-(III)
3. (A)-(IV), (B)-(III), (C)-(II), (D)-(I)
4. (A)-(III), (B)-(II), (C)-(IV), (D)-(I)
Answer: 2
19. Which of the following countries was formed in 1971? (RRB JE 4 2019)
A. Sri Lanka B. Nepal C. Bangladesh D. Bhutan
Answer: C
20. In one election, AAP got 70% of the votes and TMC got the remaining votes. If AAP won by 36 votes, how many people voted? ( DSSSB TGT 2021)
A. 120 B. 90 C. 180 D. 100
Answer: B
21. The All India Muslim League was founded in 1906 at: (MPPSC General Studies 2014)(SSC MTS 2021)
A. Lahore B. Bombay C. Lucknow D. Dacca
Answer: D
22. The All-India Muslim League was formed at Dacca. Which of the following statements about it is NOT true? (SSC GD Constable 2021)
A.The League did not support the partition of Bengal.
B. The League was formed in 1906.
C. It desired separate electorates for the Muslims.
D. It was formed by a group of Muslim landlords and nawabs.
Answer: A
23. In which of the following years did the Muslim League pass a resolution demanding a measure of autonomy for the Muslim majority areas? (RRB NTPC CBT 2 2022)
A. 1944 B. 1940 C. 1935 D. 1937
Answer: B
24. The Muslim League accepted the Lucknow Pact but rejected the Nehru Report because: (OPSC OAS 2022)
A. One offered Muslims more representation than the proportion of their population while the other did not.
B. Of the fear of Muslims being punished by the Colonial Government.
C. Of the desire to ally with the Raj.
D. They distrusted what they insisted was the Hindu leadership of the Congress.
Answer: A
25. Consider the following statements about the All India Muslim League and choose the correct option. (CTET 2022)
(A) The League desired separate electorates for Muslims.
(B) The League supported the partition of Bengal.
(C) The formation of the League was the main cause of split in Congress in 1907.
A. Only (A) is true
B. Only (B) is true
C. Only (A) and (B) are true
D. Only (B) and (C) are true
Answer: C
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Source: The Indian Express
