Topic: The Freedom Struggle — its various stages and important contributors/contributions from different parts of the country.
1. The Partition of Bengal was the culmination of systemic attack on nationalists of Bengal by Curzon and was not done for administrative convenience as stated officially by the government. Analyse. (250 words)
Difficulty level: Moderate
Reference: Chapter 10 – India’s Struggle for Independence by Bipin Chandra.
Why the question:
The question is part of the static syllabus of General studies paper – 1 as mentioned in Mission-2022 Secure timetable.
Key Demand of the question:
To write about the actual reasons behind the partition of Bengal.
Directive word:
Discuss – This is an all-encompassing directive – you have to debate on paper by going through the details of the issues concerned by examining each one of them. You have to give reasons for both for and against arguments.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Start by giving context of regarding partition of Bengal into Muslim dominated province with Dacca as a provincial capital and the Bengal region with Bengalis being outnumbered by Hindi ,Oriya and other language speaking population.
Body:
Mention the systemic attacks by Curzon on Bengal to stifle Indian nationalists. The Calcutta Corporation readjustment of 1899, Calcutta university Act of 1904 and explain them in brief.
Next, Write about the initial suggestion of administrative readjustment of Bengal for equal development, by Curzon in 1904.However, instead of the readjustment on linguistic lines, how Bengal was planned to be readjusted to stifle the voice of the nationalists of the region and divide the Bengali speaking educated middle class. The maxim of divide and rule was being followed to check on the Bengalis expressing patriotic views based on Western Liberal Ideas.
Conclusion:
Mention about the with the intent behind partition of Bengal to create mutual animosity rather than stated intent of administrative convenience and Indian response to it.
