Question

Discuss how Curzon striked at the roots of Bengal nationalism to weaken the National Movement.

Answer 1

 Lord Curzon, on assuming the office, felt that patriotic nationalism was gaining ground too rapidly. To counter this spirit of nationalism Lord Curzon thought, it would come to no good unless the Hindu and Muslims of India were not turned against each other. Therefore Lord: Curzon sent his proposal for the division of Bengal, to obtain the Royal assent. Bengal was divided and the nationalist sentiments of Bengal leaders were badly hurt. The two Bengals were created in such a way that there were two districts Hindu and Muslim blocs. The people of Bengal understood that Lord Curzon was trying to split their unity by stirring up religious differences. East Bengal had Muslim majority and the West had Hindu majority. Both had common language, culture and traditions. This created a wave of indignation all over the country against the British Government. Curzon wrote, ‘The Congress is tottering to its fall and one of my ambitions, while in India, is to assist it to a peaceful demise.’ This was the clear motive of Curzon for the partition of Bengal.