Partition of Bengal and the Swadeshi Boycott Movement MCQ Quiz - Objective Question with Answer for Partition of Bengal and the Swadeshi Boycott Movement - Download Free PDF

The correct answer is Calcutta Session, 1906.

Key Points

•  The Calcutta Session of the Indian National Congress in 1906, presided over by Dadabhai Naoroji, declared that the goal of the Congress was "self-government or swaraj like the United Kingdom or the colonies."

Additional Information

• The 1906 Calcutta Session of the Indian National Congress was presided over by Dadabhai Naoroji.
• It marked a significant shift by formally adopting Swaraj (self-rule) as the Congress's goal.
• The session demonstrated a unity between Moderates and Extremists within the Congress movement.
• Leaders like Lala Lajpat Rai, Bal Gangadhar Tilak, and Bipin Chandra Pal, played pivotal roles, advocating for an extended boycott and non-cooperation to make British administration difficult.
• This session laid foundational principles and strategies for the Indian independence movement, emphasizing self-reliance and the importance of Swadeshi goods.

The correct answer is Constitutional reforms.

Key Points

• The extremists within the Indian National Congress primarily demanded Complete Swaraj (self-rule).
• They advocated for the Promotion of Swadeshi industries to reduce dependency on British goods and promote Indian businesses.
• The goal of Complete independence from British rule was a core demand of the extremists.
• In contrast, Constitutional reforms were not a primary demand of the extremists, as they sought more radical changes than merely constitutional adjustments.

Additional Information

• Extremists in the Indian National Congress
  • Led by figures like Bal Gangadhar Tilak, Bipin Chandra Pal, and Lala Lajpat Rai.
  • They believed in direct action and mass mobilization to achieve self-rule.
  • Extremists used methods such as boycotts, Swadeshi movements, and passive resistance.
• Swadeshi Movement
  • Part of the larger Indian independence movement aimed at promoting Indian goods and boycotting British products.
  • Started in response to the partition of Bengal in 1905 by Lord Curzon.
  • Encouraged self-reliance and the revival of domestic industries.
• Moderates vs. Extremists
  • Moderates believed in gradual reforms and constitutional methods to achieve self-governance.
  • Extremists demanded immediate self-rule and were willing to use more aggressive tactics.
  • The split between moderates and extremists became evident during the Surat session of the Indian National Congress in 1907.
• Partition of Bengal (1905)
  • Implemented by the British to divide and rule by separating the largely Muslim eastern areas from the largely Hindu western areas.
  • Led to widespread protests and was a significant factor in the rise of extremist activities.
  • The partition was eventually annulled in 1911 due to the intense opposition.

The correct answer is The Bengal Partition of 1905.

Key Points

• The Bengal Partition of 1905 was carried out by Lord Curzon with the official reason of administrative convenience, dividing Bengal into East Bengal and Assam, and the rest of Bengal.
• The partition created massive discontent among Indians, especially the educated middle class, as it was seen as an attempt to divide Hindus and Muslims and weaken national unity.
• The Extremists considered the partition a deliberate policy of "Divide and Rule" by the British, intensifying their resentment towards colonial rule.
• The partition led to widespread protests, including boycotts of British goods, the Swadeshi Movement, and an increased demand for self-rule, marking a significant shift in the Indian freedom struggle.
• This event deepened the ideological divide between Moderates and Extremists within the Indian National Congress, with the latter advocating for more radical measures against British imperialism.

Additional Information

• Swadeshi Movement:
  • Launched as a response to the Bengal Partition, it emphasized the boycott of British goods and promotion of Indian-made products.
  • It also fostered the development of indigenous industries, schools, and nationalistic literature to strengthen Indian self-reliance.
• Extremists in the Indian National Congress:
  • Leaders like Bal Gangadhar Tilak, Bipin Chandra Pal, and Lala Lajpat Rai represented the Extremist faction advocating for aggressive resistance against British rule.
  • Their methods included boycotts, public protests, and the promotion of Swaraj (self-rule).
• Lord Curzon's Policies:
  • Lord Curzon served as the Viceroy of India from 1899 to 1905 and implemented several controversial policies, including the Bengal Partition.
  • His actions were widely criticized for prioritizing imperial interests over Indian welfare and unity.
• Impact of the Partition:
  • The Bengal Partition was annulled in 1911 due to strong opposition but left a lasting impact on India's political landscape.
  • It marked the beginning of a more assertive phase in India's struggle for independence, with the rise of Extremist leaders and ideologies.

The correct answer is 1911.

Key Points

• The Partition of Bengal was implemented by the British in 1905 under Lord Curzon’s administration, dividing Bengal into East Bengal and Assam, and West Bengal.
• It faced fierce opposition from Indian leaders and the general public, leading to protests, boycotts, and the Swadeshi Movement.
• Due to the intense backlash, the British annulled the partition in 1911 during the Delhi Durbar held to commemorate King George V's coronation.
• Post-annulment, Bengal was reunited, but Bihar and Orissa were carved out as separate provinces to ease administrative challenges.
• The annulment symbolized the growing strength of Indian nationalism and the organized resistance against British policies.

Additional Information

• Partition of Bengal (1905):
  • The division was justified by the British as an administrative necessity due to Bengal’s large size and population.
  • East Bengal was predominantly Muslim, while West Bengal had a Hindu majority, leading to communal undertones in the partition.
• Swadeshi Movement:
  • A key response to the partition, promoting the boycott of British goods and the use of indigenous products.
  • It marked the beginning of organized nationalist movements in India.
• Delhi Durbar (1911):
  • It was a grand event to mark the coronation of King George V and Queen Mary.
  • During this event, the British announced the annulment of the Partition of Bengal and the transfer of the capital from Calcutta to Delhi.
• Impact on Indian Nationalism:
  • The partition and its annulment highlighted the importance of mass movements and unity among Indians.
  • It strengthened the resolve of Indian leaders to fight for independence and helped unite various communities.

The correct answer is 1905.

Key Points

• The Swadeshi Movement was launched in 1905 as a protest against the partition of Bengal by Lord Curzon.
• It advocated the use of Indian-made goods and the boycott of British products.
• The movement was officially started on 7 August 1905, with a meeting at the Town Hall in Calcutta.
• Prominent leaders of the movement included Bal Gangadhar Tilak, Bipin Chandra Pal, Lala Lajpat Rai, and Aurobindo Ghosh.
• The Swadeshi Movement played a significant role in fostering Indian nationalism and creating awareness about self-reliance and economic independence.

Additional Information

• Partition of Bengal
  • In 1905, Lord Curzon divided Bengal into East Bengal and West Bengal, citing administrative convenience.
  • The partition was perceived as an attempt to weaken the nationalist movement by dividing Hindus and Muslims.
  • It led to widespread protests and became the catalyst for the Swadeshi Movement.
• Swadeshi Ideology
  • The term "Swadeshi" means ‘of one’s own country’.
  • It emphasized the use of indigenous goods and services to reduce dependence on foreign products.
  • This ideology became a cornerstone of the Indian freedom struggle.
• Significance of Boycott
  • The boycott of British goods, especially textiles, was a major strategy to hurt the British economy.
  • It led to the revival of Indian industries and handicrafts.
  • Indian-made products like khadi gained popularity during this period.
• Impact of the Movement
  • The Swadeshi Movement marked the beginning of a stronger and more organized nationalist struggle.
  • It inspired future movements like the Non-Cooperation Movement and Civil Disobedience Movement.
  • It also influenced cultural aspects, including literature, music, and art, promoting Indian identity.

The correct answer is option 3 i.e 1911.

Key Points 

• The Bengal was partitioned in 1905.
  • It was partitioned by Lord Curzon.
  • Partition was announced on 20^th July 1905.
  • The Bengal partition came into effect on 16^th October 1905.
  • Partition of Bengal was a part of executing divide and rule policy in India by the British.
  • Swadeshi movement was one of the main protests against the partition of Bengal.
• The Partition of Bengal was canceled in 1911.
  • It was canceled by Lord Hardinge II.
• Bengal was partitioned for the second time in 1947 as a part of the Partition of India.

The correct answer is Swadeshi Movement.

Key Points

• Swadeshi Movement started after the partition of Bengal.
• Swadeshi Movement:
  • The Swadeshi movement was one of the most successful movements of the Pre-Gandhian era.
  • The movement finds itself in the backdrop of the mendicant policies of the early nationalist leaders who resisted the Un-British-like rule in India but believed in the English monarchy.
  • The major cause of the Swadeshi movement can be attributed to the partition of Bengal in 1905 which was seen by the Indian nationalist as a divisionary tactic of Britishers to weaken the Bengali (Bhadralok) intelligentsia class which was seen as a cradle of Indian resistance.

Additional Information

• Events and their occurrence years:
  • Civil Disobedience Movement - March 12, 1930.
  • Swadeshi Movement - 1905.
  • Quit India Movement - August 1942.
  • Non-Cooperation Movement - 1 August 1920.

The correct answer is Andhra Pradesh.

Key Points

• The `Swadeshi' and 'Boycott' were adopted as methods of struggle in Bengal at the same time the Vande Matram Movement was in Andhra Pradesh.

Additional Information 

• The Swadeshi movement was part of the Indian independence movement and contributed to the development of Indian nationalism.
• The movement, begun in 1906 by Indian nationals opposed to the Partition of Bengal, was one of the most successful movements against British rule.  
• Swadeshi was a focus of Mahatma Gandhi, who described it as the soul of swaraj (self-rule).
• It was the most significant movement in Bengal and was known as the Vande Mataram movement in Andhra Pradesh.
• Started: 7 August 1905.
• Ended: 1911.

The correct answer is option 3.

Key PointsSwadeshi movement:

• It was launched in 1905 as a protest against the partition of Bengal , had spread across the country.
• Bal Gangadhar Tilak, Bipin Chandra Pal, Lala Lajpat Rai are the key people in the swadeshi movement.
• When Lord Curzon, then Viceroy of India, announced the partition of Bengal in July 1905, Indian National Congress, initiated the Swadeshi movement in Bengal.

Contribution to Indigenous Crafts and Industries:

• The Swadeshi Movement significantly contributed to the revival of indigenous artisan crafts and industries. By promoting the use of locally produced goods and boycotting foreign products, it fostered a sense of nationalism and self-sufficiency among Indians. Hence, statement 1 is correct.

Establishment of the National Council of Education:

• The National Council of Education was established in 1906 as part of the Swadeshi Movement's broader goals. This institution aimed to promote technical education and national consciousness among Indians, countering British educational policies that were seen as inadequate. Hence, statement 2 is corre

The correct answer is Lord Curzon.

Key Points

• Partition of Bengal was announced on 19 July 1905 by Lord Curzon, the then Viceroy of India, and implemented on 16 October 1905.
• Lord Curzon was the then Viceroy of India and he announced the partition of Bengal.
• The stated reason was to ease the administration but the actual reason was to weaken the growing nationalism in Bengal.
• As per Curzon, after the partition, the two provinces would be Bengal (including modern West Bengal, Odisha, and Bihar) and Eastern Bengal and Assam.

​Additional Information

•  Annulment of the Partition of Bengal:​
  • The partition of Bengal was annulled in 1911.
  • Partition of Bengal was cancelled by Lord Hardinge II.
  • The capital of British India was moved to Delhi from Calcutta in 1911.
  • Despite the annulment, the partition already succeeded in creating a communal divide between Muslims and Hindus of Bengal.

The correct answer is 1906.

• The Muslim League was founded in 1906.

Key Points

• Formation of the Muslim League:
  • It was set up in 1906 AD, under the leadership of Aga Khan, Nawab Salimullah of Dhaka and Nawab Mohsin-ul-Mulk.
  • Aga Khan was the first president of the Muslim League.
  • It supported the partition of Bengal, opposed the Swadeshi Movement, and demanded special safeguards for its community and a separate electorate for the Muslims. 
  • Muhammad Ali Jinnah joined the Muslim league in 1913.
  • In 1930, Iqbal suggested the union of the Frontier Province–Baluchistan, Sindh and Kashmir–as a Muslim state within the federation.
  • Chaudhry Rehmat Ali invented the term ‘Pakstan’ (later ‘Pakistan’) in 1935 AD.
  • The Lahore Session of the Muslim League was held in March 1940 AD.
  • Pakistan Resolution was passed and the Federal scheme was rejected as envisaged in the Government of India Act, 1935 AD.

The Correct Answer is Swadeshi Movement.

Key Points

• During the Swadeshi Movement, "Vande Mataram" became a popular song of people.
• The Swadeshi movement began in 1905 with the Viceroy of India, Lord Curzon, partitioning Bengal and continued until 1911. 
• This was the strongest in Bengal and was also recognized in India as the Vandemataram Movement.
• Among the movement's various forms of struggle, it was the boycott of foreign-made goods that encountered the greatest visible success on the practical and popular levels.
• Boycotts and public burning of foreign clothes, picketing of shops selling foreign goods, all became common in remote corners of Bengal as well as in many major cities and towns across the country.
• Another form of mass mobilization widely used by the Swadeshi movement was the corps of volunteers (samitis).
• Ashwini Kumar Dutt, a school teacher, set up the Swadesh Bandhab Samiti in Barisal which was the best-known volunteer organization of all of them.

Additional Information

• The Shivaji and Ganapati festivals in Western India (Maharashtra) were organized by Lokmanya Tilak to spread the swadeshi message and boycott movements among the masses.
• The Swadeshi and boycott movements placed great emphasis on ' Atmasakti ' or self-reliance as a means of reasserting national dignity in different fields.

The correct answer is All India Muslim League.

Key Points

• All India Muslim League supported the move for the partition of Bengal in 1905.
• Lord Curzon was the Viceroy of India from 1899 to 1905.
• The partition of the Bengal province came into effect during his viceroyalty on 16th October 1905.
• The idea of using the Bengal partition as a political tool to undermine the growing nationalism in Bengal.
• As per Curzon, after the partition, the two provinces would be Bengal (including modern West Bengal, Odisha, and Bihar) and Eastern Bengal and Assam.
• Bengal would have a Hindu majority and Eastern Bengal and Assam would have a Muslim majority population. Its capital would remain Calcutta.
• Many people in Bengal regarded this partition as an insult to their motherland. Rabindranath Tagore composed the famous song ‘Amar Sonar Bangla’ which later became the national anthem of Bangladesh.
• Muslims led by the Nawab Sallimullah of Dhaka supported the partition.​

Additional Information

• Gadar Party
  • ​The Ghadar Party was initially named the Pacific Coast Hindustan Association.
  • It was formed on 15 July 1913 in the United States under the leadership of Lala Har Dayal, Sant Baba Wasakha Singh Dadehar, Baba Jawala Singh, Santokh Singh, and Sohan Singh Bhakna as its president. 
• Forward Bloc​
  • ​The All India Forward Bloc is a left-wing nationalist political party in India.
  • It emerged in 1939, under the leadership of Subhas Chandra Bose. 
• All India Muslim League​
  • ​The All-India Muslim League was a political party established in 1906 in British India.
  • Its strong advocacy, from 1930 onwards, for the establishment of a separate Muslim-majority nation-state, Pakistan, ultimately led to the partition of India in 1947 by the British Empire.
  • Founders: Muhammad Ali Jinnah, Aga Khan III, Hakim Ajmal Khan, Khwaja Salimullah, Waqar-ul-Mulk.
• Communist Party of India
  • ​The Communist Party of India is the oldest communist party in India and one of the 9 national parties in the country.
  • The CPI was founded in Kanpur on 26 December 1925.

The correct answer is 1905.

Key Points

• Lord Curzon announced the Partition of Bengal on 20 July 1905.
• The idea was to divide Bengal into two parts: Bengal and Eastern Bengal.
• The Western Bengal, Bihar, and Orissa were retained under Bengal while the remaining portion of Bengal and Assam formed the Eastern Bengal.
  • Calcutta was made the capital of Bengal and Dhaka was the capital of East Bengal.
• Lord Curzon argued for the partition of Bengal due to Administrative Convenience.
  • ​At that time Bengal was the centre of great political and freedom struggle.
  • Therefore, the main objective of Lord Curzon was to reduce the influence of Bengali politicians and divide the Bengali people.
• The partition of Bengal come into effect on effect on Oct 16 1905.
• The partition of Bengal was abolished by Lord Hardinge II at the Delhi Durbar in 1911.

Additional Information

• Swadeshi Boycott Movement
  • ​It was a unified reaction against the partition of Bengal in 1905 and continued up to 1908.
  • The Swadeshi movement opposed the British rule and at the same time encouraged the ideas of self-help, indigenous enterprise, national education and the use of Indian languages, hence this movement is known as Swadeshi Movement.
  • It explored new ideas of protest like the boycott of British goods, Rakhi Bandhan and Arandhan.
  • In Deltai Andhra region it was known as Vande Mataram movement.

The correct answer is 1912.

Key Points

• Bihar and odhisha was separated from  Bengal in 1912.
• It was once a part of the Bengal Presidency which was the largest British province in India to exist at that time.
• In March 1936, Bihar and Odisha were made into separate provinces after the declaration of the Government Of India 1935. 

​

•  The Government of India Act of 1935:
  • The Act divided legislative powers between the Centre and Provinces.
  • Dyarchy was abolished in the provinces, but it was introduced at the federal level.
  • It provided for the establishment of a Reserve Bank of India to control the currency and credit of the country.
  • It provided for the establishment of a Federal Public Service Commission and Joint Public Service Commission for two or more provinces.