The Partition of Bengal made by Lord Curzon in 1905 lasted until

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Question

The Partition of Bengal made by Lord Curzon in 1905 lasted until

Accepted Answer

Correct Answer: B — King George V abrogated Curzon's Act at the Royal Durbar in Delhi in 1911Step-by-step Solution:The Partition of Bengal (1905) was announced by Viceroy Lord Curzon on July 19, 1905 and came into effect on October 16, 1905. The stated reason was administrative convenience — Bengal with 85 million people was too large to administer effectively. The actual motivation was perceived to be political — to divide the largely Hindu western Bengal from the Muslim-majority eastern Bengal, weakening the growing Bengali nationalist movement.The partition triggered the Swadeshi Movement — the first major mass movement in the Indian independence struggle — with widespread boycott of British goods, promotion of indigenous industries, and national education.The partition was annulled on December 12, 1911 — announced by King George V at the Delhi Durbar (a grand imperial assembly held in Delhi). The announcement of the reunification of Bengal was made at the same Durbar where the transfer of India's capital from Calcutta to Delhi was also announced. The reunification of Bengal came into effect in 1912.The British reversal was motivated by: the intensity of the nationalist agitation that the partition triggered; British desire to appease moderate Indian opinion (to prevent radicalisation); strategic calculation that keeping Bengal unified was better for long-term control.Why other options are incorrect:Option A (WWI — partition ended for troops): WWI began in 1914 — by then, the partition had already been annulled in 1911. No connection.Option C (Gandhi's Civil Disobedience Movement): Gandhi launched the Civil Disobedience Movement in 1930 — nearly 20 years after Bengal's reunification.Option D (1947 partition): The 1905 partition lasted only until 1911, NOT until 1947. The 1947 partition was an entirely different event creating East and West Pakistan.Key Concept: Significance of 1905 Partition: First major mass agitation; October 16 declared as Raksha Bandhan day (Hindus and Muslims tying rakhis to each other as bond of brotherhood); Swadeshi Movement launched; National Council of Education established; gave birth to extremist nationalism (Lal-Bal-Pal). Annulment at 1911 Delhi Durbar: also announced transfer of capital from Calcutta to Delhi; new separate province of Bihar and Orissa created (to address overcrowding complaint that had justified partition).

The Partition of Bengal made by Lord Curzon in 1905 lasted until

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The Partition of Bengal made by Lord Curzon in 1905 lasted until

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