 1

O LEVEL HISTORY NOTES

SECTION 2

BY SIR HAMZA MUHAMMAD

ALI
O/A LEVEL GUIDES AND NOTES | www.o-alevel.com

PARTITION OF BENGAL 1905

Bengal was a big administrative unit under the British rule had been finally established
in India. It began to be felt that Bengal should be split up into two parts for
administrative convenience. It was also the first major political crises faced by British
after winning the control on subcontinent.

REASONS FOR THE PARTITION:

The main reason for the partition of Bengal was that since it was a large province with a
population of 85million people, so it was not possible for one governor to control it.
The population of Bengal comprised of both Muslims & Hindus. Among them 58 million
was Hindus & 27 million were Muslims. The British claimed that Bengal was too large to
govern as one province and that it would be more able to govern it as two smaller
province. In 1903 Viceroy Curzon proposed that Bengal should
be partitioned into West Bengal and East Bengal. It was two years before the proposal
was put into effect, but in 1905 the British partitioned Bengal as Curzon suggested.

THE PARTITION:
The partition of Bengal came into force on 16th October in 1905, according to which
Bengal was divided into two provinces:
(A) East Bengal & Assam with Dhaka as its capital. The eastern province would include
Assam and three districts previously considered to be a part of West Bengal, Dhaka,
Chittagong and Mymensingh. It had a population of 31 million people out of which 18
million were Muslims.
(B) West Bengal with Calcutta its capital. It had a population of 54 million out of which 45
million was Hindus.
REACTION OF MUSLIMS & HINDUS ON PARTITION:
The Muslims greatly welcomed the partition and felt proud over it because in the newly
created East province, they were in majority. On 22nd October 1905 a large number of
Muslims met at Dhaka & appreciated thanks giving prayers to celebrate the
establishment of the new province. Now at last the Muslims had true Recognition - a
province in which they were in the majority. This would enable million of Muslims to
escape from the oppression of Hindu rule.
The Hindus on the other hand reacted violently to the partition because they had been
holding a privilege position in the sociol-economic life of Bengal till the partition took
place. They now believed that they loose their status & declared that the partition was an
attempt to weaken & divide Bengal and called it " Divide and rule " policy of British. The
Hindus grealty opposed this partition & started a movement generally known as
“Swadeshi Movement " in which they boycotted all British goods. Many Hindus
observed he partition day as the day of National mourning. Even the Indian national
congress supported the Hindus.

THE CANCELLATION OF THE PARTITION:

Since 1908 the Congress leaders had been spreading the story that the government was
thinking of repeating of the partition of Bengal but the government stood firm on its
decision, which had taken in 1905, but this did not discourage Hindus. They launched a
movement for boycott the British goods. The Muslims were also asked to participate in it
but they refused to do so. Their refusal caused more agitation among the Hindus & led to
Hindu-Muslim riots. Even there was an assassination attempt from Hindus on the
future Viceroy Lord Minto. The Muslims who were only relying on the assurance given
to them by the British which was soon disappointed when in 1910, Sir John Jenkins, a
member of the Viceroy's
Executive Council, made a proposal for the capital of British Indian Empire to be shifted
to Delhi from Calcutta and suggested that partition of Bengal should be reversed. Lord
Hardinge the new Viceroy agreed to reverse the partition of Bengal. King George V, who
was visiting India, announced the decision at a Durbar in Delhi.
 2

EFFECTS OF REVERSAL ON THE MUSLIMS:

The reversal of the partition was bitterly opposed by the Muslims, but the British were
not to be moved. The Muslims now realized just how Vital it was that the Muslim league
prospered if Muslim were to receive fair treatment in India. They now had lost all their
hopes & created feeling of distrust among the Muslims about British. The deep
disappointment caused by annulment of the Partition, however indirectly served to
quicken the growth of the Muslim politics. They became politically more aware. They
came to the decision that they could not trust the British Government for the protection
of their rights.

JUNE 2009

(c) ‘The reasons for partitioning Bengal in 1905 were more important than
those that caused its reversal in 1911.’ Do you agree? Explain your answer.

LEVEL 1:
Simplistic statement. (1–2)
It wanted to be free.

LEVEL 2:
Description of partition and/or reversals. (3–6)
Bengal was too large and needed partitioning. Hindus were in the majority and wanted
Reunification.

LEVEL 3:
Explains reasons for partition OR reversal. (7–10)

LEVEL 4:
Explains BOTH. (9–13)

PARTITION: Supporters of Partition among the British thought it would be sensible to

divide up the province for administrative convenience. Bengal was very large and
producing significant administrative problems. By doing this, the British felt that the
province would be easier to administer, especially at the time of a new British
government in power. Many Muslims supported Partition because they believed that it
would give them power in the new province. Of the 54 million people in pre-Partition
Bengal, 42 million were Hindus, but a new separate East Bengal would have a Muslim
majority.
REVERSAL: Congress argued that Partition was part of the British ‘divide and rule’
policy which would weaken India and Indian unity. Major protest (meetings and mass
rallies) organized by Congress, supported by many Hindus, was so great that it caused
the British to reconsider it. Many Hindus started a mass boycott of British goods under
the ‘Swadeshi Movement’. A few extreme Hindus adopted terrorist behavior and, among
other attacks, attempted to assassinate Lord Minto.

LEVEL 5:
As Level 4: also produces a judgement or evaluation. (14)

June 2007:

(b) Why did the British decide to reverse the partition of Bengal in 1911?

LEVEL 1:
Simplistic statement [1]
The Hindus didn’t like it.

LEVEL 2:
Identifies reasons [2-4]
Hindus wanted to protest and banned British goods.

LEVEL 3:
Explains reasons [5-7]
The Hindus’ objection to Partition was so great that it caused the British to reconsider it.
 3
Congress opposed it by holding meetings and there were mass rallies which put
Pressure on the British government. They thought it was a deliberate attempt to ‘divide
and rule’ on the part of the British. The Hindus were so angry that they attempted to
Assassinate Lord Minto and started their boycott of British goods under the ‘Swadeshi
Movement’. There was also an outbreak of terrorist activities. Further Lord Curzon,
Originator of the idea, was no longer viceroy so a change of policy was easier.
JUNE 2006:
(c) ‘Bengal was partitioned in 1905 because of geographical factors.’ Do you
agree?
Explain your answer.
LEVEL 1: Simplistic statement
It wanted to be free
[1-2]

LEVEL 2: Description of geographical or other factors

It was too large and Hindus were in the majority.
[3-6]

LEVEL 3: Explains at least one factor

[7-10]

LEVEL 4: Explains at least two. Geographical factors to be explained for

maximum marks Of the 54 million people in Bengal 42 million were Hindus. It seemed
sensible to divide up the province on religious grounds and also because it was becoming
very large and producing significant administrative problems. By doing this it was felt
that the province would be easier to administer especially at the time of a new British
government in power. The Muslims believed that partition would bring an end to Hindu
oppression and that they would enjoy true recognition in a province in which they were
in a majority. The Hindus believed that the partition would come about as part of the
British ‘divide and rule’ policy which would weaken Hindu unity and its influence in the
new East Bengal.
[9-13]

LEVEL 5: As Level 4 - also produces a judgment or evaluation [14]

(Bajwa pages 97-98, Kelly pages 50-52)
  4
FORMATION OF MUSLIM LEAGUE, IT'S AIL & OBJECTIVES (1906)

Introduction:
During the time of Sir Syed the need for a political party of the Muslims was not fully
realized because as long as long as he live, he fully performed the functions of a politica
party but after his death there was a urgent need for a muslim political party.
In 1885 when Indian national Congress (INC) was formed, Sir Syed advised the Muslims
not to join INC as this party was only working for the benefits of Hindus.
By the 1900 the political conditions in India has showed that the Hindu-Muslim
relations were not pleasant anymore & due to these unhealthy conditions the Muslims of
Subcontinent forced to form Their own political party apart from INC for the protection
of their rights &also to fight for those Rights which they were not given by the
Government.

THE CAUSES OF FORMATION OF ALL INDIA MUSLIM LEAGUE:

A) Hindu Urdu Controversy: In 1898 INC demanded that India should be treated as
cultural whole & Hindi should be declared as the official language of India. Some
Muslim leaders launched a movement against these actions of INC but no result.

B) Behaviour of different Hindu Organization: Hindu extremist group " ARYA

SAMAJ " demanded that Muslims should be forcibly converted into Hinduism.

C) Hindu Muslim riots: The frequent and never ending riots between Hindus and Muslims
further strengthened the formation of separate political party for the Muslims. These
riots generated the spirit on Muslims Nationalism among the Indian Muslims.

D) Reaction of the Hindus to the Partition of Bengal: The negative reaction of the
Hindus when the government declared the partition of Bengal in 1905 further convinced
the Muslims to establish their own separate political organizations.

E) Simla Deputation (1906): Lord Minto became a Viceroy of India in 1906 & it was felt
that some constitution reforms would be introduced in India. Lord Minto was
vacationing at Simla where a delegation of Muslims leaders led by Sir Aga Khan met him
in 1906. The deputation demanded the seats in the legislatures, quota in government
services & seats in courts for the Muslims. They also demanded for separate electorate
for the Muslims. Minto accpeted most of the demands & it was a great success for the
Muslims. After the acceptance of demands from Lord Minto, now Muslims of India
realized that it's high time to organize a political party, which can
protect the rights of Muslims in India.
FORMATION OF ALL INDIA MUSLIM LEAGUE (AIML) IN 1906:
The Mohammedan Educational Conference held its 20th annual session at Dhaka on
30th Dec 1906. After the meeting Nawab Salim Ullah Khan of Dhaka presented a
resolution for the formation of political party for the muslims & suggested the name of
"All India Muslim confederacy" for the organization. On 30th Dec 1906 All India Muslim
league was formed in Dhaka. Nawab Viqal-ul-Mulk was appointed as the president &
Nawab Mohsin-ul-Mulk as the general secretary. 1st annual session of AIML was held in
1907 in Karachi under the Chairmanship of Sir Adamjee Pir Bhai & 2nd Session in 1908
at Aligarh & Sir Aga Khan was appointed as the President & Bilgrami as the new
secretary General.

POLITICAL ROLE OF AIML FOR THE MUSLIMS OF THE SUBCONTINENT:

With the establishment of AIML in 1906, the Muslims of India came to have their own
political party. Lateron this party turned into large & the role representative of the
Indian Muslims in the freedom movement.
 5

After the partition of Bengal as the Hindu agitation grew more intense, more & more
Muslims left the INC & joined the AIML. Quaid-e-Azam also joined AIML in 1913. The
AIML held its first & last joined session with INC in LUCKNOW in 1916. For the time it
started & till the creation of Pakistan it showed great progress & provided help for the
Indian Muslims in getting a separate state for themselves. During the course of its
journey it corssed many paths like Lucknow Pact, Khilafat movement, Non Co-operation
Movement, Simon Commision, Jinnah's 14 points & elections of 1937 & 1945.
JUNE 2009

(b) Why was the Muslim League established in 1906?

LEVEL 1:
Simplistic statement. (1)
They wanted their own party.

LEVEL 2:
Identifies reasons. (2–4)
Muslims were not united. Congress was seen by some as a party for Hindus, not all
Indians.

LEVEL 3:
Explains reasons. (5–7)
The belief among some that Muslim rights would not be advanced if they continued to
rely on the Indian National Congress. They saw it as an organization which would only
advance Hindu views. Congress was demanding that India should be treated as a
cultural whole and Hindi should be declared the official language. By not organising a
Muslim group, they saw that they would continue to be disorganized and disunited.
Even more worrying to some Muslims was the growth of tiny extreme Hindu nationalist
groups demanding that Muslims be forcibly converted to Hinduism. Equally, they saw a
way to increase their influence with the
British and gain better terms for Muslims (because many British saw India as organised
and divided on religious lines). Therefore, a number of prominent Muslims founded the
League.
 6
NOV 2006

(b) Why was the Simla Delegation of 1906 an important turning point for
the Muslims of the sub-continent?

LEVEL 1: Simplistic statement,

for example: They got on better with the British. [1]

LEVEL 2: Identifies reasons,

for example: It led to a separate electorate for Muslims and the formation of the Muslim
League. [2-4]

LEVEL 3: Explains reasons,

for example: The Muslim demands for separate representation, election by only Muslim
voters and weightage in all elected bodies were accepted by the British.
This resulted in a sudden upturn in Muslim-British relations and helped to remove the
previous bad feelings between the 2 sides. It also paved the way for demands for a
separate homeland with the granting of a separate electorate. It also guaranteed
Muslims an independent role in the political process and as a result led to the formation
of the All-Indian Muslim League later in the year. [5-7]

June 2005

(b) Why was the Muslim League founded in 1906?

LEVEL 1: Simplistic statement

They wanted a party of their own

LEVEL 2: Identifies reasons

The Muslims were disorganised and disunited. The Indian National Congress was an
Hindu organization

LEVEL 3: Explains reasons

Muslim rights would not be advanced if they continued to rely on the Indian National
Congress. It was seen as an organization which would only advance Hindu views. The
Congress was demanding that India should be treated as a cultural whole and Hindi
should be declared the official language. By not organizing a Muslim group they would
continue to be disorganized and disunited. Even more worrying was the growth of
extreme Hindu nationalist groups who demanded that Muslims be forcibly converted to
Hinduism. Therefore, a number of prominent Muslim leaders founded the Muslim
League .
  7
MORLEY- MINTO REFORMS (INDIAN COUNCILS ACT 1909)

Three years after the formation of the AIML, Morley-Minto Reforms were introduced in
1909, which contained the most important demand of AIML. In 1905 Lord Minto as
Viceroy replaced Lord Curzon & in 1906 John Morley was appointed as Secretary of
State for India.Both Lord Minto and Secretary of State John Morley were convinced that
the Indian's demanded for an increased share in the government of their country was
fully justified. They worked together to draw up a series of reforms, which were passed
by the British Parliament in 1909 as the Indian Councils Act (popularly known as Morley
Minto reforms). The main provisions of these reforms were:

(i) Muslims representatives to the councils were elected by a seperate Muslim only
electorate.

(ii) The imperial Council was increased to 60 members by adding more 'no-official
memebers'. However the British retained control by ensuring that the majority of
members were "official"

(iii) Members of Central Executive Council were permiited to discuss budget,

administration, official policies & matters of general importance.

(iv) Provincial Councils were also increased to 50members in the larger provinces and 30 in
smaller provinces. The most important consequence of the reforms was the accpetance
of the separate electrorate for
Muslims. The Hindus argued that this was undemocratic and for the next 25 years.
Congress was to pass an annual resolution calling for an end to separate electorates. The
Morley Minto reforms increased the numbers of Indian sitting on the councils but it
must be remembered that the councils had no real powers. Their functions were purely
advisory. The British did not intend that locals should have the power to change
government policy.
The British acceptance of the rights of the muslims to have seprate electorates was its
mai feature& the 1st step towards Pakistan. Although the INC disappointed because they
hoped for more but itrecognized the act because it was the 1st step towards selfrule. The
ultimate constitution makingpower was in the hands of British Government.

Nov 2008:

b) Why did Congress oppose the Morley-Minto Reforms of 1909?

 c) Were the Morley-Minto reforms the most important attempt by either the
Muslims, the Hindus or the British in seeking a solution to the problems in
the sub-continent between 1906 and 1920? Explains your answer.

 8
LUCKNOWPACT (1916)
In 1915 both the Muslim league and Congress had their annual meeting in Bombay.
Muslim leaague partly with the urging of Jinnah had included the demand for self rule in
their program which delighted the congress and committees comprising of muslim
league and congress were formed to try to reach some common grounds of
understanding. This feeling of co operation led to the first major experiment and the two
parties tried to fig common political ground against the British. This culminated in 1916
with Lucknow Pact. Jinnah borught both the parties closer. Jinnah led Muslim league
while Ambeka Charan led Congress. It was the greatest effort of Jinnah to bring
both the nations closer because he always tried his best to bring the Hindus and the
Muslims closer to each other. After this pact M.A.Jinnah was given the title of ' The
Ambassador of Hindu-Muslim Unity'

Main Provision of the Pact:

1) The Congress accepted separate electorate for Muslims.
2) 1/3rd seats would be reserved for Muslims in central legislature.
3) Muslims and Hindus would be given weighted in the provinces where they formed
minority.
4) No bill affecting any particular community would proceed with in any council if 1/3rd of
the representatives of that community opposed it.

COMMON SET OF DEMANDS PRESENTED BEFORE THE BRITISH

GOVERNMENT:

* The number of elected seats on the counsils should be increased.

* Motions, which were passed by large majorities in the councils should be accpeted as
binding bythe British government.
* Minorities in the provinces should be protected.
* All provinces should have autonomy
Importance: Congress for the first time recongnized Indian Muslims as a seperate nation
by accpeting electorates. It was the first and last time that both AIML & INC were jointly
agreed by the set of constitutions reforms and political demands against the Briths. Most
of the Constitutional features of the pact were later incoporate in the reforms of 1919.

Nov 2004:
c) The lucknow pact of 1916 was the only beacon of hope for Hindu-Muslims
unity between 1914 and 1930. “Do you agree? Give reasons for your answer.
 9
MONTAGUE CHELMFORD REFORMS(1919)

In the middle of 1918 Secretary of state for India Edwin Montage and the Victory Lord
Chelmsford published a report on Indian constitutional reforms, which were sent to the
Government for approval and was enforced in 1919. It wa the 1st time that an official
British document mentioned the possibility of self-rule by the Indians in all internal
matters. Its main recommendations were as follow:
1) Bicameral legislature was established in the center. The time period of the Upper
House (Council of State) was to be 5 years and that of the Lower house (legislative
Assembly) to be 3years.
2) Separate electorates were kept for the Muslims and the Sikhs.
3) System of "Diarchy" was introduced in the provinces which gave authority to the
central government to interfere in the provincial matters.
4) Out of 103 seats of the Legislative assembly 32 seats were reserved for the Muslims.
5) The council of State would have 60 members, 33 og whom would be elected.
6) Council of Princess was set up with 108 members to allow the princes to debit
matters of Importance.
7) The British also claimed that they were extending voting rights to more local people,
but new regulation still meant that only 5.5 million (2%) of India's 250 million
populations could vote. The Montague Chelmsford reforms were set out in the
Government of India Act of 1919. These reforms disappointd the Muslims league and
Congress because many Indians had fought with the British in the 1st world war and
they expected much greater concessions. Congress and Muslim league had recently come
together, calling for self-rule. Congress split into factions over the acceptance of these
reforms while Muslim league could not get any concrete suggestion about self-rule.
However both parties accepted it.

The Rowlett Act: The British had offered concessions in Montague Chelmsford
Reforms, which they hoped would win the support of the Indian people. However, they
had every intention of taking strong and effective action against any element in India,
which opposed British rule. In December 1917, a committee was formed under Justice
Rowlett to investigate revolutionary activity in India.
The Rowlett Act was passed in 1919 and the purpose was to deal with those who did not
accept Montford report. This act included the right of arrest without a warrant and
detention without bail; In reactions M.A Jinnah resigned from the Imperial Legislative
Council in protest and Gandh called strikes against the proposals.
The Punjab faced the most profound impact of Rowlett Act in Amitsar. A meeting that
had been organized was banned by the Government but the organizers Sikhs, Muslims
and Hindus decided to go there. In that peaceful demonstration there were 20
thousands people at Jallianwala Bagh. A British officer General Dyer ordered all exits to
be sealed off and for soldiers to open fire without warning on unarmed civilians. Around
4 hundreds people were killed in Jallian wala Bagh Massacre.

Conclusion: It was the first time that an official British document mentioned the
possiblity of selfrule by the Indians in all internal matters. These reforms disappointed
the Muslims and the Hindus because they both and hoped for more concessions. This
meant that the British had a tight grip in local bodies and there were only minor
concessions.