Class 10 Social History Chapter 1 Partition of Bengal (1905-1911) and the Swadeshi Movement
Are you looking for SEBA Class 10 Social History Chapter 1 Partition of Bengal (1905-1911) and the Swadeshi Movement? You have come to the right place. In this article, we provide complete and easy-to-understand notes, important questions and answers, textbook solutions, and exam-oriented study materials for Class 10 students.
The chapter explains the Partition of Bengal in 1905, the reasons behind it, the strong public opposition it faced, and the rise of the Swadeshi Movement in India. Students will learn about the role of national leaders, the boycott of foreign goods, the promotion of indigenous industries, and the impact of the movement on India’s freedom struggle.
All answers and explanations are written in simple English to help students understand the concepts easily and prepare effectively for examinations. Whether you are revising for your unit tests, annual exams, or board examinations, these notes will help you strengthen your knowledge and score better marks.
Part-I: History
Partition of Bengal (1905-1911) and the Swadeshi Movement
Selected Questions &Answers
Very Short Answer Type Questions (Mark-1)
1. Who were ‘Lal-Bal-Pal’?
Ans: ‘Lal-Bal-Pal’ were Lala Lajpat Rai, Bal Gangadhar Tilak, and BipinChandra Pal respectively.
2. What was the total population of undivided Bengal?
Ans: 54 million.
3. On which date was the Bengal Partition scheme implemented?
Ans: On 16 October 1905.
4. Who was Lord Minto? HSLC ’13
Ans: Lord Minto was a British Viceroy of India.
5. In which session of the Congress was the demand for Purna Swaraj raised? HSLC ’17
Ans: In 1929, at the Lahore Session.
6. What was the name of the chemical institution established by Acharya Prafulla Chandra Ray?
Ans: Bengal Chemical.
7. On which date did the British Government annul the Bengal Partition scheme at the Delhi Durbar?
Ans: On 12 December 1911.
8. In which year was the Indian National Congress founded?
Ans: In 1885.
9. Who was the main propagator of the revolutionary (terrorist) trend of the Swadeshi Movement in Bengal?
Ans: Bipin Chandra Pal.
10. Who was the President of the Congress annual session held at Benaras in 1905?
Ans: Gopal Krishna Gokhale.
11. In which year was the political organization ‘Muslim League’formed?
Ans: In 1906.
12. What was the name of Lord Minto’s private secretary?
Ans: Colonel Dunlop Smith.
13. Where was the first meeting against the Partition of Bengal held?
Ans: At Calcutta Town Hall.
14. Who was the first principal of the National College established in Calcutta?
Ans: Aurobindo Ghosh.
15. During whose tenure was the Bengal Partition scheme implemented?HSLC ’14, ’17
Ans: During the tenure of Lord Curzon.
16. Which British administrator helped in the formation of the Muslim League in 1906? HSLC ’15, ’17
Ans: Lord Minto.
17. In which year and on what date did the British annul the Bengal Partition scheme at the Delhi Durbar? HSLC ’16
Ans: On 12 December 1911.
18. During whose viceroyalty did the Partition of Bengal take place?
Ans: During the viceroyalty of Lord Nathaniel Curzon.
19. Who edited the newspaper ‘Yugantar’ during the Swadeshi Movement?
Ans: Bhupendranath Dutta.
20. When was the National Council of Education established in Bengal?
Ans: On 11 March 1906.
21. Who was the chief entrepreneur behind the industrial enterprise‘Bengal Chemicals’?
Ans: Acharya Prafulla Chandra Ray.
22. Under whose presidency did the Congress session adopt the resolution demanding Swaraj for Indians?
Ans: Under the presidency of Dadabhai Naoroji.
23. Who was the author of the play ‘Bandini Bharat’?
Ans: Ambikagiri Raichoudhury.
24. Who composed the song ‘Vande Mataram’? HSLC ’11, ’14
Ans: Bankim Chandra Chatterjee.
Short Answer Type Questions
1. In which meeting was the proposal to boycott foreign goods adopted?
Ans: The proposal to boycott foreign goods was adopted in a large public meeting held at Dinajpur on 20 July 1905.
2. What were the main programmes of the Anti-Partition Movement? HSLC ’16, ’17
Ans: The main programmes of the Anti-Partition Movement were as follows:
(a) Boycott of foreign goods,
(b) Use of indigenous (Swadeshi) goods, and
(c) Introduction of national education.
3. Mention the three major geographical divisions of Bengal that were included in the newly formed province ‘Eastern Bengal and Assam’.
Ans: The three major geographical divisions were Dacca, Chittagong, and Rajshahi.
4. Write briefly the underlying objectives of the Partition of Bengal.
Ans: The underlying objectives of the Partition of Bengal were:
(a) To weaken the centre of Indian nationalism, Bengal, by dividing it and reducing the Hindus and the intelligentsia into minorities in both provinces.
(b) To sow the seeds of communalism and create division between Hindus and Muslims for British interests.
(c) To win over the politically backward Muslims by granting them certain advantages and making them loyal to the British.
Essay-type Question-Answers
1. Why was the Anti-Partition Movement called the Swadeshi Movement?
Ans: Lord Curzon proposed the partition of Bengal on 6 November 1903, and in protest against this division, numerous meetings were held. People from all sections of society participated in the protest. The protesters decided to boycott foreign goods, especially those imported from England, and to adopt goods produced within the country. Hence, the Anti-Partition Movement came to be known as the ‘Swadeshi Movement’.
2. What is the Swadeshi Movement? How did national industries develop in Bengal during this period? HSLC ’18, ’20
Ans: Lord Curzon proposed the partition of Bengal on 6 November 1903, and in protest against this division, numerous meetings were held across India. People from all sections participated. The protesters decided to boycott foreign goods and use indigenous products. Therefore, the Anti-Partition Movement came to be known as the Swadeshi Movement. During this period, people became conscious about using Swadeshi goods. As a result, the demand for indigenous products increased, leading to the growth of cottage industries and several large-scale industries. Notable among them were spinning mills, handloom industries, mustard oil, soap, sugar, matchsticks, and biscuits industries. Efforts by Krishnabihari Sen led to the establishment of‘Indian Stores’ in Bowbazar, Calcutta. Initiatives by Nilratan Sircar led to‘Bengal Lakshmi Cotton Mill’, by Acharya Prafulla Chandra Ray to ‘Bengal
Chemicals, and by Jamsetji Tata to the Tata Iron and Steel industry. Thus, the Swadeshi Movement promoted the growth of indigenous industries.
3. What repressive measures did the British Government adopt to suppress the Swadeshi Movement? HSLC ’17
Or
What were the main programmes of the Swadeshi Movement? Discuss briefly. HSLC ’19
Ans: In protest against Lord Curzon’s partition proposal of 6 November 1903, the Swadeshi Movement spread across India. To suppress it, the British Government adopted the following repressive measures:
(a) They instigated Muslims against Hindus and provided certain privileges to Muslims.
(b) They arrested leading leaders of the movement and exiled some of them.
(c) They curtailed the freedom of the press to suppress public opinion.
(d) They issued strict orders to students to stay away from the movement.
4. Mention three contributions of the Swadeshi Movement. HSLC ’19
Ans: The three contributions were:
(a) It inspired Indians to develop a spirit for the freedom struggle.
(b) It fostered national consciousness and encouraged the use of indigenous goods, adversely affecting British trade.
(c) It transformed the outlook and methods of Indian leaders, making them realize that mass movements were essential for overall development.
5. Write about the role of women in the Swadeshi Movement. HSLC’18, ’20
Ans: In protest against the partition of Bengal proposed by Lord Curzon on 6 November 1903, the Swadeshi Movement spread throughout India. Many women actively participated alongside men. For example, Sarala Devi Chaudhurani of Bengal organized events like Birashtami Brata, Pragyaditya Utsav, and physical training centres to train youths in lathi play and wrestling. Sister Nivedita, associated with organizations like Young Men’s Hindu Union, Vivekananda Society, and Anushilan Samiti in Calcutta, inspired youths to become self-reliant. Many other women also participated and astonished the British. Their bravery was reported in the London ‘Daily Telegraph’, which commented that “the women of Bengal are extremely formidable and dangerous for the British.”
6. What were the provisions of the first phase of Lord Curzon’s four-point Bengal Partition scheme? HSLC ’18
Ans: The provisions were:
(a) A new province named ‘Eastern Bengal and Assam’ would be formed, including Rajshahi, Dacca, and Chittagong divisions.
(b) The capital of this province would be Dacca.
(c) The administration would be under a Lieutenant Governor.
(d) The capital of Assam would be shifted from Shillong to Dacca.
7. What was the Partition of Bengal? Mention two important results. HSLC ’20
Ans: On 20 July 1905, Lord Curzon divided Bengal into two parts, combining one part with Assam to form a new province called ‘Eastern Bengal and Assam’. This event is known as the Partition of Bengal in Indian history. Its two important results were:
(a) It strengthened the nationalist movement in India.
(b) It made people more conscious against British rule and led to stronger movements for independence.
8. Describe the background of the rise of the Muslim League as a political party.
Or
When was the Muslim League formed in India? Write its objectives. HSLC ’22
Ans: The British attempted to keep Muslims away from the Anti-Partitionand Swadeshi Movements. They assured Muslims that they would get a separate homeland in the new province ‘Eastern Bengal and Assam’. In 1909, through constitutional reforms, the British introduced separate electorates, isolating Muslims from the Congress and other Indian political groups and turning them into a loyal political force. Under the encouragement of a British official, in 1906, Aga Khan and some associates met Lord Minto at Simla and founded a rival political organization called the ‘Muslim League’. The main objectives were:
(a) To promote loyalty among Indian Muslims towards the British.
(b) To remove fear, suspicion, and hostility and promote unity among Muslims.
(c) To secure political rights for Muslims in British India.
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ)
Q: Which person was awarded the title of ‘Knighthood’ by the British Government?
(a) Sarat Chandra
(b) Prafulla Chandra
(c) Rabindranath Tagore
(d) Bankim Chandra
Ans: (c)
Note: Rabindranath Tagore was awarded Knighthood in 1915 but renounced it in 1919 in protest against the Jallianwala Bagh massacre.
Q: “A united Bengal is a great power; by partition, this great strength of Bengal will be broken and destroyed.” Whose statement was this? HSLC24
(a) Herbert Risley, Secretary of State
(b) Lord Curzon
(c) William Warder
(d) Lord William Bentinck
Ans: (a)
Q: Which of the following decisions were announced at the Delhi Durbar held on 12 December 1911? HSLC ‘24
(a) Reunification of Bengal
(b) Transfer of the capital of India from Calcutta to Delhi
(c) Re-transfer of the capital of Assam to Shillong
(d) Administration of Assam placed under a Chief Commissioner
Ans: All of the above
Q. Which textile establishment was founded by Rabindranath Tagore?
(a) Bengal Institution
(b) Swadeshi Textile Institution
(c) Swadeshi Bhandar
(d) Bengal Textile Industry
Ans: (c)
Q. What was the capital of the province ‘Eastern Bengal and Assam’?
(a) Calcutta
(b) Shillong
(c) Dacca
(d) Cachar
Ans: (c)
Q. During whose viceroyalty did the Partition of Bengal take place? HSLC ‘23
(a) Lord Curzon
(b) William Bentinck
(c) Robert Clive
(d) Lord Warren Hastings
Ans: (a)
Q. Between whom was the Treaty of Allahabad concluded? HSLC 23
(a) Shah Alam and Lord Curzon
(b) Bahadur Shah and Lord Curzon
(c) Shah Alam and Robert Clive
(d) Bahadur Shah and Robert Clive
Ans: (c)
Q. Which newspaper was published during the Swadeshi Movement?
(a) Arunoday
(b) Yugantar
(c) Bandini Bharat
(d) None of the above
Ans: (b)
Q. Who was the editor of the newspaper ‘Yugantar’?
(a) Ambikagiri Raichoudhury
(b) Acharya Prafulla Chandra Ray
(c) Bhupendranath Dutta
(d) Lakshminath Bezbaroa
Ans: (c)
Q. When was the National Council of Education established in Bengal?
(a) 10 March 1904
(b) 11 March 1906
(c) 10 March 1905
(d) 10 March 1906
Ans: (b)
Q. Who was the author of the play ‘Bandini Bharat’?
(a) Acharya Prafulla Chandra Ray
(b) Bhupendranath Dutta
(c) Ambikagiri Raichoudhury
(d) Hemchandra Barua
Ans: (c)
Q. What was the total population of undivided Bengal?
(a) 51 million
(b) 54 million
(c) 53 million
(d) 57 million
Ans: (b)
Q. Who was the composer of the song ‘Vande Mataram’?
(a) Kazi Nazrul Islam
(b) Rabindranath Tagore
(c) Bankim Chandra Chatterjee
(d) Sarat Chandra
Ans: (c)
Q. “Swaraj is my birthright and I shall have it.” Whose statement is this?
(a) Rabindranath Tagore
(b) Bal Gangadhar Tilak
(c) Mahatma Gandhi
(d) Prafulla Chandra Ray
Ans: (b)
Q. When was the Muslim League office shifted to Lucknow?
(a) March 1907
(b) March 1915
(c) March 1910
(d) March 1913
Ans: (c)
Q. When was the United Bengal Stores established?
(a) 1904
(b) 1905
(c) 1906
(d) 1907
Ans: (b)
Q. Who was the editor of the newspaper ‘Dawn’?
(a) Nabin Chandra
(b) Satish Chandra Mukherjee
(c) Rabindranath Tagore
(d) Sarat Chandra
Ans: (b)
Q. Which British ruler helped in the formation of the Muslim League in 1906?
(a) Lord Hastings
(b) Lord Curzon
(c) Lord Cornwallis
(d) Lord Minto
Ans: (d)
Q. During whose tenure was the Bengal Partition scheme implemented?
(a) Lord Clive
(b) Lord William Bentinck
(c) Lord Dalhousie
(d) Lord Curzon
Ans: (d)
Q. Who was the British Prime Minister who announced the Communal Award in 1932?
(a) Clement Attlee
(b) Winston Churchill
(c) Ramsay MacDonald
(d) Margaret Thatcher
Ans: (c)
Q. How many songs did Rabindranath Tagore compose based on the Swadeshi Movement?
(a) 21
(b) 22
(c) 23
(d) 24
Ans: (c)
