In 1905, the British Raj partitioned the Bengali region of India into two separate regions: East and West Bengal. The plan was heavily supported by the viceroy, Lord Curzon, as an attempt to weaken the growing nationalist movement. Outwardly, the reason given was to improve the conditions of East Bengal, which was seen to be under-governed. Hindu members of Bengal were increasingly calling for more representation in government and for Indian independence. They were primarily located in the western portion of Bengal. The Eastern Bengal region was primarily Muslim and had less political influence. Hindu citizens of Bengal were fiercely opposed to partition. The Muslim citizens were opposed less strongly in the beginning, but eventually saw it in a more positive light as they believed it would improve education and employment. After the partition, anti-British and pro-nationalist sentiments erupted and Bengal saw political and social unrest. The partition was eventually annulled in 1911 by the British government.
The social turmoil is present in the background of Sen’s work. She writes, “There was a great upheaval around this time over the Partition of Bengal. After Viceroy Curzon announced the partition of the province in 1905, it was very difficult to control children who wanted to join anti-government demonstrations” (232). The partition of Bengal exacerbated Bengali frustrations with British colonialism and indicates a generational divide in the population, with the younger members being more inclined to actively participate in forms of protest. Boycotts of British products and violent protests were common methods of resistance to the partition.
Citations:
“Partition of Bengal (1905) - New World Encyclopedia.” Www.newworldencyclopedia.org, www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Partition_of_Bengal_(1905).