Q.1 During whose tenure was the Partition Plan of Bengal executed? — [HSLC 2014]
(a) Lord Curzon
(b) Lord William Bentinck
(c) Lord Dalhousie
(d) Lord Mountbatten
Answer: (a) Lord Curzon

Q.2 Which British administrator helped in the formation of Muslim League in 1906? — [HSLC 2015]
(a) Lord Curzon
(b) Lord Minto
(c) Lord Ripon
(d) Lord Cornwallis
Answer: (b) Lord Minto

Q.3 The British Government annulled the partition plan of Bengal by holding a Darbar at Delhi — [HSLC 2016]
(a) 20 July, 1905
(b) 12 December, 1911
(c) 13 December, 1908
(d) 15 August, 1906
Answer: (b) 12 December, 1911

Q.4 Which British administrator helped in the formation of Muslim League in 1906? — [HSLC 2017]
(a) Lord Curzon
(b) Lord Minto
(c) Lord Ripon
(d) Lord Cornwallis
Answer: (b) Lord Minto

Q.5 During whose tenure was the Partition Plan of Bengal executed? — [HSLC 2017]
(a) Lord Curzon
(b) Lord William Bentinck
(c) Lord Dalhousie
(d) Lord Mountbatten
Answer: (a) Lord Curzon

Q.6 During which British Viceroy’s period the Partition of Bengal took place? — [HSLC 2023]
(a) Lord Curzon
(b) Lord William Bentinck
(c) Robert Clive
(d) Lord Warren Hastings
Answer: (a) Lord Curzon

Q.7 Between whom was the Treaty of Allahabad signed? — [HSLC 2023]
(a) between Shah Alam and Lord Curzon
(b) between Bahadur Shah and Lord Curzon
(c) between Shah Alam and Robert Clive
(d) between Bahadur Shah and Robert Clive
Answer: (c) between Shah Alam and Robert Clive

Q.8 “The United Bengal is a big force, the partition will destroy this big unity.” Whose quote was this? — [HSLC 2024]
(a) Secretary of State for India, Herbert Risley
(b) Lord Curzon
(c) William Ward
(d) Lord William Bentinck
Answer: (a) Secretary of State for India, Herbert Risley

Q.9 Which of the following decisions were announced in the Royal Proclamation of Delhi on 12th December, 1911? — [HSLC 2024]
(i) Reunification of Bengal
(ii) Shifting of the capital of India from Calcutta to Delhi
(iii) The capital of Assam was again shifted to Shillong
(iv) The administration of Assam came under the Chief Commissioner

(a) (i), (ii)
(b) (iii), (iv)
(c) (i), (ii), (iv)
(d) (i), (ii), (iii), (iv)
Answer: (d) (i), (ii), (iii), (iv)

Q.10 Which of the following statements are true about the Partition of Bengal in 1905? — [HSLC 2025]
(i) It resulted in the second important political upheaval in India after the 1857 Revolt.
(ii) It was executed to suppress the growing national consciousness in Bengal.
(iii) Shillong was made the capital of Eastern Bengal and Assam.
(iv) It led to the Swadeshi Movement.

(a) (i), (ii), (iv)
(b) (i), (iii), (iv)
(c) (ii), (iii), (iv)
(d) (i), (ii), (iii), (iv)
Answer: (a) (i), (ii), (iv)

Q.11 Which of the following best explains why Gopal Krishna Gokhale returned his ‘Knighthood’ title to the British Government? — [HSLC 2025]
(a) He felt the British Government was failing to provide adequate governance.
(b) He was dissatisfied with his position in the British administration.
(c) He disagreed with the British policy of partitioning Bengal.
(d) He sought to retire from public life and focus on personal matters.
Answer: (c) He disagreed with the British policy of partitioning Bengal.

Q.12 Two statements are given below as Assertion (A) and Reason (R). Choose the correct option. — [HSLC 2025]

Assertion (A):
The Swadeshi Movement in India aimed to promote indigenous goods and reduce dependency on British products.

Reason (R):
The Swadeshi Movement primarily aimed to protest against British taxes and government loans.

(a) Both (A) and (R) are true and (R) is the correct explanation of (A).
(b) (A) is true, but (R) is false.
(c) Both (A) and (R) are true, but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A).
(d) (A) is false, but (R) is true.
Answer: (b) (A) is true, but (R) is false.

Q.13 Who among the following edited the magazine Vande Mataram during the Swadeshi Movement in India? — [HSLC 2025]
(a) Arabinda Ghose
(b) Krishna Kumar Mitra
(c) Surendranath Banerjee
(d) Kumudini Mishra
Answer: (a) Arabinda Ghose

B. Extra HSLC Pattern MCQs Questions with Answers

Q.1 Which of the following statements are correct regarding the Partition of Bengal (1905)?
(i) The partition was carried out during the Viceroyship of Lord Curzon.
(ii) Dhaka was made the capital of Eastern Bengal and Assam.
(iii) The partition was implemented on 16th October, 1905.
(iv) The capital of Assam was shifted permanently to Calcutta.
(a) (i), (ii), (iii)
(b) (i), (iii), (iv)
(c) (ii), (iii), (iv)
(d) (i), (ii), (iv)
Answer: (a) (i), (ii), (iii)

Q.2 Which of the following were objectives of the British Government behind the Partition of Bengal?
(i) To weaken Hindu-Muslim unity
(ii) To suppress the growth of Indian nationalism
(iii) To improve Indian self-government
(iv) To strengthen British imperial control
(a) (i), (ii), (iv)
(b) (i), (iii), (iv)
(c) (ii), (iii), (iv)
(d) (i), (ii), (iii), (iv)
Answer: (a) (i), (ii), (iv)

Q.3 Assertion (A): The Swadeshi Movement encouraged the boycott of British goods.
Reason (R): Indian leaders believed that economic pressure would weaken British rule in India.
(a) Both (A) and (R) are true and (R) is the correct explanation of (A).
(b) Both (A) and (R) are true but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A).
(c) (A) is true but (R) is false.
(d) (A) is false but (R) is true.
Answer: (a) Both (A) and (R) are true and (R) is the correct explanation of (A).

Q.4 Assertion (A): The Swadeshi Movement spread beyond Bengal to other parts of India.
Reason (R): Leaders like Bal Gangadhar Tilak and Lala Lajpat Rai supported the movement.
(a) Both (A) and (R) are true and (R) is the correct explanation of (A).
(b) Both (A) and (R) are true but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A).
(c) (A) is true but (R) is false.
(d) (A) is false but (R) is true.
Answer: (a) Both (A) and (R) are true and (R) is the correct explanation of (A).

Q.5 Match the following:
(i) Bengal Chemicals — (b) Prafulla Chandra Ray
(ii) Banga Mata — (a) Abanindranath Thakur
(iii) Swadeshi Bhandar — (c) Rabindranath Tagore
(iv) Bharati magazine — (d) Sarala Devi Choudhurini
(a) (i)-(b), (ii)-(a), (iii)-(c), (iv)-(d)
(b) (i)-(a), (ii)-(b), (iii)-(c), (iv)-(d)
(c) (i)-(b), (ii)-(c), (iii)-(a), (iv)-(d)
(d) (i)-(d), (ii)-(a), (iii)-(b), (iv)-(c)
Answer: (a) (i)-(b), (ii)-(a), (iii)-(c), (iv)-(d)

Q.6 Match the following:
(i) Eastern Bengal and Assam — (b) Dhaka
(ii) Muslim League — (a) 1906
(iii) Bengal National College — (d) 15 August
(iv) Partition of Bengal — (c) 1905
(a) (i)-(b), (ii)-(a), (iii)-(d), (iv)-(c)
(b) (i)-(c), (ii)-(a), (iii)-(b), (iv)-(d)
(c) (i)-(b), (ii)-(d), (iii)-(a), (iv)-(c)
(d) (i)-(a), (ii)-(b), (iii)-(c), (iv)-(d)
Answer: (a) (i)-(b), (ii)-(a), (iii)-(d), (iv)-(c)

Q.7 Which of the following statements about women in the Swadeshi Movement are correct?
(i) Sarala Devi Choudhurini edited the magazine Bharati.
(ii) Sister Nivedita encouraged women to participate in indigenous industries.
(iii) Women remained confined to household activities only.
(iv) British newspapers acknowledged the courage of Bengali women.
(a) (i), (ii), (iv)
(b) (i), (iii), (iv)
(c) (ii), (iii), (iv)
(d) (i), (ii), (iii), (iv)
Answer: (a) (i), (ii), (iv)

Q.8 Who was the Viceroy of India at the time of the Partition of Bengal?
(a) Lord Dalhousie
(b) Lord Curzon
(c) Lord Ripon
(d) Lord Minto
Answer: (b) Lord Curzon

Q.9 On which date was the Partition of Bengal implemented?
(a) 6 December 1903
(b) 19 July 1905
(c) 16 October 1905
(d) 12 December 1911
Answer: (c) 16 October 1905

Q.10 What was the capital of the newly created province ‘Eastern Bengal and Assam’?
(a) Shillong
(b) Chattagram
(c) Dhaka
(d) Calcutta
Answer: (c) Dhaka

Q.11 Who edited the journal Sanjibani during the Swadeshi Movement?
(a) Surendranath Banerjee
(b) Arabinda Ghose
(c) Krishna Kumar Mitra
(d) Bhupendra Dutta
Answer: (c) Krishna Kumar Mitra

Q.12 Which song composed by Rabindranath Tagore became the national anthem of Bangladesh?
(a) Vande Mataram
(b) Bangalir Pran, Bangalir Mon
(c) Amar Sonar Bangla
(d) Ekla Cholo Re
Answer: (c) Amar Sonar Bangla

Q.13 Who was the first Principal of Bengal National College?
(a) Bipin Chandra Pal
(b) Arabinda Ghose
(c) Satish Chandra Mukherjee
(d) Rasbihari Bose
Answer: (b) Arabinda Ghose

Q.14 Who established Bengal Chemicals in 1906?
(a) Jagadish Chandra Bose
(b) Nilratan Sarkar
(c) Prafulla Chandra Ray
(d) Taraknath Palit
Answer: (c) Prafulla Chandra Ray

Q.15 The first protest meeting against the Partition of Bengal was held at—
(a) Calcutta
(b) Dinajpur
(c) Khulna
(d) Pabna
Answer: (c) Khulna

Q.16 Which of the following were consequences of the Swadeshi Movement?
(i) Growth of national literature
(ii) Expansion of national education
(iii) Decline of Indian industries
(iv) Rise of national industries
(a) (i), (ii), (iv)
(b) (i), (iii), (iv)
(c) (ii), (iii), (iv)
(d) (i), (ii), (iii), (iv)
Answer: (a) (i), (ii), (iv)

Q.17 Which of the following leaders were associated with the Swadeshi Movement?
(i) Surendranath Banerjee
(ii) Bipin Chandra Pal
(iii) Rabindranath Tagore
(iv) Mahatma Gandhi
(a) (i), (ii), (iii)
(b) (i), (ii), (iv)
(c) (ii), (iii), (iv)
(d) (i), (iii), (iv)
Answer: (a) (i), (ii), (iii)

Q.18 Which activities were adopted during the Swadeshi Movement?
(i) Boycott of foreign goods
(ii) Use of indigenous goods
(iii) Participation in British administration
(iv) Picketing of shops
(a) (i), (ii), (iv)
(b) (i), (iii), (iv)
(c) (ii), (iii), (iv)
(d) (i), (ii), (iii), (iv)
Answer: (a) (i), (ii), (iv)

Q.19 Assertion (A): The Swadeshi Movement became a nationwide movement.
Reason (R): Leaders from different parts of India supported and participated in it.
Answer: (a) Both (A) and (R) are true and (R) is the correct explanation of (A).

Q.20 Assertion (A): The British encouraged the formation of the Muslim League.
Reason (R): They wanted to divide Indians on communal lines.
Answer: (a) Both (A) and (R) are true and (R) is the correct explanation of (A).

Q.21 Match the following:

Options:
(a) (i)-(b), (ii)-(a), (iii)-(c), (iv)-(d)
(b) (i)-(a), (ii)-(b), (iii)-(c), (iv)-(d)
(c) (i)-(b), (ii)-(c), (iii)-(a), (iv)-(d)
(d) (i)-(d), (ii)-(a), (iii)-(b), (iv)-(c)
Answer: (a) (i)-(b), (ii)-(a), (iii)-(c), (iv)-(d)

Q.22 The Anti-Circular Society was formed to oppose—
(a) Indian Council Act
(b) Curzon’s education policy
(c) Carlyle’s Circular
(d) University Act
Answer: (c) Carlyle’s Circular

Q.23 Bengal was reunited in—
(a) 1909
(b) 1910
(c) 1911
(d) 1912
Answer: (c) 1911

Q.24 Who founded the Dawn Society?
(a) Rabindranath Tagore
(b) Satish Chandra Mukherjee
(c) Bipin Chandra Pal
(d) Rasbihari Bose
Answer: (b) Satish Chandra Mukherjee

Q.25 Who organized Rakhi Bandhan during the Partition of Bengal?
(a) Bipin Chandra Pal
(b) Surendranath Banerjee
(c) Rabindranath Tagore
(d) Arabinda Ghose
Answer: (c) Rabindranath Tagore

Q.26 Who proposed the re-demarcation plan of Bengal in 1903?
(a) Herbert Risley
(b) Andrew Fraser
(c) William E. Ward
(d) J. Bamfylde Fuller
Answer: (b) Andrew Fraser

Q.27 The proposal for partition of Bengal was officially declared on—
(a) 28 March, 1903
(b) 6 December, 1903
(c) 19 July, 1905
(d) 1 September, 1905
Answer: (c) 19 July, 1905

Q.28 Which newspaper published the article ‘Bangar Sarbanash’?
(a) Bengali
(b) Sanjibani
(c) Yugantar
(d) Hitabaadi
Answer: (b) Sanjibani

Q.29 Who presided over the Dinajpur protest meeting on 20 July 1905?
(a) Surendranath Banerjee
(b) Maharaja of Dinajpur
(c) Bipin Chandra Pal
(d) Rasbihari Bose
Answer: (b) Maharaja of Dinajpur

Q.30 Which college’s students first walked out in protest during the Swadeshi Movement?
(a) Presidency College
(b) Ripon College
(c) Bengal National College
(d) Scottish Church College
Answer: (b) Ripon College

Q.31 Which of the following measures were taken on 16 October 1905?
(i) Observance of National Mourning Day
(ii) Rakhi Bandhan ceremony
(iii) Implementation of Swadeshi boycott
(iv) Formation of Muslim League
(a) (i), (ii), (iii)
(b) (i), (ii), (iv)
(c) (ii), (iii), (iv)
(d) (i), (ii), (iii), (iv)
Answer: (a) (i), (ii), (iii)

Q.32 Which of the following institutions were established during the Swadeshi Movement?
(i) Bengal National College
(ii) Dawn Society
(iii) Anti-Circular Society
(iv) Aligarh Muslim University
(a) (i), (ii), (iii)
(b) (i), (iii), (iv)
(c) (ii), (iii), (iv)
(d) (i), (ii), (iv)
Answer: (a) (i), (ii), (iii)

Q.33 Which of the following were leaders of extremist nationalism during Swadeshi Movement?
(i) Bipin Chandra Pal
(ii) Bal Gangadhar Tilak
(iii) Lala Lajpat Rai
(iv) Gopal Krishna Gokhale
(a) (i), (ii), (iii)
(b) (i), (iii), (iv)
(c) (ii), (iii), (iv)
(d) (i), (ii), (iv)
Answer: (a) (i), (ii), (iii)

Q.34 Assertion (A): The Swadeshi Movement encouraged people to avoid British educational institutions.
Reason (R): National schools and colleges were established as alternatives.
Answer: (a) Both (A) and (R) are true and (R) is the correct explanation of (A).

Q.35 Assertion (A): Lord Curzon considered Bengal as the centre of Indian nationalism.
Reason (R): Bengal had a politically conscious population leading nationalist activities.
Answer: (a) Both (A) and (R) are true and (R) is the correct explanation of (A).

Q.36 Match the following:

Options:
(a) (i)-(d), (ii)-(b), (iii)-(c), (iv)-(a)
(b) (i)-(a), (ii)-(c), (iii)-(b), (iv)-(d)
(c) (i)-(b), (ii)-(a), (iii)-(d), (iv)-(c)
(d) (i)-(c), (ii)-(d), (iii)-(a), (iv)-(b)
Answer: (a) (i)-(d), (ii)-(b), (iii)-(c), (iv)-(a)

Q.37 Match the following:

Options:
(a) (i)-(a), (ii)-(b), (iii)-(c), (iv)-(d)
(b) (i)-(b), (ii)-(a), (iii)-(c), (iv)-(d)
(c) (i)-(c), (ii)-(b), (iii)-(a), (iv)-(d)
(d) (i)-(a), (ii)-(c), (iii)-(b), (iv)-(d)
Answer: (a) (i)-(a), (ii)-(b), (iii)-(c), (iv)-(d)

Q.38 Who founded the Indian Stores at Bowbazar, Calcutta?
(a) Rabindranath Tagore
(b) Yogesh Chandra Choudhury and Krishna Bihari Sen
(c) Nilratan Sarkar
(d) Prafulla Chandra Ray
Answer: (b) Yogesh Chandra Choudhury and Krishna Bihari Sen

Q.39 The first Indian Industrial Conference was held at—
(a) Calcutta
(b) Bombay
(c) Varanasi
(d) Madras
Answer: (c) Varanasi

Q.40 Bengal Technical Institute later became—
(a) Calcutta University
(b) Presidency University
(c) Jadavpur University
(d) Visva-Bharati
Answer: (c) Jadavpur University

Q.41 Who organised the Dhaka meeting that led to the formation of Muslim League?
(a) Aga Khan
(b) Nawab Salimullah
(c) Lord Minto
(d) William Archbold
Answer: (b) Nawab Salimullah

Q.42 The Muslim League was founded in—
(a) 1905
(b) 1906
(c) 1907
(d) 1909
Answer: (b) 1906

Q.43 Who returned his Knighthood title in protest against British policy?
(a) Bipin Chandra Pal
(b) Gopal Krishna Gokhale
(c) Surendranath Banerjee
(d) Dadabhai Naoroji
Answer: (b) Gopal Krishna Gokhale

Q.44 The Swadeshi Movement lasted approximately from—
(a) 1903–1905
(b) 1905–1907
(c) 1905–1911
(d) 1906–1915
Answer: (c) 1905–1911

Q.45 Who edited the weekly ‘Yugantar’?
(a) Krishna Kumar Mitra
(b) Bhupendra Dutta
(c) Satish Chandra Mukherjee
(d) Arabinda Ghose
Answer: (b) Bhupendra Dutta

Q.46 The capital of Assam was shifted from Shillong to Dhaka during—
(a) Swadeshi Movement
(b) Partition of Bengal
(c) Non-Cooperation Movement
(d) Civil Disobedience Movement
Answer: (b) Partition of Bengal

Q.47 Which Act introduced the separate electorate for Muslims?
(a) Indian Councils Act 1892
(b) Morley–Minto Reforms 1909
(c) Government of India Act 1919
(d) Regulating Act 1773
Answer: (b) Morley–Minto Reforms 1909

Q.48 Which movement gave rise to armed revolutionary activities?
(a) Swadeshi Movement
(b) Khilafat Movement
(c) Home Rule Movement
(d) Non-Cooperation Movement
Answer: (a) Swadeshi Movement

Q.49 Bengal was reunited by royal proclamation at—
(a) Calcutta
(b) Simla
(c) Delhi
(d) Allahabad
Answer: (c) Delhi

Q.50 The philosophy of INC changed after the Partition of Bengal because—
(a) It supported British rule
(b) It adopted mass struggle
(c) It avoided political movements
(d) It withdrew from nationalism
Answer: (b) It adopted mass struggle

C. Short Answer Type Questions (2/3 Marks)

Q.1 What were the initial programmes of the agitation against the Partition of Bengal? — [HSLC 2016, 2017]
Answer:
The initial programmes of the agitation against the Partition of Bengal were:
• Organising public meetings in different parts of Bengal to protest against the partition.
• Collecting signatures from people and submitting protest petitions to the British Government.
• Creating public awareness through newspapers, journals, speeches and writings.
• Appealing to people to maintain Hindu–Muslim unity against British divide-and-rule policy.

Q.2 What were the anti-movement measures taken by the British to dominate the Swadeshi Movement? — [HSLC 2017]
Answer:
The British Government adopted several repressive measures to suppress the Swadeshi Movement:
• Public meetings and processions were banned.
• Leaders and students were arrested and punished.
• Carlyle’s Circular was issued warning students not to take part in the movement.
• Titles, posts and honours were offered to moderate leaders to gain their support.

Q.3 Mention three main geographical regions of Bengal annexed to the province ‘Eastern Bengal and Assam’ after partition. — [HSLC 2017]
Answer:
The three main geographical regions annexed to Eastern Bengal and Assam were:
• Dhaka
• Chattagram
• Rajshahi

Q.4 Write briefly how the national industries of Bengal developed during the Swadeshi Movement. — [HSLC 2018]
Answer:
The Swadeshi Movement encouraged people to boycott foreign goods and use indigenous products.
• As a result, demand for Indian-made goods increased rapidly.
• Many small and medium industries such as handloom, soap, matchbox, sugar and oil industries developed.
• Big industries like Bengal Chemicals and Banga Lakshmi Cotton Mill were established.
• National banks and insurance companies also came into existence, strengthening the Indian economy.

Q.5 Briefly describe the role of women in the Swadeshi Movement. — [HSLC 2018, 2021]
Answer:
Women played an important role in the Swadeshi Movement by actively participating in national activities.
• Sarala Devi Choudhurini organised festivals and edited the magazine Bharati to inspire youths.
• Sister Nivedita encouraged women to join indigenous industries and national institutions.
• Women took part in meetings, processions and boycotts, crossing social barriers.
• Their participation strengthened the movement and inspired future freedom struggles.

Q.6 What was the First Point of the Four-Point Programme on the Partition of Bengal declared by Lord Curzon? — [HSLC 2018]
Answer:
The First Point of the Four-Point Programme stated that:
• A new province named ‘Eastern Bengal and Assam’ would be created.
• The regions of Dhaka, Chattagram and Rajshahi would be annexed to Assam to form this new province.

Q.7 What were the anti-movement measures taken by the British? Did the British get support from the leaders? — [HSLC 2019]
Answer:
The British adopted repression such as arrests, bans on meetings and censorship of newspapers.
• They also tried to divide leaders by offering titles, honours and government posts.
• Some moderate leaders initially showed cooperation, but many leaders strongly opposed the partition.
• Leaders like Gopal Krishna Gokhale returned British honours in protest.

Q.8 What were the initial programmes of the Swadeshi Movement? Mention briefly. — [HSLC 2019]
Answer:
The initial programmes of the Swadeshi Movement were:
• Boycott of foreign goods.
• Use and promotion of indigenous products.
• Picketing of shops selling foreign goods.
• Burning of foreign clothes and items.
• Organising public meetings to spread nationalist feelings.

Q.9 Discuss three contributions of the Swadeshi Movement. — [HSLC 2019]
Answer:
The Swadeshi Movement made several important contributions:
• It strengthened national consciousness among the people.
• It encouraged the growth of indigenous industries and self-reliance.
• It involved students, women and common people, turning nationalism into a mass movement.

Q.10 When did the Swadeshi Movement take place in India? What was its contribution to national industry? — [HSLC 2020]
Answer:
The Swadeshi Movement took place from 1905 to 1911.
• It encouraged people to use Indian goods and boycott foreign products.
• Many national industries like handloom, Bengal Chemicals, cotton mills and Indian stores developed.
• This helped lay the foundation of Indian industrial and economic growth.

Q.11 What was the Partition of Bengal? Mention two important consequences. — [HSLC 2021]
Answer:
The Partition of Bengal was the division of Bengal into two provinces in 1905 by Lord Curzon.
Its two important consequences were:
• The outbreak of the Swadeshi Movement.
• The spread of nationalism and mass agitation across India.

Q.12 When was the Muslim League formed in India? Mention its two objectives. — [HSLC 2022]
Answer:
The Muslim League was formed on 30 December 1906 at Dhaka.
Its two objectives were:
• To increase the loyalty of Muslims towards the British Government.
• To safeguard the political rights and interests of the Muslim community.

Q.13 Briefly discuss the role of the Indian National Congress against the Partition of Bengal. — [HSLC 2022]
Answer:
The Indian National Congress opposed the Partition of Bengal actively.
• It passed resolutions condemning the partition.
• Congress leaders organised protests and public meetings.
• The Congress played a key role in leading the Swadeshi Movement and turning it into a national struggle.

D. Previous Year Essay Type Questions with Answers

Q.1 Briefly mention the causes and consequences of the Partition of Bengal. — [HSLC 2011]
Answer:
The official cause of the Partition of Bengal was administrative convenience, as Bengal was too large to govern.
However, the real intention was to divide Hindu-Muslim unity and weaken Indian nationalism.
The consequences included mass agitation, the rise of the Swadeshi Movement, spread of nationalism, and finally the reunification of Bengal in 1911.

Q.2 Write briefly about the emergence of the Muslim League during the Swadeshi Movement. — [HSLC 2012]
Answer:
The British encouraged Muslim leaders to support the partition by offering political advantages.
With British support, the Muslim League was formed in 1906 to protect Muslim interests.
It aimed to promote loyalty to the British and emerged as a separate political organisation.

Q.3 What is meant by the Partition of Bengal? How did it affect Assam? — [HSLC 2013]
Answer:
The Partition of Bengal was the division of Bengal into two provinces in 1905.
Assam was merged with Eastern Bengal, its capital shifted to Dhaka, and administration came under a Lieutenant Governor.

Q.4 Briefly discuss the contribution of the Swadeshi Movement towards national education. — [HSLC 2023]
Answer:
The Swadeshi Movement promoted national education by boycotting British institutions.
• National schools and colleges were established.
• Bengal National College and National Education Council were formed.
• Education was linked with patriotism and national culture.

Q.5 Briefly describe four contributions of the Swadeshi Movement. — [HSLC 2024]
Answer:
• Strengthened nationalism among Indians.
• Promoted indigenous industries and economic self-reliance.
• Encouraged mass participation including students and women.
• Inspired future movements for freedom and Swaraj.

Q.6 Compare the methods of protest used in the Swadeshi Movement with those of the Revolt of 1857. — [HSLC 2025]
Answer:
The Swadeshi Movement used non-violent methods like boycott, strikes and public meetings.
The Revolt of 1857 mainly depended on armed rebellion and violence.
Swadeshi involved mass participation, while the 1857 revolt was largely limited to soldiers and rulers.

E. EXTRA 3–4 Mark Questions with Answers

Q.1 Explain the background factors that led to the Partition of Bengal.
Answer:
The background factors that led to the Partition of Bengal were:
• Bengal was a very large province and difficult to administer under one Lieutenant Governor.
• The growth of nationalism in Bengal alarmed the British Government.
• Hindu-Muslim unity in Bengal was seen as a threat to British rule.
• The British wanted to weaken the centre of Indian nationalism through division.

Q.2 Describe the role of students in the Swadeshi Movement.
Answer:
Students played a vital role in the Swadeshi Movement.
• They organised rallies, protests and picketing of shops selling foreign goods.
• Students of Ripon College were the first to walk out of classrooms.
• They formed student unions and central committees.
• Many students left government institutions and joined national schools.

Q.3 Explain why the Swadeshi Movement is regarded as a successful movement.
Answer:
The Swadeshi Movement is considered successful because:
• It involved people from all sections of society.
• It spread beyond Bengal and became a national movement.
• It strengthened nationalism and unity among Indians.
• It forced the British Government to annul the Partition of Bengal in 1911.

Q.4 Discuss the contribution of Swadeshi Movement to Indian literature and culture.
Answer:
The Swadeshi Movement greatly influenced Indian literature and culture.
• Many patriotic songs, poems and articles were written.
• Journals like Bengali, Sanjibani and Yugantar inspired nationalism.
• Rabindranath Tagore composed patriotic songs during this period.
• Drama, art and literature became tools of national awakening.

Q.5 Describe the four-point programme on the Partition of Bengal declared by Lord Curzon.
Answer:
Lord Curzon declared a four-point programme for the Partition of Bengal:
• Creation of a new province called Eastern Bengal and Assam.
• Dhaka to be made the capital of the new province.
• Administration to be headed by a Lieutenant Governor.
• The partition to be implemented on 16 October 1905.

Q.6 Explain how the British used the policy of ‘Divide and Rule’ during the Partition of Bengal.
Answer:
The British applied the policy of divide and rule during the partition by:
• Creating communal divisions between Hindus and Muslims.
• Encouraging Muslim leaders to support the partition.
• Promising political and economic benefits to Muslim elites.
• Weakening the unity of nationalist forces in Bengal.

Q.7 Discuss the role of Rabindranath Tagore in the Swadeshi Movement.
Answer:
Rabindranath Tagore played a significant role in the Swadeshi Movement.
• He promoted unity through Rakhi Bandhan ceremony.
• He composed patriotic songs to inspire people.
• He supported national education and social harmony.
• His leadership strengthened cultural nationalism.

Q.8 Describe the economic impact of the Swadeshi Movement on India.
Answer:
The Swadeshi Movement had a strong economic impact:
• Boycott of foreign goods reduced British imports.
• Indigenous industries expanded rapidly.
• Indian traders and artisans benefited economically.
• The foundation of economic self-reliance was laid.

Q.9 Explain the circumstances that led to the formation of the Muslim League.
Answer:
The circumstances leading to the formation of the Muslim League were:
• British encouragement of communal politics.
• Support given by Lord Curzon and Lord Minto to Muslim elites.
• Fear among Muslim leaders regarding political representation.
• Desire to safeguard Muslim political interests.

Q.10 Describe the role of newspapers and journals in the Swadeshi Movement.
Answer:
Newspapers and journals played an important role in the movement.
• They spread nationalist ideas among the masses.
• Articles criticised British policies and the partition.
• Journals like Sanjibani and Yugantar mobilised public opinion.
• They helped maintain unity and enthusiasm in the movement.

Q.11 Explain how the Swadeshi Movement influenced future freedom movements in India.
Answer:
The Swadeshi Movement influenced future movements by:
• Teaching Indians the power of mass struggle.
• Encouraging boycott and non-cooperation as political tools.
• Strengthening the demand for Swaraj.
• Inspiring later movements led by Mahatma Gandhi.