Question

The co relating facts about Bengal division and swadeslii movement in Indian Freedom struggle. Find out the wrong statement.

(i) The Indian national Congress took up the Swadeshi call and the Banaras session, 1905, presided over by G K Gokhale

(ii) The boycott of foreign goods is the greatest visible success at the practical and popular level of swadeshi movement

(iii) Public meetings and processions emerged as major methods of mass mobilisation and as a form of popular expression

(iv) Despite the widespread protest voiced against the partition proposals, the decision to Partition of Bengal was announced on 19th July 1905.

• A. (i), (ii) & (iv)
• B. (i), (ii) and (iii)
• C. All the above
• D. None of the above

Answer 1

Answer:

D. None of the above

Partition of Bengal and Swadeshi Movement

• All the given statements are correct, which makes the correct option for the wrong statement 'None of the above'.

Key Facts on the Partition of Bengal (1905)

• Viceroy Responsible: The partition of Bengal was designed and executed by Lord Curzon.
• Official Announcement: The decision to partition Bengal was formally announced by the British government on 19th July 1905.
• Implementation: The partition was officially implemented on 16th October 1905. This day was observed as a 'Day of Mourning' throughout Bengal.
• Day of Unity (Rakhi Bandhan): Rabindranath Tagore suggested observing 16th October as Raksha Bandhan day to symbolize the unbreakable unity between Hindus and Muslims.

The Swadeshi Movement (1905-1908)

• Official Proclamation: The Swadeshi Movement was formally launched on 7th August 1905 at a massive meeting held in the Calcutta Town Hall.
• Boycott as a Tool: The boycott of foreign-made goods (especially foreign clothing and British salt) was the most highly visible and practically successful strategy of the movement at the popular level.
• Mass Mobilization: Public meetings, mass processions, and community events became crucial tools of mass mobilization and popular expression.
• Role of Samitis: Voluntary organizations known as samitis, such as the famous Swadesh Bandhab Samiti (founded by Ashwini Kumar Dutt), spread the message of Swadeshi deep into the villages.

Role of the Indian National Congress (INC)

• Banaras Session (1905): Presided over by G. K. Gokhale, this session officially took up the Swadeshi call and backed the Swadeshi and Boycott campaign for Bengal.
• Calcutta Session (1906): Presided over by Dadabhai Naoroji, the INC adopted the goal of Swaraj (Self-government).
• Surat Split (1907): Differing views on expanding the Swadeshi Movement to the rest of India led to the formal split of the Congress into Moderates and Extremists.