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{{Short description|Division of Bengal during British rule in India (1905 and 1947)}}
{{Infobox historical event
| name = Partition of Bengal
| image = Bengal Partition 1905 and 1947.png
| caption = Maps showing the 1905 and 1947 partitions of Bengal
| location = [[Bengal Presidency]], [[British India]]
| date = 1905 and 1947
| cause = Administrative convenience (1905); religious and political tensions (1947)
| result = Division into East Bengal and West Bengal (1905); creation of East Pakistan and West Bengal (1947)
}}
The '''Partition of Bengal''' refers to the division of the Bengal region in [[British India]] into separate administrative units on two occasions: first in 1905 and later in 1947. These partitions were pivotal in shaping the region's history and identity.<ref>{{cite web |title=Partition of Bengal |url=https://www.britannica.com/event/Partition-of-Bengal |access-date=December 15, 2024}}</ref>

== The 1905 Partition ==
=== Background ===
The first partition of Bengal was implemented on 16 October 1905 by the British colonial administration under [[Lord Curzon]]. It divided Bengal into two provinces:
* '''Eastern Bengal and Assam''' (majority Muslim)
* '''West Bengal''' (majority Hindu)<ref>{{cite web |title=Partition of Bengal (1905) |url=https://www.britannica.com/event/Partition-of-Bengal-1905 |access-date=December 15, 2024}}</ref>

The official rationale was to improve administrative efficiency, as Bengal was the largest province in British India. However, many viewed the move as an attempt to weaken Hindu-Muslim unity and curb nationalist sentiment.<ref>{{cite web |title=Reasons for the Partition of Bengal |url=https://www.thehindu.com/features/education/partition-of-bengal-1905/ |access-date=December 15, 2024}}</ref>

=== Opposition and Impact ===
The partition sparked widespread protests led by nationalist leaders like [[Rabindranath Tagore]] and [[Surendranath Banerjee]]. Movements such as the ''Swadeshi'' (self-reliance) campaign urged Indians to boycott British goods and promote indigenous products.<ref>{{cite web |title=Swadeshi Movement |url=https://www.britannica.com/topic/Swadeshi-movement |access-date=December 15, 2024}}</ref> The backlash forced the British to annul the partition in 1911, reuniting Bengal.<ref>{{cite web |title=Annulment of Bengal Partition |url=https://www.britannica.com/event/Partition-of-Bengal-1905 |access-date=December 15, 2024}}</ref>

== The 1947 Partition ==
=== Background ===
The second partition occurred during the decolonization of India. Religious tensions between Hindus and Muslims escalated, leading to the demand for separate nations. Under the [[Mountbatten Plan]], Bengal was divided into:
* '''East Bengal''', which became part of [[Pakistan]] as [[East Pakistan]] (majority Muslim)
* '''West Bengal''', which remained in [[India]] (majority Hindu)<ref>{{cite web |title=Partition of Bengal (1947) |url=https://www.history.com/topics/partition-of-india |access-date=December 15, 2024}}</ref>

=== Division and Violence ===
The partition on 15 August 1947 resulted in massive displacement and communal violence. Millions of people were forced to migrate across borders, with Hindus fleeing East Bengal and Muslims leaving West Bengal.<ref>{{cite web |title=Impact of Partition |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/history/british/modern/partition1947_01.shtml |access-date=December 15, 2024}}</ref>

=== Aftermath ===
East Bengal, later renamed East Pakistan, faced growing discontent with West Pakistan, eventually leading to the [[Bangladesh Liberation War]] and the creation of [[Bangladesh]] in 1971.<ref>{{cite web |title=Bangladesh Liberation War |url=https://www.britannica.com/event/Bangladesh-Liberation-War |access-date=December 15, 2024}}</ref>

== Legacy ==
The partitions of Bengal had profound impacts:
* '''Cultural Division''': The region's shared cultural and linguistic heritage was divided along religious lines.
* '''Human Cost''': Both partitions caused significant human suffering, with violence and displacement affecting millions.
* '''Political Significance''': The 1947 partition played a central role in the independence of India and Pakistan and later the emergence of Bangladesh.<ref>{{cite web |title=Legacy of Partition |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/features/2022/8/14/75-years-on-the-enduring-legacy-of-the-partition-of-india |access-date=December 15, 2024}}</ref>

== See also ==
* [[History of Bengal]]
* [[Bangladesh Liberation War]]
* [[Indian independence movement]]
* [[Partition of India]]

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
* [https://www.britannica.com/event/Partition-of-Bengal Britannica – Partition of Bengal]
* [https://www.history.com/topics/partition-of-india History.com – Partition of India]

[[Category:Bengal]]
[[Category:History of Bangladesh]]
[[Category:History of West Bengal]]
[[Category:British India]]
[[Category:1947 in India]]
[[Category:1905 in India]]
[[Category:Partitions (politics)]]

Partition of Bengal - Revision history