Part of: West Bengal Gk set 26

After the Partition of Bengal in 1905, the capital of Bengal was

Category: West Bengal Gk

Correct Answer: C) Calcutta

Exam Relevance: UPSC, SSC, Bank PO, State PSC

Difficulty: Easy

Explanations:

The Partition of Bengal in 1905 was a significant event in the history of British India. The partition was carried out by Lord Curzon, the Viceroy of India, with the intention of improving administrative efficiency in the large and populous province of Bengal. The province was divided into two parts: West Bengal and East Bengal and Assam. West Bengal included the Bengali-speaking areas west of the Brahmaputra River, while East Bengal and Assam included the Bengali-speaking areas east of the Brahmaputra and the Assamese-speaking areas.

Despite the partition, Calcutta remained the capital of the new Bengal province. Calcutta, now known as Kolkata, had been the capital of the Bengal Presidency since the British East India Company established it as such in the 18th century. The city was a major commercial and administrative center, and it continued to serve as the capital of the new West Bengal province after the partition.

It is important to understand the historical context of the Partition of Bengal. The partition was a highly controversial decision that led to widespread protests and the Swadeshi Movement, which aimed to promote Indian goods and boycott British goods. The partition was eventually annulled in 1911, and the province of Bengal was reunited. However, the administrative and political changes that occurred during this period had a lasting impact on the region.

Calcutta's status as the capital of Bengal after the partition reflects its continued importance as a center of administration and commerce. The city was a hub for trade, education, and culture, and it played a significant role in the political and social movements of the time. Understanding the historical significance of Calcutta in the context of the Partition of Bengal is crucial for comprehending the broader political and social dynamics of British India.

Option Analysis:
  • Option A: Hugli was not the capital of Bengal after the Partition of Bengal in 1905. It was a significant city but not the administrative center.
  • Option B: Varanasi was not the capital of Bengal after the Partition of Bengal in 1905. It is a city in Uttar Pradesh and not part of the Bengal province.
  • Option C: Calcutta was the capital of Bengal after the Partition of Bengal in 1905. It remained the administrative center of the new Bengal province.
  • Option D: Allahabad was not the capital of Bengal after the Partition of Bengal in 1905. It is a city in Uttar Pradesh and not part of the Bengal province.

Mnemonic: C for Calcutta, the capital after the Partition.

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