Part of: Miscellaneous Indian Gk set 278

East Bengal's Capital was .....

Category: Miscellaneous Indian Gk

Hint: Consider the historical context of East Bengal before 1947.

Correct Answer: B) Dacca

Exam Relevance: UPSC, SSC, Bank PO, Civil Services

Difficulty: Easy

Explanations:

The question asks about the capital of East Bengal, a region that existed in pre-partition India. To understand the context, it is important to know the historical geography of the Indian subcontinent before 1947. At that time, the region of East Bengal was part of the larger province of Bengal, which was divided into East and West Bengal. The partition of India in 1947 led to the creation of Pakistan, with East Bengal becoming East Pakistan, and later, after gaining independence in 1971, the country of Bangladesh.

Before the partition, East Bengal was a part of the larger Bengal province, which was under British colonial rule. The capital of East Bengal was Dacca (now spelled Dhaka), a city that has a rich history dating back to the Mughal era. Dacca was a significant center of trade and culture, and it continued to serve as the capital of East Bengal even after the partition of India in 1947, when it became part of Pakistan as East Pakistan. In 1971, after the Bangladesh Liberation War, Dacca became the capital of the newly independent country of Bangladesh.

It is important to note that the other options provided in the question are incorrect because they refer to different regions in the Indian subcontinent. Assam, Bihar, and Orissa (now known as Odisha) are separate regions with their own distinct histories and capitals. Assam is located to the north of East Bengal, Bihar is to the west, and Orissa is to the southwest. Each of these regions has its own capital and historical significance, but they were not the capital of East Bengal.

Understanding the historical context of the Indian subcontinent before and after the partition of India is crucial for answering questions about the geography and capitals of regions like East Bengal. This knowledge is particularly relevant for competitive examinations that test general knowledge and historical geography.

Option Analysis:
  • Option A: Assam is incorrect because it was a separate region and not the capital of East Bengal. Assam is located to the north of East Bengal and has its own distinct history and geography.
  • Option B: Dacca is the correct answer because it was the capital of East Bengal before the partition of India in 1947. Dacca, now known as Dhaka, is the current capital of Bangladesh.
  • Option C: Bihar is incorrect because it is a separate region in India and was not the capital of East Bengal. Bihar is located to the west of East Bengal and has its own distinct history and geography.
  • Option D: Orissa is incorrect because it is a separate region in India and was not the capital of East Bengal. Orissa is located to the southwest of East Bengal and has its own distinct history and geography.

Mnemonic: D for Dacca, D for Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh today.

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