Part of: Miscellaneous Indian Gk set 221

What is East Bengal known now in the modern world?

Category: Miscellaneous Indian Gk

Hint: Consider the partition of India in 1947.

Correct Answer: D) Bangladesh

Exam Relevance: UPSC, SSC, Bank PO, CLAT

Difficulty: Easy

Explanations:

The question asks about the modern name of East Bengal, a region that has undergone significant historical and political changes. To understand the answer, it is essential to consider the historical context of the Indian subcontinent, particularly the partition of India in 1947.

Before the partition, the Indian subcontinent was under British colonial rule. In 1947, the British decided to divide the subcontinent into two separate nations: India and Pakistan. This partition was based on religious lines, with the predominantly Hindu areas forming India and the predominantly Muslim areas forming Pakistan. The partition led to the division of the subcontinent into two countries, with significant demographic and political changes.

East Bengal, which was a part of the Bengal province in British India, became part of Pakistan after the partition. It was renamed East Pakistan and was separated from West Pakistan by over a thousand miles of Indian territory. East Pakistan was a region with a distinct culture, language, and identity, which led to tensions with the West Pakistani government. These tensions eventually culminated in a war of independence in 1971, resulting in the creation of the independent nation of Bangladesh.

Therefore, East Bengal, which was part of Pakistan as East Pakistan, is now known as Bangladesh in the modern world. This change reflects the political and historical developments that have shaped the region over the past several decades. Understanding the historical context of the partition and the subsequent events is crucial to comprehending the current geographical and political landscape of the Indian subcontinent.

Option Analysis:
  • Option A: This option is incorrect. Bihar is a state in India and has no direct connection to East Bengal. The confusion might arise from the fact that both are located in the eastern part of the Indian subcontinent, but they are distinct regions with different histories.
  • Option B: This option is incorrect. West Bengal is a state in India and was not affected by the partition in the same way as East Bengal. East Bengal became part of Pakistan and later Bangladesh, while West Bengal remained in India.
  • Option C: This option is incorrect. Lahore is a city in Pakistan and has no direct connection to East Bengal. The confusion might arise from the fact that both are part of the broader region of the Indian subcontinent, but they are distinct and have different histories.
  • Option D: This option is correct. East Bengal, after the partition of India in 1947, became East Pakistan. In 1971, it gained independence and became the sovereign nation of Bangladesh. This option correctly identifies the modern name of the region.

Mnemonic: East Bengal → East Pakistan → Bangladesh

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