Explanations:The British colonial policy of 'Divide and Rule' was a strategy employed by the British to maintain control over the Indian subcontinent by fostering divisions among the local population. This policy was particularly effective in a diverse and multi-ethnic society like India, where the British could exploit existing social, religious, and cultural differences to their advantage.
The Partition of Bengal in 1905 is a prime example of the 'Divide and Rule' policy. The British government, under the Viceroy Lord Curzon, decided to partition the province of Bengal into two separate entities: Eastern Bengal and Assam, and Western Bengal. The primary reason for this partition was to weaken the growing nationalist movement in Bengal, which was at the forefront of the Indian independence struggle.
The partition was designed to create a divide between the Hindu and Muslim populations of Bengal. The British believed that by separating the predominantly Muslim eastern part of Bengal from the predominantly Hindu western part, they could reduce the effectiveness of the nationalist movement. This strategy was based on the assumption that the two communities would be less likely to unite against British rule if they were separated.
The Partition of Bengal led to widespread protests and unrest across the region. The Indian National Congress and other nationalist groups strongly opposed the partition, viewing it as an attempt to weaken the nationalist movement. The partition also led to the formation of the Swadeshi movement, which aimed to promote Indian goods and industries as a form of protest against British policies.
While the Partition of Bengal was eventually annulled in 1911, the event had a lasting impact on Indian society and politics. It highlighted the British strategy of 'Divide and Rule' and demonstrated how the colonial government could use such policies to maintain control over a diverse and increasingly nationalist population.
Other events, such as the fall of the Moderates and the rise of Radicals, were significant in the context of Indian politics and the independence movement. However, they were not the primary events that prompted the British to adopt the 'Divide and Rule' policy. The Partition of Bengal stands out as a clear example of this strategy in action, making it the correct answer to the question.