Part of: West Bengal Gk set 11

Which of these were supporters of the Greater Bengal movement?

Category: West Bengal Gk

Hint: Consider the political figures associated with the movement for a larger Bengal.

Correct Answer: D) Only (A) & (B).

Exam Relevance: UPSC, SSC, State PSC

Difficulty: Moderate

Explanations:

The Greater Bengal movement was a political movement that emerged in the early 20th century with the aim of creating a larger Bengal province by including parts of Assam and Bihar. The movement sought to unite Bengali-speaking regions under a single administrative unit, reflecting the linguistic and cultural unity of the Bengali people.

Two key figures in this movement were Huseyn Shaheed Suhrawardy and Sarat Chandra Bose. Huseyn Shaheed Suhrawardy was a prominent Bengali politician who served as the Chief Minister of Bengal and later as the Prime Minister of Pakistan. He was a strong advocate for the unification of Bengali-speaking regions and played a significant role in the Greater Bengal movement. Sarat Chandra Bose, the elder brother of Subhas Chandra Bose, was another important figure in the movement. He was a lawyer and politician who worked alongside Suhrawardy to promote the idea of a larger Bengal province.

The movement was part of a broader context of regional and linguistic nationalism in India during the colonial period. It was driven by the desire to preserve and promote the Bengali language and culture, and to create a more cohesive administrative unit for Bengali-speaking people. The movement faced opposition from various quarters, including the British colonial government and other regional political groups.

It is important to note that the Greater Bengal movement was distinct from other regional movements in India, such as the demand for a separate Assam province or the movement for a united Andhra Pradesh. The movement was specifically focused on the unification of Bengali-speaking regions and was led by prominent Bengali politicians like Suhrawardy and Bose.

Understanding the Greater Bengal movement and its supporters is crucial for comprehending the complex political landscape of colonial India and the various regional movements that emerged during this period. It highlights the importance of linguistic and cultural identity in shaping political movements and the role of key political figures in advocating for these causes.

Option Analysis:
  • Option A: Huseyn Shaheed Suhrawardy was indeed a supporter of the Greater Bengal movement. He was a prominent Bengali politician who advocated for the unification of Bengali-speaking regions. However, this option alone is not the complete answer.
  • Option B: Sarat Chandra Bose was also a supporter of the Greater Bengal movement. He was a key figure in the movement and worked alongside Huseyn Shaheed Suhrawardy to advocate for a larger Bengal province. This option alone is not the complete answer.
  • Option C: Ayub Khan was not a supporter of the Greater Bengal movement. He was a Pakistani military general and politician, and his political activities were not related to the movement for a larger Bengal province.
  • Option D: This option is correct. Both Huseyn Shaheed Suhrawardy and Sarat Chandra Bose were supporters of the Greater Bengal movement, while Ayub Khan was not associated with this movement.

Mnemonic: HSB & SCB for Greater Bengal

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