Vardaan Learning Institute

Chapter 4: Second Phase - Partition of Bengal & Others

PART E: Second Phase — Assertive Nationalists (1905–1916)

Concept Assertive Nationalists (Extremists): A new, more aggressive generation of Congress leaders who believed that Swaraj (self-rule) was the goal — and that it could only be achieved through mass agitation, boycott, and passive resistance, NOT through petitioning the British. They had no faith in British justice. Their methods: Swaraj, Swadeshi, Boycott, and National Education.

Partition of Bengal (1905) and the Swadeshi Movement

Bengal was the largest and most politically active province in British India — the centre of the nationalist movement.
Viceroy Lord Curzon partitioned Bengal on 16 October 1905, dividing it into:
- East Bengal and Assam (Muslim majority) — capital at Dhaka
- Bengal (Hindu majority) — capital at Calcutta
Official reason: Administrative efficiency (Bengal was too large to administer from one centre).
Nationalist perspective: The partition was a deliberate divide and rule strategy — to weaken Bengali nationalism by dividing Hindus and Muslims, and to break up the politically active Bengali community. Nationalists were furious.

Swadeshi Movement (1905–1908)

16 October 1905 was declared a day of national mourning. People tied Rakhi (friendship bands) across religious lines — a symbol of Hindu-Muslim unity.
Boycott of British goods: Foreign cloth was publicly burned; liquor shops picketed; foreign goods rejected.
Swadeshi: Indians promoted and bought only Indian-made goods — especially hand-spun khadi cloth.
Indian-owned textile mills, industries, and banks were set up.
The partition was annulled in 1911 — a major victory for the nationalist movement, demonstrating the power of mass agitation.

Reasons for the Surat Split (1907)

At the Surat session of the INC (December 1907), a dramatic split occurred between Moderates and Assertive Nationalists. Reasons:

Dispute over the President: Moderates wanted Rashbehari Ghosh as president; Assertive Nationalists (Extremists) wanted Lala Lajpat Rai. The Moderates won but chaos erupted.
Difference in goals: Moderates wanted administrative reforms within the British Empire; Extremists demanded complete Swaraj (self-rule) as the goal.
Difference in methods: Moderates preferred petitions and constitutional agitation; Extremists demanded boycott, passive resistance, and mass agitation.
Difference in ideology: Moderates had faith in British justice; Extremists had no faith in the British — they believed only organized public pressure would work.
Outcome: The Extremists were expelled from the Congress. The Congress split into two factions from 1907 to 1916 (when they reunited at Lucknow).

Key Assertive Nationalist Leaders — Lal-Bal-Pal

Leader Bal Gangadhar Tilak (1856–1920) — Lokmanya ("Beloved of the People"):

Famous slogan: "Swaraj is my birthright, and I shall have it!"
Started public celebration of Ganesh Chaturthi Festival and Shivaji Festival — using these Hindu festivals as platforms to gather large crowds and spread nationalist ideas without British interference.
Published the newspapers Kesari (Marathi) and Mahratta (English) to boldly criticize British rule and spread nationalist ideas. He was jailed multiple times for his writings.
Wrote Gita Rahasya in prison (1908–14), interpreting the Bhagavad Gita as a call to action (karmayoga) — used to inspire Indians to fight for freedom.

Leader Bipin Chandra Pal (1858–1932) — "Father of Revolutionary Thought":

Advocated complete independence (Purna Swaraj) from British rule — was one of the first to demand complete independence (not just self-governance within the Empire).
Published the newspaper New India — spread the ideas of boycott, passive resistance, and Assertive Nationalism among educated Indians.
Was a brilliant orator who inspired large crowds with passionate speeches about India's freedom and cultural pride.

Leader Lala Lajpat Rai (1865–1928) — "Lion of Punjab" (Punjab Kesari):

Led the resistance against the British in Punjab; was deported to Mandalay (Burma/Myanmar) in 1907 for his anti-British activities — making him a nationalist martyr figure.
Founded many educational institutions in Punjab; helped found the Punjab National Bank — promoted economic self-sufficiency as part of the national movement.
Led protests against the Simon Commission (1928); was severely lathi-charged by the police during demonstrations. He died on 17 November 1928 from his injuries. His death inspired Bhagat Singh to take revenge by shooting the police officer responsible.