History & Civics
Imagine you are a young boy of 10 years living in Kolkata in 1905. Describe the Anti-Partition Movement as you saw it.
Answer
These days, our city of Kolkata feels very different. Ever since the British decided to partition Bengal, everyone around me seems upset and restless. I often hear elders talking angrily about how this decision will divide our people — separating Hindus and Muslims into two different parts.
Every morning, I see groups of men and women gathering on the streets, shouting slogans like "Vande Mataram". They carry flags and walk together in long processions.
In our neighbourhood, people have stopped buying British goods. My mother refuses to use foreign cloth and instead wears Swadeshi — Indian-made clothes. I have seen bonfires where foreign cloth is burnt in the streets. Everyone claps and cheers as the flames rise high. People are now proudly using only Indian-made salt, sugar and cloth.
In school, our teachers tell us to love our country and be proud of Indian goods. Some students have even left government schools and joined national schools started by our leaders.
On the day the partition came into effect — the whole city observed it as a day of mourning. People fasted and gathered praying for the reunification of Bengal. On certain days, people tie Rakhi on each other's wrists to show unity between Hindus and Muslims. It makes me feel that we are all one, despite the British trying to divide us.
Though I am young, I can feel that something big is happening around me. People are united, determined and full of love for the country. The Anti-Partition Movement has brought everyone together, and I feel proud to be a part of it, even as a small boy.
Related Questions
Read the excerpt given below and answer the questions that follow:
It is a mistake to suppose that the Swadeshi movement requires sacrifice from poor people. We, the middle classes are the greatest offenders in this respect. The poor Kumbi villagers, require not many foreign articles at all, — probably none at all. It is we, the middle classes, who are the consumers of foreign goods; and since this Government is not going to stop the drain by imposing a protective duty it becomes imperatively necessary to adopt a measure by which we can do ourselves what the Government is bound to do and what the government ought to have done long ago. That one point was self-help and another point was determination; and the third sacrifice. You will find that all this included in this resolution, joined with the declaration made in the Presidential address that Swadeshism is a forced necessity in India owing to unnatural economic conditions in India, makes up a complete case for you. I trust that resolution of self-help adopted this year will form the basis of other resolutions of self-help in years to come.’
— Bal Gangadhar Tilak (At the 1906 session of Indian National Congress, where the resolution on Swadeshi was moved.).
(a) What was the main aim of Swadeshi as referred to in the extract? How does, it relate to 'boycott'?
(b) What are the reasons for focussing on Swadeshi?
(c) In what ways is the speaker of this extract the forerunner of Gandhiji?
Study the pictures given below and answer the questions that follow:
(a) Identify the persons 'A' and 'B' given above. To which section of the Congress did each belong and what were their ultimate objectives?
(b) State three different methods of struggle adopted by each section of the Congress.
(c) State two contributions of persons 'A' and 'B' to the freedom struggle.
What would have happened in case the Surat Split did not occur and the Assertive Nationalists were suppressed?
Is the Swadeshi Movement on a path to revival with the 'Make in India' scheme launched by the Indian government? List initiatives that aim at making India self reliant and a global leader