Swadeshi Movement and the Partition of Bengal
The statement given is True. The Swadeshi Movement did indeed start after the partition of Bengal. Here is a detailed explanation:
1. Partition of Bengal:
- The partition of Bengal was announced on July 19, 1905, by Lord Curzon, the then Viceroy of India.
- The province of Bengal was divided into two separate entities - Bengal and Eastern Bengal and Assam.
- The partition was done along religious lines, with the predominantly Hindu western region and predominantly Muslim eastern region being separated.
2. Reasons for Partition:
- Lord Curzon claimed that the partition was done for administrative convenience and to improve governance in the region.
- However, the partition was seen by many as a divide-and-rule policy of the British, aimed at weakening the growing nationalist movement in Bengal.
3. Swadeshi Movement:
- The Swadeshi Movement was a widespread campaign of boycotts, protests, and acts of self-reliance initiated in response to the partition of Bengal.
- It aimed at promoting Indian-made goods and opposing British goods.
- The movement gained momentum under the leadership of prominent figures like Surendranath Banerjee, Aurobindo Ghosh, and Rabindranath Tagore.
4. Objectives of the Swadeshi Movement:
- To protest against the unjust partition of Bengal and demand its annulment.
- To promote the use of Indian-made goods and boycott British goods.
- To create a sense of national pride and unity among Indians.
- To encourage self-reliance and develop indigenous industries.
5. Impact of the Swadeshi Movement:
- The Swadeshi Movement had a significant impact on the Indian nationalist movement and played a crucial role in shaping the future struggle for independence.
- It fostered a sense of national consciousness, unity, and pride among Indians.
- It led to the growth of indigenous industries and the establishment of national educational institutions.
In conclusion, the Swadeshi Movement did indeed start after the partition of Bengal. It was a response to the partition and aimed at promoting Indian-made goods, boycotting British goods, and demanding the annulment of the partition. The movement had a profound impact on the Indian nationalist movement and contributed to the growth of national consciousness and self-reliance.