Partition of Bengal & Swadeshi — Set 14

Correct Answer: A. A. Growth of indigenous textile mills

The correct answer is A. Growth of indigenous textile mills. The Swadeshi Movement led to the establishment and growth of Indian-owned textile mills, reducing dependence on British imports and boosting indigenous manufacturing. This topic is frequently tested in competitive examinations such as RRB NTPC, SSC, and UPSC.

Correct Answer: B. It provided intellectual and cultural support to the nationalist cause

The Brahmo Samaj provided intellectual and cultural support to the nationalist cause during the Swadeshi movement. Leaders associated with Brahmo Samaj traditions like Rabindranath Tagore contributed culturally to the movement. The Brahmo Samaj had a long tradition of social reform and nationalism that informed the Swadeshi movement's ideals. The religious reform movement's emphasis on Indian identity provided a foundation for cultural nationalism.

Correct Answer: B. The salt boycott targeted British taxation of a common commodity

During the Swadeshi period salt was among the goods boycotted as it was taxed by the British. The British salt tax made salt expensive for ordinary Indians. The economic injustice of taxing a common commodity resonated deeply with the poor. Gandhi later used the salt issue more dramatically in his 1930 Dandi March building on the tradition of salt as a symbol of economic oppression.

Correct Answer: B. The launch of the boycott movement at Calcutta Town Hall on August 7 1905

National Handloom Day on August 7 specifically remembers the launch of the boycott movement at Calcutta Town Hall on August 7, 1905. Thousands gathered and pledged to boycott British textiles and use Indian handloom cloth. The day celebrates the contribution of handloom weavers to the freedom struggle. India declared August 7 as National Handloom Day in 2015 honoring the 110th anniversary of this event.

Correct Answer: A. Lala Lajpat Rai

Lala Lajpat Rai was the key leader who spread Swadeshi ideas to Punjab. He was part of the Lal-Bal-Pal trio of extremist leaders who spread the Swadeshi message across India. He used the Arya Samaj network to mobilize Punjabis for the Swadeshi movement. His newspaper writings in Urdu reached educated Punjabis across religious communities.

Correct Answer: B. Newspapers across India condemned the partition and spread the Swadeshi message

Newspapers across India condemned the Bengal Partition of 1905 and helped spread the Swadeshi message. Journals in English, Bengali, Marathi, Urdu and other languages criticized the partition. Press coverage helped extend the Swadeshi movement beyond Bengal to other parts of India. The role of the press demonstrated how journalism could serve nationalist goals.

Correct Answer: B. The Partition of Bengal and the Swadeshi Movement

The Partition of Bengal and the resulting Swadeshi Movement of 1905 is considered to mark the beginning of the era of mass politics in India. For the first time political protest involved merchants, students, women and common people beyond the educated elite. The movement introduced economic boycott as a mass political weapon. It transformed Indian nationalism from elite petitioning to popular mass agitation.

Correct Answer: B. Bengal was reunited but Bihar and Orissa were separated

In 1911 when the Bengal Partition was annulled, Bengal was reunited but Bihar and Orissa were separated from Bengal as a new province. This was a significant administrative restructuring. While nationalists were pleased about Bengal's reunification they were concerned about the new administrative arrangements. The capital was also shifted from Calcutta to Delhi.

Correct Answer: B. Mahatma Gandhi

Mahatma Gandhi recognized the Swadeshi movement as one of the first great nationalist movements in India. He saw it as a predecessor to his own mass campaigns. Gandhi's approach of khadi, boycott and non-cooperation was directly inspired by the Swadeshi tradition. He acknowledged that the Swadeshi movement had established the model for mass economic resistance against British rule.

Correct Answer: B. It was the day the partition came into effect and was observed as Rakhi Bandhan day of unity

October 16, 1905 was the day the Partition of Bengal came into effect and was observed by nationalists as a day of mourning and unity. Rabindranath Tagore suggested people tie Rakhi threads across religious lines as a symbol of Hindu-Muslim unity. The day was marked by closed shops, processions to the Ganges and mass oath-taking. It became one of the most powerful demonstrations of nationalist solidarity in early 20th century India.