A recent decision by the West Bengal Government to honor Maharaja Bijay Chand Mahatab and his wife Radharani has captivated public attention. The pair will be celebrated through statues in front of the Lord Curzon Gate, a gateway built in 1903 during a visit from Lord Curzon himself. Born in 1881, Maharajadhiraja Bijay Chand Mahtab was a significant figure who held sway over the Burdwan Estate in Bengal under British rule from 1887 until his death in 1941.
George Nathaniel Curzon: A Brief Profile
George Nathaniel Curzon, born on 11th January, 1859 in Kedleston Hall, England, was a prominent British statesman and Foreign Secretary. His career played a decisive role in the shaping of British policy. When he assumed the position of India’s Viceroy in 1899, succeeding Lord Elgin, Curzon became the youngest Viceroy of India at just 39 years old. He was one of the most controversial yet consequential figures of his time. Before becoming the governor general and viceroy, Curzon had an extensive travel history that included visits to India, Ceylon, Afghanistan, China, Persia, Turkestan, Japan, and Korea.
The Foreign Policies of Curzon
Curzon diverged from his predecessors in his firm foreign policies. The North-West Frontier Policy aimed to consolidate the strength and security of British territories in the north-west. Another key policy was his Afghan policy, which was guided by political and economic interests as well as the fear of rising Russian influence in Central Asia and the Persian Gulf area. Similarly, in a bid to secure British influence, Curzon personally oversaw the protection of British interests in the Persian Gulf area and also implemented policies to avoid Russian dominance in Tibet.
Curzon’s Reforms across Various Sectors
Spanning a large spectrum of sectors, Curzon’s reforms included the infamous Calcutta Corporation Act of 1899, Economic reforms such as altering the salt-tax rate and introducing relief measures during famine. He also focused on Agriculture, by passing the Co-operative Credit Societies Act in 1904 and Punjab Land Alienation Act in 1900. Apart from this, he aimed at improving railway facilities and making the Railway a lucrative venture for the government. Curzon also left his mark on education and called for changes through an Education Conference in 1901.
Curzon’s Role in the Partition of Bengal
One of the most criticized moves by Curzon was the partitioning of the undivided Bengal Presidency in 1905. This move spurred widespread opposition in Bengal and across India, fuelling the freedom movement. The announcement led to the formation of a new province comprising East Bengal and Assam while leaving the western part of Bengal as predominantly Hindu.
Consequences of the Partition
The Bengal partition faced backlash from all quarters of India causing widespread resentment. The resulting struggle gave rise to the strong Swadeshi movement. The protest, which encouraged boycotting British goods in favor of Indian ones, spread across the country. The public showed their defiance by participating in marches, demonstrations and singing patriotic songs.
Impacts of the Protests
Although Curzon departed for Britain in 1905, the agitation went on for many years. King George V rescinded Bengal’s partition in 1911 during a Coronation Durbar. Meanwhile, the Swadeshi movement had grown significantly during the agitation and had reached nationwide proportions. The initial partition of Bengal and the highhanded behavior of Curzon severely affected the national movement and the Congress, intensifying sentiments of nationalism.
UPSC Civil Services Examination, Previous Year Questions (PYQs)
These events have been referenced several times in previous UPSC examinations. For instance, examiner asked candidates to evaluate the policies of Lord Curzon and their long-term implications on the national movement in 2020. Further relevant questions from past papers ask about the Swadeshi Movement, the first use of ‘Swadeshi’ and ‘Boycott’ as methods of protest, and the duration of the Partition of Bengal enacted by Lord Curzon.