UPSC Prelims 2010 Q83: Modern History – Early Nationalism & Indian National Congress (1885 - 1915)
What was the immediate cause for the launch of the Swadeshi movement?
- (a) The partition of Bengal done by Lord Curzon
- (b) A sentence of 18 months rigorous imprisonment imposed on Lokmanya Tilak
- (c) The arrest and deportation of Lala Lajpat Rai and Ajit Singh; and passing of the Punjab Colonization Bill
- (d) Death sentence pronounced on the Chapekar brothers
Answer: (a) The partition of Bengal done by Lord Curzon
Explanation
The immediate cause of the Swadeshi Movement
The Swadeshi Movement erupted in response to a specific, deeply unpopular administrative decision.
| Option | Verdict | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| (a) Partition of Bengal by Lord Curzon | Correct | The 1905 Partition of Bengal, seen as a deliberate attempt to divide Hindus and Muslims and weaken nationalist sentiment, was the direct, immediate trigger for the Swadeshi Movement |
| (b) Tilak's 18-month imprisonment | Incorrect | This event, while significant for nationalist agitation, is not the specific immediate cause of the Swadeshi Movement |
| (c) Arrest/deportation of Lajpat Rai and Ajit Singh; Punjab Colonization Bill | Incorrect | This is linked to unrest in Punjab, a separate episode, not the Swadeshi Movement's trigger |
| (d) Death sentence on the Chapekar brothers | Incorrect | This is an earlier, unrelated revolutionary episode, not the Swadeshi Movement's cause |
Swadeshi Movement's origin:
| Point | Detail |
|---|---|
| Immediate cause | Partition of Bengal (1905), by Lord Curzon |
| Movement's core idea | Boycott foreign goods, promote indigenous ('swadeshi') products |
| Broader significance | Marked a shift toward mass political mobilization |
Answer: (a) The partition of Bengal done by Lord Curzon.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) CORRECT. The 1905 Partition of Bengal by Lord Curzon directly triggered the Swadeshi Movement.
- (b) Incorrect. Tilak's imprisonment is a separate nationalist episode, not this movement's specific trigger.
- (c) Incorrect. This event relates to unrest in Punjab, a different episode.
- (d) Incorrect. The Chapekar brothers' case is an earlier, unrelated revolutionary episode.
Key point
The immediate cause of the Swadeshi Movement was LORD CURZON'S PARTITION OF BENGAL (1905), widely seen as a divide-and-rule tactic.
Remember
Swadeshi Movement's immediate cause: the 1905 Partition of Bengal, carried out by Lord Curzon.
Common mistakes
- Confusing the Swadeshi Movement's trigger with other, separate nationalist agitation episodes (Tilak's imprisonment, Punjab unrest, Chapekar brothers).
- Not connecting the movement's boycott-and-indigenous-goods philosophy to its specific Bengal-partition origin.
- Missing the 1905 date and Curzon's specific role.
Exam tip
Swadeshi Movement's trigger = 1905 Partition of Bengal by Curzon. A foundational, frequently tested historical fact.
Sources
- NCERT — Modern Indian History, the Swadeshi Movement and Partition of Bengal
- Sumit Sarkar — The Swadeshi Movement in Bengal, 1903–1908 (People's Publishing House, 1973)