Lord Curzon served as the Viceroy of India from 1899 to 1905. He is best remembered for his administrative reforms, partition of Bengal, and conservation efforts. His policies generated strong nationalist opposition, making him a controversial figure in Indian history.
1. Key Policies and Reforms
A. Partition of Bengal (1905)
✔ Announced on July 19, 1905, and implemented on October 16, 1905.
✔ Divided Bengal into Eastern Bengal and Assam (Muslim majority) and Western Bengal (Hindu majority).
✔ Justified on the grounds of administrative efficiency, but widely seen as a divide-and-rule policy.
✔ Led to massive protests, formation of Swadeshi Movement, and boycott of British goods.
✔ Revoked in 1911 due to Indian resistance.
B. Education Reforms
✔ Indian Universities Act (1904):
- Increased government control over universities.
- Focused on research and quality education.
- Opposed by nationalists as an attack on academic freedom.
C. Police and Administrative Reforms
✔ Established a Police Commission (1902–1903) to improve law enforcement.
✔ Introduced new training methods, salaries, and promotions for Indian police officers.
D. Military Reforms
✔ Strengthened the British Indian Army.
✔ Upgraded military infrastructure in the North-West Frontier Province.
E. Economic and Agricultural Reforms
✔ Established the Irrigation Commission (1901) to expand irrigation projects.
✔ Introduced Cooperative Credit Societies Act (1904) to help farmers access credit and reduce debt.
F. Conservation and Preservation Efforts
✔ Created the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) in 1901 under John Marshall.
✔ Focused on the preservation of ancient Indian monuments.
✔ Restored sites like Ajanta and Ellora Caves, Sanchi Stupa, and Konark Temple.
2. Impact of Lord Curzon’s Policies
✔ Partition of Bengal led to the rise of Indian nationalism and the Swadeshi Movement.
✔ Increased government interference in education angered Indian nationalists.
✔ Police and administrative reforms modernized governance.
✔ His conservation efforts helped preserve India’s historical heritage.
✔ Farmers benefitted from cooperative credit reforms, though poverty remained a major issue.
3. MCQs on Lord Curzon
- Which major event took place during Lord Curzon’s rule in 1905?
- (a) Partition of Bengal
- (b) First Round Table Conference
- (c) Formation of Indian National Congress
- (d) Quit India Movement
- Answer: (a) Partition of Bengal
- Which act was introduced in 1904 to regulate Indian universities?
- (a) Indian Universities Act
- (b) Government of India Act
- (c) Vernacular Press Act
- (d) Charter Act
- Answer: (a) Indian Universities Act
- Who was appointed as the Director-General of the Archaeological Survey of India in 1901?
- (a) William Jones
- (b) Alexander Cunningham
- (c) John Marshall
- (d) James Princep
- Answer: (c) John Marshall
- Which movement started in response to the Partition of Bengal?
- (a) Non-Cooperation Movement
- (b) Swadeshi Movement
- (c) Quit India Movement
- (d) Civil Disobedience Movement
- Answer: (b) Swadeshi Movement
- Which act did Lord Curzon introduce to help Indian farmers access credit?
- (a) Land Revenue Act
- (b) Cooperative Credit Societies Act
- (c) Rowlatt Act
- (d) Arms Act
- Answer: (b) Cooperative Credit Societies Act
4. Subjective Questions
- What were the reasons behind the Partition of Bengal (1905)? What was its impact?
- Discuss the Indian Universities Act (1904) and why it was opposed by Indian nationalists.
- Explain the role of Lord Curzon in the conservation of India’s historical monuments.
- What were the key features of Curzon’s agricultural and irrigation reforms?
- How did the Partition of Bengal lead to the rise of the Swadeshi Movement?
5. Conclusion
Lord Curzon’s tenure was marked by both administrative efficiency and strong nationalist resistance. While his reforms in education, agriculture, and conservation were significant, his divide-and-rule policies, especially the Partition of Bengal, led to the rise of Indian nationalism.
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