Lord Hardinge II served as the Viceroy of India from 1910 to 1916. His tenure was marked by significant events such as the Delhi Durbar (1911), the shifting of the capital from Calcutta to Delhi, the annulment of the Partition of Bengal, and revolutionary activities.
1. Important Events During Lord Hardinge’s Tenure
✔ Delhi Durbar (1911)
- Organized to celebrate the coronation of King George V.
- First British monarch to visit India.
- Announcement of shifting India’s capital from Calcutta to Delhi.
✔ Transfer of Capital to Delhi (1911)
- Delhi became the capital of British India on December 12, 1911.
- Reasons:
- Strategic location (closer to North India).
- Symbolic significance (Delhi had been the capital of earlier Indian empires).
✔ Annulment of Partition of Bengal (1911)
- Partition of Bengal (1905) was revoked due to strong protests.
- Bengal was reunited, but Bihar and Orissa were separated to form a new province in 1912.
- The move was seen as a victory for Indian Nationalists.
✔ Revolutionary Activities
- Delhi Conspiracy Case (1912):
- Attempt to assassinate Lord Hardinge II in Delhi (Chandni Chowk) on December 23, 1912.
- A bomb was thrown at his procession, injuring him.
- Mastermind: Rash Behari Bose and Basant Kumar Biswas (Indian revolutionaries).
- Rise of Ghadar Movement (1913):
- Started by Indians living in the USA and Canada.
- Aim: Overthrow British rule through armed revolution.
- Key Leaders: Lala Hardayal, Kartar Singh Sarabha.
✔ World War I (1914–1918)
- Britain dragged India into World War I without consulting Indians.
- Heavy recruitment of Indian soldiers for the war.
- Economic hardships: High taxes, inflation, and food shortages.
- Rise of nationalist feelings and anti-British sentiments.
✔ Creation of Bihar and Orissa as a Separate Province (1912)
- Previously part of Bengal Presidency.
- Became independent provinces for administrative efficiency.
2. MCQs on Lord Hardinge (1910–1916)
- During whose tenure was the capital of British India shifted from Calcutta to Delhi?
- (a) Lord Curzon
- (b) Lord Hardinge II
- (c) Lord Minto II
- (d) Lord Ripon
- Answer: (b) Lord Hardinge II
- Which major event led to the annulment of the Partition of Bengal?
- (a) Delhi Durbar (1911)
- (b) Morley-Minto Reforms (1909)
- (c) Lucknow Pact (1916)
- (d) Simon Commission (1927)
- Answer: (a) Delhi Durbar (1911)
- Who was responsible for the bomb attack on Lord Hardinge in 1912?
- (a) Bhagat Singh
- (b) Chandrashekhar Azad
- (c) Rash Behari Bose
- (d) Bal Gangadhar Tilak
- Answer: (c) Rash Behari Bose
- What was the main objective of the Ghadar Movement (1913)?
- (a) Boycott of British goods
- (b) Armed revolution against British rule
- (c) Promotion of education among Indians
- (d) Establishment of constitutional monarchy
- Answer: (b) Armed revolution against British rule
- Which Indian provinces were created as separate entities in 1912?
- (a) Punjab and Sindh
- (b) Bihar and Orissa
- (c) Bengal and Assam
- (d) Madras and Mysore
- Answer: (b) Bihar and Orissa
3. Subjective Questions on Lord Hardinge (1910–1916)
- Discuss the significance of the Delhi Durbar (1911) in Indian history.
- Why was the capital of British India shifted from Calcutta to Delhi in 1911?
- Explain the impact of the annulment of the Partition of Bengal in 1911.
- Analyze the causes and effects of the bomb attack on Lord Hardinge in 1912.
- How did World War I (1914–1918) impact India’s economy and nationalism?
4. Conclusion
Lord Hardinge II’s tenure was marked by major political and revolutionary activities, including the shift of India’s capital to Delhi, the annulment of Bengal’s partition, and increasing nationalist movements. His period also saw World War I, which deeply affected India’s economy and independence movement.
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