The anti-Partition and Swadeshi Movement in Assam

Abstract

The anti-Partition and Swadeshi movement had its both national and provincial facets. While the partition of Bengal in 1905 provoked indignation throughout India, the provincial and in some cases the local issues also undoubtedly determined the nature and extent of the particular responses. The people of Bengal advocated for a united province while the people of Bihar and Orissa wanted separate provinces. Assam had special reason to be feared as it had now been added with the districts of Eastern Bengal. In 1874, when Assam was separated, it was expected that the separation of the province would give an opportunity to the Chief Commissioner to have a close supervision and he could adopt necessary steps for improving the backward condition of the province. But the people of Assam had the fear that by tagging the province once again with the much advanced districts of Bengal would nullify all the good that had been realized during the time of Chief Commissionership. The innate desire of the Assamese people living in the Brahmaputra Valley to preserve their distinct identity brought them to the anti-partition movement.