The Partition of Bengal was announced by the British Viceroy of India, Lord Curzon, in July 1905 and took effect in October of the same year. Bengal was a culturally and economically significant region, home to a substantial population and a thriving nationalist movement. The region was divided into two provinces: West Bengal, with a Hindu majority, and East Bengal, with a Muslim majority. This administrative change was officially justified as a means to improve governance and public administration due to Bengal's large population. However, many saw it as a calculated strategy to divide and rule, thereby curbing the rising tide of nationalism led by figures like Rabindranath Tagore and Surendranath Banerjee.

The announcement of the partition led to widespread protests across India, with public meetings, demonstrations, and calls for unity against the British governance. Key figures in the Indian National Congress and other political parties mobilized support, resulting in the Swadeshi movement, which encouraged the boycott of British goods and the promotion of Indian-made products. This movement was significant in fostering a sense of Indian identity and unity beyond communal lines, as it spurred involvement from various sections of society, including students and women.

The partition was met with substantial opposition, and it was seen as a catalyst for the eventual unification of Hindu and Muslim groups against British colonial rule. Large-scale protests, including the famous anti-partition protests led by Tagore, rallied numerous Indian citizens across the region. With growing unrest, the British government faced increasing pressure, leading to the eventual reversal of the partition in 1911. The event marked a turning point in Indian politics, solidifying the nationalist sentiment that would play a crucial role in India's struggle for independence.