Published Paper Details:

Abstract: The Partition of Bengal was implemented in 1905, much to the anger of the Indians, who knew it was a sinister attempt by the British to divide the Hindus and the Muslims. Lord Curzon, the Viceroy of Bengal was apprehensive of the solidarity and growing political consciousness of the Bengalis. He formulated a plan under which a new province under the name of Eastern Bengal and Assam would be created where Muslims would be in a majority. For the people of Assam, the amalgamation of Assam with the districts of Bengal was certainly not a good prospect. Assam was under the direct control of the Governor General since 1874 and received liberal grants from the Government, which brought about great development to the province. This period also saw the recognition of Assamese as a second language in Calcutta Universities entrance examination and Assamese youths were appointed to Government offices. Therefore, it was only natural that Assam resented the move to tag the province to the much more advanced districts of Bengal. The paper tries to see the impact of the newspapers and journals in espousing the cause of nationalism in Assam, especially the newspapers from Bengal, who set the tone for opposing British domination over India.