t considered part of Bengal, they based the division on Hindus and Muslims. The British thought that through the partition, they would succeed in dividing Hindu politicians of western and eastern Bengal and increase Hindu- Muslim tensions. The tremor of partition was felt throughout India and many regarded it as an insult and challenge to Indian Nationalism. Consequently, the moderates of the Congress launched movements and the protests, Swadeshi and Swaraj, became the slogan of the common man and the whole of India was drawn into the Nationalist movement in one way or another.For many Muslims, the only way to respond to the British and the Congress was through the formation of the All India Muslim League in 1906. This acted as a direct challenge to the National Congress’ authority to speak on behalf of the nation. The Congress was also facing challenges because they continually tried to depolitisize the internal social problems of India, and focus on the problems of British Raj. While the Congress called for mass action they were also implying elite control, and more peasants were becoming worried that their concerns would not be addressed. The Congress was now faced with the problem of not only addressing the peasants concerns, but also securing them as members of the movement. Up until this point they had systematically called for the peasants to subsume to the interests of their landlords, with the idea that once they attained Swaraj, all problems would be solved. Nevertheless, these ideas were still predicated on the fact that the rich would remain in control. It is not until the Congress is lead by Mahandas Gandhi in 1920 that steps are taken to unify the movement and face the challenges poised by the peasants and Muslims. Under the leadership of Gandhi, the Non-cooperation movement was launched, beginning with renunciation of honorary titles like “Sir” given by the British. Thereafter it was followed by the boyc...
