On which day was National Mourning Day observed in protest against the partition of Bengal?

Correct option is A

National Mourning Day was observed on 16 October 1905 to protest the Partition of Bengal by the British government. The partition, announced by Lord Curzon, divided Bengal into two provinces:

• East Bengal and Assam, with a Muslim majority.
• West Bengal, with a Hindu majority.

This division aimed to weaken the unity of the Indian population by fostering communal divisions. However, it sparked widespread protests across India, particularly in Bengal, as people viewed it as an attempt to disrupt India's social and political fabric.

The observance of 16 October 1905 included:

• Strikes, fasting, and processions.
• Symbolic gestures like tying rakhi to signify unity among Hindus and Muslims.
• Public gatherings emphasizing the Swadeshi Movement to promote Indian-made goods and boycott British products.

Additional Information:

• The partition was annulled in 1911 due to the strong opposition, but its communal effects persisted, eventually contributing to India's partition in 1947.
• Surendranath Banerjee, among other leaders, played a significant role in organizing the protests.

Other Options:

• 19 November 1905: No significant event related to the partition occurred on this date.
• 19 July 1905: The date is unrelated to the partition protests.
• 16 August 1905: While discussions and unrest occurred in August, this was not the observed National Mourning Day.