In 1911, a major administrative change took place in Assam under British rule following the annulment of the Partition of Bengal (1905). The British Government, after strong protests against the partition, decided to reverse the decision.
Administrative Changes in Assam in 1911
The year 1911 marked a major turning point in Assam’s colonial history. British India reversed the controversial Partition of Bengal, which had merged Assam with eastern Bengal districts to form the province of Eastern Bengal and Assam in 1905. This annulment dissolved the province, and Assam regained its separate administrative identity with Shillong as its capital.
The 1905 partition was deeply unpopular. Assamese leaders feared cultural and political marginalization, while across Bengal and Assam the Swadeshi Movement fueled strong protests. Revolutionary activities intensified, and political pressure from Indian nationalists forced the British government to reconsider.
In 1911, the British annulled the partition as part of a wider reorganization. The capital of British India shifted from Calcutta to Delhi, Assam was restored as a distinct province, and Bihar and Orissa were also carved out of Bengal. Muslim leaders had mixed responses: some welcomed the partition for demographic reasons, while others opposed it for disrupting unity.
For Assam, the annulment was a significant victory. It reaffirmed provincial status, restored autonomy in governance, and renewed focus on cultural preservation. Local leaders welcomed the decision, viewing it as recognition of Assam’s distinct identity.
This change carried long-term political implications, reshaping boundaries in eastern India and strengthening regional pride. The 1911 annulment remains a milestone in Assam’s history, symbolizing both colonial strategies and nationalist resistance. It is remembered as the moment when the people of Assam reclaimed their provincial identity, making it a key event highlighted in historical narratives and educational resources.