What was the immediate cause for the launch of the Swadeshi movement ?
A
The partition of Bengal done by Lord Curzon
B
A sentence of 18 months rigorous imprisonment imposed on Lokmanya Tilak
C
The arrest and deportation of Lala Lajpat Rai and Ajit Singh; and passing of the Punjab Colonization Bill
D
Death sentence pronounced on the Chapekar brothers
Correct Answer: Option A
Explanation
1. The question asks for the immediate cause for the launch of the Swadeshi movement.
2. The Swadeshi movement formally began as a reaction against the British decision to partition Bengal.
3. Lord Curzon, the Viceroy of India, announced the partition of Bengal in July 1905, which officially took effect in October 1905.
4. This act was widely perceived as a 'divide and rule' policy aimed at weakening Bengali nationalism.
5. In immediate response, protest meetings were held, and the call for Swadeshi (use of Indian goods) and Boycott (of British goods) was made, formally launching the Swadeshi movement in August 1905.
6. The other events listed (Tilak's imprisonment, deportation of Lajpat Rai/Ajit Singh, Chapekar brothers' sentence) occurred at different times and were not the immediate trigger for the Swadeshi movement's launch.