A nationalist economic and political movement that began in 1905 in response to the partition of Bengal, calling for the boycott of British goods and the use of Indian-made (swadeshi) products.
- Triggered by Lord Curzon's partition of Bengal, announced in 1905, widely seen as a "divide and rule" measure to weaken Bengali nationalism.
- The twin programme was Swadeshi (use of Indian goods, revival of indigenous industries and handicrafts) and Boycott (of foreign, especially British, goods, courts, and schools).
- Led nationally by figures such as Bal Gangadhar Tilak, Bipin Chandra Pal, Lala Lajpat Rai (the "Lal-Bal-Pal" trio), and Aurobindo Ghosh, with strong participation in Bengal.
- Promoted national education (the National Council of Education was set up) and self-reliant institutions; it also gave momentum to the Extremist wing of the Congress.
- The partition of Bengal was annulled in 1911; the movement marked the entry of new techniques (boycott, mass mobilisation, swadeshi enterprises) into Indian politics.
It is the first large movement to use the boycott and swadeshi methods later central to Gandhi's campaigns, tied to the partition of Bengal and the Extremist rise.
The Swadeshi Movement (1905) followed the first partition of Bengal under Curzon; this is distinct from the 1947 partition of India and from Bengal's separate partition then.
1905 Swadeshi and Boycott against Curzon's partition of Bengal; Lal-Bal-Pal leadership; partition annulled 1911.