In the history of British rule in India, which British Viceroy is generally regarded as the main early practitioner of the policy of "divide and rule" in Bengal, especially through the partition of Bengal in 1905?

Introduction / Context:
The phrase "divide and rule" is often used to describe colonial strategies that deliberately encouraged divisions among local people in order to strengthen foreign control. In India, this approach became particularly visible in Bengal at the beginning of the twentieth century. The British decision to partition Bengal in 1905, splitting it into two separate administrative units, is commonly seen as an attempt to weaken growing nationalist unity. This question asks which British Viceroy is generally associated with applying this policy in Bengal.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The focus is on British rule in India, especially in Bengal.
• The policy mentioned is "divide and rule", linked to the partition of Bengal.
• Options include Lord Curzon, Lord Canning, Lord Lytton, and Lord Minto.
• We assume knowledge that the partition of Bengal took place in 1905 under a particular Viceroy.

Concept / Approach:
Lord Curzon served as Viceroy of India from 1899 to 1905. During his tenure, he implemented several controversial measures, one of the most important being the partition of Bengal in 1905. Officially, this was justified on administrative grounds, but many Indian nationalists believed that the real goal was to divide the largely nationalist population of Bengal along religious and regional lines, weakening political unity. This perception linked Curzon strongly with the policy of "divide and rule". Other Viceroys, such as Lord Canning, Lord Lytton, and Lord Minto, also took significant actions, but they are not as directly associated with the Bengal partition and this early application of divide and rule in that province.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall that the partition of Bengal took place in 1905. Step 2: Identify which Viceroy was in office at that time, namely Lord Curzon. Step 3: Understand that the partition was widely criticised by Indian leaders as an example of divide and rule, intended to create tension between different communities. Step 4: Compare this connection with the records of other Viceroys listed in the options. Step 5: Conclude that Lord Curzon is the Viceroy most closely associated with the application of this policy in Bengal.

Verification / Alternative check:
Standard histories of the Indian national movement highlight the 1905 partition of Bengal as a turning point that energised the Swadeshi movement and large scale protests. These accounts consistently state that the measure was carried out under Viceroy Lord Curzon, and many nationalist leaders explicitly condemned it as divide and rule. Later Viceroys, including Lord Minto, were associated with other policies such as separate electorates, but the original Bengal partition episode is firmly tied to Curzon. This confirms that he is the correct answer.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Lord Canning was Viceroy around the time of the Revolt of 1857 and is known for his role in that crisis but not for the partition of Bengal. Lord Lytton is remembered for policies during the late 1870s, including events connected with the Great Famine and the Second Afghan War, not for divide and rule in Bengal. Lord Minto is associated with the Morley Minto reforms and separate electorates, which also had divisive elements, but these came after Curzon and were not the specific Bengal partition mentioned in the question. Therefore, they do not match the description as accurately as Lord Curzon does.

Common Pitfalls:
Students may confuse different British Viceroys because many of them implemented controversial policies. It is easy to mix up Curzon and Minto since both names appear in discussions about communal divisions and electoral reforms. Another mistake is to think that any Viceroy connected with constitutional reforms must also be the one behind Bengal partition. Keeping a clear timeline in mind, linking the year 1905 with Lord Curzon, helps avoid these errors.

Final Answer:
The British Viceroy generally regarded as the main early practitioner of the policy of "divide and rule" in Bengal through the 1905 partition is Lord Curzon.