When was Bihar first separated from the Bengal Presidency under the British-rule in India?

Correct answer: (a) 1912

Explanation

In 1907, Mahesh Narayan passed away. He used to publish a newspaper named Bihar Times. Through this newspaper, Mahesh Narayan put forward the demand for Bihar’s separation. The separation movement gained momentum across Bihar. After Mahesh Narayan’s death, Dr. Sachchidanand Sinha became the main leader of this movement. A demand was raised to grant Bihar the status of a separate state by separating it from Bengal, which was accepted at the Durbar held in Delhi on 12 December, 1911. Brahmadev Prasad, Ali Imam, Mazharul Haq and Hasan Imam also joined Dr. Sinha. In 1908–09, the Bihar Provincial Conference was organised. On 1 April, 1912, the new province of Bihar and Orissa emerged after being separated from Bengal, with Patna as its capital. Under the Government of India Act, 1935, Orissa was separated from Bihar on 1 April, 1936 and made a new province. Therefore, the formation of Bihar as a separate Indian province became effective from 1 April, 1936.

This explanation is carried over from question 81 of this topic, which the book cross-references.