Topic Summary

It is 1905 and Calcutta is buzzing with whispers, protests, and the clatter of printing presses. Lord Curzon has just decided to slice Bengal in two, claiming it will make governance easier. But not everyone is buying it. Across Bengal, people are furious. Some are organizing boycotts, others are planning protests, and a few are dreaming of something even bigger. The air is thick with politics, poetry, and just a hint of revolution.

In this committee, you will step into the shoes of colonial officials, nationalist leaders, idealistic reformers, and perhaps a few secret revolutionaries. You might find yourself giving fiery speeches one moment and cutting secret deals the next. Tensions between Hindus and Muslims are rising, loyalty is shifting, and the British are trying to keep control with a stiff upper lip and a firm hand. It is up to you to decide what comes next. Will you fan the flames of rebellion, mend the cracks before they deepen, or take advantage of the chaos for your own gain? The future of Bengal is anything but certain, and every move you make will help shape a story that’s still unfolding.

Director’s Letter

Esteemed Delegates,

Welcome to the 72nd iteration of the Harvard National Model United Nations conference and to the 1905 Partition of Bengal Crisis Committee!

My name is Rahul Yates, and I am a junior from Los Angeles studying Government, Economics, and South Asian Studies. Aside from HNMUN, I am involved with HMUN, HMUN India, and Harvard’s Intercollegiate Model United Nations team. Outside of MUN, I am involved with the Harvard Undergraduate Foreign Policy Initiative, Harvard Undergraduate Consulting on Business and the Environment, Harvard’s South Asian Association, and Harvard Dharma (Hindu students association). In my free time, I love watching Bollywood movies and listening to music!

In committee, I am excited to see how you all interpret the complex and charged political landscape surrounding the 1905 Partition of Bengal, whether you are defending imperial policy, mobilizing nationalist resistance, or navigating rising communal tensions. I look forward to seeing how each of you weaves your character’s motivations and histories into your frontroom speeches and backroom maneuvers. As a crisis delegate, my favorite committees are always the ones filled with passionate debate, bold crisis arcs, unexpected alliances, and unforgettable energy. I hope this committee brings you all of that and more—and that your time in Boston will be as memorable as the history that you are about to rewrite!

Best,

Rahul Yates

Director, Partition of Bengal: 1905

Director’s Letter

Dear Delegates,

My name is Caleb Thompson, and I am honored to be serving as the Director of Partition of Bengal: 1905 this year! I was born in San Diego, California, but I spent most of my childhood living in a small town called New Castle in Western Colorado. At Harvard, I am studying Statistics and Economics.

In terms of extracurriculars, I currently compete on the American circuit with Harvard’s competitive team, ICMUN, in addition to serving as a director in several MUN conferences, USG Operations for HMUN India 2025, and Secretary General of HNMUN Africa 2026. I am also a member of the board of directors for the International Relations Council at Harvard and lead trips in the outdoors with the Harvard Outing Club. Having grown up in a rural area, I love nature and spend a lot of my free time climbing mountains or going on backpacking trips with friends and family.

I also love to travel and interact with different cultures, languages, and people from around the world. Some of my favorite places to visit have been Bosnia and Herzegovina, Cambodia, Taiwan, Qatar, and Egypt. For my senior year of high school, I studied abroad in Adana, Türkiye, where I fell in love with the working-class people, their hospitality, and their beautiful language during my stay. One thing that makes HNMUN special is the opportunity it provides to engage in cross-cultural dialogue and interact with young leaders from across the world. On that note, I would like to extend a special welcome to all international delegates. You are our honored guests and you contribute so much to this conference.

I look forward to meeting all of you soon and feel so fortunate to be your Director. In the meantime, feel free to reach out to me with any questions or concerns!

Cheers,

Caleb Thompson

Director, Partition of Bengal: 1905