When India gained independence in 1947, Bengal was partitioned along religious lines. The western part went to the Dominion of India and was named West Bengal. The eastern part went to the Dominion of Pakistan as a province called East Bengal (later renamed East Pakistan in 1956), becoming the independent nation of Bangladesh in 1971. In 1950 the Princely State of Cooch Behar merged with West Bengal. In 1955 the former French enclave of Chandannagar, which had passed into Indian control after 1950, was integrated into West Bengal; portions of Bihar were also subsequently merged with West Bengal. Both West and East Bengal experienced large influxes of refugees during and after the partition in 1947. Refugee resettlement and related issues continued to play a significant role in the politics and socio-economic condition of the state.Sailen Debnath, West Bengal in Doldrums ; & Sailen Debnath ed. Social and Political Tensions in North Bengal since 1947,
when india gained independence in 1947 bengal was partitioned along religious lines the western part went to the dominion of india and was named west bengal the eastern part went to the dominion of pakistan as a province called east bengal (later renamed east pakistan in 1956) becoming the independent nation of bangladesh in 1971 in 1950 the princely state of cooch behar merged with west bengal in 1955 the former french enclave of chandannagar which had passed into indian control after 1950 was integrated into west bengal; portions of bihar were also subsequently merged with west bengal both west and east bengal experienced large influxes of refugees during and after the partition in 1947 refugee resettlement and related issues continued to play a significant role in the politics and socio-economic condition of the statesailen debnath west bengal in doldrums ; & sailen debnath ed social and political tensions in north bengal since 1947