Q. The demand for the Tebhaga Peasant Movement in Bengal was for
- the reduction of the share of the landlords from one-half of the crop to one-third
- the grant of ownership of land to peasants as they were the actual cultivators of the land
- the uprooting of Zamindari system and the end of serfdom
- writing off all peasant debts
Answer: (a) the reduction of the share of the landlords from one-half of the crop to one-third
Notes:
- The Tebhaga Peasant Movement in Bengal was led by the sharecroppers (bargadars) against the oppressive landlords (jotedars).
- The movement was started in 1946-1947 by the Bangiya PradeshikKisan Sabha (peasant front of the CPI) with the following demands:
- Reduction in the share of landlords from one-half of the crop to one-third (tebhaga).
- The produce before handing over the share to landlords must be stored in the godowns (khamars) of the bargadars.
Tebhaga Movement Causes
- The Tebhaga Movement (1946-1947) in Bengal arose from economic exploitation by landlords, exacerbated by the 1943 famine and fueled by the unimplemented Floud Commission recommendation for sharecroppers to receive two-thirds of their produce.
- Economic Exploitation: The primary cause of the Tebhaga Movement was the economic exploitation of sharecroppers by landlords.
- Under the existing system, sharecroppers had to give half of their produce to the landlords, leaving them with insufficient resources to sustain themselves and their families.
- Famine of 1943: The Bengal famine of 1943 had a devastating impact on the peasantry, leading to widespread starvation and death. It fueled resentment against the landlords who continued to demand their share of the produce even in the face of mass suffering.
- Floud Commission Recommendations: The Floud Commission, established by the British government, recommended that sharecroppers receive two-thirds of the produce instead of half. Although not implemented, this recommendation provided a basis for the peasants’ demands during the movement.
- Economic Exploitation: The primary cause of the Tebhaga Movement was the economic exploitation of sharecroppers by landlords.
Tebhaga Movement Course
- The Tebhaga Movement began in late 1946 and continued through 1947, spreading rapidly across various districts of Bengal, including Dinajpur, Jalpaiguri, and Khulna. The course of the movement can be divided into several phases:
- Initial Mobilisation: The Tebhaga Movement started with the CPI organising meetings and rallies to educate peasants about their rights, using the slogan “Adhi noy, Tebhaga chai” (We want two-thirds).
- Resistance from Landlords: As the movement grew, sharecroppers withheld landlords’ shares, leading to confrontations. The colonial government sided with landlords, deploying police to suppress the movement, resulting in violent clashes and arrests.
- Decline of the Movement: By mid-1947, the movement declined due to government repression, internal divisions, and political changes from India’s impending independence.
Tebhaga Movement Outcomes
- The Tebhaga Movement, though not entirely successful in its immediate goals, significantly influenced land reforms, increased political awareness among peasants, empowered women, impacted the independence struggle, and inspired future agrarian movements in India.
- Land Reforms: The movement brought the issue of land reforms to the forefront of the political agenda in Bengal. Although the immediate demands of the movement were not met, it laid the groundwork for future land reforms, including the abolition of the zamindari system and the redistribution of land.
- Increased Political Awareness: The movement contributed to a heightened political consciousness among the peasantry in Bengal. It demonstrated the potential of organised peasant resistance and the need for political representation of agrarian interests.
- Impact on Independence Struggle: The Tebhaga Movement was part of the broader wave of agrarian struggles that swept across India in the 1940s. These movements played a crucial role in challenging the legitimacy of colonial rule and contributed to the momentum for India’s independence.
- Empowerment of Women: Women played a significant role in the movement, forming groups like the ‘Nari Bahini’ to defend the rights of sharecroppers, which broadened the base of the women’s movement in India.
- Legacy of Peasant Movements: The Tebhaga Movement impacted subsequent agrarian movements in India, including the Telangana Rebellion and the Naxalite movement. It remains a symbol of peasant resistance against economic exploitation and injustice.