Tebhaga Movement

January 9, 2024

7 Minutes

Tebhaga Movement (Tebhaga Andolan)

Introduction

In India's path to freedom, movements by farmers, like the Tebhaga Movement, stand out as vibrant and crucial. These struggles, based in rural areas, were profound in shaping the country's destiny during the fight for independence. 

The Tebhaga Movement is a powerful tale of rural strength and understanding this part of history reveals that these grassroots movements were not just fights for money but essential parts of a united effort against colonial control.

For students, grasping the significance of movements like Tebhaga Andolan (Movement) of 1946, is crucial. They not only represent the spirit of farming communities but also highlight the vital role of peasants in India's larger struggle for freedom.

Background of Tebhaga Movement

To understand the background of the Tebhaga Movement, it’s crucial to understand several factors and the condition of Bengal at the time.

1. Governance

The Hierarchy in Governance of Bengal during the Tebhaga Andolan

2. Pattani System

The Pattani system originated as a response to the challenges faced by zamindars during the time of the Permanent Settlement. Facing the risk of losing their lands in public auctions due to difficulties in paying government revenue, some zamindars, like the Raja of Burdwan, devised a clever solution. The Raja introduced a unique tenure known as Pattani, dividing his zamindari into numerous lots. 

• Each lot was then granted to a tenure holder under the condition that they pay a fixed rent rate perpetually and a cash salami in place of timely revenue payments. If a tenure holder failed to pay the rent on time, their tenure would be auctioned. 

• This innovative system helped the Raja avoid the revenue sale law and enhanced his prosperity.

• The success of the pattani system influenced other landholders to adopt similar intermediate tenures.
• The tenure holders, known as Pattanidars, could create additional tiers – second, third, and fourth degrees of Pattanidars beneath them, establishing a hierarchy of property rights. Jotedars, during that period, were farmer pattanidars who leased lands either from higher pattanidars or from Zamindars.
• This system resulted in the emergence of permanent intermediate rights, creating a unique legal structure where property existed within property.

3. Foundations of the Movement

Land Troubles in Dinajpur District

• The Tebhaga movement began in Dinajpur District in Bengal. There, powerful Jotedars exploited Bhargadars, also known as Adhiars. 
• Bhargadars folks worked on reclaimed land and were treated almost like slaves.
• The Jotedars, who were wealthy and had a lot of influence, played a big part in creating the system.

Hard Times in 1942

• In 1942, when the country was going through an economic crisis due to World War II, a really bad famine hit Bengal. Hundreds of people died, and many didn't have enough food. 
• The tough times economically made a lot of people in the farming community really unhappy.

Tough Harvest and Losing Land (1944-45)

• In 1944-45, farmers of Bengal faced a bad harvesting season and they were forced to sell their land for very little money just to survive.
• Some farmers had to borrow money with very high interest rates from Jotedars under the 'Karja System.'

Problems and Unrest

• The 'Karja' system made a lot of small farmers lose their land for loan repayment and survival. This made many people really upset. 
• Many farmers had already given away their land to Jotedars either to pay back loans or just to get by. 
• All these troubles and losing land led to a lot of people being unhappy, and that's how the foundations of the Tebhaga movement got laid.

4. Meaning of Tebhaga

• The Tebhaga movement was led by sharecroppers known as Bargadars or Adhiars. They were frustrated with the unfair practice of giving away 50% of their harvest to Jotedars and the ongoing exploitation.

• The term 'Tebhaga' in Bengali means 'three parts.' In this movement, the sharecroppers demanded the right to keep two-thirds (2/3rd) of the produce for themselves, while giving only one-third to the Jotedar.

5. Flout Commission

• Peasant leaders' pressure led to the creation of the Floud Commission in 1939 by the Bengal government.

• Sir Francis Floud led the commission, tasked with examining problems related to the Permanent Settlement and the existing land revenue system.
• The 1940 report from the Floud Commission acknowledged the severe issues in Bengal's agriculture, deeming the Permanent Settlement unsustainable.
• The commission recommended abolishing the Permanent Settlement system and advised eliminating all forms of rental interests associated with the prevailing land revenue system.

The Movement

The CPI and BPKS Spark

Communist Party of India and Bengal Provincial Krishak Sabha leaders capitalized on the discontent among poor peasants and landless agricultural laborers and called for the Tebhaga movement. The movement ignited in an area under PS Chirirbandar in the district of Dinajpur in 1946.

Demand for Two-Thirds Share and Police Intervention

Farmers assembled, refusing to give fifty per cent to jotedars and instead offering thirty-three per cent of the total yield. A serious quarrel erupted between armed men of jotedars and adamant peasants, resulting in injuries on both sides. Police intervened, arresting supporters and leaders.

Clashes, Arrests, and Firing

Sharecroppers started taking harvested crops to their own yards, offering only one-third to Jotedars. This led to numerous clashes, subsequent arrests, lathi charges, and firing.

Bargadari Act of 1950

The movement persisted until 1950 when the Bargadari Act was enacted, recognizing the sharecropper's right to two-thirds of the produce when providing inputs.

Land Reforms and Operation Barga

From 1977 onwards, major land reforms took place in West Bengal under the Left Front government. Operation Barga aimed at securing tenancy rights for peasants, redistributing excess land, and implementing the provisions of the Bargadari Act.

Popular Slogans during Tebhaga Movement

Conclusion

The Tebhaga Movement, with its call for a fairer share of crops, left a lasting impact on the entire nation. The farmers' determined stand, saying "No half share, we want 2/3rd share," sparked important discussions on improving how farmers are treated and led to broader conversations about land reforms across India.

Practice Questions

Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)

Q1: Regarding the Pattani System and its Influence, consider the following statements

Statement 1: The Pattani system was introduced by the Raja of Burdwan as a response to challenges during the Permanent Settlement.

Statement 2: The success of the Pattani system led to the emergence of permanent intermediate rights.

Statement 3: Jotedars were exempt from the influence of the Pattani system.

Select the correct statements using the code given below.

A. 1 & 2

B. 2 & 3

C. 1 & 3

D. All of the above

Answer: C

Q2: Consider the following statements regarding the Bargadari Act and Sharecropper Rights:

Statement 1: The Bargadari Act of 1950 recognized the right of the sharecropper to two-thirds of the produce when providing inputs.

Statement 2: The act was effectively implemented, leading to a significant redistribution of excess land.

Statement 3: Operation Barga aimed at suppressing tenancy rights for peasants.

Select the correct statements using the code given below.

A. 1 & 2

B. 2 & 3

C. 1 & 3

D. Only 1

Answer: D

Q3: Consider the following statements regarding causes and triggers of the Tebhaga Movement:

Statement 1: The Tebhaga movement began in Dinajpur District, Bengal, due to exploitation by powerful Jotedars.

Statement 2: Hard times in 1942, including the Bengal famine, intensified the economic struggles of farmers.

Statement 3: The movement started in 1950 with the implementation of the Bargadari Act.

Select the statements, which are true, using the code given below.

A. 1 & 2

B. 2 & 3

C. 1 & 3

D. All of the above

Answer: A

Mains Practice Question

Q: Examine the role of grassroots movements like the Tebhaga Movement in shaping India's struggle for independence. Discuss the factors that laid the foundation of the Tebhaga Movement and analyze its impact on agrarian structures and land reforms in post-independence India.

Model Answer:

The Tebhaga Movement, which commenced in Bengal in 1946 under the leadership of leftist organizations like the Kisan Krishak Sabha, stands as a remarkable chapter in India's quest for independence. Rooted in agrarian discontent, this grassroots movement not only addressed the immediate issues faced by tenant farmers but also left a lasting impact on the broader struggle against colonial rule and post-independence land reforms.

Factors Leading to Tebhaga Movement

• Exploitation by Jotedars:
  • Background: Powerful landlords, known as Jotedars, exploited tenant farmers.
  • Cause: Unfair sharecropping arrangements created economic hardships.
• Impact of Bengal Famine (1942):
  • Background: The Bengal Famine intensified economic struggles.
  • Cause: Famine-induced hardships fueled agrarian discontent, prompting the need for change.
• Bargadari Act Implementation (1950):
  • Background: The implementation of the Bargadari Act heightened awareness of tenant rights.
  • Cause: The act aimed at redistributing excess land to benefit tenant farmers.

Impact on Agrarian Structures

• Redistribution of Land
  • Outcome: The movement contributed to the redistribution of land, challenging existing power structures.
  • Significance: Tenant farmers gained a more equitable share of the agricultural produce.
• Empowerment of Peasantry:
  • Outcome: Tebhaga empowered the peasantry to demand their rights.
  • Significance: It marked a shift in power dynamics, asserting the rights of marginalized farmers.
• Post-Independence Land Reforms:
  • Outcome: The movement laid the groundwork for post-independence land reforms.
  • Significance: It influenced policy changes aimed at addressing agrarian inequalities.

Conclusion

The Tebhaga Movement, born from the grassroots, reflects the resilience of the Indian peasantry in their struggle for independence. Beyond challenging exploitative agrarian structures, the movement contributed to shaping post-independence land reforms.