The Tebhaga Movement was a major agrarian revolt in Bengal where sharecroppers demanded two-thirds of produce, challenging exploitative landlord systems under colonial rule.
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- The Tebhaga Movement emerged during 1946–1947 in Bengal as sharecroppers demanded reduction of landlords’ share from half to one-third, aiming for fairer agricultural distribution.
- The movement was led by Communist Party of India through the Bangiya Pradeshik Kisan Sabha, mobilizing peasants against exploitative agrarian practices under colonial administration.
- Economic exploitation of sharecroppers forced them to surrender half their produce, leaving insufficient resources for survival and fueling widespread resentment against landlords and colonial policies.
- The devastating Bengal Famine of 1943 intensified peasant suffering, increasing anger toward landlords who continued demanding crop shares despite widespread hunger and death.
- The Floud Commission recommendation of giving two-thirds produce to tenants inspired peasants, though it remained unimplemented, becoming a major demand during the movement.
- The movement spread across districts like Dinajpur, Jalpaiguri, and Khulna, involving mass participation from peasants, laborers, and significant involvement of rural women groups.
- Violent clashes occurred as landlords resisted demands and colonial authorities used police force, leading to arrests, suppression, and eventual decline by mid-1947.
- The movement influenced land reforms, increased political awareness among peasants, strengthened resistance movements, and contributed to broader struggles against colonial rule in India.




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