Tebhaga Movement (1946-1947) and Rise of Communism in West Bengal

Published on 05 Oct 2025

Causes

• Sharecropping System: Sharecroppers (bargadars) demanded two-thirds of the produce from their land instead of the customary one-third, arguing that they bore the majority of farming costs.

• Economic Hardship: Poor harvests and economic exploitation left sharecroppers in dire financial conditions.

• Example: The movement gained momentum as economic conditions worsened post-World War II.

Reactions

• Peasant Uprising: Sharecroppers organized mass protests and refused to give landlords more than one-third of the produce.

• Example: The movement saw significant participation in districts like North Bengal, where peasant resistance was strong.

• Repression: The British colonial government and landlords used force to suppress the movement, leading to violent clashes.

Influence

• Land Reforms: The movement highlighted the need for land reforms, influencing post-independence agrarian policies.

• Example: The West Bengal Land Reform Act of 1955 aimed to address some of the issues raised by the Tebhaga movement.

• Communist Movement: The Tebhaga movement significantly boosted the communist movement in Bengal, as the Communist Party played a major role in organizing and supporting the peasants.

• Example: The influence of communism grew, leading to the eventual electoral success of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) in West Bengal.

Rise of Communism in West Bengal

• Peasant Support: The Communist Party gained significant support from peasants and sharecroppers, who saw the party as a defender of their rights.

• Example: The involvement in the Tebhaga movement and subsequent agrarian struggles solidified this support.

• Industrial Labour Movement: The communists also organized industrial labour strikes and movements, expanding their influence beyond rural areas.

• Example: Strikes in Calcutta and other industrial areas garnered substantial support for the communists.

• Electoral Success: The grassroots support from peasants and workers translated into electoral victories for the Communist Party.

• Example: The Communist Party of India (Marxist) formed the government in West Bengal in 1977 and remained in power for several decades.

Tags:
History & Culture

Keywords:
Tebhaga Movemen Rise of Communism in West Bengal Sharecropping System bargadars North Bengal West Bengal Land Reform Act of 1955 Communist Movement Communist Party of India Marxist

Syllabus:
General Studies Paper 1

Topics:
Freedom Struggle