Question

Difficulty: HardState History and Historical Movements

With reference to the historic Tebhaga Movement (1946–1947) in Bengal, consider the following statements:

1. It was spearheaded by the Kisan Sabha (peasant front of the Communist Party of India), demanding that bargadars (sharecroppers) retain a two-thirds share of the harvested produce instead of the traditional half share.
2. The movement drew major justification from the recommendations of the Land Revenue Commission (Floud Commission).
3. The agitation was organized under the direct leadership of the Indian National Congress as part of the Civil Disobedience Movement against the British Raj.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

  1. 1 and 2 onlyAnswer
  2. B
    2 and 3 only
  3. C
    1 and 3 only
  4. D
    1, 2 and 3

Answer

Statements 1 and 2 are correct. The Tebhaga movement in Bengal was spearheaded by the Communist Kisan Sabha demanding two-thirds of the harvest for sharecroppers, backed by the Floud Commission recommendations. Statement 3 is incorrect because the movement took place in 1946–1947 under communist peasant leadership, not during the Civil Disobedience Movement under the Congress.
The option selecting statements 1 and 2 only is correct because the Tebhaga movement in Bengal (1946–1947) was initiated by the Bengal Provincial Kisan Sabha to demand two-thirds of the produce for bargadars (sharecroppers) based on the 1940 Floud Commission recommendations. Statement 3 is false as it misattributes the movement to the Congress party during the Civil Disobedience era.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze Statement 1 regarding the objective and leadership of the Tebhaga Movement.
Statement 1 is correct. 'Tebhaga' literally means 'three shares'. The Bengal Provincial Kisan Sabha led the bargadars (sharecroppers) in demanding two-thirds share of the harvest for themselves and reducing the jotedars' (landlords') share to one-third.
Establishing the central economic demand and organizational leadership of the movement.
2
Analyze Statement 2 regarding institutional backing and commission reports.
Statement 2 is correct. The Land Revenue Commission appointed by the Bengal government (headed by Sir Francis Floud) had recommended in 1940 that bargadars should receive two-thirds of the yield.
Identifying the official commission report that catalyzed peasant demands.
3
Analyze Statement 3 regarding political affiliation and timeline context.
Statement 3 is incorrect. The Tebhaga Movement occurred in 1946–1947, immediately preceding Indian independence, and was organized by the Communist Party of India through the Kisan Sabha, not during the Civil Disobedience Movement (1930s) by the Congress.
Differentiating regional peasant movement leadership and chronology from national Congress campaigns.

Key Concept

Tebhaga Movement and Peasant Struggles in Bengal History
Estimated Time:2m 0s
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