Naxalbari

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  ?Naxalbari
West Bengal • India
Map indicating the location of Naxalbari
Thumbnail map of India with West Bengal highlighted
Location of Naxalbari
Coordinates: 26°25′N 88°08′E / 26.41, 88.13
Time zone IST (UTC+5:30)
Area
Elevation

• 152 m (499 ft)
District(s) Jalpaiguri

Coordinates: 26°25′N 88°08′E / 26.41, 88.13 Naxalbari is the name of a village and a region in northern region of the state of West Bengal, India, in the district of Jalpaiguri not far from Siliguri. To the east, across the border river Mechi lies Nepal. The area, which is mostly farm land, covers an area of 121 km² and the two largest villages are Hatighisha and Naxalbari. It is famous for being the site of a revolutionary peasant uprising in 1967, which began with the "Land to tiller" slogan and inspired similar revolts in other parts of the India.[1]

At that time, West Bengal was going through a phase of severe unrest due to the Communist movement. Thousands of rural labourers and poor peasants chanting slogans inspired by Lenin and Socialism staged blockades against the police and the government resulting in violence and bloodshed. This movement had prominent consequences in the development of revolutionary and communist theory in India.

Today Naxalism is the name of a revolutionary movement which has grown to rising strength.

In 1971 activists from Naxalbari were instrumental in staging a similar uprising in Nepal's southernmost district Jhapa, which borders on Naxalbari.

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