Shahanara Shwopna, Executive Director, Center for National Culture(CNC), Dhaka, Bangladesh, Email: [email protected]
Prof. Mohammad Ekramol Islam, PhD, Department of Basic Sciences, Sonargaon University, Bangladesh, Email: [email protected]
Abstract
The people of Bengal were reduced to a ruled class after the defeat of Nawab Siraj-ud-Daulah at the Battle of Polashi in 1757 by the British East India Company. Although the Muslims remained nominally independent rulers until the time of Mir Qasim. Subsequently, the people of Bengal were under British suppression with the defeat of Mir Qasim in the Battle of Buxar in 1764. From then on, British rule began to create a reaction among the people of India. Due to British exploitation and oppression, the people of this country gradually became aware of their rights and began to awaken, as a result, various fights and movements began. In fact, the Indian freedom struggle is a long and complex chapter of world history. This movement was not merely an expression of political consciousness, but also a reflection of broader cultural, social, and psychological shifts. The fight for freedom by the people of India was multifaceted, and people from all social classes participated in it. In the history of this struggle, many movements gained special recognition. Among them, one mysterious, unconventional, and alternative movement in history is the "Chapati Movement". Maulana Yehiya Ali and Maulana Abdullah were the pioneers of this Chapati Movement. To avoid detection by the powerful British enemy, they used the everyday chapati bread as a medium to send all kinds of news about communication and the revolution's progress among the revolutionaries. Therefore, this movement is known as the Chapati Movement. This innovative psychological war strategy gave the British a tough time. The primary objective of this research paper is to examine the origins, purpose, activities, and impact of the Chapati Movement on the Indian freedom movement. The research is descriptive, and the methodology of this research includes ancillary sources, such as articles published in newspapers and books.
Keywords: Company rule, freedom movement, chapati, Chapati movement
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