Bangladesh Village: A Study of Peasant Power and Politics

Type Journal Article - ASA University Review
Title Bangladesh Village: A Study of Peasant Power and Politics
Author(s)
Volume 8
Issue 2
Publication (Day/Month/Year) 2014
Page numbers 38-62
URL http://www.asaub.edu.bd/asaubreview/data/v8n2sl9.pdf
Abstract
Bangladesh is a land of thousands of peasant farm families. The country is predominantly an agrarian society. A major portion of its population depends on agriculture, known as peasants. Peasant society owns a traditional power structure and some specific social organization that influence the production system and livelihood of that class of people. Faction grouping and political change also influence farm household activities. This study was undertaken to focus on the peasant faction grouping and power structure at the village Heshakhal under Nangolkot Upazila of Comilla district. The major focus of the study was to comprehend the change occurring in social organizations within the peasant society, on faction grouping and also the changing power structure of the village.The study reveals how in last forty years a major change occurred in the traditional power structure of the village. In the last century, the villages were divided into three Samaj. Linkage with formal administrative unit was flexible. Salish system was the major feature of conflict resolution, especially in managing social conflict. At present the village is separated into several Samajs. The role of Samaj is decreasing day by day. Influence and role of national level political parties are also playing a strong role in leadership in the village, which was not seen thirty years ago.A major change was also seen in the social organization of the village. In the village, peasant families that once depended on agriculture are how trying to engage their manpower in non-farm activities. Marriage system has changed, due to intermarriage system among the Swandupi and deshi community.

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