The battle between the hoe and the plough continued for long. The hoe and the plough were the symbols of:

The battle between the hoe and the plough refers to a historical conflict between the Paharias and the Santhals, two tribal communities in India. The hoe and the plough are symbolic representations of their different ways of life, agriculture practices, and modes of production.

1. The Paharias and the Santhals:
The correct answer to the question is option 'B', which indicates that the hoe and the plough represent the Paharias and the Santhals respectively.

The Paharias and the Santhals are indigenous communities in the regions of Bihar, Jharkhand, and West Bengal in India. They have distinct cultural practices, languages, and modes of livelihood. The conflict between them revolves around the issue of land and its resources.

2. Significance of the Hoe:
The hoe is a traditional agricultural tool used by the Paharias, who are primarily shifting cultivators. Shifting cultivation involves clearing patches of land, cultivating crops for a few years, and then moving on to a new area. The hoe represents their traditional agricultural practices and their close relationship with the forest and nature.

3. Significance of the Plough:
The plough, on the other hand, is a symbol of settled agriculture and represents the Santhals. The Santhals are primarily settled farmers who practice plough agriculture. They clear land, use the plough to till the soil, and cultivate crops for longer periods. The plough symbolizes their sedentary lifestyle and their dependence on agriculture for sustenance.

4. Conflict and Competition:
The battle between the hoe and the plough signifies the clash between the Paharias and the Santhals over land and resources. The Paharias rely on the forest and shifting cultivation, while the Santhals practice settled agriculture and require more land for their crops. This competition for land has led to conflicts and tensions between the two communities.

5. Historical Context:
The conflict between the Paharias and the Santhals dates back to the colonial era when the British introduced settled agriculture and private landownership. The British policies favored the Santhals, who adopted settled agriculture, over the Paharias, who continued their traditional practices. This further intensified the battle between the hoe and the plough.

In conclusion, the hoe and the plough are symbols representing the Paharias and the Santhals respectively. The conflict between these two tribal communities revolves around land and resources, with the Paharias practicing shifting cultivation using the hoe and the Santhals practicing settled agriculture using the plough. The historical context of British colonial policies further aggravated this battle between the two ways of life.