INDIGO

1. why do you think the servants thought Gandhi to be another peasant?[imp]

Gandhi and Rajkumar Shukla both reached the city of Patna. He led Gandhi to the house of Rajendra Prasad.
He was out of town. His servants knew Shukla as a poor sharecropper from Champaran who troubled Rajendra
Prasad to take up the cause of indigo. Gandhi went there with Shukla for the first time. So they took him to be
another peasant

2. What did the peasants pay the landlords as rent? What did the British now want instead and why? What
would be the impact of synthetic indigo on the prices of natural indigo?[imp]
The peasants were compelled to plant 15% of their land with Indigo. Then they have to surrender the entire
indigo harvest as rent.
Germany developed synthetic Indigo. Indigo plantation was no more profitable. The British planters who
exploited farmers for indigo will no longer get so much money. Now the landlords wanted compensation for
freeing the peasants. The peasants found out the British were fooling them

3. The events in this part of the text illustrate Gandhi’s method of working. Can you identify some instances
and link them to his ideas of athyagraha and non-violence
Though Gandhi worked for the poor peasants, he had high respect for the legal authority. But he challenged the
authorities when they violated justice and human values. When he received an order to leave Champaran
immediately, he disobeyed the order as his voice of conscience was above any law. All these link with his ideas
of sathyagraha and non-violence

4. How did the episode change the plight of the peasants?

The landlords feared that Gandhi would demand repayment of all money. But he demanded 50%. The
landlords were ready to repay 25%. Gandhi agreed. This settlement changed the plight of peasants of
Champaran. The peasants realized that they had legal rights. They learned courage. Within a few years, the
British planters abandoned their property and were given back to the peasants.

5. Why did magistrate release Gandhiji?

Gandhiji pleaded guilty of disobedience. The peasants held a demonstration around the court. The Government was
confused and the officials were powerless. The peasants were mounting pressure on the government. So, the
magistrate released Gandhiji without bail.

6. Why did Gandhiji say----:” The battle of Champaran is won”?

The lawyers had decided to go home, if Gandhiji went to prison. But Gandhiji asked them what would become of
the injustice to the sharecroppers. The lawyers thought over it and decided that they too would follow Gandhiji.
This was the time that Gandhiji said that the battle of Champaran was won.

7. Why did Gandhi agree to a settlement of 25% refund to the farmers?[imp]

The landlords feared that Gandhi would demand repayment of all money. But he demanded 50%. The
landlords were ready to repay 25%. Gandhi agreed. He told the refund amount was less important. Thus the
problem solved. The landlords lost their money as well as prestige. The peasants got their legal rights

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8.How did Indigo sharecropping come to an end in Champaran?
Indigo sharecropping came to an end in Champaran as Germany had developed synthetic Indigo.
Sharecropping was no longer profitable for the British planters. They had to surrender their prestige and money
to the peasants. So, they gave up their estates which came back to the peasants.

9.Why was Gandhiji summoned to appear in court?

Gandhiji went to see a badly treated peasant .He was served with a notice from the Superintendent of Police to quit
Champaran. Gandhiji received the notice and wrote on it that he would never quit Champaran. As a result, he was
summoned to appear in the court.

10.Why did Gandhiji rebuke the Muzzafarpur lawyers? Or Why did Gandhi chide the lawyers of
Muzaffarpur ? (Imp.)
Ans. Muzaffarpur lawyers called on Gandhi to brief him. They had frequently represented peasants in courts.
Gandhi chided them for collecting big fees from the poor sharecroppers. When peasants were so poor and
crushed, it was inhuman to charge heavy fees from them.

11.What was the condition of the peasants before Gandhiji’s arrival in Champaran?
The peasants were copmpelled to plant 15 per cent of their land with indigo crop and surrender the entire harvest
as rent. When Germany developed synthetic indigo they were asked to give compensation for making them free
from 15 per cent indigo plantation. Those who disobeyed were beaten by the hired criminals.

12. What was the conflict of Gandhiji?

Gandhiji’s conflict was of discharging the duties. On one hand, he did not want to set a bad example by breaking
the law. On the other hand he was to listen to the voice of his conscience and serve the human beings.

13. How did Gandhiji regulate the crowd around the courthouse?
The officials were powerless as they could not control the crowd outside the courthouse. Gandhiji regulated the
crowd in a polite and friendly manner.

14. Why is Rajkumar Shukla described as being resolute? OR Why did Rajkumar Shukla want to take
Gandhi to Champaran/ OR How did Shukla succeed in persuading Gandhi to visit Champaran?[very imp]
Rajkumar Shukla is described as being ‘resolute’ because he was fully determined to take Gandhi to Bihar.
Being an illiterate and poor share-copper from Champaran, he had come to inform and complain Gandhi
about the injustice of the land lord system. The British Indigo planters exploited the poor sharecroppers. He
accompanied Gandhi everywhere. Gandhi was very much impressed by his strong determination and fixed
time for Calcutta. Months passed in waiting, Shukla was sitting on his haunches at the fixed place in Calcutta,
till Gandhi was free. Finally both boarded a train to Patna.

15. List the places that Gandhi visited between his first meeting with Shukla and his arrival at Champaran.
Gandhi met Shukla in Lucknow. He had appointments in other parts of India. Then Gandhi returned to his
ashram near Ahmedabad. Shukla accompanied him everywhere. Gandhi visited Calcutta. From there they
boarded train for Patna in Bihar. Then he came to Muzaffarpur and then to Motihari. Then finally he came to
Champaran.

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 16. How was Gandhi able to influence lawyers? Give instances.
The news of Gandhi’s arrival and purpose spread quickly through Muzzafarpur and then to Champaran.
Sharecroppers from Champaran came to see Gandhi. The lawyers visited him to brief the existing condition
They presented their case in the court and told about their fee. He chided them for collecting huge fee from the
poor sharecroppers. Gandhi told them to stop going to courts as it was useless. Once when Gandhi was
summoned to the court, Rajendra Prasad, Brij Kishor Babu, Maulana Mazharul Huq and other important
lawyers arrived from Bihar and discussed with Gandhi. The question was, What would they do if Gandhi was
sent to jail? They decided to go home. Gandhi lost heart. Who would look in to the condition of poor peasants if
he was sent to jail. At last they all decided to follow him to jail. Then Gandhi said, “The battle of Champaran
has won”
17. How did the Champaran episode prove to be a turning point in Gandhiji’s life? Explain with the
reference to the text, ‘Indigo?[vvvimp]
Gandhi recounts that it was the year 1916, when he was approached by a peasant, Rajkumar Shukla from
Champaran during the annual meeting of the Indian National Congress in Lucknow. He wished Gandhi to visit
his state and look into the condition of sharecroppers there. Gandhi learned that the areas of Champaran
districts were divided into large estates owned by English men and were worked by the Indians worked as
their tenant farmers and they had to pay 15 % of their land. Gandhi reached there and started by trying to get
together all the facts and met with resistance from the British. After the investigation by Gandhi and the
lawyers into the grievances of the farmers, it was decided that the British should refund 25% of the money.
Gandhi accepted the money offered to the farmers as refund even though he had demanded 50 % and thus the
deadlock was broken. The farmers learnt that they too had rights and they became courageous. Within a few
years the landlords gave the estates back to the peasants.
Now Gandhi wanted to reform the economic and cultural backwardness of the area. He appointed volunteers
to teach the villagers. Kasturba taught the Ashram rules and personal cleanliness and community sanitation. He
got a doctor to volunteer his services for six months to improve the health conditions of the people. They
realized the value of self reliance. Some of Gandhi’s lawyer friends thought that it would be a good idea if
Charles Free Andrews, an English pacifist, who was a devoted follower of Gandhi should stay and help.
Gandhi strongly opposed it. If they get an English man on their sides it would show the weakness of their
heart. They must rely on themselves to win the battle. The Champaran episode gave Gandhi self confidence to
launch freedom movement throughout India. Thus this episode was a turning point in his life as well in India.

18. How do we know that ordinary people too contributed to the freedom movement?
For the success of any movement, cooperation and participation of all is must. They make the movement not
only a success. When the peasants knew about Gandhi, they reached Muzzafarpur. Gandhi was ordered to
appear in Motihari court on the following morning. Then the multitude of peasants blackened the town of
Motihari. They knew that the Gandhi, who wanted to help them, was in trouble with the authorities. It was
perhaps the first kind of spontaneous demonstration of Indian against the British. Seeing the situation beyond
control, they sought his help to regulate the unprecedented crowd. The government was baffled. It has such an
impact on the Government that the civil disobedience won for the first time in 1917 in modern India.
Side by side the Government had to appoint an official inquiry commission to find out the atrocities done over
the peasants. As a result, the owners had to refund the money. This opened the eyes of all. People from every
nook and corner of India participated in the freedom movement. Women too gave up their homely comforts
and worked with their leader. There were mass movements like freedom struggle, salt movement, quit India
movement, civil disobedience, satyagraha and the boycott of foreign goods, etc. Ordinary people were there at
the back and call of their leader. Consequently, India became free on 15th August, 1947.
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 19. Justify the appropriateness of the title ‘Indigo’ to this extract.[imp]
The title ‘Indigo’ focuses our attention on the central issue of the chapter –exploitation of indigo sharecroppers
at the hands of cruel British planters. Britishers compelled them through a long term agreement to plant indigo
on 15 percent of their land and surrender the entire harvest as rent. After the development of synthetic indigo
by Germany , The British planters extracted money from the peasants as compensation from being released
from the 15 percent agreement. The peasants who wanted their money back filed civil suits. Rajkumar Shukla
persuaded Gandhi to take up the case of Indigo sharecroppers.
So indigo sharecropping exemplifies the injustice of the Britishers and Indians’ submission to British authority.
The exploitation of indigo sharecroppers led Gandhi to arrive in Champaran to alleviate their distress. Peasants
not only got back the compensation but also became courageous and confident. They learnt the lesson of self
reliance. The Champaran movement that centered on indigo sharecropping led to social and
cultural upliftment of the peasants. Their education, health and hygiene received due attention. Thus the title
‘Indigo’ is highly suggestive and appropriate.

20. How did Gandhi use Satyagraha and non-violence to achieve his goal?[imp]
Non violence and satyagraha were the weapons used by Gandhi to secure justice for oppressed peasants of
Champaran. He adopted legal ,moral and democratic path of negotiation. Gandhi refused to leave Tirhut
division in which Chamaparan district lay despite being told by the British official commissioner to do so. Later
he defied the official order to leave Chamaparan for which he received summon to appear in the court. When
the British authorities could not regulate the unmanageable crowd at Motihari , he pacified the crowd in polite
and friendly way. Thus he gave concrete proof of the power of satyagraha and non violence. In the court he
clarified that he did not want to set a bad example as a law breaker but intended to render humanitarian and
national service..His convincing argumentation baffled the magistrate who released him without the bail.
Later he fought the case of the peasants peacefully by collecting evidences and the documents pertaining to the
case. When the Britishers agreed to pay the compensation he peacefully negotiated with the landlords and
accepted 25 percent of the amount due. So the peasants got a partial refund of the compensation with the use
of satyagraha and nonviolence.

21.How did Rajkumar Shukla prove to be an important link between Gandhi and his Champaran campaign?
Rajkumar shukla was a poor and emaciated sharecropper from Champaran. Though he was poor and illiterate
he was determined to oppose the injustice of the British planters. He used to seek legal recourse to get justice
and was in constant touch with Rajendra Prasad ,an eminent lawyer. He came to December 1916 annual
convention of the Indian National Congress party in Lucknow to meet Gandhi as someone had told him that
Gandhi Gandhi could give a solution to their problems. He complained about the injustice of landlord
system in Bihar and invited Gandhi to visit his district.
When Gandhi mentioned about his prior engagements to go to Cawnpore and other parts of India, Shukla
showed tremendous patience and perseverance and accompanied him everywhere. He also followed Gandhi to
his ashram and stayed there for weeks. Impressed by his determination and tenacity Gandhi promised to meet
him at Calcutta on a particular date. Few months later Shukla arrived at Calcutta and took him to Champaran.
So, Rajkuma Shukla’s strong will power and painstaking efforts were instrumental in arranging Gandhi’s visit
to Champaran and thus improving the plight of the poor peasants.

22.

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22. 22.What were the steps taken by Gandhiji to solve the problems of social and cultural backwardness in
the villages of Champaran? OR Why was Gandhi never contented with large political or economic
solutions while he was in Champaran district? [IMP]
Ans- Whenever Gandhiji had conflict of duties, he preferred to render the greater humanitarian and
national service. He showed loyalty to the human beings and obeyed the voice of his conscience. He told
to mould the Indians to make India free and self reliant. While his movement in Champaran, Gandhiji
saw cultural and social backwardness there. He was troubled to see the miserable conditions of the
villagers. Consequently he made an appeal to the teachers to teach the masses. Two young pupils
volunteered for this noble cause. Several more teachers came and schools were opened in six villages.
In addition to this, Kasturba Gandhi taught cleanliness and community sanitation. To bring
improvement in their health, services of a doctor were taken. Kasturba even talked the women to get rid
of the filthy state of clothes. But Gandhiji kept a watch on the ashram about financial accounts. The
champaran episode of Gandhiji to alleviate the distress of the people. He taught them to be self reliant.
23. ‘‘The battle of Champaran is won’’ Gandhiji exclaimed. Elucidate. (IMP)
OR
Describe the trial of Gandhi in the Motihari court during his stay at Champaran.
Ans-After his arrival at Motihari, Gandhiji used a house as the headquarters so that he can have complete
investigation for the share-croppers. At that time there came a report about maltreating of a peasant. Next
morning Gandhiji went to see him but he was overtaken by the police superintendent’s messenger with an
order to return back. When he reached home Gandhiji was asked to reach Champaran at once. Gandhiji signed
the order but wrote to disobey the order.
Next day Gandhiji appeared in the court. That night Gandhiji telegraphed Rajendra Prasad to come with some
influential friends. When the peasants knew that Gandhiji was in trouble with the authorities, the court ground
of Motihari became black. With peasants. The officials felt powerless and sought his help. The trial was
postponed but Gandhiji protested the delay. In between he was left at liberty. Now Gandhiji asked the
prominent lawyers what they would do in case he was sent to jail. They said that they would follow Gandhiji
and give the court arrest. Gandhiji exclaimed:’’The battle of Champaran is won.’’

24. How did Gandhi teach us a lesson in Self-reliance? Why did he oppose taking help from
C.F.Andrews?[imp]
Gandhi wanted to mould 'a new free Indian'. He wanted Indians to stand on their own feet. Some of his
followers wanted C.F. Andrews to stay in Champaran and help them. Gandhi opposed it. He didn't want
Indians to take the help of an Englishman in their struggle for freedom. So he taught a lesson in self-reliance.

25. When and where did Gandhi decide "to urge the departure of the British" and why? (Imp.)
Ans. The idea that the British must quit India came to Gandhi's mind in 1917. He took up the cause of the poor
peasants in Bihar in 1916. Gandhi later on went to Champaran to wage a struggle against the cruel British
landlords. The Champaran episode made Gandhi clear that the British must quit India sooner or later.

26. Why did Rajkumar Shukla want to take Gandhiji to Champaran?(CBSE 2008)
Ans. Rajkumar Shukla was a poor peasant sharecropper from Champaran in Bihar. He had come to the
Congress session to meet Gandhiji. He wanted Gandhiji to visit Champaran to see the miserable condition of
the peasant sharecroppers at the hands of the British indigo planters. They were victims of the injustice of the
landlord system in C hamparan

27. Gandhi was involved in a 'conflict of duties'. What did he decide in the end and why? (Imp.)
5
 Gandhi was involved in a 'conflict of duties'. On the one hand, he didn't want to set a bad example. He didn't
want to be a law-breaker. On the other hand, he couldn't give up the cause of the poor peasants of Champaran.
Therefore, he heard the 'voice of conscience' in the end. He decided to disobey the order.

28. What was the long-term contract or agreement that English landlords had made with the
sharecroppers of Champaran ? How was it exploitative?
Ans. Most of the arable land in Champaran district was owned by English landlords. Indians were only their
tenants. Indigo was the main commercial crop. The landlords compelled all tenants to plant 15% of their land
with indigo. This long-term agreement was enough to twist the arms of the peasants. They had no freedom of
their own

29. Why did the indigo planters obtain new agreements from the sharecroppers to pay them
compensation? Why did many sign willingly? (Imp.)
Ans. Germany produced synthetic indigo. Now the plantation of indigo was no more profitable. The landlords
wanted to free the peasants from the 15% agreement. For this freedom, they demanded compensation from the
sharecroppers. Many of them signed willingly as the previous 15% arrangement was not liked by them.

30. How did even illiterate sharecroppers see through the trick and fraud of the English landlords? Why did
they want their money back? (Imp.)
Ans. Germany had invented synthetic indigo. Now indigo plantation was no more profitable. Even the illiterate
peasants could see through the trick and game of the landlords. The landlords demanded compensation for
freeing the peasants from the 15% agreement. The peasants refused. Therefore, they were not ready to pay the
compensation and demanded their money back.

31. Why did Gandhi go to a nearby village in Champaran ? Why did he come back without visiting the
place ?
Ans. While Gandhi was at Champaran, a report came. A peasant had been maltreated in a nearby village.
Gandhi rode on the back of an elephant to go there. The superintendent of police asked him to return to the
town immediately. Gandhi complied. Another message was delivered. Gandhi was asked to leave Champaran
immediately.

32. Why was the government baffled and what could Gandhi prove to them by the episode at Motihari
? (Imp.)
Ans. There was a spontaneous demonstration of thousands of peasants in Motihari. The government was
baffled. The officials felt helpless. Gandhi was polite and friendly. He helped them regulate the crowd. Gandhi
gave a concrete proof that the might of the British though dreaded, could be challenged by Indians.

33. How could Gandhi persuade the lawyers to follow him into jail ?
Ans. Many prominent lawyers of Bihar came to confer with Gandhi. Gandhi asked what they would do if he
was sentenced to prison. A senior lawyer told frankly that they would go home. Gandhi asked them about the
injustice done to the sharecroppers. The lawyers felt ashamed. They finally declared that they were ready to'-
follow' him into jail.

34. "Civil disobedience had triumphed, the first time in modern India". Justify this statement. (Imp.)
Ans. Gandhi was asked to leave Champaran by an official order. He respected the lawful authority. But the
Voice of conscience' made him disobey the order. Thousands of peasants, held a huge demonstration. The
government was baffled. The officials felt helpless. Gandhi was released without bail. So civil disobedience had
triumphed for the first time in modern India.

35. What was the outcome of four protracted interviews that Gandhi had with the Lieutenant-Governor ? (Imp.)

6
 Ans. In June, Gandhi was summoned to Sir Edward Gait, the Lieutenant-Governor. He had four protracted
interviews with him. He took up the cause of the sharecroppers of Champaran with him. As a result, a
commission of inquiry was set up to look into the plight of the indigo sharecroppers. Gandhi was the sole
representative of the peasants.

36. How was the settlement for compensation reached between the English planters and the sharecroppers ?
Describe Gandhi's role in it. (Imp.)
Ans. The official enquiry had assembled a mountain of evidence against the English landlords. They were
under pressure to make refunds to the peasants. They thought Gandhi would press for the full repayment. But
he asked only for 50%. The landlords offered to refund 25% of the money. To their surprise, Gandhi agreed. So
the settlement was adopted unanimously by the commission.

37. The settlement of 25% refund to the farmers appeared rather small. Why did Gandhi agree to it and how
did events justify his position ? (Imp.)
Ans. According to the settlement, the planters were to refund 25% of the compensation money to the peasants.
The achievement appeared to be rather small but events justified his position. But for Gandhi the amount of
refund was less important. More important was the fact that the landlords were forced to surrender part of
their right. So he agreed to the settlement.

38. What did Gandhi do to remove the cultural and social backwardness in the Champaran villages ?
Ans. Politics and economic issues were important. But for Gandhi the cultural and social backwardness in the
Champaran villages was a curse. He wanted to do something about it immediately. Many more volunteers
came from other parts of India. Primary schools were opened in six villages. Kasturbai taught cleanliness and
sanitation. Gandhi got a doctor to volunteer his services for six months.

39. 'The Champaran episode was a turning point in Gandhi's life’? How do you justify it?[IMP]
Ans. The Champaran episode was really a turning point in Gandhi's life. It began not as an act of defiance. It
was an effort to remove the distress of poor peasants. The success of Champaran justified Gandhi's ways and
means. It gave a message. The Britishers were dreaded and unquestioned but now they could be challenged by
the Indians. The success of Champaran was the success of peaceful Civil Disobedience in modern India.

40. Gandhi's politics were intertwined with the practical day-to-day problems of the millions'. Justify this
statement with reference to the Champaran episode. (Imp.
Ans. The statement throws light on Gandhi's style of dealing with things in the political system as well as
relieving the common people of their day-to-day problems. Gandhi's style of disobedience was typically
centered on civil disobedience and the success of the Champaran episode justifies this style. The Champaran
episode aimed at removing the distress of poor peasants, who Gandhi identified himself with.

41. Who was Rajkumar Shukla and why did he meet Gandhi? What made Gandhi board a train with him to
Patna? (Imp.)
Ans. Rajkumar Shukla was a poor sharecropper from Champaran. He met Gandhi in Lucknow at the December
1916 annual convention of the Indian National Congress. He was like any other peasant in India, poor, weak
and thin. He had come to the Congress session to complain about the injustice of the landlord system in Bihar.
In Champaran most of the arable land was owned by English landlords. They forced the Indian sharecroppers
to grow indigo on the land. Somebody had advised him to meet Gandhi.
Gandhi told Shukla that he had appointments in Kanpur. He was also committed to go to other parts of India.
But Shukla was determined. He accompanied Gandhi everywhere. For weeks, he never left Gandhi's side. He
begged Gandhi to fix a date. Gandhi was impressed by the sharecropper's tenacity and devotion. He asked
Shukla to come to Calcutta and meet him.
Months passed. Gandhi arrived in Calcutta. He waited till Gandhi was free. Now it was impossible for Gandhi
to avoid him. Then the two of them boarded a train for Patna in Bihar.

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 42. Describe the efforts made by R.K. Shukla to persuade Gandhi to go to Champaran. [vimp]
Ans. Gandhiji had gone to the December 1916 Annual Convention of the Indian National Congress in Lucknow.
A peasant came up to see him. He was Rajkumar Shukla. He looked like any other peasant in India. He was
poor and emaciated. He was from Champaran. The place is situated in the foothills of the Himalayas near
Nepal. Gandhiji had never heard of the place. Shukla apprised Gandhiji about the injustice of the landlord
system in Champaran. Under an ancient agreement, the Champaran peasants were sharecroppers. Gandhiji
told Shukla that he had an appointment in Kanpur. He was also committed to go to other parts of India. Shukla
accompanied Gandhi everywhere. Gandhiji returned to his ashram near Ahmedabad. Shukla followed him to
the ashram. He begged Gandhiji to fix a date.
Gandhiji was impressed by Shukla's tenacity and honesty. Gandhiji was to be in Calcutta on a particular day.
He asked Shukla to come and take him from there. Months passed. When Gandhiji arrived Calcutta he found
Shukla sitting there on his haunches. He waited till Gandhiji was free. Then both of them boarded a train for
Patna in Bihar. From there Gandhiji went to Muzaffarpur to get complete information about conditions in
Champaran. He met Kriplani and Prof. Malkani there. Then Gandhiji proceeded to Champaran.

43. Describe the exploitation of the indigo sharecroppers by English landlords in Champaran. Did Gandhi
help them to get an honourable settlement? (V. Imp.)
Ans. Most of the arable land in Champaran was owned by English landlords. The Indian tenants worked on the
land. The chief commercial crop was indigo. The English planters compelled all sharecroppers to plant 15% of
their holdings with indigo. They had to surrender the entire indigo harvest as rent to the landlords. This was
done by a long-term contract. Then Germany developed synthetic indigo. The plantation of natural indigo was
no more a profitable business for English landlords. They decided to free the Indian sharecroppers from the
15% contract. They were to pay compensation for this freedom. The peasants saw through the trick and fraud of
the landlords. Therefore, they wanted their money back.
Gandhi went to Bihar to take up the cause of poor peasants. There was a huge demonstration of thousands of
peasants the very next day. The government was baffled. A commission of inquiry was constituted. Gandhi
was the sole representative of the peasants. The landlords agreed to refund the money to the peasants. At last,
they settled for 25%. The amount of refund was less important. The more important thing was the victory of the
peasants and the victory of the Civil Disobedience in India.

44. Self-reliance, Indian independence and help to sharecroppers were all bound together', says Louis
Fischer about Gandhi. Explain giving examples from the text.
Ans. Self-reliance was one of the virtues that Gandhi valued most. He tried to 'mould a new free Indian'. He
wanted Indians to stand on their own feet and thus make India free. Some of Gandhiji's followers wanted C.F.
Andrews to stay in Champaran and help them. Gandhi opposed it vehemently. They should rely upon
themselves to win the battle. In this way, Gandhi taught them a lesson in self-reliance.
For the first time Gandhi entertained the idea in 1916 that the Britishers must quit India. The Champaran
episode provided him a great challenge and opportunity. Actually, it was a turning point in Gandhi's life.
Gandhi proved that the Britishers could be challenged by Indians. The success of Champaran was another
stepping stone to India's freedom.
Gandhi went to Champaran to take up the cause of the sharecroppers. He refused to teave Champaran when he
received an official order to quit the place at once. Thousands of Peasants held a demonstration. The
government was helpless. Gandhi was released without bail. A commission of inquiry was constituted to look
into the plight of the sharecroppers. At last, English landlords agreed to refund 25% of the money. Thus Gandhi
made English landlord-surrender to the demands of the sharecroppers.

45. Gandhi never contented himself with large political or economic solutions. He wanted to do something
to improve the cultural and social backwardness in the Champaran villages. Give a reasoned answer.
Ans. No doubt, large political and economic issues were important. But Gandhi's approach was comprehensive.
It was not enough to fight against the officials and the government. The equally important task was to do
something to improve the cultural and social backwardness in the Champaran villages. First of all Gandhi
stressed on education. He appealed for teachers. Mahadev Desai and Narhari Parikh were two young persons.
8
 They and their wives volunteered themselves for the work. Several more came from Bombay, Poona and other
parts of India. Gandhi's son Devdas also joined them. Kasturbai too came from the ashram. Primary schools
were opened in six villages of Champaran. Kasturbai taught the ashram rules on cleanliness and sanitation.
Health conditions in the villages were really miserable. Gandhi got a doctor to volunteer his services for six
months. To start with, only three medicines were available. Castor oil, quinine and sulphur ointment. He asked
Kasturbai to take up the cause of women and talk to them about their issues. So Gandhi tried his best to do
something to improve the cultural and social backwardness of the villagers in Champaran.

46. Describe the trial of Gandhi in Motihari court during the Champaran movement. When and why did
Gandhi declare : "The battle of Champaran is won"?
Ans. Gandhi came to Motihari, the capital of Champaran. He had already equipped himself with the necessary
facts and information. Gandhi called on the British Commissioner. He tried to bully Gandhi and advised him to
leave the place at once.
Gandhi did not leave the place. Instead he proceeded to Motihari. A huge crowd greeted him at the station. He
received an official notice to quit Champaran immediately. Gandhi decided to disobey the order. As a result, he
was summoned to appear in the court the next day.
Gandhi wired a full report to the Viceroy. Thousands of peasants held a spontaneous demonstration around the
courthouse. The government was baffled. Gandhi was in a 'conflict of duties'. He didn't want to be a law
breaker but he had a cause before him. Finally, he heard "the voice of his conscience". He was set free without
the bail. Gandhi asked the prominent lawyers what they would do if he was sent to jail. They finally decided to
accompany Gandhi to jail. This emboldened Gandhi. He declared: "The battle of Champaran is won". The case
against Gandhi was dropped. Thus, civil disobedience had triumphed for the first time in modern India.

47. How did Gandhi help the poor in Champaran to achieve freedom from fear ? What made indigo share-
cropping disappear ? (A. I. CBSE 2008)
Ans. Gandhiji came to Champaran to fight against the injustice of the landlord system there. First he went to
Muzaffarpur to obtain complete information about the actual conditions there. He met Kriplani and Prof.
Malkani who briefed him on the matter. Most of the land in Champaran was divided into large estates owned
by Englishmen. They were worked by Indian tenants to grow indigo. The landlords compelled all tenants to
plant 15 per cent of their holding with indigo. They surrendered the entire harvest as rent. When synthetic
indigo was developed in Germany indigo plantation no longer remained profitable. The landlords released the
tenants from 15 per cent agreement. Thus, indigo sharecropping disappeared. They obtained agreements from
sharecroppers to pay them compensation. Many refused to sign and others wanted their money back. At this
point Gandhiji arrived in Champaran.
A huge crowd welcomed Gandhiji at Champaran. The commissioner advised him to leave the place. Gandhiji
didn't oblige him. He decided to disobey the order. He received a summon to appear in the court the next day.
Thousands of peasants demonstrated around the court house. It was the beginning of their liberation from fear
of the British. The case against Gandhiji was dropped. Civil disobedience had triumphed for the first time in
India.
48. ‘‘The battle of Champaran is won’’ Gandhiji exclaimed. Elucidate. (M.IMP) OR
Describe the trial of Gandhi in the Motihari court during his stay at Champaran.
After his arrival at Motihari, Gandhiji used a house as the headquarters so that he can have complete investigation
for the share-croppers. At that time there came a report about maltreating of a peasant. Next morning Gandhiji
went to see him but he was overtaken by the police superintendent’s messenger with an order to return back.
When he reached home Gandhiji was asked to reach Champaran at once. Gandhiji signed the order but wrote to
disobey the order. Next day Gandhiji appeared in the court. That night Gandhiji telegraphed Rajendra Prasad to
come with some influential friends. When the peasants knew that Gandhiji was in trouble with the authorities, the
court ground of Motihari became black. With peasants. The officials felt powerless and sought his help. The trial
was postponed but Gandhiji protested the delay. In between he was left at liberty. Now Gandhiji asked the
prominent lawyers what they would do in case he was sent to jail. They said that they would follow Gandhiji and
give the court arrest. Gandhiji exclaimed:’’The battle of Champaran is won.
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