Indigo

Each question carries 1 mark

1. Who is the writer of the prose piece ‘Indigo’?

Ans: The writer of the prose piece ‘Indigo’ is Louis Fischer

2. Which book has been reviewed as one of the best books ever written on Gandhi by Times Educational Supplement?

Ans: The Life of Mahatma Gandhi.

3. What did Times Educational Supplement said about The Life of Mahatma Gandhi?

Ans: The book has been reviewed as one of the best books ever written on Gandhi by Times Educational Supplement

4. From which book ‘Indigo’ is extracted?

Ans: ‘Indigo’ is extracted from ‘The Life of Mahatma Gandhi’.

5.What was Loius Fischer by profession?

Ans: Loius Fischer was a journalist.

6. Name any two journals where Louis Fischer worked for?

Ans: The New York Times and The Saturday Review.

7. Where was Louis Fischer a faculty member at?

Ans: Louis Fischer was a faculty member at Priceton University.

8. When did Louis Fischer visit Gandhi in Sevagram?

Ans: Louis Fischer visited Gandhi in Sevagram in 1942.

9. ‘When I first visited Gandhi in 1942 at his ashram in Sevagram’. Who had visited?

Ans: Louis Fischer had visited Gandhi in 1942 at his ashram in Sevagram.

10. When was Indian National Congress Session held?

Ans: Indian National Congress Session was held in 1916.

11. Where was Indian National Congress Session held?

Ans: Indian National Congress Session was held in Lucknow.

12. How many delegates were present in the annual convention of Indian National Congress Party?

Ans: 2301 delegates were present in the annual convention of Indian National Congress Party.

13. Who was Rajkumar Shukla?

Ans: Rajkumar Shukla was a poor and emaciated peasant from Champaran. He was illiterate but resolute.

14. Where was Rajkumar Shukla from?

Ans: Rajkumar Shukla was from Champaran.

15. What did Rajkumar Shukla want Mahatma Gandhi to do?

Ans: Rajkumar Shukla wanted Mahatma Gandhi to go his district.

16. Where was Champaran situated?

Ans: Champaran was situated in the foothills of the towering Himalayas, near the kingdom of Nepal.

17. What kind of person was Rajkumar Shukla?

Ans: Rajkumar Shukla was illiterate but he was resolute.

18. Why did Rajkumar Shukla visit Indian National Congress Session?

Ans: Rajkumar Shukla visited Indian National Congress Session to complain about the injustice of the landlord system in Bihar.

19. What was the present name of Cawnpore?

Ans: The present name of Cawnpore is Kanpur.

20. From Calcutta, where were Rajkumar Shukla and Mahatma Gandhi boarding to?

Ans: From Calcutta Rajkumar Shukla and Mahatma were Gandhi boarding to Patna, Bihar.

21. Where did Mahatma Gandhi stay in Patna?

Ans: Mahatma Gandhi stayed in the house of Rajendra Prasad in Patna.

22. Who was Rajendra Prasad?

Ans: Rajendra Prasad was a lawyer who later became the president of Congress party and of India.

23. Why was Gandhi not allowed to draw water from well?

Ans: Gandhi wasn’t allowed to draw water from well because the servants thought him as an untouchable.

24. Who was J.B. Kripalani?

Ans: J.B. Kripalani was a professor of the arts college in Muzzafarpur.

26. Where did M.K. Gandhi meet J.B. Kripalani before arriving in chaparan?

Ans: M.K. Gandhi met J.B. Kripalani at Tagor’s Shantiniketan school before arriving in Chaparan.

28. When did the train arrive at Muzzafarpur?

Ans: The train arrived in Muzzafarpur at midnight, 15 April, 1917.

29. Who was Professor Malkani?

Ans: Professor Malkani was a teacher in government school.

30. For how many days, Gandhi stayed at the house of Professor Malkani?

Ans: For two days.

31. Why did Gandhi chide the lawyers?

Ans: Gandhi chided the lawyers for collecting big fee from the poor peasants.

32. How much percentage of indigo crop are compelled to provide to landlords?

Ans: Three twenties or 15 percent.

33. Whose country had developed synthetic indigo?

Ans: Germany had developed synthetic indigo.

34. Where did Mahatma Gandhi first visit after arriving in Champaran?

Ans: After arriving in Champaran Gandhi first visited the secretary of the British landlord’s association

35. Where is Tirhut division situated?

Ans: In Champaran.

36. What law Gandhi disobeyed?

Ans: Gandhi disobeyed the law of leaving Champaran.

37. Where is Motihari capital situated?

Ans: In Champaran.

38. Why did the British officials feel powerless?

And: The British officials felt powerless without Gandhi's cooperation because the town of Motihari block was crowded by peasants.

39. Who had exclaimed that ‘the Champaran battle is won’?

Ans: M.K. Gandhi had exclaimed that ‘the Champaran battle is won’

40. Who was Sir Edward Gait?

Ans: Sir Edward Gait was a Lieutenant Governor of Champaran province.

41. How many times Gandhi had interview with Sir Edward Gait?

Ans: Gandhi had interview with Sir Edward Gait for four times.

42. How many days did Gandhi stay at Chamaran?

Ans: Gandhi remained in Chamaran for an initial uninterrupted period of seven months and then again for several shorter visits. Thus, he also spent a year.

43. What did Gandhi see about Champaran villages?

Ans: Gandhi saw social and cultural backwardness in Champaran villages.

44. Who was Devadas?

Ans: Devadas was Gandhi’s youngest son.

45. Who was Kasturbai?

Ans: Kasturbai was Gandhi’s wife.

46. What were the three medicines available?

Ans: The three medicines available were castor oil, quinine and sulphur ointment.

47. Who was Charles Freer Andrews?

Ans: Charles Freer Andrews was an English pacifist who had become a devoted follower of Mahatma Gandhi.

48. Why did Gandhi oppose Charles Freer Andrews to stay at Champaran?

Ans: Gandhi thought that staying Charles Freer Andrews at Champaran shows the weakness of their heart.

49. What was Gandhi’s politics intertwined?

Ans: Gandhi’s politics intertwined with the practical, day to day problems of the millions.

50. Why did the British feel powerless?

Ans: The demonstration of thousands of presents around the courthouse made the British to feel powerless.

50. Strike out which is not true?

a. Rajkumar Shukla was a

i. Sharecropper

ii. politician

iii. delegate

iv. landlord

Ans: ii, iii and iv are not true.

b. Rajkumar Shukla was

i. poor

ii. physically strong

iii. illiterate

Ans: ii is not true.

Each question carries 2 marks

1. Why is Rajkumar Shukla described as being resolute?

Ans: Rajkumar Shukla was a peasant from Champaran. He wanted Gandhi to come to his district. But Gandhi had some prior engagements. Even after being told that Gandhi had an appointment in Cawnpore and other parts of India, he never left Gandhi’s side. He accompanied him everywhere. Therefore, Shukla was described as being resolute.

2. How was Gandhiji treated at Rajendra Prasad’s house?

Ans: The servants at Rajendra Prasad house knew Shukla as a peasant. Since Gandhi was taken by Shukla, the servants took him to be another peasant. So, they let them stay on grounds and Gandhi was not allowed to draw water from well thinking him as an untouchable.

3. Why did the servants of Rajendra Prasad house take Gandhi as a peasant?

Ans: Mahatma Gandhi's humble nature and simple attire like a peasant made the servants of Rajendra Prasad house to take Gandhi to be an another peasant. Moreover, Gandhi went with the peasant named Rajkumar Shukla.

4. Why did the servants of Rajendra Prasad house think Gandhi as an untouchable?

Ans: The servants of Rajendra Prasad house thought Gandhi as an untouchable because Mahatma Gandhi's humble nature and simple attire like a peasant. They took him to be an another peasant. Moreover, Gandhi went with the peasant named Rajkumar Shukla.

5. Why Gandhi was not allowed to draw water from the well?

Ans: The servants thought Gandhi to be an another peasant and thought him as an untouchable. Though they were not exactly sure, but they feared that some drops from his bucket might pollute the entire well. So, he was not permitted to draw water from the well.

6. Why did Gandhi decide to go to Muzzafarpur?

Ans: Gandhi decided to go to Muzzafarpur first to obtain more complete information about conditions than Shukla was capable of imparting. And it was also an enroute to Chamaparan.

7. Why was Professor Malkani’s action of offering shelter to Gandhi ‘extraordinary’?

Ans: Government employees were afraid to show sympathy for advocates of home-rule. Malkani was a government employee and by giving Gandhi a shelter who was there to fight against the British, Malkani was going against the government that could lead his suspension from his job. So, Gandhi called it 'extraordinary'.

8. How did the peasants of Champaran react when they came to know about the arrival of Gandhiji?

Ans: The news of Gandhiji’s advent and of the nature of his mission spread quickly through Muzzafarpur and to Champaran. Sharecroppers from Champaran began arriving on foot and by conveyance to see their champion.

9. Why did Gandhiji feel that taking the Champaran case to the court was useless?

Ans: Gandhiji felt that taking the Champaran case to the court was useless because the peasant hardly got justice. Besides, the lawyers took big fee. The peasants were also so crushed and fear-stricken, so law courts were useless. The real relief for them was to be free from fear.

10. What was the long-term contract between the English landlords and the sharecroppers of Champaran?

Ans: Most of the arable land in the Champaran district was divided into large estates owned by Englishmen and worked by Indian tenants. The chief commercial crop was indigo. The landlords compelled all tenants to plant 15 per cent of their holdings with indigo and surrender the entire indigo harvest as rent. This was done by long-term contract.

11. What did the landlords do when they learned that Germany had developed synthetic indigo?

Ans: When the landlords learned that Germany had developed synthetic indigo, they obtained agreement from the peasants to pay them compensation for being released from the 15% arrangement.

12. Why did the landlords want to release the peasants from 15 percent indigo?

Ans: The landlords wanted to release the peasants from 15 percent indigo because they presently learned that Germany had developed synthetic indigo. Natural indigo became less profitable for them and it took much time to be matured in land.

13. What were the terms of the indigo contract between the British landlords and the Indian peasants?

Ans: The landlords compelled all tenants to plant three twentieths or 15 per cent of their holdings with indigo and surrender the entire indigo harvest as rent. This was done by a long-term contract.

14. What did the landlords do when they know that Germany had developed synthetic indigo?

Ans: The landlords came to know that Germany had developed synthetic indigo. Now producing natural indigo was not profitable for them. They, thereupon, obtained agreements from the sharecroppers to pay them compensation for being released from the 15 per cent arrangement.

15. Why did many sharecroppers sign the agreement letters willingly? What did the others do who had not signed the letters?

Ans: Since the sharecropping system was irksome to the peasants, they signed the agreement letters willingly. Those who resisted engaged lawyers; the landlords hired thugs.

16. How did the synthetic indigo produced by Germany affect the people of Champaran?

Ans: When the landlords heard that Germany had developed synthetic indigo, they obtained agreements of compensation from the sharecropper for being released from the 15% arrangement. Since the sharecropping system was irksome, many peasants signed to it willingly and those who resisted, the landlord hired thugs for them.

17. Why did Gandhiji meet Secretary of the British landlord’s association? How was he treated by him?

Ans: Gandhiji arrived Chamaparan to get the facts. Therefore, he visited the Secretary of the British landlord’s association. The secretary told him that they could give no information to an outsider.

18. How did Champaran peasants react when they came to know that a Mahatma had come to help them?

Ans: When the Champaran peasants came to know that a Mahatma had come to help them and he was in trouble with the authorities they came in large numbers to Motihari. Thousands of them hold demonstrations around the courthouse. The officials felt themselves helpless.

19. What made the lieutenant-governor drop the case against Gandhiji?

Ans: Thousands of peasants came in support of Gandhiji. The authorities felt that they could not control them and the condition of law and order could deteriorate. The pressure of the peasants was increasing. Even the lawyers were with Gandhi’s side. Therefore, the lieutenant-general dropped the case against Gandhiji.

20. Why did Gandhiji tell the court that he was involved in a ‘conflict of duties’?

Ans: Gandhiji said in the court he was involved in ‘conflict of duties’. On the one hand, he didn’t want to set a bad example as a lawbreaker; on the other hand, he wanted to render humanitarian and national service for which he had come to Champaran.

21. How was civil disobedience won for the first time in India?

Ans: The judge said that he could not deliver his judgement for several days because of the overwhelming support to Gandhiji. However, he was allowed to remain at liberty. Several days later, Gandhiji received a written communication from the magistrate informing him that the Lieutenant-General had decided to drop the case against him. In this way the civil disobedience won for the first time in India.

22. How much did the planters ready to refund to the peasants? How did Gandhiji react to it?

Ans: The planters wanted to prolong the dispute in some way. Therefore, they offered to refund only 25 per cent of the money they extracted illegally from the peasants. Gandhiji at once agreed to it thus breaking the deadlock.

23. Why did Gandhiji agree for only 25 per cent refund?

Ans: Gandhiji agreed for 25 percent refund to break the dead lock. For him the amount of refund was not important. The landlords had been obliged to part with some of their money and also prestige.

24. What social work did Gandhiji do in the villages of Champaran?

Ans: Gandhiji opened primary schools there. Many of his disciples came to volunteer their services. Health condition of the place was miserable. Gandhiji got a doctor to volunteer his services for six months. Moreover, he also focused on sanitation.

25. Why was Gandhiji against taking the help of Charles Freer Andrews?

Ans: Charles Freer Andrews became Gandhiji’s disciple at Champaran. The lawyers thought that it would be good if they had an Englishman with them. But Gandhiji was opposed to it. He said taking help of an Englishman would show the weakness of their heart and one should rely on oneself to win the battle.

26. List the places that Gandhiji visited between his first meeting with Shukla and his arrival at Champaran.

Ans: Gandhi went to Cawnpore then he returned to his ashram near Ahmedabad. Gandhi then went to Patna. From there he went to Muzzafarpur. From there he went to Champaran.

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

Ans: The episode of Chamapran had a great effect on the peasants. They saw they had rights and defenders. They learned courage. Also, the British planters abandoned their estates, which were reverted to the peasants.

28. Why do you think Gandhi considered the Champaran episode to be a turning-point in his life?

Ans: The episode of Champaran gave independence to Indian peasants. It gave courage to them. Gandhiji thought that it could be a small problem, but due to this incident he decided to urge the departure of the British. It was here where the civil disobedience was first time succeeded.

29. What was the attitude of the average Indian in smaller localities towards advocates of ‘home rule’?

Ans: In smaller localities the people were afraid to show sympathy for advocates of home rule. They were so crushed and frightened by the dreaded power of the British that it was impossible for them to support even the idea of home rule.

30. Who was Rajkumar Shukla? What did he want from Gandhiji?

Ans: Rajkumar Shukla was a peasant from Champaran. He wanted Gandhiji to go to Champaran to witness the pathetic conditions of the peasants. He wanted Gandhi to get them justice from the landlords.

31. How do we know that ordinary people too con-tributed to the freedom movement?

Ans: The freedom movement was for the ordinary people. So, the contribution of ordinary people could never be ruled out. In this case how a small farmer Rajkumar Shukla from a small district Champaran helps to bring a very prominent change. Likewise, many other peasants from the villages fought courageously and contributed in their own way to the movement. Their cumulative effort eventually resulted in their winning.

Additional short questions and answers.

1. What was an ancient arrangement in Indigo?

Ans: An ancient arrangement was sharecropping.

2. What did the messenger do with Gandhi?

Ans: The messenger served Gandhi with an official notice to quit Champaran immediately.

3. What landlords had done with the sharecroppers?

Ans: The landlords forced the sharecroppers to plant indigo to pay 15% as rent.

4. Who was Reverend J. Z. Hodge?

Ans: Reverend J. Z. Hodge was a British missionary in Champaran who observed the entire episode at close range

5. How did Mr. Gandhi break the deadlock?

Ans: Mr. Gandhi broke the deadlock by getting agree to the offer of 25 per cent refund by British planters.

Previous Year Questions Solved

2014

1. Where is Champaran situated?

Ans: Champaran was situated in the foothills of the towering Himalayas, near the kingdom of Nepal.

2015

1. What did Shukla want Gandhi to do?

Ans: Shukla wanted Gandhi to go to his district Chamaran.

2. Who was Sir Edward Gait?

Ans: Sir Edward Gait was a Lieutenant Governor of Champaran province.2016

1. Who was Rajkumar Shukla?

Ans: Rajkumar Shukla was a poor and emaciated peasant from Champaran. He was illiterate but resolute.

2. What was Gandhi’s politics intertwined with?

Ans: Gandhi’s politics were in intertwined with the practical, day to day problems of the millions.

3. Why was the Champaran episode so significant in Gandhi’s life?

Ans: (See question no 28 from 2 marks question section)

2017

1. Whom did Gandhi and Shukla want to meet at Panta?

Ans: Gandhi and Shukla wanted to meet Rajendra Prasad at Patna.

2. What was the incident that prompted to Gandhi to raise his voice of protest against the British?

Ans: Most of the arable land in the Champaran district was divided into large estates owned by Englishmen and worked by Indian peasants. The landlords compelled all the tenants to surrender 15% of their indigo holdings. Those who resisted, were maltreated by the landlords. Thus, the injustice of the British landlord System prompted to Gandhi to raise his voice of protest against the British.

2018

1. Where was Champaran?

Ans: (See question no 1 from 2014)

2. Why did Gandhi choose to go to Muzaffarpur first before going on to Chamaran?

Ans: (See question no 6 from 2 marks section)

2019

1. Which country had developed synthetic indigo?

Ans: Germany.

2. Where did Gandhi stay in Muzzafarpur?

Ans: Gandhi stayed in the house of Professor Malkani in Muzzafarpur.

3. How was a solution to the problem of indigo sharecroppers of Champaran found?

Ans: Gandhi took up the cause of the Indigo sharecroppers at Champaran. He fought against the injustice of the cruel British landlords who extorted money from the poor sharecroppers. At last, the peasants secured justice and the landlords agreed to refund 25% of the money. In this way, the solution to the problem of indigo sharecroppers of Champaran found.

2020

1. Why was Gandhi visiting Lucknow in 1916?

Ans: Gandhi was visiting Lucknow in 1916 to attend to the annual convention of the Indian Nation Congress party.

2. Why was Professor Malkani’s action of offering shelter to Gandhi ‘extraordinary’?

Ans: (See question no 7 from 2 marks question section)

2022

1. Whom did Gandhi and Shukla want to meet at Panta?

Ans: Gandhi and Shukla wanted to meet Rajendra Prasad at Patna.

2. Why was Gandhi impressed with Shukla?

Ans: Gandhi told him about his appointments in Cawnpore and other parts of India. But Shukla accompanied Gandhi everywhere After weeks of remaining at Gandhiji's side, he begged Gandhi to fix a date. Thus, Gandhi was impressed by his tenacity.

2023

1. Which book by Louis Fischer has been reviewed as one of the best books ever written on Gandhi by Times Educational Supplement?

Ans: The life of Mahatma Gandhi.
2. What did Gandhi do to improve the health condition in the Champaran villages?

Ans: Gandhiji appointed a doctor to volunteer his services for six months to improve the health condition in the Champaran Villages.

2. How was a solution to the problems of indigo sharecroppers of Champaran found?

Ans: (See question no 3 from 2019)

2024

1. Where did Gandhi meet Prof. J. B. Kripalini for the first time?

Ans: Gandhi met Prof. J. B. Kripalini for the first time at Tagore’s Shantiniketan school.

2. How many times did Gandhi meet the Lt. Governor?

Ans: Gandhi met the Lt. Governor for four times.

3. What did the peasants pay the British landlords as rent?

Ans: The British compelled all the tenants to plant 15% of their holdings with Indigo and they had to surrender all the indigo harvest to the British as rent.

4. How was Gandhi able to influence lawyers? Give instances.

Ans: Gandhi was able to influence the lawyers through his conviction, earnestness and pertinent questioning. Gandhi chided the lawyers of Muzzafarpur for charging big fee. Later, the lawyers from Bihar opined that they would return if Gandhi went to jail. But, Gandhi made them realized that it would be shameful for them. So, they agreed to follow him to jail. Gandhi also convinced the lawyers not to seek support from an Englishman and be self-reliant.

5. Explain the statement: “The Battle of Champaran is won.”

Ans: When Gandhi was summoned to court, by remaining the night awaken, he sent telegraph to Rajendra Prasad. Morning, the peasants crowded the Motihari court. When the lawyers arrived, Gandhi conferred with them. Though they said they would go home if Gandhi went to jail but Gandhi made them realized that it would be shameful for them. So, they agreed to follow him to jail. Then Gandhi said ‘the battle of Chamran is won’.

2025

Who were ready to follow Gandhi into jail?

Ans: Rajendra Prasad, Brij Kishor Babu, Maulana Mazharul Huq and several other prominent lawyers were ready to follow Gandhi into jail.

Why did Gandhiji feel that taking the Champaran case to the court was useless?

Ans: Already answered. (Q. No-9, Page No-4)

How did Rajkumar Shukla establish that he was resolute?

Ans: Already answered. (Q. No-1, Page No-3)

Give an account of Gandhiji's efforts to secure justice for the poor indigo sharecroppers of Champaran?

Ans: Mahatma Gandhi's efforts to secure justice for the poor Indigo sharecroppers of Champaran in 1917 marked a significant moment in India's struggle for independence. The Indigo farmers were subjected to oppressive practices by British planters, who forced them to grow indigo.

Gandhi went to Champaran on receiving reports of exploitation of the poor sharecropper peasants at the hands of British planters. He began by trying to get the facts. He organized a non-violent protest, mobilizing the local population and raising awareness about their grievances. Gandhi's approach included gathering evidence, meeting with officials, and advocating for the rights of the farmers.

Lastly, the landlords agreed to make refunds to the peasants. After consultation, a settlement of 25 per cent refund to the farmers was agreed on. Thus, indigo sharecropping disappeared.

His efforts culminated in a successful negotiation with the British government, resulting in the abolition of the oppressive system and the establishment of fair compensation for the farmers. This movement not only provided immediate relief to the indigo sharecroppers but also laid the groundwork for future civil rights movements in India.

Additional Questions and Answers

1. Name two lawyers that came from Bihar.

Ans: Brij Kishor Babu and Maulana Mazharul Huq. (Rajendra Prasad)

2. When did Gandhi decide to urge the departure of the British?

Ans: Gandhi decided to urge the Department of the British in 1917.

3. When did Gandhi and Shukla board the train to?

Ans: Gandhi and Shukla boarded the train to Patna in Bihar.

4. What was the capital of Champaran?

Ans: The capital of Champaran was Motihari.

5. What happened when Gandhi refused to furnish bail at the Muzzafarpur Court?

Ans: When Gandhi refused to furnish bail at the Muzzafarpur Court then the judge released him without bail.

6. Where did Gandhi go to in December, 1916?

Ans: Gandhi had gone to the annual convention of the Indian National Congress party in Lucknow in December 1916.

7. Did Gandhi know about Champaran before he met Shukla?

Ans: No, Gandhi had never heard about Champaran before he met Shukla.

Short Answer Questions: (2 marks each)

1. What did Gandhi tell Rajkumar Shukla?

Ans: Gandhi told Rajkumar Shukla that he had an appointment in Cawnpore and was also committed to go to other parts of India.

4. Whom did Gandhi send a telegram to in Muzzafarpur?

Ans: Gandhi sent a telegram to Professor J.B. Kripalani, of the Arts College in Muzzafarpur, whom he had seen at Tagore’s Shantiniketan school.

5. What did the British Commissioner of the Tirhut division in Champaran district ask Gandhi to do?

Ans: The British Commissioner of the Tirhut division in Champaran district proceeded to bully Gandhi and advised him forthwith to leave Tirhut.

6. Why did Gandhi write to J.B. Kripalani?

Ans: Gandhi decided to go first to Muzzafarpur to obtain more complete information about conditions than Shukla had informed. So, Gandhi wrote to J.B. Kripalani for supporting.

7. What had spread through Muzzafarpur and to Champaran?

Ans: The news of Gandhi’s advent and of the nature of his mission spread quickly through Muzzafarpur and to Champaran. Sharecroppers from Champaran began arriving on foot and by conveyance to see their champion.

8. Who was the ‘Champion’ of the share croppers?

Ans: Mahatma Gandhi was the ‘Champion’ of the share croppers.

9. Whom did Gandhi first meet after reaching Champaran? What did he say to Gandhi?

Ans: Gandhi first met the secretary of the British landlord’s association. The secretary told him that they could give no information to an outsider. Gandhi answered that he was no outsider.

10. Whom did Gandhi meet in the Tirhut division of the Champaran district? What did he say to Gandhi?

Ans: Gandhi met the British official commissioner in the Tirhut division of the Champaran district. He advised Gandhi to leave Tirhut.

Each question carries 5 marks

1. Describe the efforts made by R. K. Shukla to persuade Gandhi to go to Champaran. (2014)

Ans: Rajkumar Shukla was a poor and emaciated peasant from Champaran. In the annual Congress party session held in Lucknow, he came to complain about the injustices of the landlord system in Bihar. He met Gandhi, introduced himself and told him that he had come to take him there to help the poor share croppers.

Gandhi told him about his appointments in Cawnpore and other parts of India. But Shukla was resolute. He accompanied Gandhi everywhere. Then Gandhi returned to his ashram near Ahmedabad. Shukla followed him to the ashram. After weeks of remaining at Gandhiji's side, he begged Gandhi to fix a date. Gandhi was impressed by his tenacity. He detailed him about his Calcutta meeting. Months passed. When Gandhi went to at Calcutta, he found the peasant sitting on his haunches at the appointed spot. He waited there till Gandhi was free. Then both boarded a train to Bihar. From Bihar, they went to Muzzafarpur and from there they went to Champaran. In this way, R.K. Shukla took Gandhi to Champaran.

2. "The battle of Champaran is on". Gandhi exclaimed. Explain the context in which this was said. (2015,2016)

Ans: Most of the arable land in the Champaran district was divided into large estates owned by Englishmen and worked by Indian tenants. The chief commercial crop was indigo. The landlords compelled all tenants to plant three twentieths or 15 per cent of their holdings with indigo and surrender the entire indigo harvest as rent. This was done by long-term contract. It makes irksome to the peasants.

Gandhi reached at that moment in Champaran. He had to appear in the court for helping the sharecroppers and disobey the order of leaving Champaran. However, the supports of lawyers and spontaneous demonstration of thousands of peasants, Gandhi was released.

Rajendra Prasad, Brij Kishor Babu, Maulana Mazharul and several other prominent lawyers had arrived from Bihar to help Gandhi for the sharecroppers and the case. Gandhi asked the lawyers what they would do if he was sentenced to prison. Then, the senior lawyer replied negatively that they would go home.

Rajendra Prasad and the lawyers consulted that Gandhi was totally a stranger, and yet he was prepared to go to prison for the sake of the peasants. So, if they would go home then it would be shameful. So, they said that they were ready to follow him into jail. Then Gandhi exclaimed that ‘‘The battle of Champaran is won’’.

3. Describe the exploitation of the indigo sharecroppers by the British landlords. How did Gandhi help them to get an honorable settlement? (2017,2019)

Or What was the long-term contract between the English landlords and the sharecroppers of Champaran? Why did the sharecroppers protest against this agreement and how?

When Germany had developed synthetic indigo thereupon the landlords obtained agreements from the sharecroppers to pay them compensation for being released from the 15 per cent arrangement.

Gandhi reached at that moment in Champaran. He visited the secretary of the British landlord’s association and also met British official commissioner of the Tirhut division on regarding the problems of sharecroppers. He had to appear in the court for the sharecroppers for helping them and disobey the order of leaving Champaran. By the supports of lawyers and spontaneous demonstration of thousands of peasants, Gandhi was released and interviewed with Sir Edward Gait, the Lieutenant-Governor for the case. After the settlement, an official commission appointed and made inquiry on it. By the various evident, it was proved that the landlord took the money illegally and deceitfully. So, the landlord had to refund 25 percent to the sharecroppers. In this way, Gandhi helps them to get a settlement.

4. “Civil disobedience had triumphed, the first time in modern India” – Show, referring to the prose-piece ‘Indigo’, how this had happened? (2023)

Several days later, Gandhi received a written communication from the magistrate informing him that the Lieutenant Governor of the province had ordered the case to be dropped. Civil disobedience had triumphed, the first time in modern India

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