Indigo
TEXTBOOK EXERCISES
1. Strike out what is not true in the following:
(a) Rajkumar Shukla was:
i) A sharecropper
ii) A politician
iii) A delegate
iv) A landlord
Answer: iv) A landlord
(b) Rajkumar Shukla was:
i) Poor
ii) Physically strong
iii) Illiterate
Ans: ii) Physically strong
2. Why is Rajkumar Shukla described as being “resolute”?
Ans: Rajkumar Shukla is described as resolute because of his strong determination to bring Mahatma Gandhi to Champaran to help the poor peasants. He first met Gandhi at the Lucknow session of the Congress and repeatedly requested him to visit Champaran. Even though Gandhi had many commitments across the country, Shukla patiently followed him from place to place until Gandhi finally agreed to accompany him. His persistence and determination impressed Gandhi.
3. Why did the servants think Gandhi to be another peasant?
Ans: When Gandhi reached Patna with Rajkumar Shukla, they went to the house of a lawyer, Rajendra Prasad. The servants there knew Shukla as a poor farmer from Champaran who often came seeking help for the indigo farmers. Seeing Gandhi dressed simply and accompanying Shukla, they assumed he was another poor peasant like him.
4. List the places that Gandhi visited between his first meeting with Shukla and his arrival at Champaran.
Ans:
Gandhi first met Rajkumar Shukla at Lucknow. After that he returned to his ashram near Ahmedabad. Shukla continued to follow him and remind him of his promise. Later Gandhi travelled to Calcutta, from where both of them went to Patna. From Patna, Gandhi moved to Muzaffarpur and then to Motihari in Champaran.
5. What did the peasants pay the British landlords as rent? What did the British want instead and why?
Ans: The peasants were forced to grow indigo on fifteen percent of their land and hand over the entire indigo crop to the British landlords as rent. Later, when synthetic indigo was developed in Germany, natural indigo lost its market value. As a result, the British planters wanted compensation from the peasants in return for releasing them from the agreement to grow indigo.
6. The events illustrate Gandhi’s method of working. Identify examples linked to his ideas of satyagraha and non-violence.
Ans: Gandhi’s actions in Champaran clearly showed his belief in truth and non-violence. When he was ordered by the authorities to leave Champaran immediately, he politely refused to obey the order because he felt it was unjust. At the same time, he remained respectful towards the law and did not encourage violence. His calm defiance and commitment to truth reflected the principles of satyagraha.
7. Why did Gandhi agree to a settlement of 25 percent refund to the farmers?
Ans: Gandhi agreed to the settlement because he believed that the moral victory was more important than the exact amount of money returned. When the British landlords agreed to repay 25 percent of the money they had taken from the peasants, it showed that they had accepted their wrongdoing. This decision weakened their authority and restored confidence among the peasants.
8. How did the episode change the plight of the peasants?
Ans: The Champaran settlement greatly improved the condition of the peasants. Earlier, the British landlords had complete control over them and forced them to grow indigo. After the settlement, the unfair agreement was abolished and the peasants realised that they had rights. They gained courage and confidence, and within a few years the British planters left the region and the land was returned to the farmers.
UNDERSTANDING THE TEXT
1. Why did Gandhi consider the Champaran episode a turning point in his life?
Ans: The Champaran episode marked the first successful application of civil disobedience in India. Gandhi fought for the rights of poor indigo farmers who were suffering under the oppressive system imposed by British landlords. The movement demonstrated that peaceful resistance could challenge injustice.
This success encouraged people to stand up against exploitation and helped spread Gandhi’s influence among the masses. It also removed the fear of British authority from the minds of the peasants. Therefore, Gandhi regarded the Champaran struggle as an important turning point in India’s freedom movement.
2. How was Gandhi able to influence the lawyers?
Ans: When Gandhi arrived in Champaran, several lawyers came to support the peasants’ cause. Gandhi criticised them for charging high fees from poor farmers and questioned their commitment to justice. Later, when he faced trial for disobeying the official order, he asked the lawyers what they would do if he were sent to prison.
Initially, they said they would return home. Gandhi expressed disappointment and asked who would then help the farmers. Realising their mistake, the lawyers felt ashamed and promised to stand with Gandhi even if it meant going to jail. This showed how Gandhi inspired them with his courage and dedication.
3. What was the attitude of the average Indian in smaller localities towards advocates of home rule?
Ans: Before Gandhi’s leadership, most ordinary people in smaller towns and villages remained indifferent or fearful about supporting the movement for self-rule. They were afraid of British authority and often avoided involvement in political activities.
However, a few individuals like J. B. Kripalani and Professor Malkani supported Gandhi openly. Over time, Gandhi’s leadership helped break this fear and encouraged more people to participate in the struggle for independence.
4. How do we know that ordinary people contributed to the freedom movement?
Ans: The freedom movement became successful largely because of the participation of ordinary people. Gandhi’s leadership brought the struggle into villages and towns, encouraging farmers, workers, and students to take part. Many women also actively joined various movements.
Campaigns such as the boycott of British goods and later movements like the Quit India Movement saw widespread participation from the masses. This collective effort of common people played a crucial role in weakening British rule and eventually led to India’s independence.