INDIGO
INDIGO
INDIGO
BY LOUIS FISCHER
His battle against the British raj was not only limited to the abolition of
the tinkathia (3 out 0f 20th part of land) system. He also focused on the social
discrimination targeting especially women and children. Shukla had emerged as a
popular anti-imperial face in Champaran region, then, says Mani Bhushan Rai,
Shukla’s grandson (75).
THEMES:
Effective leadership can solve any kind of problems
It’s not impossible to conquer and win over the powerful
Unity in diversity
Justice can be achieved through negotiation and oppression must
be fought against.
Determination, freedom from fear and self-reliance must be
developed otherwise we will always be dominated over and never
be free.
Value Points
Rajkumar Shukla- A poor sharecropper from Champaran wishing
to meet Gandhiji.
Raj Kumar Shukla- an illiterate but resolute hence followed
Gandhiji everywhere Lucknow, Cawnpore, Ahmedabad, Calcutta,
Patna, Muzzafarpur and then Champaran.
Servants at Rajendra Prasad’s residence thought Gandhiji to be an
untouchable.
Gandhiji considered as an untouchable because of simple living
style and wearing, due to the company of Rajkumar Shukla.
Decided to go to Muzzafarpur first to get detailed information
about Champaran sharecropper.
Sent telegram to J B Kriplani and stayed in Prof Malkani’s home-
a government servant.
Indians afraid to show sympathy to the supporters of home rule.
The news of Gandhiji’s arrival spread- sharecroppers gathered in
large number to meet their champion.
Gandhiji chided the Muzzafarpur lawyer for taking high fee.
Champaran district was divided into estate owned by English
people, Indians only tenant farmers.
Landlords compelled tenants to plant 15% of their land with indigo
and surrender their entire harvest as rent.
In the meantime Germany had developed synthetic indigo –British
landlords freed the Indian farmers from the 15% arrangement but
asked them to pay compensation.
Many signed, some resisted engaged lawyers, and landlords hired
thugs.
Gandhiji reached Champaran- visited the secretary of the British
landlord association to get the facts but denied as he was an
outsider.
Gandhiji went to the British Official Commissioner who asked him
to leave Tirhut, Gandhiji disobeyed, went to Motihari the capital of
Champaran where a vast multitude greeted him, continued his
investigations.
Visited maltreated villagers, stopped by the police superintendent
but disobeyed the order.
Motihari black with peasants, spontaneous demonstrations-
showed courage to stand up for the cause- beginning of their
freedom from fear of the British.
Gandhiji helped the British in regulating the crowd*(Imp)
He was torn between two things – he didn’t want to set a bad
example as a law breaker, and he wanted to render humanitarian
and national service*(Imp)
Gandhiji released without bail.
Meanwhile many eminent lawyers arrived in
Champaran ..Rajendra Prasad, Brij Kishore Babu, Maulana
Mazharul Huq
Gandhiji asked them, what would they do if he was sentenced to
prison?
The lawyers felt if a stranger was prepared to go to prison for the
sake of the peasants, it would be disgraceful for them to stay away
from the movement.
They decided to follow Gandhiji into jail.
Civil Disobedience triumphed.
In June, Gandhiji was summoned to Sir Edward Gait, the
Lieutenant – Governor.
Gandhiji had 4 protracted interviews* (Imp)
Gandhiji agreed to 25% refund by the landowners, it symbolised
the surrender of the prestige.
Gandhiji worked hard towards social and cultural reforms
Sought volunteers for teaching.. his wife, Mahadev Desai, Narhari
Parikh and many others volunteered
Primary schools opened in 6 villages
Kasturbai taught ashram rules and hygiene
Health conditions in miserable state
A volunteer was engaged to look after public health
Ashram managed from Champaran
Champaran episode was a turning point in Gandhiji’s life.
Champaran episode was not an act of defiance but it was a sincere
effort to alleviate the distress of the masses.
Gandhiji’s politics intertwined with the practical day-to-day
problems of the millions
Expression of his loyalty to living human beings
He tried to mould a new free India who could stand on his feet and
thus make India free.
Gandhiji taught a lesson of self - reliance by not seeking help of an
English man Mr. Andrews.
Self reliance, Indian independence and help to share croppers were
all bound together.
Characters
I. Rajkumar Shukla
Peasant in Champaran
Troubled by sharecropping
Illiterate but resolute
Never left Gandhiji’s side until he agreed to visit
Champaran
V. C.F.Andrews
An English pacifist and a devoted follower of Gandhi ji
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