5 INDIGO 12
"Indigo"
by Louis Fischer
Paragraph
1:
"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."
Explanation:
As soon as Gandhi arrived in
Muzzafarpur and people came to know about why he had come (his
mission—to help the poor peasants), the news spread rapidly across the
region, especially to Champaran.
Hearing this, the sharecroppers (farmers who work on someone else's land
and give a part of their produce as rent) started coming to meet Gandhi.
Some came walking (on foot) while others used different means of
transport (conveyance). They saw Gandhi as their champion, someone
who would fight for their cause and protect their rights.
Word
Meanings:
- Advent
– Arrival
- Mission
– Purpose or goal (Gandhi’s aim to help the peasants)
- Sharecroppers
– Farmers who grow crops on rented land and pay rent with part of their
harvest
- Conveyance
– Vehicle or method of transport
- Champion
– A person who defends or fights for a cause
Paragraph 2:
"Muzzafarpur lawyers called on
Gandhi to brief him; they frequently represented peasant groups in court; they
told him about their cases and reported the size of their fee."
Explanation:
The local lawyers of Muzzafarpur
came to meet Gandhi and give him information (brief him) about
the legal cases they had handled for the peasants.
These lawyers often represented the farmers in the courts and now shared
details of the court cases with Gandhi.
They also mentioned how much fee (money) they had charged from the
peasants for their legal services.
Word Meanings:
- Called on
– Visited
- Brief him
– Inform him; give him an overview
- Represented
– Acted on behalf of someone (in legal matters)
- Fee –
Payment for services (here, legal help)
Paragraph 3:
"Gandhi chided the lawyers for
collecting big fee from the sharecroppers. He said, ‘I have come to the
conclusion that we should stop going to law courts. Taking such cases to the
courts does little good. Where the peasants are so crushed and fear-stricken,
law courts are useless. The real relief for them is to be free from
fear.’"
Explanation:
Gandhi criticized (chided)
the lawyers for taking high fees from the poor farmers, who were already
financially troubled.
He expressed his belief that going to court was not helpful in such cases.
According to Gandhi, the peasants were already so oppressed (crushed)
and filled with fear that the court system couldn’t bring them justice.
He believed that the first step toward helping them was to remove
their fear, not just to fight legal battles.
Word Meanings:
- Chided
– Scolded or rebuked
- Conclusion
– Final opinion or decision
- Crushed
– Severely oppressed or burdened
- Fear-stricken
– Full of fear or terrified
- Relief
– Comfort or help
Paragraph 4:
"Most of the arable land in the
Champaran district was divided into large estates owned by Englishmen and
worked by Indian tenants."
Explanation:
In the Champaran district,
most of the fertile land (arable) was part of large farming estates
that were owned by British landlords.
The actual farming was done by Indian tenants—local farmers who didn’t
own the land but had to work on it and pay rent or a portion of their crops.
Word
Meanings:
- Arable land
– Land suitable for growing crops
- Estates
– Large pieces of land, especially used for agriculture
- Tenants
– People who live or work on someone else’s land and pay rent
Paragraph 5:
"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."
Explanation:
The main crop grown in Champaran for
commercial purposes (selling for profit) was indigo, a plant used
to make blue dye.
The British landlords forced the tenant farmers to grow indigo on 15%
of their land (three-twentieths of their fields).
They also forced the farmers to give the entire indigo crop as rent—meaning
the farmers got no benefit from it.
This unfair system was legally enforced through long-term contracts,
making it difficult for the farmers to protest or escape from the system.
Word
Meanings:
- Chief
– Main or most important
- Commercial crop
– Crop grown for sale rather than for personal use
- Compelled
– Forced
- Holdings
– Land owned or used by someone
- Surrender
– Give up or hand over
- Harvest
– The gathered crop
- Contract
– A legal agreement
Paragraph 1:
"Presently, the landlords
learned that Germany had developed synthetic indigo. They, thereupon, obtained
agreements from the sharecroppers to pay them compensation for being released
from the 15 per cent arrangement."
Explanation:
The British landlords came to know
that Germany had invented synthetic (artificial) indigo, which was cheaper
and easier to produce than natural indigo grown on farms.
Because of this, indigo farming was no longer profitable.
So, the landlords wanted to stop the system of forcing peasants to grow
indigo on 15% of their land.
To avoid any future claims or legal issues, they made the sharecroppers sign
agreements. These agreements said that the peasants would pay money
(compensation) to the landlords in exchange for being released from the
earlier contract.
Word Meanings:
- Synthetic
– Man-made; not natural
- Indigo
– A plant used to make blue dye
- Thereupon
– After that; as a result
- Compensation
– Money paid for loss or suffering
- Arrangement
– Agreement or system
Paragraph 2:
"The sharecropping arrangement
was irksome to the peasants, and many signed willingly. Those who resisted,
engaged lawyers; the landlords hired thugs."
Explanation:
The sharecropping system was burdensome
and annoying (irksome) for the farmers, so many of them agreed willingly
to pay compensation to get rid of the arrangement.
However, some peasants refused to pay or questioned the agreement.
They hired lawyers to fight for them.
In return, the landlords used force—they employed thugs (violent men)
to threaten or harm the resisting farmers.
Word Meanings:
- Sharecropping
– Farming system where peasants grow crops on rented land and give a share
to the landlord
- Irksome
– Annoying; tiring
- Resisted
– Refused or opposed
- Engaged
– Hired
- Thugs
– Goons; violent men hired to scare or hurt people
Paragraph 3:
"Meanwhile, the information
about synthetic indigo reached the illiterate peasants who had signed, and they
wanted their money back."
Explanation:
Later, the poor and uneducated
(illiterate) farmers who had already signed the compensation agreements
learned the truth—that natural indigo was no longer needed because of synthetic
indigo.
They realized they had been cheated and now wanted their money back
from the landlords.
Word Meanings:
- Illiterate
– Unable to read or write
- Meanwhile
– At the same time
- Reached
– Came to know
- Signed
– Agreed to a legal document
🔷
Paragraph 4:
"At this point Gandhi arrived
in Champaran. He began by trying to get the facts. First he visited 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."
Explanation:
At this crucial time, Gandhi
arrived in Champaran to help the peasants.
He wanted to understand the situation better, so he began by collecting
information.
He first went to the secretary of the British landlords’ group to ask questions.
The secretary refused to help, saying that Gandhi was an outsider
(not part of their group or area).
But Gandhi firmly replied that he was not an outsider—he was
there for the people of India.
Word
Meanings:
- Secretary
– Official or representative of an organization
- Association
– Organized group
- Outsider
– A person not belonging to a place or group
Paragraph 5:
"Next, Gandhi called on the
British official commissioner of the Tirhut division in which the Champaran
district lay. ‘The commissioner,’ Gandhi reports, ‘proceeded to bully me and
advised me forthwith to leave Tirhut.’"
Explanation:
Then, Gandhi went to meet the British
commissioner of the Tirhut division, which included Champaran.
Instead of listening or helping, the commissioner tried to threaten (bully)
Gandhi and ordered him to leave immediately (forthwith).
But Gandhi was not afraid of such bullying.
Word Meanings:
- Commissioner
– A high-ranking government official
- Division
– Administrative region
- Proceeded
– Continued or began
- Bully
– To threaten or scare someone
- Forthwith
– Immediately
Paragraph 6:
"Gandhi did not leave. Instead
he proceeded to Motihari, the capital of Champaran. Several lawyers accompanied
him. At the railway station, a vast multitude greeted Gandhi. He went to a
house and, using it as headquarters, continued his investigations."
Explanation:
Gandhi refused to leave
despite the threats.
He went to Motihari, the main city of Champaran, to continue his
work.
Some lawyers came with him to support him.
At the railway station, a huge crowd (multitude) came to welcome
him, showing that the peasants believed in him.
Gandhi then went to a house and used it as his base of operations
(headquarters).
From there, he continued collecting information and investigating the
injustices against peasants.
Word Meanings:
- Proceeded
– Went forward
- Accompanied
– Went with
- Vast multitude
– Huge crowd
- Headquarters
– Main office or center
- Investigations
– Inquiries; searching for truth or facts
Paragraph
7:
"A report came in that a
peasant had been maltreated in a nearby village. Gandhi decided to go and see;
the next morning he started out on the back of an elephant. He had not
proceeded far when the police superintendent’s messenger overtook him and
ordered him to return to town in his carriage."
Explanation:
Gandhi heard news that a
peasant had been badly treated (maltreated) in a nearby village.
He decided to visit the village to see what had happened.
The next morning, he left on an elephant, which was common transport in
rural areas.
But before he had gone far, a messenger from the police superintendent
came and stopped him.
The messenger ordered him to return to the town in his own carriage
(vehicle).
Word Meanings:
- Maltreated
– Treated badly or cruelly
- Proceeded
– Continued or went forward
- Superintendent
– Senior police officer
- Messenger
– Someone who delivers messages
- Carriage
– A horse-drawn vehicle or cart
Paragraph 8:
"Gandhi complied. The messenger
drove Gandhi home where he served him with an official notice to quit Champaran
immediately. Gandhi signed a receipt for the notice and wrote on it that he
would disobey the order."
Explanation:
Gandhi obeyed the order
temporarily (complied) and went back to town.
There, the messenger gave him an official notice saying he must leave
Champaran at once.
Gandhi signed the receipt (a form acknowledging he received the notice).
However, he also wrote clearly that he would not obey this order.
He was determined to stay and support the peasants, even if it meant
breaking British laws.
Word Meanings:
- Complied
– Obeyed or followed instructions
- Notice
– A written warning or order
- Quit
– Leave
- Receipt
– Written proof that something was received
- Disobey
– Not follow or refuse to obey
Passage Explanation (Line by Line)
“In consequence, Gandhi received a
summons to appear in court the next day.”
Word Meanings:
- In consequence
– as a result
- Summons
– an official order to appear in a court
Explanation:
As a result of his actions (especially his refusal to leave Champaran), Gandhi
was officially ordered to appear in court the following day.
“All night Gandhi remained awake. He
telegraphed Rajendra Prasad to come
from Bihar with influential friends.
He sent instructions to the ashram. He wired a full report to the Viceroy.”
Word Meanings:
- Telegraphed
– sent a message using the telegram service
- Influential
– powerful, having influence
- Ashram
– a spiritual or community retreat
- Wired
– sent by telegram
- Viceroy
– the representative of the British crown in India
Explanation:
Gandhi did not sleep that night. He actively communicated with others:
- He asked Rajendra Prasad to come with influential
people for support.
- He sent instructions to his community (ashram).
- He informed the Viceroy with a complete report of the
situation.
“Morning found the town of Motihari
black with peasants.”
Word Meanings:
- Black with peasants
– extremely crowded with peasants, so much so that their presence darkened
the area
Explanation:
By morning, thousands of peasants had gathered in Motihari in support of
Gandhi, filling the streets.
“They did not know Gandhi’s record
in South Africa. They had merely heard that a Mahatma who wanted to help them
was in trouble with the authorities.”
Word Meanings:
- Record
– history or past achievements
- Mahatma
– a great soul (title for Gandhi)
- Authorities
– the government officials
Explanation:
The peasants were unaware of Gandhi's previous struggles in South Africa. They
only knew that a noble person who supported them was facing issues with the
British officials.
“Their spontaneous demonstration, in
thousands, around the courthouse was the beginning of their liberation from
fear of the British.”
Word Meanings:
- Spontaneous
– unplanned, natural
- Demonstration
– protest or gathering
- Liberation
– freedom
Explanation:
Their natural and unorganized protest outside the courthouse marked the
beginning of their journey towards freedom from the British fear and
oppression.
“The officials felt powerless without
Gandhi’s cooperation. He helped them
regulate the crowd. He was polite
and friendly.”
Word Meanings:
- Powerless
– having no control
- Regulate
– manage or control
Explanation:
The British officers realized they couldn't manage the situation without Gandhi’s
help. Gandhi, instead of opposing them, helped manage the crowd in a calm and
friendly manner.
“He was giving them concrete proof
that their might, hitherto dreaded and unquestioned, could be challenged by
Indians.”
Word Meanings:
- Concrete proof
– strong and visible evidence
- Might
– power
- Hitherto
– until now
- Dreaded
– feared
- Unquestioned
– not challenged
Explanation:
Gandhi's actions proved that the British power, which was feared and accepted
without question until then, could actually be challenged by ordinary Indians.
“The government was baffled. The
prosecutor requested the judge to postpone the trial. Apparently, the
authorities wished to consult their superiors.”
Word Meanings:
- Baffled
– confused, puzzled
- Prosecutor
– a legal representative who argues against the accused
- Postpone
– delay
- Apparently
– clearly, it seems
- Superiors
– higher-ranking officials
Explanation:
The British officials were confused and uncertain. The lawyer representing the
government asked the judge to delay the trial, possibly because they wanted to
get guidance from higher officials.
“Gandhi protested against the delay.
He read a statement pleading guilty. He was involved, he told the court, in a
‘conflict of duties’...”
Word Meanings:
- Protested
– opposed, objected
- Pleading guilty
– admitting the crime
- Conflict of duties
– a situation where two responsibilities oppose each other
Explanation:
Gandhi objected to the delay in the court case. He openly admitted that he
broke the law. He explained that he was torn between two duties — not breaking
the law and helping the suffering peasants.
“...not for want of respect for
lawful authority, but in obedience to the higher law of our being, the voice of
conscience.”
Word Meanings:
- Not for want of
– not due to lack of
- Lawful authority
– the legal government
- Higher law of our being – the moral truth
- Conscience
– inner sense of right and wrong
Explanation:
Gandhi said he did not disobey out of disrespect for the law, but because he
was obeying a higher moral duty — listening to his conscience.
“He asked the penalty due.”
Word Meaning:
- Penalty due
– punishment he deserved
Explanation:
Gandhi asked the judge to give him the punishment he deserved.
“The magistrate announced that he
would pronounce sentence after a two-hour recess and asked Gandhi to furnish
bail for those 120 minutes. Gandhi refused. The judge released him without
bail.”
Word Meanings:
- Magistrate
– the judge
- Pronounce sentence
– declare punishment
- Recess
– a short break
- Furnish bail
– provide money as guarantee
- Refused
– declined
Explanation:
The judge said he would declare the punishment after a two-hour break and asked
Gandhi to pay bail for that time. Gandhi refused. Despite that, the judge let
him go without any bail.
“When the court reconvened, the judge
said he would not deliver the judgment for several days. Meanwhile he allowed
Gandhi to remain at liberty.”
Word Meanings:
- Reconvened
– started again after a break
- At liberty
– free
Explanation:
When the court restarted, the judge delayed the decision for a few days and
allowed Gandhi to remain free.
“Rajendra Prasad, Brij Kishor Babu,
Maulana Mazharul Huq and several other prominent lawyers had arrived from
Bihar. They conferred with Gandhi.”
Word Meanings:
- Prominent
– well-known, important
- Conferred
– discussed
Explanation:
Many important lawyers, including Rajendra Prasad, came from Bihar and
discussed the matter with Gandhi.
“What would they do if he was
sentenced to prison, Gandhi asked. Why, the senior lawyer replied, they had
come to advise and help him; if he went to jail there would be nobody to advise
and they would go home.”
Explanation:
Gandhi asked the lawyers what they would do if he were jailed. The senior
lawyer honestly replied that they had come only to assist Gandhi, and if he
went to jail, they would return home as there would be no one to guide them.
Summary
of Main Points:
1.
Gandhi received a court summons for
defying the British order.
2.
Thousands of peasants gathered to
support him.
3.
Gandhi helped maintain peace,
proving Indians could challenge British power.
4.
The judge delayed the judgment and
let Gandhi go free.
5.
Gandhi’s moral courage influenced
many prominent lawyers.
6.
Their initial hesitation later
turned into firm support due to Gandhi’s sincerity.
Para 1: Gandhi Receives Summons
Text: Gandhi received a summons to appear in court the next day.
Explanation:
Gandhi was officially called to appear in court for not obeying the British
order to leave Champaran.
Word Meaning:
·
Summons – An official notice asking someone to appear in court.
Para 2–3: Gandhi’s Response and Support
Text: All night Gandhi remained awake... beginning of their
liberation from fear of the British.
Explanation:
Gandhi didn’t sleep. He contacted his supporters and informed the Viceroy. The
next morning, thousands of peasants gathered in Motihari to show support. They
didn’t know Gandhi’s full background, but they trusted he was there to help.
This peaceful gathering showed they were losing their fear of British rule.
Word Meanings:
·
Telegraphed – Sent messages by telegram.
·
Spontaneous – Natural, without planning.
·
Liberation – Freedom.
Para 4–5: Gandhi Controls the Crowd
Text: The officials felt powerless without Gandhi’s
cooperation... could be challenged by Indians.
Explanation:
The British officials were nervous about the huge crowd but Gandhi helped
manage it peacefully. His calm and polite behavior showed the British that
their authority was no longer unquestionable.
Word Meanings:
·
Regulate – Control or manage.
·
Concrete
proof – Clear evidence.
Para 6–7: Gandhi’s Plea and Moral Stand
Text: The government was baffled... the voice of conscience.
Explanation:
The court didn’t know how to handle the situation. Gandhi openly admitted he
had broken the law but explained that he was following a higher moral
duty—helping the suffering peasants.
Word Meanings:
·
Conflict
of duties – A situation where two
responsibilities clash.
·
Voice of
conscience – Inner sense of right and wrong.
Para 8–9: Gandhi Released Without Bail
Text: The magistrate announced... to remain at liberty.
Explanation:
Gandhi refused to post bail. Still, the judge let him go free and delayed the
case. This showed the growing power of truth and civil disobedience.
Word Meaning:
·
Liberty – Freedom.
Para 10–11: Lawyers Support Gandhi
Text: Rajendra Prasad... follow him into jail.
Explanation:
Initially, lawyers from nearby districts were unsure. But seeing Gandhi’s
dedication, they decided to stand with him—even go to jail if needed.
Word Meaning:
·
Desertion – Abandoning someone in need.
Para 12–13: Triumph of Civil Disobedience
Text: Several days later... the first time in modern India.
Explanation:
The court dropped the case against Gandhi. This was a major win for the civil
disobedience movement in India.
Word Meanings:
·
Triumphed – Succeeded.
·
Civil
disobedience – Peacefully breaking unjust laws.
Para
14–15: Inquiry and Investigation
Text: Gandhi and the lawyers... vehement protests of the
landlords.
Explanation:
Gandhi and his team recorded statements from thousands of farmers to collect
evidence against British landlords. The area became very active.
Word Meaning:
·
Depositions – Official statements used as evidence.
·
Vehement – Strong and forceful.
Para 16–17: Meeting with Lieutenant-Governor
Text: In June... indigo sharecroppers’ situation.
Explanation:
Gandhi met with the Lieutenant-Governor, who then set up a commission to
investigate the indigo issue. Gandhi was the only representative of the
farmers.
Word Meanings:
·
Protracted – Long and drawn-out.
·
Commission – A group appointed to investigate something.
Para 18–19: Gandhi’s Year in Champaran
Text: Gandhi remained in Champaran... lasted a few days, occupied
almost a year.
Explanation:
Though Gandhi went thinking he’d stay only a few days, the work kept him there
for almost a year.
Para 20–22: Settlement and Refund
Text: The official inquiry... breaking the deadlock.
Explanation:
The landlords agreed to refund part of the money to the farmers. Gandhi
surprisingly asked for only 50%, and accepted 25%. The amount didn’t
matter—what mattered was the recognition of farmers' rights.
Word Meanings:
·
Extorted – Taken by force or threats.
·
Deadlock – No progress possible due to disagreement.
Para
23–24: Impact of the Episode
Text: This settlement... indigo sharecropping disappeared.
Explanation:
The peasants gained confidence. Eventually, the British planters left the land,
and indigo sharecropping ended.
Word Meaning:
·
Prestige – Respect or importance.
Para
25–27: Gandhi’s Social Work
Text: Gandhi never contented... community sanitation.
Explanation:
Gandhi worked on education, cleanliness, and healthcare. Volunteers opened
schools and taught hygiene. Medicines were provided for common diseases.
Word Meaning:
·
Backwardness – Lack of development or education.
Para
28: Women’s Condition
Text: Gandhi noticed the filthy state... only one I have.”
Explanation:
Gandhi saw how poor the women were. One woman told Kasturbai she had only one
sari. This showed the deep poverty in the villages.
Para 29–30: Gandhi’s Remote Supervision
Text: During his long stay... dig new ones.
Explanation:
While in Champaran, Gandhi stayed in touch with the ashram and managed
everything there by letters, including sanitation duties.
Para 31–32: Champaran — A Turning Point
Text: The Champaran episode was a turning point... loyalty to
living human beings.
Explanation:
Gandhi said this wasn’t defiance but a duty to help the poor. His politics were
always based on real human issues.
Para 33–35: Gandhi Teaches Self-Reliance
Text: Early in the Champaran action... taught us a lesson in
self-reliance.
Explanation:
When the lawyers wanted British pacifist C.F. Andrews to stay, Gandhi refused.
He believed Indians must fight their own battles and not depend on foreigners,
even if well-meaning.
Word Meaning:
·
Pacifist – A person who believes in peace.
Final Thought
Gandhi’s Champaran mission was about
truth, self-reliance, non-violence, and service to the poor. It showed
how national freedom begins by solving people’s real problems.
Page 45 — Think as You Read
Q1. Strike out what is not true in the following.
(a) Rajkumar Shukla was
— a sharecropper
— a politician
— delegate
— a poor farmer
— landlord
Correct Answer: a poor farmer
Rajkumar Shukla was a poor indigo sharecropper from Champaran, Bihar.
Q2. Why is Rajkumar Shukla described as being ‘resolute’?
Answer:
Rajkumar Shukla is called ‘resolute’ because he was very determined. He wanted Gandhi to visit Champaran and help poor farmers. He followed Gandhi everywhere, waited patiently, and didn’t give up until Gandhi finally agreed to go with him.
Q3. Why do you think the servants thought Gandhi to be another peasant?
Answer:
The servants thought Gandhi was another poor peasant because of his simple clothes and plain appearance. He didn’t look rich or important, like most visitors. He lived and dressed like ordinary Indians.
Page 47 — Think as You Read
Q1. List the places that Gandhi visited between his first meeting with Shukla and his arrival at Champaran.
Answer:
Gandhi visited:
-
Kanpur
-
Other parts of India
-
Calcutta (now Kolkata)
-
Patna (met Rajendra Prasad)
-
Muzaffarpur
-
Then finally reached Champaran
Q2. What did the peasants pay the British landlords as rent? What did the British now want instead? Why did the demand surprise the peasants?
Answer:
The peasants paid the British landlords rent in the form of 15% of their land’s produce, usually indigo. But when Germany developed synthetic indigo, the British no longer needed natural indigo and demanded compensation from the peasants to release them from growing it.
This demand surprised the peasants because they were poor and had already been forced to grow indigo. They couldn’t understand why they should pay for something they didn’t ask for.
Q3. How did the peasant react to the new demand?
Answer:
At first, many peasants agreed to pay the compensation.
But later, when they realised it was unfair, they demanded their money back. This was due to Gandhi’s guidance and support.
Q4. How did Gandhi teach them a lesson in self-reliance?
Answer:
Gandhi taught them to not depend on others to fight for their rights.
He set up schools, health clinics, and made them confident and brave.
He showed them that truth and courage could bring change, and they could stand up against injustice themselves.
Understanding the Text
Q1. Why do you think Gandhi considered the Champaran episode to be a turning point in his life?
Answer:
Gandhi considered the Champaran episode a turning point because it was his first active involvement in an Indian mass movement. It showed that people could fight injustice through non-violence. It gave Indian peasants confidence and made Gandhi a national leader who could inspire change through truth and civil disobedience.
Q2. How was Gandhi able to influence lawyers? Give instances.
Answer:
Gandhi influenced lawyers by showing them the importance of helping the poor, not just earning money. When he decided to stay in Champaran despite the government’s order, the lawyers were inspired. They told Gandhi they would follow him to jail if needed. This showed Gandhi’s power to inspire moral courage.
Q3. What was the attitude of the average Indian in smaller localities towards advocates of ‘home rule’?
Answer:
The average Indian in smaller areas was afraid to support the movement openly. They feared the British government. But when they saw Gandhi’s courage and honesty, they slowly started trusting him and began to support the freedom movement with more confidence.
Q4. How do we know that ordinary people too contributed to the freedom movement?
Answer:
Ordinary people like Rajkumar Shukla helped by bringing Gandhi to Champaran. Peasants supported Gandhi by gathering in large numbers. Volunteers like teachers, doctors, and students helped in education and health care. These acts show that the freedom movement was supported by many common Indians.
Talking About the Text
(Discuss in class, but here are sample answers.)
Q1. "Freedom from fear is more important than legal justice for the poor." Do you agree? Why/Why not?
Answer:
Yes, I agree. If people are afraid, they cannot fight for justice. Gandhi saw that the peasants in Champaran were scared of the British. Once they lost fear, they could stand up for their rights. Legal justice is important, but courage and confidence are needed first.
Q2. The qualities of a good leader. Use examples from Gandhi’s life.
Answer:
A good leader should be brave, honest, and caring. Gandhi had all these qualities. He was not afraid of the British, stayed with the peasants, and fought for them peacefully. He believed in truth, simple living, and service to others.
Page 45 – THINK AS YOU READ
Q1. Strike out what is not true in the following:
Rajkumar Shukla was —
— a sharecropper
— a politician
— a delegate
— a poor farmer
— a landlord
Correct Answer: a poor farmer
Q2. Why is Rajkumar Shukla described as being ‘resolute’?
Answer:
Rajkumar Shukla is called ‘resolute’ because he was firm and determined. He wanted Gandhi to visit Champaran to help the poor farmers. He followed Gandhi everywhere until Gandhi agreed to go.
Q3. Why do you think the servants thought Gandhi to be another peasant?
Answer:
The servants thought Gandhi was just another poor farmer because he wore simple clothes and looked very plain. He did not look like an important person.
Page 47 – THINK AS YOU READ
Q1. List the places that Gandhi visited between his first meeting with Shukla and his arrival at Champaran.
Answer:
After meeting Shukla, Gandhi went to:
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Kanpur
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Calcutta
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Patna (met Rajendra Prasad)
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Muzaffarpur
Then he reached Champaran.
Q2. What did the peasants pay the British landlords as rent? What did the British now want instead? Why did the demand surprise the peasants?
Answer:
The peasants had to grow indigo and give 15% of the crop to the British as rent.
Later, the British wanted money instead, because they no longer needed indigo.
The peasants were surprised because it was unfair – they were being asked to pay for something that helped only the British.
Q3. How did the peasants react to the new demand?
Answer:
At first, many peasants paid the money.
But later, with Gandhi’s help, they realised it was wrong and started refusing to pay.
They also asked to get their money back.
Q4. How did Gandhi teach them a lesson in self-reliance?
Answer:
Gandhi taught the peasants to believe in themselves.
He helped them fight without fear or violence.
He started schools, helped with health and cleanliness, and gave legal advice.
This made the peasants strong, confident, and independent.
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