By Luise Fischer
A. Answer the following in 30-40 words each.
Ans: Rajkumar Shukla was a poor peasant from Champaran district in Bihar. He had come all the way to Lucknow, where a Congress session was being held, to speak to Gandhi about the injustice of the landlord system in Bihar. Shukla accompanied Gandhi everywhere. Shukla followed him to the ashram near Ahmedabad. For weeks he never left Gandhi’s side till Gandhi asked him to meet at Calcutta.
Ans: The servants of Rajendra Prasad knew Shukla as a poor yeoman. Gandhi was also clad in a simple dhoti. Hence, thought Gandhi to be another peasant. They did not know him. They were not certain whether he was an untouchable or not. They feared that some drops from his bucket might pollute the entire well. So, he was not permitted to draw water from the well.
Ans: Before going to Champaran Gandhi wanted to obtain more complete information about conditions than Shukla was capable of imparting. Muzaffarpur lawyers, who frequently represented peasant groups in courts, briefed Gandhi about their cases.
Ans: Gandhi chided the lawyers because they are charging a high fee from poor peasants. Howevers, the lawyers were aware about the miserable condition of the peasants. Gandhi said the peasants are themselves fighting to get back their money how can they pay such a high fee.
Ans: Gandhi was summoned to appear in the court for disobeying the office notice from the police superintendent. During the trial he said that he did not want to set a bad example as a law breaker. But he wanted to render the “humanitarian and national service” for which he had come. He respected the lawful authority but disregarded the order to leave to obey the voice of his conscience.
Ans: The next morning the town of Motahari was black with peasants. They had heard that a Mahatma who wanted to help them was in trouble with the authorities. They spontaneously demonstrated, in thousands, around the courthouse. Gandhi called their action of protest as their liberation from fear of the British.
Ans: The eminent lawyers from the nearby areas came to help Gandhi. They decided to go back in case Gandhi was arrested. At this Gandhi made them to realize their duty towards the peasants. They realized that it would be shameful for them to leave these peasants at a time when a stranger was ready even to go to jail for them. So they all approached Gandhi and said that they would accompany him to jail. At this point, Gandhi said, “The battle of Champaran is won.”
Ans: A case against Gandhi was initiated for disregarding government orders. The spontaneous demonstration of thousands of peasants baffled the officials. The judge was requested to postpone the trial. Gandhi refused to furnish bail. The judge released him without bail. Several days later Gandhi received an official letter. The case against him had been dropped. Thus, civil disobedience had triumphed.
Ans: For Gandhi the amount of the refund was less important than the fact that the landlords had been forced to return part of the money, and with it, part of their prestige too. It showed that nobody is above law. So, he agreed to settlement of 25 per cent refund to the farmers. He wanted to teach farmers a lesson of courage.
Ans: Gandhiji was not content with the large political or economic solution. He wanted to do something for the social and cultural backwardness of Champaran. He appealed to teachers and his disciples Mahadev Desai and Narhari Parikh came with their wives, primary schools were opened in six villages. His son and wife Kasturba also joined him. He arranged for a volunteer doctor and his wife took care of personal hygiene and cleanliness.
Ans: A doctor volunteered his services for six months. There were three medicines available, castor oil, quinine, and Sulphur ointment. Persons with coasted tongue were given a dose of castor oil. Those with malaria fever got quinine plus castor oil. Others with skin eruptions got ointment plus castor oil. Mrs. Gandhi taught women individual and general cleanliness.
Ans: During the Champaran action, Gandhi’s lawyer friends thought it would be good if C.F. Andrews stayed on in Champaran and helped them. Gandhi opposed this idea as it showed the weakness of their heart. Their cause was just, and they must rely upon themselves to win this unequal fight. They should not seek the support of Mr. Andrews because he happened to be an Englishman.
B. Answer the following in 150 words each.
Ans: The arable area of Champaran was divided into large estates owned by British landlords. The peasants worked on this land as tenants. The peasants were forced to grow the chief commercial crop, indigo, on 15% of their land and give the entire crop of indigo as rent. This was done by long term contract. After the synthetic indigo developed by Germany came into market, the British were no longer in need of Indian indigo. But very cunningly, the British landlords demanded money as compensation for being released from the 15 per cent arrangement. Growing indigo in their land was troublesome for the farmers. Therefore, some farmers paid the amount. Later, knowing about the real cause behind it they felt deceived. Now, these farmers demanded their money back from the British landlords.
At this point Gandhi arrived in Champaran to get their money back. He studied their case meticulously and deeply. His detailed investigations, documentation and collection of evidence became the cause of concern for the authorities. Consequently, Edwards Gait, the Lt. Governor of Bihar summoned Gandhiji and after four interviews with him constituted a commission of inquiry which comprised of landlords, government officials and Gandhiji as the representative of the Indian peasants. Gandhi's diligent collection of evidence made the British government agree on refunding money. Gandhi demanded 50% of the compensation but it was settled on 25% refund and Gandhi accepted It.
According to Gandhi the amount was not important. It was victory because the landlords lost their money and the prestige. The farmers learnt the lesson of courage and that nobody is above law.
Ans: Gandhi had returned to India from South Africa in 1915. He was associated with Congress and used to take part it its sessions. He had not led any national movement before the Champaran Movement in 1917. He never knew that it would turn out to be such a big success which would prove to be a landmark in the Indian history and a turning point in his life. Largely, the movement laid the foundation for the Indian Freedom Struggle.
The movement showcased the first triumph of Civil Disobedience in Motihari. When Gandhi stayed there for his investigation, he was served an official order to leave Champaran which he refused to comply and was summoned by the court. Learning about it farmers come in large number to peacefully demonstrate around the courthouse in Motihari. Gandhi called it their liberation from fear of the British.
Later, the victory of the movement with 25% refund taught Indians the lesson of courage. They learnt that the landlords are not above law. Indians learnt to fight against the Britishers. Gandhi proved that Britishers can not order Indians in their own country. The movement created the ground for Indian Freedom Struggle. It revealed Gandhiji’s principles in the political field which gave new direction to the Indian politics.
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