The chapter Indigo by Louis Fischer beautifully highlights Mahatma Gandhi’s leadership and principles of truth, non-violence, and justice during the Champaran movement of 1917. It reflects how one man’s courage and moral strength awakened the consciousness of an entire nation and inspired people to fight against exploitation.
This incident marked the first successful satyagraha in India and laid the foundation for India’s independence struggle.
🌍 Summary of Indigo
- In 1917, peasants in Champaran (Bihar) were forced to grow indigo on 15% of their land and hand it over to British landlords as rent.
- The farmers suffered because synthetic indigo from Germany had reduced the demand for natural indigo, yet they were still forced to cultivate it.
- Rajkumar Shukla, a poor farmer from Champaran, met Gandhi and begged him to help.
- Gandhi visited Champaran despite resistance from British officials. He was served a notice to leave, but he disobeyed, saying it was his duty to serve the suffering peasants.
- Thousands of peasants supported Gandhi, proving the strength of mass unity.
- Finally, the government had to agree to appoint a commission with Gandhi as a member. The landlords had to refund 25% of the money they had taken as compensation for releasing farmers from indigo contracts.
- Gandhi considered this a great victory—not the money, but the fearlessness and courage that the peasants gained.
- Gandhi also worked on improving education, health, and hygiene in Champaran, proving that real freedom meant more than just political liberty—it was about self-reliance and dignity.
🌟 Character Sketches
🧑🌾 Rajkumar Shukla
- A poor, illiterate farmer.
- Persistent and determined.
- His faith in Gandhi’s leadership brought Champaran to the forefront.
🌿 Mahatma Gandhi
- Sympathetic, courageous, and humble.
- Believed in truth, non-violence, and fearlessness.
- Focused not only on politics but also on social upliftment.
👩 Kasturbai (Gandhi’s wife)
- Helped women in Champaran.
- Worked on hygiene and taught villagers.
👨 Charles Freer Andrews
- English pacifist and close friend of Gandhi.
- Gandhi refused his help, teaching Indians self-reliance.
🎯 Themes in Indigo
- 🌾 Exploitation of the poor – British forced farmers into unfair indigo cultivation.
- 💪 Leadership and courage – Gandhi inspired peasants to shed fear.
- ✊ Satyagraha (non-violent resistance) – Gandhi’s first experiment in India.
- 📚 Holistic freedom – Education, hygiene, and self-respect were as important as political rights.
- 🌍 Unity in diversity – Thousands stood together beyond caste, class, or status.
📚 Detailed Notes
- Champaran Problem: Forced indigo cultivation → economic exploitation → social suffering.
- Gandhi’s Decision: Refused to obey British notice → first civil disobedience.
- Result: Landlords returned money → peasants realised their own strength.
- Impact: Champaran became the first victory of truth and non-violence in India.
❓ NCERT Questions & Answers
Q1. Why is Gandhi’s Champaran episode considered the beginning of the Indian struggle for Independence?
Answer:
Because it was the first time Indians united fearlessly under Gandhi’s leadership, and the British had to bow before truth and non-violence. It gave courage to the people and marked the rise of a new kind of freedom struggle.
Q2. How did Gandhi help in improving the social and cultural life of Champaran villagers?
Answer:
- Opened primary schools with volunteer teachers.
- Improved health and hygiene with Kasturbai’s help.
- Encouraged self-reliance by refusing outside help from Andrews.
Q3. Why did Gandhi agree to a 25% refund?
Answer:
- The amount didn’t matter; the real victory was that landlords had to surrender their prestige.
- It was a moral victory, proving that the peasants were no longer slaves to British power.
💡 Extra Questions & Answers (Important for Exams)
Q1. What role did Rajkumar Shukla play in Champaran Movement?
Answer:
Shukla’s persistence brought Gandhi to Champaran. His determination represents the voice of oppressed farmers who found hope in Gandhi.
Q2. How did Gandhi’s idea of freedom differ from political independence?
Answer:
For Gandhi, freedom was not only about removing the British—it was about removing fear, ignorance, poverty, and social evils.
Q3. What lesson did Gandhi teach by refusing help from C.F. Andrews?
Answer:
That Indians must learn to be self-reliant and not depend on outsiders, even sympathetic ones.
Q4. Why was Champaran movement a turning point?
Answer:
It gave peasants courage, proved the power of unity, and marked the beginning of Gandhian era in Indian politics.
📝 Value-Based Questions
- What values of Gandhi do you think are most relevant today?
👉 Honesty, fearlessness, simplicity, truth, non-violence. - If you were a peasant in Champaran, what would you have felt seeing Gandhi disobey the British?
👉 Inspired, fearless, hopeful for justice.
🌸 Important Quotations from Indigo
- “The real relief for them was that they had gained courage.”
- “The first victory of civil disobedience in modern India.”
🎨 Mind Map
Champaran Problem → Gandhi’s Visit → Civil Disobedience → Commission → 25% Refund → Peasants’ Courage → Social Reforms → Birth of Indian Nationalism
✨ Conclusion
The Champaran episode shows that freedom is not given—it is earned through courage and unity. Gandhi transformed the peasants from hopeless victims into fearless citizens. Indigo is not just history, but a lesson that even the smallest act of courage can lead to great change.