Chapter: Indigo – Class 12 Questions and Answers
Author: Louis Fischer
Theme: The chapter highlights Mahatma Gandhi’s role in the Champaran Movement, which led to the abolition of the sharecropping system in Bihar, India.
Q1. Who is Rajkumar Shukla?
Answer:
Rajkumar Shukla was a poor peasant from Champaran, Bihar. He came to Gandhiji to seek his help in fighting against the injustices faced by the sharecroppers at the hands of British landlords. He played a key role in bringing Gandhi to Champaran.
Q2. Why did Gandhi visit Champaran?
Answer:
Gandhi visited Champaran after being persistently requested by Rajkumar Shukla. The purpose of his visit was to investigate the grievances of the peasants who were forced to grow indigo on 15% of their land and give it to the British landlords as rent.
Q3. What was the sharecropping arrangement in Champaran?
Answer:
Under the sharecropping arrangement, the peasants were forced to grow indigo on 15% of their land. They had to give the entire indigo harvest as rent to the British landlords. The peasants were bound by a long-term contract, which was highly exploitative.
Q4. Why did Gandhiji oppose the British landlords in Champaran?
Answer:
Gandhiji opposed the British landlords because they were exploiting the poor peasants by making them grow indigo on their land and taking it as rent. The British forced the peasants into a sharecropping system, which was unfair and oppressive.
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Q5. Why is the Champaran episode considered a turning point in India's freedom struggle?
Answer:
The Champaran episode was a turning point because it marked Gandhi’s first successful civil disobedience movement against the British in India. It inspired future mass movements and made Gandhi a prominent leader in India's fight for independence.
Q6. What were the terms of the agreement signed after the Champaran Movement?
Answer:
The British landlords agreed to return 25% of the money they had extorted from the peasants. Though the amount was small, it was a significant victory for the peasants as it gave them courage and confidence to fight against exploitation.
Q7. How did Gandhiji help the people of Champaran after the movement?
Answer:
Gandhiji helped improve the social and economic conditions of the Champaran peasants by setting up schools and improving sanitation. He also taught them self-reliance and how to fight injustice without violence.
Q8. What was the impact of the Champaran Movement on Gandhiji’s future movements?
Answer:
The success of the Champaran Movement strengthened Gandhiji’s belief in non-violent civil disobedience as a means to fight oppression. It laid the foundation for his future movements like the Non-Cooperation Movement, Salt March, and Quit India Movement.
Long Answer Questions (6-10 marks)
Q1. Discuss Gandhiji’s role in the Champaran Movement.
Answer:
Gandhiji played a pivotal role in the Champaran Movement. He went to Champaran at the request of Rajkumar Shukla to investigate the exploitation faced by the peasants under the sharecropping system. Gandhiji encouraged the peasants to protest non-violently against the British landlords. He also set up schools and worked to improve sanitation in the villages. The movement was a success as the landlords agreed to return 25% of the money they had taken from the peasants. The Champaran Movement marked the beginning of Gandhiji’s civil disobedience campaigns in India and became a major milestone in the freedom struggle.
Q2. What social and economic changes did Gandhiji bring to Champaran?
Answer:
Gandhiji brought several social and economic changes to Champaran. He realized that the problem was not just political but also social and economic. He worked to improve the lives of the peasants by opening schools to provide education, improving sanitation, and teaching them self-reliance. Gandhiji brought in volunteers, including doctors, to improve health and hygiene. He also taught the peasants how to stand up for their rights in a non-violent way.
Q3. Explain the significance of the Champaran Movement in India's freedom struggle.
Answer:
The Champaran Movement holds immense significance in India's freedom struggle as it marked Gandhiji’s first successful experiment with civil disobedience in India. The movement not only helped the peasants of Champaran but also gave the Indian masses a new method of protest—Satyagraha (non-violent resistance). It made Gandhiji a leader of national importance and laid the groundwork for future mass movements against British rule.
Q4. How did Rajkumar Shukla prove to be an important figure in the Champaran Movement?
Answer:
Rajkumar Shukla was a determined and persistent man who played an important role in the Champaran Movement. He traveled all the way to Lucknow to meet Gandhiji and convince him to visit Champaran. His determination to help the peasants of Champaran inspired Gandhiji to take up the cause. Shukla’s efforts led to the success of the movement, making him a significant figure in the story of India’s freedom struggle.
Q5. How did Gandhiji’s visit to Champaran impact his philosophy and future movements?
Answer:
Gandhiji’s visit to Champaran deeply impacted his philosophy of non-violent resistance. The success of the Champaran Movement strengthened his belief in Satyagraha as a powerful tool to fight oppression. The movement was Gandhiji’s first civil disobedience campaign in India and laid the foundation for future movements like the Non-Cooperation Movement and the Quit India Movement. It also taught Gandhiji the importance of addressing social issues alongside political problems, which became a key feature of his leadership.
