BPSC 66th Mains (GS - I: History)
Indian Freedom Struggle - Champaran Satyagraha
"Champaran Satyagraha was a watershed in the freedom struggle". Explain.
Approach
- Brief intro about Champaran Satyagraha
- Explain Tinkathia system and the condition of farmers of Champaran
- Gandhi Ji's visit to Champaran and the course of Movement
- Significance of this Movement
Answer
Champaran Satyagraha marked the most decisive event in the course of Indian National Movement. It marked the beginning of a new era, i.e., Gandhian era in the history of India. It was Gandhi Ji's first experiment of Satyagraha on the land of India.
Gandhi Ji's name and fame came India before his actual arrival. He returned to India in January 1915 from South Africa where he successfully used the concept of Satyagraha against the racial practices of Britishers. After reaching India, he toured the country for the next year to see the condition of people himself.
In 1916, when Gandhi Ji arrived in Lucknow to attend the annual session of Indian National Congress (INC); he met with Raj Kumar Shukla who requested Gandhi Ji to look into the problems of Indigo farmers of Champaran.
Condition of Indigo farmers in Champaran -
The European planters forced the farmers of Champaran to grow Indigo on three-twentieth (3/20th) of their land holding (known as Tinkathia System).
By the end of the 19th century, German synthetic dyes completely forced out Indigo from the market and the European planters were keen to release the cultivators from cultivating Indigo, but they tried to turn the necessity into an opportunity by taking enhanced rent and illegal dues for the price of release.
When Gandhi Ji reached Champaran, the commissioner of the district ordered Gandhi Ji to leave the district, but Gandhi Ji disobeyed him. As per the advice of his political guru Gokhle, Gandhi Ji started an investigation before intervening in the matter. In this course he was helped by some other leaders like Dr. Rajendra Prasad, Narhari Parikh, Mahadev Desai, Mazhar-ul-Haq, J.B. Kriplani and Brij Kishor.
As a result, the government also appointed a commission to inquire the whole issue and nominated Gandhi Ji as one of its members. The commission found the Tinkathia system to be abolished and the farmers should be compensated and as a result the planters had to refund 25% (One-fourth) of the money that they had illegally taken from the farmers.
Significance of this Movement
- The victory in Champaran Satyagraha esteemed the the identity of Gandhi Ji and recognised him as a mass leader.
- Moreover, it also damaged the prestige and position of Britishers and Planters and as a result within a decade the planters left the area.
- This Movement marked the beginning of Gandhi Ji's active public life. After this movement, he took the leadership of Kheda Satyagraha, Ahmedabad Mill Strike, Non-Cooperation Movement, Civil Disobedience Movement, Quit Movement, etc.
- Through this movement, Gandhi Ji gave two new weapons to the masses against the Britishers - Satyagraha and Non-violence which proved very effective against the Britishers.
- From now onwards, the course and structure of National Movements and Organisations totally changed. Earlier, they were mostly dominated by middle-class, but from now onwards they turned into mass movements and mass organisations including common people.
- The victory in Champaran Satyagraha inspired people for other future movements.
- This movement helped in raising many new leaders like Dr. Rajendra, J.B. Kriplani, A.N. Singh and others which later provided leadership in the Indian National Movements.
Thus, the Champaran Satyagraha filled the eyes of the people of India with a new hope and enthusiasm. People started to see Gandhi Ji as a mass leader who later became the face of freedom struggle. Thus, we can say that the Champaran Satyagraha was a watershed in the freedom struggle.
Notes to boost your Preparation
Optional Notes
Note - This is my Vision IAS Notes (Vision IAS Class Notes) and Ashutosh Pandey Sir's Public Administration Class notes. I've also added some of the information on my own.
Hope! It will help you to achieve your dream of getting selected in Civil Services Examination 👍
