What was the reason for Mahatma Gandhi to organize a satyagraha on behalf of the peasants of Kheda?

1. The Administration did not suspend the land revenue collection in spite of a drought.

2. The Administration proposed to introduce Permanent Settlement in Gujarat.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

The correct answer is 1 only.

Key Points

• Kheda Satyagraha (March, 1918):
  • The issue was the payment of Land revenue during the Famine. Hence, statement 1 is correct.
  • Gandhi started satyagraha and later the government accepted the demand of the satyagrahis and exempted the payment of land revenue.
  • As per law, the farmers were entitled to remission if the produce was less than a quarter of the normal output.
  • But the government refused any remission from paying land revenue.
  • Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, under Gandhi’s guidance, led the farmers in protest against the collection of taxes in the wake of the famine.
  • People from all castes and ethnicities of the district lend their support to the movement.
  • The protest was peaceful and people showed remarkable courage even in the face of adversities like confiscation of personal property and arrest.
  • Finally, the authorities gave in and gave some concessions to the farmers.
• Permanent Settlement System:
  • The Zamindars were made owners of the land where they earlier have been revenue collectors.
  • Since the settlement was made with the zamindars, it is known as the Zamindari Settlement.
  • The demand for land revenue was fixed and out of controlled revenue, 10/11th part was given to the company.
  • A Sunset clause was also added for zamindars by the company.
  • It was introduced by Lord Cornwallis through the Permanent Settlement Act 1793.
  • Areas: Bengal, Bihar, Odisha. It was never introduced in Gujrat. Hence, statement 2 is incorrect.