Which one of the following is a very significant aspect of the Champaran Satyagraha?

The Correct Answer is Option 3 i.e Joining of peasant unrest to India's national Movement.

Key Points

Champaran Satyagraha (1917):

• The issue was Indigo Cultivation under the Tinkathia System ((3/20)th of total land).
• Gandhi convinced the authorities to end the system
• Demand was accepted and 25% compensation was given.
• It was the first Satyagraha, taken up by Gandhiji in India.
• Joining of peasant unrest to India's national Movement is a very significant aspect of the Champaran Satyagraha.

Additional Information 

Champaran Satyagraha (1917)

• The Champaran Satyagraha of 1917 was a significant event in the Indian independence movement and marked Mahatma Gandhi's first major act of civil disobedience in India.
• It took place in the Champaran district of Bihar and highlighted the plight of indigo farmers subjected to exploitative practices by British planters.

1. Background

• Indigo Farming: During British colonial rule, European planters in Champaran forced local farmers to grow indigo on a portion of their land (about 3/20th or Tinkathia system). The farmers were then required to sell the indigo at prices fixed by the planters, often at a significant loss.
• Economic Hardship: This system left farmers in severe poverty, as they were unable to grow other crops and suffered from debt and exploitation. Moreover, when synthetic dyes began replacing natural indigo, British planters insisted farmers continue to pay rents for land previously used for indigo cultivation, exacerbating the financial crisis.

2. Gandhi's Involvement

• Invitation to Champaran: In 1917, Gandhi was approached by Raj Kumar Shukla, a farmer from Champaran, to visit and see the plight of the indigo cultivators.
• Gandhi’s Arrival: Gandhi arrived in Champaran and began collecting detailed information about the farmers' grievances. He was accompanied by lawyers and activists such as Rajendra Prasad, J.B. Kripalani, and Mahadev Desai.
• Civil Disobedience: British authorities ordered Gandhi to leave the area, but he refused, asserting that his mission was humanitarian and non-political. His non-cooperation with the authorities led to his arrest, but due to public pressure and growing support, he was released, allowing him to continue his inquiry.

3. Satyagraha and Its Impact

• Fact-Finding: Gandhi's method involved peaceful resistance and gathering facts about the exploitation of farmers. He encouraged them to voice their grievances, assuring them of non-violent means to fight injustice.
• Negotiation and Reforms: Following Gandhi's investigation, the government set up a commission to examine the issues, which included Gandhi as a member. The commission’s findings led to the abolition of the Tinkathia system and repayment to the farmers for some of the excessive taxes collected by the British planters.
• Empowerment: The success of the Champaran Satyagraha not only improved the farmers' conditions but also instilled a sense of empowerment among the common people. It was the first major instance of Satyagraha (truth-force or non-violent resistance) in India, which later became the backbone of the Indian independence movement.

4. Significance of Champaran Satyagraha

• Gandhi’s Leadership: The success of the movement established Mahatma Gandhi as a prominent leader in India’s struggle for independence. It also demonstrated the effectiveness of non-violent civil disobedience.
• Catalyst for Future Movements: Champaran set the stage for future mass movements, such as the Non-Cooperation Movement (1920) and Civil Disobedience Movement (1930), reinforcing Gandhi's philosophy of Satyagraha.
• Mobilizing the Masses: It was a turning point that brought the rural population into the fold of the national movement, making independence a broader, inclusive struggle rather than one led solely by urban elites.