Champaran Satyagraha

Champaran Satyagraha 1917 was the first form of passive resistance and civil disobedience movement in the country. In this article, you will learn about Champaran movement, causes of Champaran movement, significance of Champaran satyagraha, role of Gandhijiji in Champaran movement, providing key insights for GS Paper- I Indian History section of UPSC IAS Exam.

Table of Content

• Table of Content              
• What is Champaran Satyagraha?              
• Indigo cultivation in India             
• Tinkathia System:            
• Beginning of Champaran Satyagraha Movement
• The Champaran movement and Civil disobedience            
• Victory of Champaran Satyagraha            
• Gains from Champaran Satyagraha:
• Result of the Champaran movement:     
• Conclusion         
• Frequently Asked Questions       
• Reference           

What is Champaran Satyagraha?

• The Champaran Satyagraha was the first form of passive resistance and civil disobedience movement in the country led by Mahatma Gandhiji against the unjust order of British government for indigo cultivators in Champaran district of Bihar.
• The causes of Champaran Satyagraha were the unfair practice with farmers who were being compelled to cultivate indigo without receiving sufficient payment for their efforts.
• Leaders associated with the Champaran Satyagraha were Rajendra Prasad, Mazhar-ul–Haq, Mahadeo Desai, Narhari Parekh, J.B. Kripalani, Brajkishore Prasad, Anugrah Narayan Sinha, Ramnavmi Prasad, and Shambhusharan Varma.
• The Champaran movement was held from 10 April 1917 to May 1917.
• The Champaran movement has marked a significant rebellion in the Indian independence movement against British rule.

Map of Champaran Satyagraha:

Indigo cultivation in India

• Indigo cultivation was introduced in Bihar, United Provinces, and Bengal Presidency in 1750 by British East India Company.
  • Indigo was used for dye production.
• Indigo cultivation was opposed by local farmers due to its detrimental effects on the soil and their preference for growing essential crops like rice and pulses.
• To ensure indigo production, the East India Company has implemented policies that pressures farmers such as by tying them to loans or colluding with local rulers and landlords.
• As the Indian indigo trade to China and the United States faced restrictions in the early 1900s, indigo traders intensified their pressure on farmers to increase production.
• Landlords resorted to coercive tactics such as imposing illegal charges and exploiting tenants.
• Ganesh Shankar Vidyarthi and Peer Muneesh has already exposed the situation in Champaran through their publications.
  • This hasresulted in their job losses.
• With the rise of German synthetic dyes in the late 19th century, the European planters had started demanding high rents and illegal fees from the peasants before they could switch to other crops and maximize their profits.
• During the First World War, when Germandyes became unavailable, indigo once again became more profitable.
  • This led to tenants being forced to grow it on their land as per their lease agreements.
• The peasants were also compelled to sell their produce at prices determined by the Europeans.

Tinkathia System:

• The European planters had been pressuring the peasants to cultivate indigo on a fraction of their land known as the Tinkathia system.
• Tinkathiasystem– was an economic policy enforced by the East India Company in India that forced a farmer to grow Indigo in 3 Katha out of 20 Katha.
  • 1 Katha = 151.22 square yard

Beginning of Champaran Satyagraha Movement

• A local resident of Champaran Rajkumar Shukla and Sant Raut has approached Mahatma Gandhiji to request him to intervene and help address the issues faced by farmers in Champaran, Bihar.
  • Sant Raut was a local landowner in Champaran.
• On November 13, 1917, Gandhiji had established the first-ever basic school in Barharwa Lakhansen village.
• There he had mobilized supporters amongst the veteran and new volunteers from the region.
• When Gandhiji arrived in Champaran, he was accompanied by prominent lawyers like Brajkishore Prasad, Rajendra Prasad, Mazhar-ul-Haq, Anugrah Narayan Sinha, Babu Gaya Prasad Singh, Ramnavmi Prasad, Mahadeo Desai, Narhari Parekh, and J.B. Kripalani.

The Champaran movement and Civil disobedience

• Together the leaders of Champaran Satyagraha have conducted a comprehensive study and survey of the villages and documented the atrocities and hardships endured by the people.
  • This made British authorities pass an order to leave the area immediately.
• Gandhiji had defied the order and chose to face the consequences.
• Gandhiji was arrested on April 16 and faced charges of creating unrest and was ordered to leave the province.
• Gandhiji had refused to comply with the magistrate’s demand for a security deposit and resisted to leave the province.
• The court reluctantly released him in response to the mass protests and demands for his freedom.
• The British government later withdrew the case and allowed Gandhiji to conduct an inquiry.
• A government–appointed committee in which Gandhiji was a member, was formed to investigate the matter.

Victory of Champaran Satyagraha

• Gandhiji had led organized protests and strikes against the landlords, who were under the guidance of the British government.
• They eventually agreed to grant greater control over farming to the impoverished farmers.
• The authorities had abolished the tinkathia system and provided compensation to the peasants for the illegal fees they had been forced to pay.
• As a compromise with the planters, it was agreed that only 25% of the amount taken will be compensated.
• The agreement also included the cancellation of revenue hikes and collection until the famine has ended.
• Within ten years, the British planters had left the region.
• This has marked Gandhiji’s victory in the first battle of civil disobedience in India.

Gains from Champaran Satyagraha:

• Gandhiji has demonstrated to the people the efficacy of his peaceful technique of satyagraha.
• Gandhiji has also found his support among the masses and emerged as a person who understands the strengths and weaknesses of the masses.
• Gandhiji had acquired respect and commitment of many, especially the youth.
• Gandhiji’s role in Champaran movement has led him to earn the names such as “Bapu” (Father) by Sant Raut.
• The term “Mahatma” (Great Soul) was bestowed upon Gandhiji by Rabindranath Tagore.

Result of the Champaran movement:

• The “Champaran Agrarian Bill” was introduced by W. Maude, a member of the Executive Council of the Government of Bihar and Orissa.
• The Champaran Agrarian Bill had incorporated most of the recommendations put forth by Gandhiji’s mission
• The Champaran Agrarian Bill was enacted as the Champaran Agrarian Law (1918: Bihar and Orissa Act I).
• This marked a significant adjustment in the British government’s attitude due to the impact of civil disobedience in India.
• Building on the villagers’ confidence, Gandhiji had initiated village clean-up efforts, the establishment of schools and hospitals, and encouraged the eradication of purdah, untouchability, and the suppression of women from Champaran.
• With the assistance of Sant Raut, Gandhiji had set up two additional basic schools in Bhitiharwa in West Champaran and Madhuban in the district.

Conclusion

On 13 May 2017, Indian Postal Department had Issued three commemorative postage stamps and a miniature sheet on Champaran Satyagraha Centenary or 100 years. The importance of Champaran movement lies in the fact that it has provided a clear direction to the Indian youth and the struggle for freedom. The impact of Champaran movement was that it has bridged the gap between the moderates, who advocated for Indian participation within the British colonial system, and the radicals from Bengal, who promoted violent means to overthrow British rule in India. Champaran Satyagraha has acted as a watershed in the freedom struggle of India.

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