70^th BPSC Mains

Approach Briefly introduce Champaran Satyagraha as the first major civil disobedience movement in India. Discuss the causes and outcomes of the Champaran Satyagraha. Conclude suitably.

Introduction

The Champaran Satyagraha (1917) was Mahatma Gandhi's first major civil disobedience movement in India, marking his active entry into Indian politics. It was a landmark event in the fight against British economic exploitation, demonstrating the power of Satyagraha (nonviolent resistance). The movement was initiated to protest against the oppressive Tinkathia system, which forced peasants to cultivate indigo on 15% of their land under exploitative conditions imposed by British landlords.

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Causes and Background

• Forced Indigo Cultivation and Economic Exploitation:
  • Indigo had been cultivated in Champaran, North Bihar, for decades under British-controlled land contracts in Ramnagar and Bettiah Raj.
  • Under the Tinkathia system, farmers were compelled to grow indigo on 15% of their land (three Katha out of 20 Katha).
  • Peasants were prohibited from selling indigo at market rates and were forced to sell it to British planters at low fixed prices, leading to severe economic distress.
• Decline in Demand and Continued Exploitation:
  • By 1900, synthetic indigo production in Europe reduced the demand for natural indigo, yet British landlords continued to exploit farmers.
  • They imposed additional taxes and fines on peasants who wished to stop indigo cultivation.
  • Farmers had to pay a hefty sum to free themselves from indigo contracts.
• Forced Labour and Oppression:
  • Physical abuse, forced labour (begar), and other injustices were inflicted upon the peasants.
  • The situation in Champaran was worse than in Bengal, where a similar indigo revolt had occurred in the 19th century.
• Early Peasant Resistance (1905-1908):
  • The first major peasant uprisings against the British planters occurred between 1905-08 in Motihari and Bettiah, but these were suppressed.

Role of Gandhi and the Strategy of Satyagraha

• Entry of Gandhi into Indian Politics:
  • The Champaran Satyagraha was Gandhi’s first direct political action in India.
  • His success here established his leadership in the national movement.
• Invitation by Rajkumar Shukla:
  • In 1916, a Champaran farmer, Rajkumar Shukla, influenced by Gandhi’s methods in South Africa, invited him to intervene.
• Arrival in Champaran and Resistance from Authorities:
  • Gandhi arrived in Champaran in April 1917 with Congress leaders Rajendra Prasad, Braj Kishore Prasad, and Acharya Kripalani.
  • The British administration opposed his presence, ordering him to leave and even arresting him in Bettiah.
  • Gandhi refused to leave, asserting that he would remain until the farmers' grievances were addressed.

Achievements and Outcomes of the Satyagraha

• Formation of an Inquiry Commission:
  • The Bihar Governor was forced to set up a commission to investigate peasant grievances, with Gandhi as a member.
  • The commission validated farmers’ complaints and recommended reforms.
• Abolition of the Tinkathia System:
  • The movement led to the Champaran Agrarian Act (1918), which abolished the Tinkathia system.
• Compensation to Farmers:
  • British planters initially refused to repay the illegally collected money but later agreed to return 25% of the amount to the farmers.
  • Gandhi saw this as a symbolic victory proving the effectiveness of nonviolent resistance.
• First Large-Scale Success of Satyagraha in India:
  • The Champaran Satyagraha was the first practical demonstration of Satyagraha in India, setting a precedent for future movements.
  • It inspired subsequent Kheda Satyagraha (1918) and the Non-Cooperation Movement (1920-22).

Significance and Long-Term Impact

• Strengthened the Freedom Struggle:
  • Champaran became a symbol of peasant resistance and mobilized the rural population against British oppression.
• Establishment of Gandhi as a Leader:
  • It marked the beginning of Gandhi’s mass leadership in India.
  • His approach of nonviolent protest and truth-seeking inquiry became central to future national movements.
• Encouragement of Peasant Movements Across India:
  • Champaran inspired similar movements in other parts of India, such as the Bardoli Satyagraha (1928) and Tebhaga Movement (1946-47).

Conclusion

The Champaran Satyagraha was a pivotal moment in India's struggle for independence, marking the first successful application of Satyagraha in the country. The movement exposed British exploitation, secured justice for farmers, and established Gandhi’s leadership. It also demonstrated the power of collective nonviolent resistance, laying the groundwork for future anti-colonial movements. Overall, Champaran was not just a local agrarian struggle-it was a transformative event that shaped the course of India's freedom movement.