Indigo: Question and Answer

 

Page 47

Q1. Strike out what is not true in the following.
a) Rajkumar Shukla was

• a sharecropper

• a politician

• a delegate

• a landlord

✅ Answer: Rajkumar Shukla was a sharecropper.

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Q2. Why is Rajkumar Shukla described as being ‘resolute’?

Answer:
Rajkumar Shukla is described as ‘resolute’ because he was determined to take Gandhi to Champaran. Despite Gandhi’s busy schedule, Shukla followed him everywhere and did not give up until Gandhi agreed. His determination brought national attention to the plight of indigo farmers.

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Q3. Why do you think the servants thought Gandhi to be another peasant?

Answer:
Gandhi wore simple clothes like the common people and came with a poor peasant, Rajkumar Shukla. His modest appearance and lack of pomp led the servants at Rajendra Prasad’s house to mistake him for another poor villager or peasant.

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🔹 Page 49

Q1. List the places that Gandhi visited between his first meeting with Shukla and his arrival at Champaran.

Answer:
Between his first meeting with Shukla and reaching Champaran, Gandhi visited:

• Kanpur,

• Rajendra Prasad’s house in Patna,

• Calcutta,

• Muzzafarpur

• And finally Champaran.

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Q2. What did the peasants pay the British landlords as rent? What did the British now want instead and why? What would be the impact of synthetic indigo on the prices of natural indigo?

Answer:
The peasants paid indigo as rent, grown on 15% of their land. When synthetic indigo was developed in Germany, British landlords no longer needed natural indigo. They demanded compensation from peasants to release them from the agreement. Synthetic indigo reduced the demand for natural indigo, which in turn decreased its value.

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Q3. The events in this part of the text illustrate Gandhi’s method of working. Can you identify some instances of this method and link them to his ideas of satyagraha and non-violence?

Answer:
Gandhi investigated facts patiently, spoke to many peasants, and consulted lawyers. He disobeyed orders peacefully, choosing moral duty over blind obedience. These steps reflect Satyagraha—seeking truth through non-violent civil resistance.

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🔹 Page 51

Q1. Why did Gandhi agree to a settlement of 25 percent refund to the farmers?

Answer:
Gandhi agreed because the amount was less important than the principle. The landlords were forced to part with money and admit they had been wrong, which was a moral victory for the farmers. It restored their dignity and confidence.

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Q2. How did the episode change the plight of the peasants?

Answer:
The peasants were no longer fearful of British landlords. The indigo system was abolished, and farmers gained courage and hope. It also gave them a sense of freedom and empowerment, initiating the spirit of self-rule among the rural population.

Understanding the Text

1. Why do you think Gandhi considered the Champaran episode to be a turning point in his life?

 Answer:

Gandhi considered the Champaran episode a turning point because it marked his first active involvement in the Indian freedom struggle. It was not merely a local issue of peasants but became a national movement against British oppression. His successful leadership in securing justice for the indigo farmers gave him confidence in the power of non-violent civil disobedience and brought him closer to the masses.

 2. How was Gandhi able to influence lawyers? Give instances.

 Answer:

Gandhi influenced the lawyers by appealing to their conscience. When he was arrested and they were planning to return home, he asked them whether it was proper for them to leave the peasants when they needed them the most. This made the lawyers realize their duty, and they decided to support the cause and accompany him to jail if necessary. His moral courage and sense of justice inspired them.

 3. What was the attitude of the average Indian in smaller localities towards advocates of ‘home rule’?

 Answer:

The average Indian in smaller towns was afraid of the British government. They considered advocates of 'home rule' as rebels and troublemakers. For instance, the lawyer Rajendra Prasad's servants thought Gandhi was an ordinary person and even denied him basic hospitality due to fear.

 4. How do we know that ordinary people too contributed to the freedom movement?

 Answer:

The support Gandhi received from peasants, local villagers, and even poor people like Rajkumar Shukla, who persistently followed him, shows how ordinary people played a vital role. They hosted Gandhi, provided shelter, and took part in meetings and protests, demonstrating mass involvement in the freedom struggle.