I. Introduction to the Champaran Movement
The Champaran movement was initiated by Mahatma Gandhi in 1917 to address the plight of indigo sharecroppers in the Champaran district of Bihar, India. The movement began when Rajkumar Shukla, a poor, illiterate peasant from Champaran, approached Gandhi during the Indian National Congress party's annual convention in 1916.
II. Gandhi's Journey to Champaran
Rajkumar Shukla's persistence led Gandhi to promise to visit Champaran. After months of traveling, they reached Patna and met with Rajendra Prasad, a lawyer who would later become the President of the Congress party and India. Despite facing discrimination and bullying from British officials, Gandhi proceeded to Muzzafarpur to gather information about the sharecroppers' conditions.
III. Investigating Sharecroppers' Grievances
In Muzzafarpur, Gandhi consulted with local lawyers and met with sharecroppers who shared their stories of exploitation. Most of the arable land in Champaran was owned by Englishmen, who forced the Indian tenants to plant indigo and surrender their harvest as rent. The sharecropping system was oppressive, and many peasants sought legal recourse or resorted to violence.
IV. Gandhi's Civil Disobedience in Champaran
When Gandhi arrived in Champaran, he faced resistance from the British authorities, who ordered him to leave. He refused and was summoned to court. The trial led to a massive outpouring of support from the local population, demonstrating their newfound courage to challenge British rule. As a result, the case was dropped, marking the first victory for civil disobedience in modern India.
V. The Official Inquiry and Settlement
Gandhi and his team of lawyers conducted a thorough investigation into the farmers' grievances, collecting testimonies from thousands of peasants. The evidence led to the appointment of an official commission of inquiry, which included Gandhi as the sole representative of the peasants. The commission ultimately forced the landlords to refund a portion of the money they had extorted from the sharecroppers, marking a significant victory for the peasants.
VI. Improving Living Conditions in Champaran
Gandhi did not limit his efforts to political and economic solutions; he also sought to address the cultural and social backwardness in the Champaran villages. With the help of volunteers, he established primary schools, improved health conditions, and taught the principles of cleanliness and sanitation. These efforts aimed to empower the local population and promote self-reliance.
VII. Significance of the Champaran Movement
The Champaran movement was a turning point in Gandhi's life and played a crucial role in shaping India's struggle for independence. It demonstrated the power of civil disobedience and the importance of addressing the practical, day-to-day problems of the masses. The movement also emphasized the need for self-reliance, as Gandhi encouraged Indians to stand on their own feet to achieve freedom.
