Champaran Satyagraha, 1917

At a Glance

• What it is Gandhi’s first civil disobedience in India
• Where and when Champaran, Bihar; 1917
• Cause Forced indigo cultivation under the tinkathia system and illegal dues
• Outcome Tinkathia abolished; planters left within a decade
• Exam link UPSC Prelims, Modern History: Emergence of Gandhi

Where Does It Fit?

This is the third topic of the category on the emergence of Gandhi. The previous topic covered Gandhi in South Africa and satyagraha. This topic describes the first struggle he led in India. The next topic covers the Ahmedabad mill strike and the Kheda Satyagraha of 1918. Previous topic: Gandhi in South Africa and the Technique of Satyagraha.

How Did Gandhi Begin His Work in India?

Gandhi returned to India in January 1915. His efforts in South Africa were well known among the educated and the masses. He decided to tour the country for a year to see the condition of the masses, and not to take any position on any political matter for at least a year. He was convinced of the limitations of moderate politics, and he was not in favour of the Home Rule agitation, which was becoming popular, since he thought it was not the best time to agitate while Britain was in the middle of a war. He also said that he would join no political organisation unless it accepted the creed of non-violent satyagraha.

During 1917 and 1918 he was involved in three struggles, in Champaran, Ahmedabad and Kheda, before he launched the Rowlatt Satyagraha.

What Was the Tinkathia System?

Gandhi was requested by Rajkumar Shukla, a local man, to look into the problems of farmers in relation to indigo planters in Champaran, Bihar. The European planters had been forcing the peasants to grow indigo on 3/20 part of their total land, which was called the tinkathia system.

Towards the end of the nineteenth century, German synthetic dyes replaced indigo. The planters then demanded high rents and illegal dues from the peasants to maximise their profits before the peasants could shift to other crops. The peasants were also forced to sell their produce at prices fixed by the Europeans.

How Did the Struggle Unfold?

Gandhi, joined by Rajendra Prasad, Mazhar-ul-Haq, Mahadeo Desai, Narhari Parekh and J.B. Kripalani, reached Champaran to probe the matter. The authorities ordered him to leave the area at once. Gandhi defied the order and preferred to face the punishment. This passive resistance, or civil disobedience of an unjust order, was a novel method at that time.

Finally the authorities retreated and permitted Gandhi to make an enquiry. The government then appointed a committee to go into the matter and nominated Gandhi as a member. Gandhi convinced the authorities that the tinkathia system should be abolished and that the peasants should be compensated for the illegal dues extracted from them. As a compromise with the planters, he agreed that only 25 per cent of the money taken should be compensated.

What Was the Result?

Within a decade the planters left the area, and Gandhi had won the first battle of civil disobedience in India. Other popular leaders associated with the Champaran Satyagraha were Brajkishore Prasad, Anugrah Narayan Sinha, Ramnavmi Prasad and Shambhusharan Varma.

As an analytical point, the compromise on the refund shows Gandhi’s willingness to settle for a workable agreement over a total victory, a pattern that recurs in his later campaigns. Its larger importance is in showing that a defiance of an unjust order, accepted with readiness to suffer the penalty, could bring an official retreat.

Why Did Champaran Matter for Gandhi?

Three gains came from Champaran, Ahmedabad and Kheda together. Gandhi demonstrated to the people the efficacy of satyagraha. He found his feet among the masses and gained a surer understanding of their strengths and weaknesses. And he acquired the respect and commitment of many, especially the youth. The next two struggles are covered in Ahmedabad Mill Strike and Kheda Satyagraha, 1918.

Why Is This Topic Important?

• First civil disobedience The first civil disobedience in India; a stock Prelims fact
• Link with peasant grievances The topic belongs with peasant movements and indigo
• Test of satyagraha It showed that the technique worked in India

What Came Next?

The next topic covers two more struggles of 1918, the Ahmedabad mill strike and the Kheda Satyagraha. Next topic: Ahmedabad Mill Strike and Kheda Satyagraha, 1918.

Key People and Terms

• Tinkathia system Forced indigo cultivation on 3/20 part of the land
• Rajkumar Shukla Local man who asked Gandhi to look into the problem
• Rajendra Prasad Associate of Gandhi in Champaran
• Mazhar-ul-Haq Associate of Gandhi in Champaran
• Indigo A dye crop replaced by German synthetic dyes
• Civil disobedience Open defiance of an unjust order

Exam Corner

Mains Angle

Questions ask about the significance of Champaran. These points add depth.

• Cause Forced indigo and illegal dues
• Method Civil disobedience of an unjust order
• Significance First satyagraha victory in India