Class 12 Chapter 5

 Chapter 5 

Indigo 

Author: Louis Fischer

✍Introduction About the Author:

Louis Fischer (1896–1970) was an American journalist and author who wrote extensively on political and social topics. He spent time in India during the freedom struggle and became a strong admirer of Mahatma Gandhi. The chapter “Indigo” is taken from Fischer’s biography of Gandhi and focuses on Gandhi’s first major act of civil disobedience in India.

📖Chapter Summary:

This chapter recounts how Mahatma Gandhi helped poor farmers in Champaran (Bihar) win justice from British landlords who forced them to grow indigo on part of their land. The British would then buy this indigo at extremely low prices.

In 1917, Rajkumar Shukla, a sharecropper from Champaran, requested Gandhi to visit the region and help the oppressed farmers. Gandhi agreed and started a movement of non-violent resistance (satyagraha). He visited villages, gathered information, and legally challenged the landlords' unjust practices.

Gandhi was even ordered to leave Champaran but refused. Eventually, the case against him was dropped. Gandhi’s persistence and leadership led to the British agreeing to repay a portion of the money to the farmers and stop their exploitative practices.

The Champaran episode was a turning point. It not only improved the lives of the farmers but also marked the beginning of Gandhi’s role as a national leader in India’s freedom struggle.

🔖Key Themes:

a) Social Justice:

The story highlights how unjust systems can be changed through unity, courage, and non-violence.

b) Civil Disobedience and Satyagraha:

Gandhi’s peaceful defiance becomes a model for future resistance movements.

c) Leadership and Self-reliance:

Gandhi inspired the people to believe in their own strength rather than depending on others.

🙇Character Sketches:

Mahatma Gandhi:

• Courageous, determined, and compassionate

• Uses truth and non-violence as his tools

• Inspires farmers and lawyers alike

• Leads a successful movement without using violence

Rajkumar Shukla:

• A poor but determined sharecropper

• Deeply committed to helping his people

• His persistence brings Gandhi to Champaran

British Landlords:

• Exploitative and oppressive

• Force farmers to grow indigo and sell at low prices

• Eventually give in to Gandhi’s movement.
  

💭Important Quotations:

• “The battle of Champaran is won.”
  → Spoken by Gandhi after British officials dropped the case against him, showing a peaceful victory.

• “What I did was a very ordinary thing.”
  → Gandhi downplaying his achievement, reflecting humility and service-mindedness.

• “The real relief for them is to be free from fear.”
  → Gandhi understood that true freedom comes not just from money or land, but from removing fear.

📚Message of the Chapter:

The story of Champaran teaches us that peaceful protest, when rooted in truth and compassion, can bring about lasting change. It also shows the power of a single individual to inspire collective action for justice.