CHAMPARAN – A Turning Point

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IDEA OF SATYAGRAHA
The idea of satyagraha implies a unique
method of mass agitation that emphasises
the power of truth, and the need to search
for truth. It upholds the belief that if the
cause is true and the fight is against injustice,
then there is no need for physical force or
coercion against the oppressor.

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 1. Nonviolence (ahimsa)
Pricnciples of Satyagraha
2. Truth-this includes
honesty, but goes beyond
✣ Gandhi envisioned satyagraha as not only a tactic to be it to mean living fully in
used in acute political struggle, but as a universal solvent accord with and in
for injustice and harm. devotion to that which is
true
✣ He felt that it was equally applicable to large-scale
political struggle and to one-on-one interpersonal 3. Not stealing
conflicts and that it should be taught to everyone. 4. Chastity (brahmacharya)
- this includes sexual
✣ He founded the Sabarmati Ashram to teach satyagraha. chastity, but also the
✣ He asked satyagrahis to follow the following principles subordination of others
(Yamas described in Yoga Sutra) sensual desires to the
primary devotion to truth

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Gandhiji’s take on Satyagraha

Satyagraha is not
Satyagraha is pure
the physical force. A
soul-force and truth
Satygrahi does not
is the very substance
inflict pain on
of soul. That is why
adversary. In the use
the force is called
of Satyagraha there
SATYAGRAHA.
is no pain

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 While Mahatma Gandhi
Timeline Notification regarding
was on his way to the beginning of the work of
Arrival of Gandhiji in village of Jasualipatti, Gandhiji started for Champaran Enquiry
Patna with Raj Kumar he received an order Sathi at dawn and Letter written by committee published in the
Shukla. After a short from the government, A significant meeting reached court on Gandhiji to Asther Newspaper. More than ten
stay with Mazharul stating that he was between the Sub foot.Gandhiji Farring comparing the thousand farmers and
Haq, Gandhiji left for supposed to leave the Divisional Magistrate of unwillingy released duestatus of the farmers in labourers present for lodging
Muzafferpur. Night district by the first Bettiah and Mahatma to protest by the Champaran with those their complaints, in front of
spent in hostel. available train. Gandhi. villagers of slaves. the Dharmshala.

10th April 13th April 16th April 18th April 23rd April 25th April 30th April 10th May 26th May 10th June 16th July 29th Nov

Meeting with the Mahatma Gandhi was Gandhiji’s visit to Acceptance of Mahatma Enquiry Committee Signing of the
Commissioner Mars present in the court of Shivrajpur Kamouni in Gandhi regarding the formed. Gandhiji, one Agrarian Bill by the
Head and a letter Sub Divisional Laukaria, where he presentation of the among the seven Governor General
regarding the subject of Magistrate of Motihari herad the woes of the primary report of his members of the of India and
his Enquiry. and stated his reason for farmers and registered enquiry. committee. subsequent
disobeying the order. their statements. abolishment of all
black laws
including
5 'Tinkathia'.
 Champaran Before Satyagraha
✣The Champaran region of Bihar province was a very rural area and
overwhelmingly reliant on agriculture.
✣Most of the population were illetrate (95%+), and the area was largely
isolated from nationalism movement
✣Gandhi was asked to travel there to investigate the grievance of workers on
Indigo plantation in December 1916,
✣The European planters forced the peasants to grow Indigo on 3/20th of the
total land area (teen-kathia system),
✣Peasants were also forced to sell their produce at the prices fixed by the
Europeans
✣When the German synthetic dyes replaced indigo,the planters demanded for
high
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 Satyagraha
✣ Gandhi paid an historic visit to Champaran
✣ His visit was opposed by the British rulers.
✣ An order asking him to leave Champaran was served upon him as soon as he arrived
at Motihari.
✣ Gandhi defied the order of the several prominent persons who rallied round him,
mention may be made of Dr. Rajendra Prasad, Mahadeo Desai.
✣ After considerable struggle the Government was compelled to lift the ban on
Gandhi's stay here.
✣ For the first time on Indian soil Satyagraha (Non- Violence) was successfully put to
the test

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 Satyagraha
✣ British ruler.He stayed at the house of Saut Raut in Amolwa village with the team of
lawyers Brajkishore Prashad, Maulana Mazharul Haque, Anurag Narayan Sinhaya
Gaya Prasad Sinha, Ramnavmi Prasad and others.
✣ He started the Satyagraha a week later on 17th April 1917.
✣ Setup basic schools to fight illiteracy and generate awareness.-Along with team of
lawyers,
✣ Gandhiji travelled across the district to get fir d account of the suffering.
✣ The statements was recorded under a formal system.Led clean-up of village,
building of schools and hospitals.
✣ Build confidence of the villagers by organizing detaild surveys.
✣ Encouraged villagers to end purdah, untouchability and suppression of women.

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 Consequence
✣ CHAMPARAN AGRARIAN LAW
✣ This Bill Was introduced in the Legislative council on 29th November 1917 by W. Maude
✣ Law was passed by the British Government in 1918 after the Mahatma GaNdhi had launched his historic
Champaran Satyagraha Movement in 1917 to abolish the forcible cultivation of indigo on the land of
farmers.
✣ The Champaran Agrarian Bill was passed, and the plights of agriculturists immediately improved
✣ IGNITION IN NATIONALISM MOVEMENT
✣ Gandhiji's Satyagraha or Civil Disobedience Movement saw its birth in Champaran.
✣ In due course, Satyagraha spread like wildfire throughout the country igniting the Freedom Movement,
eventually leading to Indian Independence
✣ It was also during this movement that Gandhiji began to be known as Bapu, the Father, and also as
Mahatma meaning Great Soul