The condition of the peasants in Champaran

The condition of the peasants in Champaran during the time of Mahatma Gandhi's arrival can be described as terror-stricken and oppressed. The British Raj had established indigo plantations in Champaran, Bihar, and the peasants were forced to cultivate indigo on a portion of their land. They were bound by an oppressive system known as the Tinkathia system, which ensured that 3 out of every 20 bighas of land would be used for indigo cultivation, regardless of the peasants' wishes or needs.

Exploitation and oppression
1. The peasants were forced to grow indigo, which was a cash crop demanded by the British textile industry. The British planters had a monopoly over the production and trade of indigo, and the peasants were compelled to work on their fields without receiving any wages.
2. The planters used various oppressive measures to ensure compliance, such as high rents, arbitrary fines, and forced labor. The peasants were subjected to physical abuse and violence if they resisted or failed to meet the planters' demands.
3. The peasants were trapped in a cycle of debt and poverty. They had to borrow money from the planters to meet their basic needs, and the exorbitant interest rates forced them into perpetual indebtedness.

Mahatma Gandhi's intervention
1. Mahatma Gandhi arrived in Champaran in 1917 to investigate the grievances of the peasants and provide them with support. He organized meetings and gathered evidence of the exploitative practices of the planters.
2. Gandhi encouraged the peasants to resist peacefully and refuse to cultivate indigo until their demands were met. He advocated for their rights and mobilized public opinion against the oppressive system.
3. Through negotiations and nonviolent protests, Gandhi was able to secure several concessions for the peasants. The Tinkathia system was abolished, and the planters were compelled to return a portion of the land to the peasants.
4. Gandhi's intervention in Champaran was significant as it marked one of the first successful nonviolent protests against British colonial rule and laid the foundation for his future movements.

Conclusion
The condition of the peasants in Champaran was one of terror and oppression under the exploitative Tinkathia system. Mahatma Gandhi's arrival and subsequent intervention brought hope and empowerment to the peasants, leading to significant reforms and setting the stage for the larger independence movement in India.