Why was Satyagraha Movement launched in Champaran?a)For Gandhiji's up...
India's first civil disobedience movement was launched by Mahatma Gandhi to protest against the injustice meted out to tenant farmers in Champaran district of Bihar. During British rule, many tenant farmers were forced to grow indigo on part of their land, often working under oppressive conditions.
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Why was Satyagraha Movement launched in Champaran?a)For Gandhiji's up...
The Satyagraha Movement in Champaran
The Satyagraha Movement was launched in Champaran for the upliftment of the farmers. This movement was a significant event in the Indian freedom struggle and played a crucial role in shaping Mahatma Gandhi's methods of nonviolent resistance.
Background:
Champaran is a district in the present-day state of Bihar, India. During the early 20th century, the region was dominated by indigo plantation owners, known as the British indigo planters. The farmers in Champaran were forced to grow indigo on a large portion of their land, which severely affected their economic condition. The indigo planters exploited the farmers by imposing exorbitant taxes, compelling them to cultivate indigo against their will, and using oppressive practices.
Mahatma Gandhi's Involvement:
Mahatma Gandhi, who had returned to India from South Africa and had become a prominent leader in the Indian National Congress, was invited by Rajkumar Shukla, a farmer from Champaran, to visit the region and address the grievances of the farmers. Gandhi agreed and arrived in Champaran in April 1917.
The Objectives of the Movement:
1. Upliftment of the Farmers: The primary objective of the Satyagraha Movement in Champaran was to bring about positive changes in the lives of the farmers. Gandhi aimed to improve their economic conditions, end their exploitation by the indigo planters, and ensure their freedom to grow crops of their choice.
2. Nonviolent Resistance: The movement sought to achieve its goals through nonviolent means. Gandhi believed in the power of truth and nonviolence, and he urged the farmers to resist the oppressive practices peacefully.
Methods and Achievements:
Gandhi organized mass gatherings and meetings to spread awareness about the issues faced by the farmers. He encouraged the farmers to refuse to grow indigo and advocated for the cultivation of other cash crops that would benefit them economically.
Gandhi's presence in Champaran attracted significant attention, and he gained the support of the local population. This movement marked one of the first instances of Gandhi's experiments with Satyagraha, a form of nonviolent resistance.
The British administration was compelled to take notice of the movement and appointed a committee to investigate the farmers' grievances. The committee's findings supported the farmers' claims, and the British government eventually issued the Champaran Agrarian Act in 1918, which provided relief to the farmers.
Conclusion:
The Satyagraha Movement in Champaran was a significant event in the Indian freedom struggle. It not only brought relief to the oppressed farmers of Champaran but also served as a turning point in Mahatma Gandhi's methods of nonviolent resistance. This movement set the stage for future struggles and reinforced the power of peaceful resistance in the fight for independence.