Chairman of Champaran Agrarian Committee: Edward Albert

Edward Albert was the chairman of the Champaran Agrarian Committee formed to investigate the condition of agriculture in Champaran. This committee was established in 1917 by the British government in response to the problems faced by the indigo farmers in the region.

Background:
- Champaran is a district in Bihar, India, known for its indigo cultivation during the British colonial period.
- The indigo planters used to force the farmers to cultivate indigo on a large scale, which led to the exploitation and oppression of the local farmers.
- The farmers were bound by unfair contracts and had to give a large portion of their land for indigo cultivation, resulting in economic hardships and poor living conditions.

Formation of the Committee:
- The plight of the farmers caught the attention of Mahatma Gandhi, who had just arrived in India from South Africa.
- Gandhi decided to take up the cause of the indigo farmers and organized protests against the indigo planters.
- The British government, realizing the seriousness of the situation, appointed a committee to investigate the issues and make recommendations.

Role of Edward Albert:
- Edward Albert, an ICS officer, was appointed as the chairman of the Champaran Agrarian Committee.
- He was responsible for leading the committee's investigations and compiling a report on the condition of agriculture in Champaran.
- The committee visited various villages in Champaran, met with the farmers, and gathered evidence of the exploitation and oppression they faced.

Findings and Recommendations:
- The committee's report highlighted the injustices faced by the farmers and recommended several reforms.
- They recommended the abolition of the tinkathia system, under which the farmers were forced to cultivate indigo on a fixed portion of their land.
- The committee also suggested that the farmers be given fair compensation for their indigo crops and that they should have the freedom to choose the crops they wanted to cultivate.

Impact:
- The report of the Champaran Agrarian Committee played a crucial role in exposing the exploitative practices of the indigo planters.
- It brought national and international attention to the issues faced by the farmers and helped in mobilizing public support for their cause.
- The Champaran Satyagraha, led by Mahatma Gandhi, gained momentum and marked the beginning of his nonviolent resistance movement in India.

In conclusion, Edward Albert served as the chairman of the Champaran Agrarian Committee, which was formed to investigate the condition of agriculture in Champaran. His leadership and the committee's report played a significant role in addressing the injustices faced by the indigo farmers and paved the way for the Champaran Satyagraha.