Class 12 : English (core) Compulsory – Lesson 5.Indigo
EXPLANATION & SUMMARY
🌟 Introduction to the Lesson
“Indigo” by Louis Fischer is a powerful narrative about Mahatma Gandhi’s first major act of civil disobedience in India — the Champaran movement of 1917. The story shows how Gandhi’s truth and non-violence could challenge deep-rooted injustice and inspire people to rise above fear.
📚 About the Author
Louis Fischer, an American journalist, was known for his deep insights into political and social issues. His portrayal of Gandhi is empathetic and vivid, allowing readers to witness history through a storyteller’s lens.
💡 Background of the Indigo Dispute
For decades, British landlords in Champaran forced peasants into the tinkathia system — planting indigo on 15% of their land and giving the entire crop as rent. When synthetic indigo was invented in Germany, landlords sought to release peasants from this arrangement, but only after demanding heavy compensation. Many paid under pressure, but later realized they had been deceived.
🚶 Gandhi’s Journey to Champaran
Informed about the plight of the peasants, Gandhi travelled to Champaran despite warnings from officials. His purpose was to understand the problem firsthand and seek justice for the oppressed.
⚖ Defiance Against Authority
Upon arrival, Gandhi was served an order to leave. Calmly refusing, he stated he would not depart until the issue was resolved. His quiet courage inspired the peasants, who saw — perhaps for the first time — someone challenging British power openly and without fear.
📝 Evidence Gathering
With help from local lawyers and volunteers, Gandhi collected thousands of testimonies from peasants detailing the exploitation. His method was fact-based and disciplined, leaving no room for exaggeration, and building a strong case against the landlords.
🏛 The Courtroom Turning Point
Summoned to court for defying the order, Gandhi openly admitted to it, calling it his moral duty. The case was soon dropped — a symbolic victory that boosted the morale of the peasants and set the tone for the movement.
🤝 Settlement of the Dispute
After negotiations, landlords agreed to refund 25% of the money taken as compensation. While the amount was modest, Gandhi saw it as a psychological triumph — the landlords had publicly acknowledged their wrongdoing.
🌱 Beyond the Indigo Dispute
Gandhi’s work in Champaran did not stop at legal matters. He addressed education, sanitation, and health, setting up schools and promoting hygiene. His vision of freedom was inseparable from social reform.
🕊 Impact and Legacy
The Champaran movement demonstrated that non-violent resistance rooted in truth could overcome even powerful rulers. It also marked Gandhi’s emergence as a national leader and became a model for future struggles in India’s freedom movement.
💠 Summary
“Indigo” recounts Gandhi’s intervention in Champaran, where British landlords exploited peasants through the tinkathia system. Gandhi’s refusal to obey an unjust order, his careful collection of evidence, and calm negotiations led to a settlement returning 25% of unfair payments. More importantly, it removed fear from the peasants and introduced Satyagraha in India. Gandhi’s parallel work in health, sanitation, and education turned Champaran into a symbol of freedom through moral courage and social upliftment.
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PASSAGE
“When Gandhi arrived in Champaran, he began meeting peasants and documenting their stories about the oppressive tinkathia system. Word of his presence spread quickly, and crowds gathered wherever he went. Alarmed, the British authorities ordered him to leave the district at once. Gandhi politely refused, explaining that he was there to serve the cause of truth and justice, and would only leave once the farmers’ grievances were addressed. His quiet determination inspired the local people, who gained the courage to stand up against years of exploitation. This moment marked the true beginning of the Champaran movement, uniting the peasants under a common cause.”
💠 (Short Answer – 30 words)
How did Gandhi’s refusal to leave Champaran influence the local people?
Answer: It inspired peasants with courage, proving that calm defiance could challenge authority, and encouraged them to unite against exploitation for the first time in their struggle.
💠 (Multiple Choice)
Which quality of Gandhi is most highlighted in this passage?
A. Strategic secrecy
B. Aggressive negotiation
C. Moral determination
D. Military discipline
Answer: C. Moral determination
💠 (Fill in the blank)
Gandhi’s purpose in Champaran was to serve the cause of __ and justice.
Answer: truth
💠 (Fill in the blank)
The British authorities were __ by the growing support for Gandhi.
Answer: alarmed
💠 (Assertion and Reason)
Assertion (A): Gandhi obeyed the British order to leave Champaran immediately.
Reason (R): He wanted to avoid confrontation with the authorities.
A. Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
B. Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A.
C. A is false, but R is true.
D. Both A and R are false.
Answer: D. Both A and R are false.
💠 (Short Answer – 30 words)
Why did Gandhi insist on staying in Champaran despite official orders?
Answer: He believed it was his moral duty to address the peasants’ grievances and serve truth, refusing to leave until justice was achieved for the oppressed farmers.
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OTHER IMPORTANT QUESTIONS FOR EXAMS
🔴 Q1. Who is the author of ‘Indigo’?
🔵 Answer: Louis Fischer, an American journalist and writer, authored ‘Indigo’, portraying Gandhi’s role in the Champaran movement.
🔴 Q2. What was the tinkathia system?
🔵 Answer: It forced peasants to plant indigo on 15% of their land and surrender the entire crop as rent to the landlords.
🔴 Q3. When did the Champaran movement take place?
🔵 Answer: The Champaran movement took place in 1917 in Bihar.
🔴 Q4. Why were the landlords demanding compensation from peasants?
🔵 Answer: With the introduction of synthetic indigo, landlords released peasants from the tinkathia system but demanded compensation for this release.
🔴 Q5. How did Gandhi respond to the notice to leave Champaran?
🔵 Answer: Gandhi politely refused to leave, stating he was there to serve the cause of truth and justice.
🔴 Q6. Who assisted Gandhi in collecting evidence from the peasants?
🔵 Answer: Local lawyers and volunteers helped Gandhi record thousands of testimonies from peasants.
🔴 Q7. What percentage of the compensation money was refunded to peasants?
🔵 Answer: 25% of the compensation amount was refunded.
🔴 Q8. Why did Gandhi consider the 25% refund a moral victory?
🔵 Answer: Because landlords had to admit their wrongdoing and recognise the peasants’ rights.
🔴 Q9. How did the court case against Gandhi end?
🔵 Answer: The case against Gandhi was dropped, marking a symbolic victory for truth and justice.
🔴 Q10. What reforms did Gandhi initiate in Champaran apart from resolving the indigo dispute?
🔵 Answer: He focused on sanitation, health, and education by setting up schools and promoting hygiene.
🔴 Q11. Describe Gandhi’s method of collecting evidence against the landlords.
🔵 Answer: Gandhi meticulously gathered testimonies from thousands of peasants, avoiding exaggeration and recording facts with accuracy. This strengthened his case and built credibility with the authorities.
🔴 Q12. How did Gandhi’s refusal to leave Champaran impact the peasants psychologically?
🔵 Answer: It removed fear from their hearts, showing that authority could be challenged peacefully, and gave them hope for justice after years of exploitation.
🔴 Q13. What is the central message of the lesson ‘Indigo’?
🔵 Answer: The central message is that truth, non-violence, and moral courage can defeat injustice, inspire unity, and bring lasting social and political change.
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ONE PAGE REVISION SHEET
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