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Critical Topics and Their Significance for the UPSC CSE Examination on April 19, 2025
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For Preliminary Examination: Champaran Satyagraha, mahad Satyagraha
For Mains Examination: GS I - Modern Indian History
Context:
Champaran Satyagraha was launched by Mahatma Gandhi in April 1917. This year marks the 108th anniversary of the movement. It was the first major act of Satyagraha by Gandhi. It is commemorated as an awakening of Indian peasants against the colonial planters and policies in India. To a large extent, it drew inspiration from Gandhi’s South African experience.
Read about:
Significance of Champaran Satyagraha
Key takeaways:
Champaran Satyagraha: A Brief Overview
In 1917, Mahatma Gandhi spearheaded the Champaran Satyagraha in Bihar, marking his first significant struggle in India. This movement was aimed at ending the exploitation of indigo farmers who were subjected to the unjust 'tinkathia' system, which mandated them to cultivate indigo on a portion of their land. Responding to the invitation from Rajkumar Shukla, Gandhi visited Champaran to assess the farmers’ hardships.
Resistance from Authorities and Legal Outcomes
Upon his arrival, Gandhi faced resistance from colonial officials but remained resolute in his efforts. His activism led to the formation of an official enquiry committee, which eventually resulted in the Champaran Agrarian Act of 1918. This legislation abolished the tinkathia system, providing substantial relief to the farmers and establishing the effectiveness of nonviolent protest in India
Historical Context
The Champaran uprising arose from the prolonged mistreatment of indigo cultivators under British rule. Champaran, in northwest Bihar, had been a major center of indigo production since the late 18th century. By the mid-1800s, indigo overshadowed even sugarcane as the primary crop.
The Tinkathia System Explained
Under the 'tinkathia' arrangement, European planters forced tenants (ryots) to grow indigo on three out of every twenty parts of their land. Initially, tenants had to allocate five Kathas per bigha, later reduced to three by 1867—thus the name 'tinkathia'.
Economic Decline and Farmer Distress
As synthetic indigo gained popularity in Europe after 1900, demand for natural indigo fell, prompting planters to terminate contracts with ryots and impose steep fines (tawan) for non-compliance. Farmers unable to pay these fines were burdened with high-interest loans, further deepening their debt.