Summary of English Chapter 5 Indigo Class 12
- Detailed Summary of “Indigo”
“Indigo” is an excerpt from Louis Fischer’s biography of Mahatma Gandhi. The chapter recounts Gandhi’s significant involvement in the Champaran movement of 1917, which became a turning point in India’s freedom struggle. The story highlights Gandhi’s principles of truth, non-violence, and civil disobedience, and how they were applied to address the exploitation of poor peasants by British planters in Bihar. - Background and the Indigo Problem
In Champaran, Bihar, peasants were forced by British landlords to grow indigo on 15% of their land and surrender the entire crop as rent. This exploitative system was known as the Tinkathia system. When Germany developed synthetic indigo, the demand for natural indigo fell, and the British planters asked the peasants to pay compensation to be released from the agreement. Many peasants paid, but later realized they had been cheated.
One such victim, Rajkumar Shukla, a poor but determined farmer, decided to bring the issue to Gandhi’s attention. He followed Gandhi for weeks, requesting him to visit Champaran. Impressed by his perseverance, Gandhi agreed and arrived in Champaran in 1917. - Gandhi’s Arrival and Civil Disobedience
On his arrival, Gandhi began collecting facts from the peasants. The British authorities ordered him to leave the district, but Gandhi refused, saying it was a moral duty to help the oppressed. He was summoned to court, where peasants gathered in large numbers, showing solidarity. The case was eventually dropped, and this act marked Gandhi’s first act of civil disobedience in India. - Investigation and Justice
Gandhi conducted a detailed inquiry into the abuses and met British officials, lawyers, and landlords. Ultimately, an agreement was reached. Though the landlords offered to refund only 25% of the money, Gandhi accepted it as a moral victory. The act symbolized that British landlords had to surrender part of their unjust gains and recognized the rights of the Indian peasants. - Social and Educational Upliftment
Gandhi’s mission in Champaran didn’t end with political or legal success. He focused on educating the villagers, improving hygiene, and spreading awareness. He was assisted by his wife Kasturba Gandhi, and volunteers like Mahadev Desai and Narhari Parikh. Kasturba taught cleanliness and discipline to the women, while others opened schools.
Summary of English Chapter 5 Indigo Class 12
