Class 12 English - KERALA
Prose: Indigo
Indigo by Louis Fischer, prescribed for Class 12 Kerala SCERT English, narrates Mahatma Gandhi's struggle for the oppressed sharecroppers of Champaran in 1916-1917. The chapter highlights the exploitation of Indian peasants by British landlords forced into the unjust indigo sharecropping system. It explores Gandhi's methods of non-violent resistance, civil disobedience, and self-reliance, marking a crucial turning point in India's freedom struggle. For board exams, it is a high-scoring prose piece where questions frequently focus on Gandhi's leadership style, the sequence of events in Champaran, the psychological shift of the peasants, and the significance of the Champaran episode.
Start Learning FreeKey Concepts
The Champaran Sharecropping System
British planters forced Indian tenants to plant 15 percent of their land with indigo and surrender the entire harvest as rent, causing immense economic hardship.
Rajkumar Shukla's Persistence
A resolute yet poor sharecropper from Champaran who doggedly followed Gandhi to various places until he agreed to visit the district, showcasing the power of determination.
Gandhi's Civil Disobedience
Gandhi successfully used passive resistance and moral authority when served an official notice to quit Champaran, establishing it as the first successful instance of civil disobedience in India.
The Lawyers' Role and Moral Support
Prominent lawyers like Rajendra Prasad initially planned to return home if Gandhi was arrested, but Gandhi made them realize the injustice of abandoning the peasants, uniting them in the cause.
Self-Reliance and Social Reform
Gandhi did not limit his mission to political justice; he also addressed social backwardness by improving health, education, and hygiene in Champaran villages.
Important Formulas
Board Exam Info
In the Kerala SCERT Class 12 English board examinations, 'Indigo' regularly carries around 6 to 10 marks. Common question types include short answer questions based on the text, paragraph questions analyzing Gandhi's leadership qualities or the plight of sharecroppers, and critical appreciation or value-based questions connecting the chapter's themes to modern situations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the Champaran episode considered to be a turning point in Gandhi's life?
It was Gandhi's first successful civil disobedience movement in India, which proved that British authority could be challenged and laid the foundation for the broader Indian freedom struggle.
How did Rajkumar Shukla succeed in persuading Gandhi to visit Champaran?
Shukla's unyielding determination, resilience, and stubborn persistence impressed Gandhi, causing him to finally agree to accompany him after seeing his dedication at the Cawnpore and Calcutta meetings.
What lesson did Gandhi teach the lawyers regarding their support for the sharecroppers?
Gandhi shamed the lawyers for planning to desert the poor peasants if he was imprisoned, making them understand that abandoning the peasants who trusted them would be shameful cowardice.
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