Class 12 English - RAJASTHAN
Prose: Indigo
Indigo by Louis Fischer narrates Mahatma Gandhi's struggle in 1916 for the sharecroppers of Champaran, Bihar. The peasants were forced by British landlords to plant 15 percent of their land with indigo and surrender the entire harvest as rent. Gandhi's arrival marked a turning point, transforming into a pivotal moment in India's independence movement. For Rajasthan Board (RBSE) Class 12 students, this chapter is crucial for board exams as it tests reading comprehension, character analysis of Gandhi, and the theme of self-reliance, frequently featuring long-answer and reference-to-context questions.
Start Learning FreeKey Concepts
The Champaran Injustice
A long-term contract forced Indian tenants to grow indigo on 15% of their holdings and surrender the entire harvest as rent to British landlords.
Rajkumar Shukla's Persistence
A resolute and unlettered sharecropper from Champaran whose stubborn determination convinced Gandhi to visit his district and witness the plight of farmers.
Gandhi's Civil Disobedience
Gandhi's refusal to obey the magistrate's order to leave Champaran proved that British authority could be challenged peacefully within India.
The Home Rule Triumph
The successful inquiry and subsequent refund of a portion of extortion money by landlords instilled courage and taught the peasants self-reliance.
The Importance of Charles Freer Andrews
The English pacifist and follower of Gandhi offered moral support, though Gandhi opposed taking British help to test Indian self-reliance.
Important Formulas
Board Exam Info
In the Rajasthan Board (RBSE) Class 12 English examinations, the prose section carries significant weight (around 15-20 marks total for Flamingo prose). 'Indigo' typically features in 4-mark long answer questions focusing on character traits, thematic significance, or extract-based questions (Reference to Context) carrying 2-3 marks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the Champaran episode considered to be the turning point in Gandhi's life?
It was in Champaran that Gandhi openly declared that the British could not order him about in his own country, leading to the first successful instance of civil disobedience and mass awakening.
Why did Gandhi agree to a settlement of only 25 percent refund?
For Gandhi, the amount of the refund was less important than the fact that the British landlords had been forced to part with their money, thereby losing their prestige and humbling their absolute authority.
How did the Champaran peasants learn courage?
Gandhi's fearless approach, willingness to court arrest, and the successful legal documentation of landlords' illegal exploitation shattered the crippling fear of British rule among the peasants.
Learn Prose: Indigo with Your AI Tutor
10 different ways to study this chapter. Free for 3 chapters per day.
Lecture
Key Points
Interactive
Quiz
Flashcards