Class 12 English - UP
Prose: Indigo
Indigo by Louis Fischer, prescribed for Class 12 UPMSP English, narrates Mahatma Gandhi's struggle in 1916 for the impoverished 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 the turning point of the Indian freedom struggle, demonstrating the power of civil disobedience, self-reliance, and truth. For the Uttar Pradesh board exams, this chapter is extremely important for long-answer questions testing character sketches, central themes, and short-answer questions regarding historical events and the Champaran episode.
Start Learning FreeKey Concepts
The Champaran Sharecropping System
A harsh and unjust system where British landlords compelled Indian tenants to cultivate indigo on 15% of their land and surrender the entire produce as rent.
Rajkumar Shukla's Persistence
An unlettered yet resolute sharecropper from Champaran whose unwavering determination brought Mahatma Gandhi to his district to fight against landlord exploitation.
The Role of Lawyers
Prominent lawyers like Rajendra Prasad initially came to help but Gandhi reprimanded them for charging high fees from poor peasants and for planning to desert the cause.
Civil Disobedience as a Triumph
Gandhi's refusal to obey the court summons in Motihari proved that Indian authority could be challenged and marked the first modern instance of civil disobedience in India.
The 25 Percent Refund
Gandhi demanded a 50 percent refund from the British planters to break their prestige, but ultimately agreed to a 25 percent settlement, teaching the peasants courage and self-reliance.
Important Formulas
Board Exam Info
In the Uttar Pradesh (UPMSP) Class 12 English Literature board exam, the chapter 'Indigo' consistently carries around 7 to 10 marks. Questions usually include one Long Answer Type Question (4-5 marks) based on themes or character analysis (like Gandhi or Rajkumar Shukla) and Short Answer Type Questions (2-4 marks) testing specific details from the text.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Mahatma Gandhi agree to a settlement of 25 percent refund to the farmers?
Gandhi agreed to the 25 percent refund because for him, the amount of the refund was less important than the fact that the British planters had been forced to part with their money, and thus their prestige, surrendering to the rights of the peasants.
It was a turning point because it was an open declaration that British authority could not be challenged within India, leading Gandhi to decide to urge the departure of the British.
Who was Rajkumar Shukla and what was his significance in the chapter?
Rajkumar Shukla was a poor, resolute sharecropper from Champaran who followed Gandhi everywhere until he agreed to visit Champaran, ultimately triggering the historic peasant movement.
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