Class 12 English - WEST-BENGAL
Prose: Indigo
Indigo by Louis Fischer, prescribed for Class 12 West Bengal Council of Higher Secondary Education (WBCHSE) students, narrates Mahatma Gandhi's struggle for the oppressed sharecroppers of Champaran in Bihar. The chapter highlights the exploitation of Indian peasants by British landlords who forced them to grow indigo on 15% of their land. Gandhi's arrival in 1917 marked a turning point, transforming into a powerful civil disobedience movement. For board exams, this chapter is crucial as it tests students' understanding of leadership, self-reliance, historical context, and thematic analysis through textual comprehension and long-answer questions.
Start Learning FreeKey Concepts
The Champaran Injustice
British landlords compelled Indian tenants to plant 15 percent of their holdings with indigo and surrender the entire harvest as rent, causing immense economic hardship.
Gandhi's Arrival and Investigation
In 1917, Gandhi visited Champaran to gather facts about peasant grievances, leading to his arrest order and sparking the first successful instance of civil disobedience in India.
The Breakthrough and Settlement
Faced with overwhelming public support and evidence gathered by Gandhi, the British commission agreed to refund 25 percent of the illegally extorted money to the farmers.
Self-Reliance (Swaraj)
Gandhi refused Charles Freer Andrews' help to prove that Indians must rely on themselves rather than seeking British support in their righteous fight for justice.
Social and Cultural Upliftment
Beyond political freedom, Gandhi addressed Champaran's backwardness by opening primary schools, improving healthcare, and teaching personal hygiene.
Important Formulas
Board Exam Info
In the WBCHSE Class 12 English exams, 'Indigo' typically carries around 6 to 10 marks. Questions frequently include Long Answer Type Questions (6 marks) focusing on character analysis of Gandhi, the significance of the Champaran episode, or the theme of self-reliance, alongside multiple-choice questions (MCQs) and short answer type questions (SAQs).
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the Champaran episode considered to be the beginning of the Indian struggle for independence?
It was the first time civil disobedience triumphed against British authority, proving that Indian peasants could stand up for their rights and challenge unjust laws fearlessly.
Why did Gandhi refuse the help of C.F. Andrews?
Gandhi wanted the Indian peasants to be self-reliant and not depend on an Englishman, as leaning on a British supporter would reflect a weakness in their righteous cause.
How did Gandhi solve the cultural and social backwardness in Champaran?
He arranged for voluntary teachers to open primary schools, improved community healthcare, and had his wife Kasturba teach personal hygiene and community sanitation.
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