Chapter 5: Indigo by Louis Fischer
1. What is the central theme of “Indigo”?
Answer:
The chapter highlights Gandhiji’s leadership, the power of non-violent resistance, and how truth and courage can bring justice to oppressed farmers in colonial India.
2. Who was Rajkumar Shukla and what was his role?
Answer:
Rajkumar Shukla was a poor indigo sharecropper from Champaran. His determination persuaded Gandhiji to visit Champaran and fight against the exploitative plantation system.
3. Why did British landlords force farmers to grow indigo?
Answer:
Landlords exploited tenants by forcing them to grow indigo on 15% of land and surrender the entire crop. It was profitable for landlords but oppressive for farmers.
4. How did Gandhiji solve the Champaran issue?
Answer:
Gandhiji gathered facts, involved local people, refused British orders, and negotiated a settlement. His peaceful resistance forced landlords to return part of the money and abandon unjust practices.
5. What was the significance of Champaran in Gandhiji’s life?
Answer:
Champaran marked Gandhiji’s first major civil disobedience in India. It gave him confidence that truth and non-violence could work in India and inspired the national freedom movement.
6. How did Gandhiji empower common people in Champaran?
Answer:
He involved locals, encouraged self-reliance, and raised awareness. His methods taught them courage and made them active participants in their own liberation.
7. What role did education play in Gandhiji’s efforts?
Answer:
Gandhiji believed education was key to empowerment. He opened schools, taught hygiene, and involved volunteers in spreading awareness, thus improving lives beyond economic struggles.
8. Why did Gandhiji not seek help from the British courts?
Answer:
He believed justice was not just legal but moral. He wanted to awaken people’s conscience, not just rely on courts controlled by the British.
9. What was the reaction of British officials to Gandhiji’s defiance?
Answer:
They were initially hostile and confused. When Gandhiji refused to leave Champaran, they tried legal action but ultimately surrendered to public pressure and his moral authority.
10. How did Gandhiji redefine leadership through the Champaran episode?
Answer:
He stayed among the people, lived simply, understood their pain, and fought for them. His service-oriented leadership inspired millions to join the freedom struggle.
11. What lessons can students learn from “Indigo”?
Answer:
It teaches the power of truth, simplicity, and persistence. It also highlights leadership, moral courage, and the importance of standing up for justice without violence.
12. How does “Indigo” show that change begins with one person?
Answer:
Rajkumar Shukla’s persistence led to Gandhiji’s involvement, which eventually changed the lives of thousands. One determined voice can indeed spark mass transformation.
13. What does Gandhiji’s refusal to obey orders show about him?
Answer:
It shows his strength, discipline, and commitment to justice. He respected law but opposed injustice, believing in peaceful defiance as a moral obligation.
14. How did the Champaran peasants change after Gandhiji’s involvement?
Answer:
They became aware, confident, and more courageous. They felt empowered to fight for their rights and developed faith in collective action and non-violence.
15. Why did Gandhiji accept only 25% compensation?
Answer:
For him, the principle mattered more than the amount. Acceptance of guilt by landlords was more important than money—it was a symbolic victory for justice.
16. What kind of volunteers supported Gandhiji in Champaran?
Answer:
Educated individuals like Rajendra Prasad, J.B. Kripalani, and Kasturba Gandhi helped by running schools, spreading awareness, and supporting social and health reforms.
17. How does the story depict British exploitation?
Answer:
It shows how British landlords manipulated contracts and used fear to extract indigo profits from poor farmers without offering justice or fair returns.
18. How did the local government respond to Gandhiji’s actions?
Answer:
Initially resistant, they issued summons and orders. But over time, public support for Gandhiji grew, forcing officials to withdraw cases and negotiate reforms.
19. What is the importance of truth and non-violence in this chapter?
Answer:
Truth and non-violence were Gandhiji’s tools. They disarmed British authority, gained people’s support, and led to peaceful, lasting change in Champaran without any bloodshed.
20. How did Louis Fischer portray Gandhiji in the chapter?
Answer:
Fischer portrayed Gandhiji as a humble, moral, and practical leader. He highlighted Gandhiji’s deep concern for the oppressed and his strategic, peaceful resistance.
