Gandhi's Champaran Satyagraha

2. Idea of Satyagraha
The idea of Satyagraha emphasized the power of truth and the need to
search truth.
It suggested that if the cause was true,if the struggle we against injustice,then
physical force was not necessary to fight the opperessor.
Mahatma Gandhi belived Satyagraha could unite all Indians.
Mahatma Gandhi came back to India in 1915.
He introduced this concept of Satyagraha in India.
He organized several Satyagraha e.g- Champaran Satyagrah in 1916 ,
Ahemdabad mill strike in 1918.

3. Principles of Champaran Satyagraha
Non Violence
Truth
Non-stealing
Chasity-it includes sexual chasity,but also subordination of other sensual desires
Non possession(not as same as poverty)
Body labour or bread labour
Fearlessness
Equal respect for all religions
Freedom from untouchability
Economic strategy as boycotts(swadeshi)
Control of the palate
Faith in God

4. What was happening in Champaran
The Champaran region of Bihar province was a very rural
area,overwhelmingly reliant on agriculture.
Most of the population were illetrate(95%+),and the area was largely
isolated from nationalism movement.
Gandhi was asked to travel there to investigate the grievance of workers on
Indigo plantation in December 1916.
The European planters forced the peasants to grow Indigo on 3/20th of the
total land area (teen-kathia system).
Peasants were also forced to sell their produce at the prices fixed by the
Europeans.
When.the German synthetic dyes replaced indigo,the planters demanded
for high rents and illegal dues from the peasants in order to maximize their
profit.

5. What happened after Gandhi’s arrival
Gandhi paid an historic visit to Champaran on 10th April 1917,his vist was opposed by
British ruler.
He stayed at the house of Saut Raut in Amolwa village with the team of eminent
lawyers:Brajkishore Prashad, Maulana Mazharul Haque,Anurag Narayan Sinha,Babu
Gaya Prasad Sinha,Ramnavmi Prasad and others.
He started the Satyagraha a week later on 17th April 1917.
Setup basic schools to fight illiteracy and generate awareness.
Along with team of lawyers,Gandhiji travelled across the district to get firsthand
account of the suffering.
The statements was recorded under a formal system.
Led clean-up of village , building of schools and hospitals.
Build confidence of the villagers by organizing detaild surveys.
Encouraged villagers to end purdah , untouchability and
suppression of women.

6. Consequences
Gandhi was joined by many young Nationalists from all over India
including Jawaharlal Nehru, Rajendra Prasad and many more.
Gandhi was arrested by police on the charge of creating unrest and
was ordered to leave the province.
Thousandsof people protested and railed outside the jail,police station
and courts demanding his release.
The landlords with the guidance of British government signed an
agreement granting more compensation ,control over farming and
cancellation of revenue hikes.
During this agitation,that first time Gandhi was called ‘BAPU’ by
Sant Raut and ‘Mahatma’.

7. Conclusion
The Champaran Satyagraha Movement was Indias’s
first Civil Disobedience Movement.When the
committee made report on 3rd October,1917 it
ultimately proved the success of the movement. It
recommended the abolition of the tinkathia system
and gave freedom to the peasants to grow whatever
crop they choose.
As a result 25% of all the illegal dues extracted by the
planters was returned to the farmers as a
compromise.

8. Thank you