The events in this part of the text illustrate Gandhi’s method of working. Can you identify some instances of this method and link them to his ideas of satyagraha and non-violence?

Solution

Gandhi was a man of principles and did not want to set a bad example as a lawbreaker but he wanted to render the humanitarian and national service. Gandhi was asked to quit Champaran. He received the notice but wrote on it to disobey. Next day he had to appear in the court. The peasants came to know about it and the town of Motihari became cloud with peasants in the morning. They demonstrated around the courthouse. It was the beginning of their liberation from fear of the British. The authorities failed to control the situation and they sought Gandhi’s cooperation to regulate the crowd. His idea of non-violence and satyagraha came into operation. For him the Voice of conscience’ was above any law. Mean while Gandhi was allowed to remain at liberty. These instances link them to his ideas of nonviolence and satyagraha.

His basic theories of fighting for a just cause, self-reliance and non-violence through satyagraha became the greatest challenge to the might of Britishers ruling India.

Some More Questions From Indigo Chapter

What did the peasants pay the British landlords as rent? What did the British now want instead and why? What would be the impact of synthetic indigo on the prices of natural indigo?