Get easy and complete notes of “Indigo” for Class 12, including summary, theme, writer’s biography, Q&A, and 50 difficult words with meanings. Simple language, exam-based content, and student-friendly explanation for quick revision.
About the Writer – Louis Fischer
Louis Fischer was an American writer and journalist. He travelled to many countries and wrote about social issues, freedom struggles, and world politics. He also met Mahatma Gandhi and wrote a famous book on his life. Fischer believed in truth, peace, and justice. His writing style is simple, clear, and full of human values.
About the Lesson – Indigo
“Indigo” is taken from Louis Fischer’s book on Mahatma Gandhi. This lesson tells the story of Gandhi’s visit to Champaran in Bihar. The farmers of Champaran were forced by British landlords to grow indigo on 15% of their land. They also had to give the entire crop to the landlords. Gandhi went there to help the poor farmers. He fought peacefully, without violence, and gave courage to the people. This lesson shows Gandhi’s leadership, truth, and strong will.
Summary of the Lesson
The lesson “Indigo” describes Mahatma Gandhi’s first major struggle in India for the rights of poor farmers. In 1917, Gandhi was approached by a man named Rajkumar Shukla. Shukla was a poor farmer from Champaran in Bihar. He wanted Gandhi to come to Champaran to see the suffering of the farmers. The British landlords forced the farmers to grow indigo on part of their land, known as the “sharecropping system”. This system was unfair and harmful.
At first, Gandhi was busy with his work, but Shukla followed him everywhere until Gandhi finally agreed to visit Champaran. This shows Shukla’s strong determination. When Gandhi reached Champaran, he visited many villages and talked to the farmers. He saw their pain and realised that their condition was very bad. They were poor, uneducated, and frightened of the landlords.
The British officials did not want Gandhi to stay in Champaran. They sent him a notice asking him to leave the district. But Gandhi refused to obey. He said that he was there to serve the people, and he would stay until his work was done. For this refusal, he was called to court. Thousands of people gathered outside the court to support Gandhi. Their love and courage surprised the officials. Gandhi told the court that he respected the law, but he would not leave Champaran because it was his duty to help the poor farmers. Hearing this, the court did not punish him.
Next, Gandhi started collecting information about the problems of the farmers. He prepared detailed reports. He also taught the people the value of truth and non-violence. Many workers, teachers, and doctors also joined Gandhi. They opened schools, taught cleanliness, and improved the village condition.
The British officials finally agreed to talk. After many discussions, a settlement was made. The landlords agreed to return 25% of the money they had taken from the farmers. Gandhi accepted this. Many farmers thought that the amount was small, but Gandhi said that the important thing was that the landlords’ prestige was broken. For the first time, the farmers felt free and fearless.
This victory was not just about money. It was about confidence. Gandhi taught the people to believe in themselves. He showed that real strength comes from truth, courage, and peaceful action. The success of the Champaran movement became the first step of India’s larger freedom struggle.
The lesson teaches us the power of simple actions, moral courage, and service to humanity. It tells us that one person with strong belief can bring great change. Gandhi’s method of non-violence and truth is the central idea of this chapter. His work in Champaran became a symbol of hope for the entire nation.
Theme of the Lesson
Courage and Leadership: Gandhi showed moral courage by standing against injustice.
Non-violence: The lesson highlights Gandhi’s peaceful method to solve problems.
Justice for the Poor: It shows the suffering of farmers and their fight for rights.
Self-confidence: Gandhi taught the poor people to believe in themselves.
Truth and Humanity: Truth, service, and love for people are the guiding values of the lesson.
50 Difficult Words with Meanings
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Indigo | A blue dye plant |
| Sharecropping | Farming system where part of land is used for landlord’s crop |
| Landlord | Person who owns land |
| Tenant | Farmer who works on rented land |
| Agreement | A formal decision |
| Summons | Call to appear in court |
| Notice | Official written order |
| Refuse | To say no |
| Obey | To follow rules |
| Violate | Break a rule |
| Evidence | Proof |
| Inquiry | Investigation |
| Settlement | Final decision after discussion |
| Compensation | Money paid for loss |
| Official | Government officer |
| Prestige | Respect or status |
| Determination | Strong will |
| Courage | Bravery |
| Protest | To oppose |
| Movement | A campaign |
| Justice | Fair treatment |
| Oppression | Cruel treatment |
| Unfair | Not right |
| Suffering | Pain or hardship |
| Moral | Related to good values |
| Cooperative | Ready to help |
| Fearless | Without fear |
| Witness | Someone who sees something |
| Dispute | Argument |
| Conflict | A fight or problem |
| Rebellion | Resistance |
| Investigation | Careful study |
| Approach | To come near |
| Encourage | To give support |
| Harsh | Very strict or hard |
| Poverty | Great need or lack of money |
| Resistance | Opposition |
| Influence | Power to affect |
| Liberation | Freedom |
| Success | Achievement |
| Practical | Useful |
| Humanity | Kindness |
| Support | Help |
| Condition | Situation |
| Complaint | Problem told to authority |
| Authority | Power or control |
| Strategy | Plan of action |
| Mission | Important purpose |
| Unity | Togetherness |
Q- 1. What had happened in December 1916 in Lucknow?
In December 1916, a Congress session was held in Lucknow. Many leaders attended it. Rajkumar Shukla met Gandhiji there. He requested Gandhiji to visit Champaran and help the poor farmers facing great problems from the British landlords.
Q- 2. Who was Rajkumar Shukla? What was his speciality?
Ans- Rajkumar Shukla was a poor indigo sharecropper from Champaran. His speciality was his strong determination. He followed Gandhiji everywhere and did not give up until Gandhiji agreed to visit Champaran.
Q- 3. Why did Rajkumar Shukla want to meet Gandhiji?
Ans- Rajkumar Shukla wanted to meet Gandhiji to request him to come to Champaran. The farmers were suffering under British landlords. He believed Gandhiji was the only person who could help them get justice.
Q- 4. What had happened with Rajkumar Shukla and Gandhiji at Rajendra Prasad’s house?
Ans- When Shukla and Gandhiji visited Rajendra Prasad’s house, the servants thought Shukla was a poor beggar. They did not allow him inside. They also did not recognize Gandhiji, so they treated him like an ordinary visitor.
Q- 5. Gandhiji commented, “It was an extraordinary thing in those days.” Explain.
Ans- Gandhiji said this because a poor farmer like Rajkumar Shukla had shown great courage. In those days, villagers were afraid of British rule, but Shukla fearlessly approached Gandhiji and insisted for help.
Q- 6. Why did Gandhi chide the lawyers of Muzaffarpur?
Ans- Gandhi scolded the lawyers because they charged high fees from poor farmers. He believed the peasants were already suffering. He said the lawyers should support them with honesty and not add to their troubles.
Q- 7. What was the chief commercial crop in Champaran? What was the long-term contract between the landlords and the tenants?
Ans- Indigo was the chief commercial crop. The long-term contract forced tenants to grow indigo on 15 percent of their land and give it to the landlords as rent. This system was unfair and harmful for the farmers.
Q- 8. Why did Gandhiji receive a summons to appear in court next day?
Ans- Gandhiji received a summons because he disobeyed the official order asking him to leave Champaran. He stayed there to help the farmers. So the authorities called him to court for breaking the law.
Q- 9. Why did Gandhiji disregard the order to leave Champaran?
Ans- Gandhiji ignored the order because he felt it was his moral duty to help the suffering farmers. He believed that supporting truth and justice was more important than obeying an unjust order.
Q- 10. What concern did Rajendra Prasad, Brij Kishor Babu, Maulana Mazharul Huq and other lawyers show to Gandhiji?
Ans- The lawyers told Gandhiji they would support him in the case. They also said they would stay with the farmers even if Gandhiji was jailed. Their unity and commitment encouraged the peasants.
Q- 11. Who was Reverend J.Z. Hodge? What did he tell about the settlement between Gandhiji and the inquiry commission?
Ans- Reverend J.Z. Hodge was a British missionary and a member of the indigo commission. He informed Gandhiji that the landlords had accepted the settlement and agreed to refund money to the sharecroppers.
Q- 12. What did Gandhiji do for the overall development of Champaran?
Ans- Gandhiji opened schools, improved cleanliness, and educated people about health. He trained volunteers to help villagers. He worked to remove fear from the peasants and encouraged them to fight peacefully for justice.
Q- 13. What was the contribution of Kasturbai for the women of Champaran?
Ans- Kasturbai taught village women about cleanliness, sanitation, and better living habits. She encouraged them to keep their homes clean. She also worked with Gandhiji to improve the health and hygiene of the families.
Q- 14. Why did Rajkumar Shukla invite Gandhiji to Champaran? How did Gandhiji solve the problems of farmers?
Ans- Shukla invited Gandhiji because farmers suffered under the indigo system. Gandhiji collected reports, met officials, and fought peacefully. He forced the landlords to refund part of the money and ended the unfair system.
Q- 15. What did Gandhiji do for Champaran?
Ans- Gandhiji ended the injustice of the indigo system, improved education, health, and sanitation, opened schools, trained volunteers, and encouraged villagers to live with courage and self-respect.
Q- 16. What was the contribution of ordinary people to the freedom movement?
Ans- Ordinary people supported leaders, joined meetings, and helped in peaceful protests. They provided food, shelter, and strength to the movement. Their unity and courage made India’s freedom struggle strong.
Q- 17. What was the plight of the indigo peasants before Gandhi arrived and what changes did Gandhi bring?
Ans- Peasants were forced to grow indigo and pay unfair rent. They lived in fear. Gandhi ended the system, brought justice, improved their confidence, and taught them to fight peacefully for their rights.
Q- 18. How did Gandhi change the plight of the peasants of Champaran?
Ans- Gandhi ended the indigo contract system, forced landlords to return money, improved living conditions, opened schools, and removed villagers’ fear. He taught them self-respect and peaceful resistance.
Q- 19. Why did Gandhiji not like Charles Freer Andrews to stay in Champaran?
Ans- Gandhiji felt Indians should fight their own battle. He did not want help from a British friend. He said depending on Andrews would weaken their self-confidence and their struggle for justice.
(A) Very Short Questions
Q- 14. Who was Charles Freer Andrews? Why did Gandhiji not take his help?
Ans- Andrews was a British priest and Gandhiji’s friend. Gandhiji did not take his help because he wanted Indians to solve their own problems without depending on an Englishman.
Q- 15. What prompted Gandhiji to urge the departure of the British?
Ans- The unfair treatment of Indians, the indigo injustice, and the sufferings of farmers showed Gandhiji that British rule was harmful. This made him feel the British must leave India.
Q- 16. What did Raj Kumar Shukla do to bring Gandhiji to Champaran?
Ans- Shukla followed Gandhiji everywhere and did not leave him. He went with him from place to place until Gandhiji finally agreed to visit Champaran.
Q- 17. How did Gandhiji reach Champaran? What problems did he find there?
Ans- Gandhiji reached Champaran by train from Patna. He saw farmers suffering under the indigo contract, paying unfair rent, and living in fear of landlords. Their condition was very poor.
Indigo – Long Answers (Easy & 80 Words Each)
Q- 1. Who was Rajkumar Shukla? Why did he decide to meet Gandhiji? What did he do to fulfil his desire?
Ans- Rajkumar Shukla was a poor sharecropper from Champaran. The British landlords forced farmers to grow indigo. Shukla wanted Gandhiji to help the peasants. He decided to meet Gandhiji and followed him everywhere. He waited at every place Gandhiji visited. His strong determination finally convinced Gandhiji to visit Champaran and understand the farmers’ pain.
Q- 2. How did Gandhiji reach Champaran? What did he find there and what did he plan for further proceedings?
Ans- Gandhiji reached Champaran by train after meeting Shukla in Patna. There he found farmers suffering under the unfair indigo system. They lived in fear and poverty. Gandhiji met people, collected reports, and talked to officials. He planned a peaceful inquiry and wanted to remove fear from the villagers. He decided to fight non-violently until justice was given.
Q- 3. What was the sharecropping system in Champaran? How did Gandhiji start his mission? What difficulties did he face?
Ans- In the sharecropping system, farmers had to grow indigo on 15 percent of their land and give it to the British landlords. It was unfair. Gandhiji began his mission by visiting villages and recording farmers’ complaints. He faced problems like pressure from officials, orders to leave Champaran, and threats from authorities. Still, he continued peacefully and bravely.
Q- 4. What happened when Gandhiji disobeyed the order of the police superintendent? How did peasants support him and what was the final conclusion?
Ans- When Gandhiji disobeyed the order to leave Champaran, he was called to court. Thousands of peasants gathered to support him. Their unity surprised the officials. The case against Gandhiji was dropped. Finally, an inquiry commission was formed. The landlords had to refund money to farmers, and the harsh indigo system came to an end.
Q- 5. How was Civil Disobedience won first time in India? Describe the struggle of Gandhiji and others.
Ans- Civil Disobedience succeeded first in Champaran when Gandhiji refused to obey the order to leave. His calm courage inspired peasants. Lawyers, villagers, and volunteers joined him. They stood together without fear. The British withdrew the case. Later, the landlords had to return money. This peaceful victory proved that truth and non-violence could defeat injustice.
Q- 6. Other than the Indigo Movement, what did Gandhiji do for Champaran? Who else contributed?
Ans- Gandhiji worked for education, health, and cleanliness in Champaran. He opened schools and taught villagers to live hygienically. Kasturbai taught women about sanitation. Volunteers like Mahadev Desai and Dr. Dev worked with him. Many people from Ashram also supported the mission. Together, they improved village life and made people confident and fearless.
Q- 7. How can we call Gandhiji the real hero in real life? Explain with reference to the chapter.
Ans- Gandhiji is a real hero because he fought for truth and justice without violence. In Champaran, he removed fear from farmers and helped them win their rights. He lived simply and worked for people’s welfare. He inspired unity and courage. His actions brought real change. This makes him a true hero in real life.
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