Class 12 English Chapter Indigo Solutions
Chapter: Indigo
Q1. Why is Rajkumar Shukla described as being ‘resolute’?
Ans: Rajkumar Shukla is described as being ‘resolute’ because he was determined to take Gandhiji to Champaran to address the plight of the sharecroppers. He followed Gandhiji wherever he went and was not dissuaded by any obstacle, showing his strong resolve and dedication to his cause.
Q2. Why do you think the servants thought Gandhi to be another peasant?
Ans: The servants thought Gandhi to be another peasant because of his simple and humble appearance. He was dressed in a plain and unassuming manner, much like the common peasants they were used to seeing, which led them to misidentify him.
Q3. List the places that Gandhi visited between his first meeting with Shukla and his arrival at Champaran.
Ans: Between his first meeting with Shukla and his arrival at Champaran, Gandhi visited the following places:
– Calcutta (now Kolkata)
– Patna
– Muzzafarpur
Q4. What did the peasants pay the British landlords as rent? What did the British now want instead and why?
Ans: The peasants paid the British landlords a fixed portion of their indigo crop as rent. The British landlords now wanted money instead because synthetic indigo had been developed by the Germans, making the natural indigo crop less profitable.
Q5. 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?
Ans: Gandhi’s method of working in Champaran reflects his principles of Satyagraha and non-violence. Some instances include:
– Empathy and Understanding: He spent time with the peasants, understanding their issues first-hand.
– Legal Action: He advised peasants to fight legally but also ensured the movement was non-violent.
– Negotiation and Persuasion: He negotiated with the British landlords and authorities, convincing them to agree to a settlement.
Q6. Why did Gandhi agree to a settlement of 25 percent refund to the farmers? How did the refund amount ultimately benefit the farmers?
Ans: Gandhi agreed to a settlement of 25 percent refund to the farmers because he wanted to demonstrate the strength and impact of their unity and resolve. The refund, though partial, symbolized the landlords’ acknowledgement of their wrongdoing and significantly boosted the morale and self-confidence of the farmers.
Q7. How did the episode change the plight of the peasants?
Ans: The Champaran episode changed the plight of the peasants by ending the oppressive system of tinkathia. It instilled a sense of self-reliance and confidence among the peasants. They realized the power of collective action and non-violent protest, which transformed their lives and set a precedent for future struggles for rights and justice.
Q8. Describe the efforts made by Gandhi to secure justice for the poor indigo sharecroppers of Champaran.
Ans: Gandhi made several efforts to secure justice for the poor indigo sharecroppers of Champaran:
– He met with the peasants to understand their grievances.
– He researched and gathered evidence on the injustices faced by the peasants.
– He involved lawyers and initiated legal action against the oppressive landlords.
– He led peaceful protests and negotiations with the British authorities.
– He ensured that the movement remained non-violent and focused on truth and justice.
Q9. How did Gandhi teach his followers the concept of self-reliance and non-cooperation?
Ans: Gandhi taught his followers the concept of self-reliance and non-cooperation through his actions and words:
– He encouraged the peasants to stand up for their rights and fight their own battles.
– He practiced and promoted the use of local resources, like weaving khadi, to reduce dependency on British goods.
– He demonstrated the power of non-cooperation by refusing to comply with unjust laws and orders.
These questions and answers should help in understanding the chapter “Indigo” and the themes of Satyagraha, non-violence, and self-reliance promoted by Gandhi.