Champaran, Kheda & Ahmedabad (1917–18)

Key Pointers

Champaran Satyagraha (1917, Bihar):
- Indigo planters forced peasants under the Tinkathia system (cultivating indigo on 3/20 of land).
- Raj Kumar Shukla invited Gandhi. He was ordered to leave but refused.
- Associates: Rajendra Prasad, Mazharul Haque, J.B. Kripalani, Mahadev Desai, Brajkishore Prasad.
- Result: Champaran Agrarian Committee; Champaran Agrarian Act (1918) abolished Tinkathia.
- First satyagraha in India.
Ahmedabad Mill Strike (1918):
- Dispute between mill workers and owners (Ambalal Sarabhai; his sister Anasuya Sarabhai supported workers) over plague bonus.
- Gandhi's first hunger strike; workers received a 35% wage increase.
Kheda Satyagraha (1918, Gujarat):
- Crop failure but government demanded full revenue (code allowed suspension if yield was below 25%).
- Peasants refused to pay; Vallabhbhai Patel, Indulal Yagnik, Narhari Parikh, Mohanlal Pandya supported.
- Government quietly agreed to collect revenue only from those who could pay.
- Often described as Gandhi's first non-cooperation in India; Patel emerged as a leader.
Significance: Tested satyagraha in India; built a mass base among peasants and workers; Gandhi identified with the masses.

MCQs

Q1. The 'Tinkathia' system was associated with: (a) Kheda (b) Champaran (c) Bardoli (d) Ahmedabad Answer: (b).

Q2. Gandhi's first hunger strike in India was during: (a) Champaran (b) Kheda (c) Ahmedabad Mill Strike (d) Rowlatt Satyagraha Answer: (c).

Q3. Which leader emerged as Gandhi's associate in the Kheda Satyagraha? (a) Vallabhbhai Patel (b) Rajendra Prasad (c) J.B. Kripalani (d) C.R. Das Answer: (a).