Why is the Champaran episode considered to be the beginning of the Indian struggle for independence?
The Champaran episode is considered to be the beginning of the Indian struggle for Independence because it was for the first time that Gandhiji introduced a non-violent resistance, which came to be known as Satyagraha. It was a long drawn out but patient and peaceful agitation against the British. During this struggle, Gandhiji decided to urge the departure of the Britishers for the first time. Therefore, it was also a turning point in Gandhiji’s life. The struggle did not begin as an act of defiance, but it grew out of an attempt to make the sufferings of the poor peasants less severe. The farmers learnt courage to face their fears. They learnt for the first time that they too had rights and that self-raliance is the key to fight any battle. The Champaran episode was the beginning of their liberation from the fear of the Britishers and its success, a triumph of the first civil disobedience movement.
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The Champaran episode was a landmark in Gandhian style of fighting against the British. It grew out of an attempt to make the sufferings of poor peasants less severe. The peasants of Champaran were in great fear of the British government because they were forced to plant 15% of their holdings with Indigo and surrender the entire produce to the landlord. When synthetic indigo came, the landlords released them after demanding compensation from them. The innocent peasants agreed without realising what they were doing. When Raj Kumar Shukla told Gandhiji about it, Gandhiji visited Champaran and realized that the peasants were greatly in fear of the British. He realized that it was necessary to liberate them of their fear of British. After the Civil Disobedience Movement, the farmers also got encouraged and realised that they too had rights and defenders as well. It was a spontaneous demonstration around the courthouse which made everyone realise that it was the beginning of the Indian struggle for independence. Everyone also realized that they could stand against the British, and they could not order them around in their own country. That is why the Champaran episode is considered to be the beginning of the Indian struggle for independence.