BCW Prelims Class Notes BPSC CONCEPT WALLAH
Lecture - 4
( Home Rule League and Champaran Movement in Bihar ) Student’s Space
Home Rule League meeting was organized in Bankipore (Patna ) in 1916 under
the chairmanship of Mazharul Haq
Nawab Sarfaraz Hussain Khan and Purnendu Narayan Sinha were the Vice-
Chairman of that meeting.
During this Annie Besant came to Bihar twice.
Champaran Movement in Bihar (1917)
The Champaran Movement (1917) in Bihar was the first satyagraha movement led by
Mahatma Gandhi in India. Its causes were deeply rooted in the exploitation of indigo
cultivators by European planters under the Tin Kathia system and the overall socio-
economic distress in the region.
It was first “Civil disobedience” movement of Gandhiji in India.
Causes of Champaran Movement (1917)
Cause Explanation Impact on Peasants
Tin Kathia Peasants were forced to grow indigo Reduced land for food
System on 3 kathas out of every 20 kathas crops, led to debt and
(about 15% of land) without fair hunger.
payment.
It was done on “Asamiwar land”
Decline in Synthetic indigo from Germany Peasants bore financial
Indigo Prices reduced natural indigo demand, losses despite no control
planters passed losses to peasants via over prices.
unfair contracts.
Heavy Taxes Extra charges like abwab, salami, and Increased financial burden
& Illegal other arbitrary cesses imposed. beyond regular rent.
Dues
Harsh Forced labor, beatings, humiliation, Social humiliation, loss of
Working and strict supervision by planters’ dignity, physical
Conditions agents. suffering.
Lack of Legal British administration and courts No legal recourse,
Protection sided with European planters. exploitation continued
unchecked.
Crop Failure Floods, droughts, and famines Chronic poverty and food
& Poverty worsened the agrarian crisis, but insecurity.
indigo cultivation was still enforced.
Nationalist Success of Gandhi’s South Africa Peasants became
Influence satyagraha, Home Rule Movement, politically aware and
and activism of leaders like Raj willing to protest.
Kumar Shukla.
Note:- Dr Rajendra prasad listed 41 illegal taxes that were imposed on peasants
o Tawan:- Mafi-Chiti
o Marwach :- Tax on marriage
o Sagaura :-Tax on widow remarriage
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BCW Prelims Class Notes BPSC CONCEPT WALLAH
o Bechai:- Tax on milk,oil etc
o Ghawai :- Tax on sore legs.
Student’s Space
Note :- Watch class video for understanding, this notes alone will give you no
understanding
Newspaper that highlighted the plight of Farmers
1. Beharee: - It was vocal against the atrocities done by the Planters. Its column
“Planters & Ryots” resonated among the masses.
2. Pratap: - This newspaper was edited and published by Ganesh Shankar
Vidyarthi (Kanpur) and was most vocal against the tyranny. Peer
Mohammed Munis (madrasa teacher) used to write in Pratap highlighting
the plight of farmers.
Articles written by Peer Mohammed Munis with Pseudo name “Dukhi”,”Dukhi Atma”
& “Dukhi Hriday
o ”Champaran me Andhera”(Darkness in Champaran)
o “Champaran me Nadirshahi” (Despotism in Champaran)
o “Champaran ki Durdasha”(The Misery of Champaran)
o Waqt ki barbadi
o Hindu–Muslim Ekta
o Mahabharat ka Yudhkshetra
It is to be noted that Peer Mohammed Munis wrote a letter and highlighted the
plight of farmers which was given to Raj Kumar Shukla and he gave that to
Gandhiji in 1916 Lucknow session of Indian national Congress (INC)
About Rajkumar shukla
Birth Year: 1875
Father: - kolahal Shukla
Birthplace: Satwaria/Murlibharahwa
Notable Event: First met Mahatma Gandhi at Lucknow in 1916 during the Indian
National Congress session.
Role: Persuaded Gandhi to visit Champaran and see the plight of indigo
cultivators.
Government issued stamp on Rajkumar Shukla in 2000.
Mahatma Gandhi during Champaran Satyagraha (1917)
Place Date Key Details / People Met
Kolkata 9th April 1917 Started his trip to Bihar
Patna 10th April 1917 Was taken to residence of Rajendra prasad
but was denied entry and hence he went to
meet his friend Mazharul Haq at his
residence “Sikander Manzil”.
Muzaffarpur 11th April 1917 Met J. B. Kripalani (then a professor at
Muzaffarpur).
Motihari 15th April 1917 Reached via Motihari Railway; began
Champaran inquiry.
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BCW Prelims Class Notes BPSC CONCEPT WALLAH
TH
16 April DM Heycock served Defied and hence it is “First Civil
him notice to leave Disobedience” movement of Student’s Space
Motihari (jasolipatti Gandhiji.
village)
June 4,1917 Edward Gait meets During this time Gandhiji visited
Gandhiji Ranchi twice
July 11,1917 Champaran Agrarian F G Sily (chairman)
committee was D G Reid
constituted G rainy
Gandhiji
L C Adami
Harihar prasad Singh
March 4,1918 Act to repeal Abwabs were removed too.
Teenkathiya system
Indigo plantation became voluntary
passed
activity.
Schools opened by Gandhiji
1. Barharwa lakhanwa (14th nov,1917)
2. Bhitiharwa (20th nov,1917)
3. Madhuban (17.01.1918)
Important People with Gandhi ji during Champaran movement
Rajendra Prasad
Narhari Parikh
Anugraha Narayan Singh
Braj Kishore prasad
J B Kriplani
Raj Kumar Shukla
H S pollock
Dharnidhar prasad
Mazharul Haq
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