1917
CHAMPARAN
1917
You are about to step into history.
Enter Champaran during the birth of Satyagraha.
Welcome to Champaran, April 1917
The ryots are waiting. The British are watching. The first great Satyagraha is about to begin.
Virtual Scenes from 1917
Complete Details of Champaran Satyagraha
What was Champaran Satyagraha?
Champaran Satyagraha was the first major civil disobedience movement led by Mahatma Gandhi in India in 1917. It was launched against the exploitation of indigo farmers (ryots) by European planters under the oppressive Tinkathia system in Champaran district of Bihar.
Background & Causes
- Tinkathia System: Farmers were forced to grow indigo on 3 kathas out of every 20 kathas (15%) of their land.
- Extremely low prices were paid for the indigo crop.
- Illegal taxes called Abwabs were collected from farmers.
- Poor quality seeds were supplied at high cost.
- No legal protection existed for the ryots. Police and courts supported the planters.
How did it Start?
At the 1916 Lucknow Congress session, a poor peasant named Rajkumar Shukla from Champaran repeatedly requested Gandhi to visit his district and see the suffering of the farmers. Shukla followed Gandhi all the way to his Sabarmati Ashram in Ahmedabad. Finally, Gandhi agreed and reached Champaran in April 1917.
Course of the Movement
Significance
Champaran Satyagraha was the first successful application of Gandhian Satyagraha in India. It proved that non-violent mass movement combined with proper documentation and truth could force the colonial government to accept demands. It established Gandhi as a national leader and became the model for future movements like Kheda Satyagraha and Ahmedabad Mill Strike.