CHARTERED COMMERCE
A Complete House of Commerce
Class-12th ENGLISH (CBSE)
Guided By: Dr. Mithlesh Vatsa Sir
Indigo
By: Louis Fischer
About the Author
Louis Fischer (1896–1970)
1970) was an American journalist and writer. He is known for his works on Mahatma
Gandhi and India’s struggle for independence. He met Gandhi several times and wrote a biography on him
titled The Life of Mahatma Gandhi.
The chapter Indigogo is based on Gandhi’s efforts to help poor peasants in Champaran, Bihar.
Chapter Overview
Setting: Champaran district, Bihar, India (1917).
Main Idea: The story highlights how Gandhi helped oppressed farmers fight for justice against British l
andlords.
Narrator: First-person
person view (Louis Fischer as the narrator).
Plot: The chapter narrates Gandhi’s first successful fight against British rule by helping poor indigo
farmers in Champaran.
Themes: Leadership, justice, self-reliance,
reliance, and courage to fight oppression.
Summary
1. The Condition of Peasants
The British landlords forced Indian farmers to grow indigo on 15% of their land.
Indigo was sold at low prices, leaving the farmers in debt and poverty.
When Germany invented synthetic dyes, the British stopped buying indigo but still demanded rent for
the land.
2. Gandhi in Champaran
Rajkumar Shukla, a poor farmer, asked Gandhi to visit Champaran and help the farmers.
Gandhi visited Champaran despite
spite being warned by the British officials.
He talked to the farmers, landlords, and British officials to understand their problems.
3. Gandhi’s Fight for Justice
Gandhi refused to leave Champaran when ordered to do so.
He was summoned to court, but thousands of farmers came to support him.
Seeing the unity of people, the British dropped the case against Gandhi.
This marked Gandhi’s first victory in India’s freedom movement.
Guided By: Dr. Mithlesh Vatsa Sir 1
Guided By: Dr. Mithlesh Vatsa Sir
4. Helping the Farmers
Gandhi started a detailed inquiry into the farmers' problems.
The landlords agreed to return 25% of the money they had taken from the farmers.
More importantly, the farmers gained confidence to fight for their rights.
5. Social Reforms in Champaran
Gandhi worked to improve the villagers’ lives.
He opened schools, taught cleanliness, and encouraged self-reliance.
He involved volunteers, including his wife Kasturba, to help the villagers.
Themes
1. Leadership and Courage: Gandhi showed how a leader should be brave, patient, and dedicated to
justice.
2. Justice and Equality: The story highlights Gandhi’s fight for the poor and oppressed, ensuring they
received fair treatment.
3. Empowerment through Unity: The farmers’ unity and support for Gandhi made the British give in
to their demands.
4. Social Responsibility: Gandhi believed in not just fighting oppression but also improving the overall
life of people.
Literary Devices
1. Symbolism:
Indigo: Symbolizes exploitation of the poor by the British.
Champaran: Symbolizes the beginning of the fight for India’s freedom.
2. Contrast:
British landlords’ exploitation vs. Gandhi’s compassion and justice.
3. Irony:
The British, who considered themselves powerful, gave in to the demands of poor farmers because of
Gandhi’s efforts.
Important Quotes
1. “The battle of Champaran is won!”
Highlights the success of Gandhi’s first fight for justice in India.
2. “What I did was a very ordinary thing.”
Gandhi’s humility and belief in doing simple but meaningful work.
3. “Self-reliance, Indian independence, and help to sharecroppers were all bound together.”
Shows Gandhi’s holistic approach to solving problems.
Guided By: Dr. Mithlesh Vatsa Sir 2
Guided By: Dr. Mithlesh Vatsa Sir
Conclusion
The chapter Indigo teaches the value of leadership, courage, and standing up for justice. Gandhi’s work in
Champaran showed that even the weakest people could fight oppression with unity and the right guidance.
Previous Year Questions
1. Why were farmers in Champaran unhappy?
The British forced them to grow indigo on 15% of their land and exploited them.
2. What did Gandhi do to help the farmers?
Gandhi fought for the farmers’ rights and made the British return 25% of the money they had unfairly
taken.
3. Why is the story called Indigo?
It symbolizes the farmers’ suffering caused by the forced cultivation of indigo.
Descriptive Questions
1. How did Rajkumar Shukla convince Gandhi to visit Champaran?
Rajkumar Shukla persistently followed Gandhi everywhere and requested him to visit Champaran to
help the poor farmers.
2. What social reforms did Gandhi introduce in Champaran?
Gandhi improved education, taught cleanliness, and encouraged self-reliance among the villagers.
3. What lessons does Indigo teach?
The chapter teaches the importance of leadership, unity, and standing up for justice to fight exploitation
and oppression.
Guided By: Dr. Mithlesh Vatsa Sir 3
