CBSE Class 12-science Answered

Indigo is a part of Gandhiji’s biography 'The Life of Mahatma Gandhi' written by Louis Fischer. This story represents Gandhiji’s struggle for the poor peasants of Champaran. The peasants were share-croppers with the British planters. According to an old agreement, the peasants had to cultivate indigo on fifteen percent of the land and surrender the entire produce as rent. After Germany developed the synthetic dye indigo, the British didn’t need the indigo crop any more. Just to release the peasants from the fifteen percent agreement, they demanded compensation. Some Illiterate peasants who did not know of the real motive of the British landlords gladly agreed to this while some others resisted.

Soon the peasants learnt about the synthetic indigo and those who had paid compensation demanded their money back. The landlords hired hooligans to subdue them. The peasants appointed lawyers. At this point Gandhiji visited Champaran. He thought it was no use going to courts. He wanted to free the peasants from the fear of the British. Gandhiji defended their cause and finally succeeded. He remained firm, fearless, and dedicated.