CBSE Class 12 English HOTs Indigo Set 03

Gandhi never contented himself with large political or economic solutions. He saw the cultural and social backwardness in the Champaran villages and wanted to do something about it immediately. He appealed for teachers. Mahadev Desai and Narhari Parikh, two young men who had just joined Gandhi as disciples, and their wives, volunteered for the work. Several more came from Bombay, Poona and other distant parts of the land. Devadas, Gandhi’s youngest son, arrived from the ashram and so did Mrs. Gandhi. Primary schools were opened in six villages. Kasturbai taught the ashram rules on personal cleanliness and community sanitation.

Question. What never satisfied Gandhi?
Answer: Gandhi was never satisfied with the large political or economic solutions.

Question. Select the suitable word from the extract to complete the following analogy. Deprivation : Backwardness :: Requested : ............
Answer: Appealed

Question. Complete the following sentence. Kasturbai taught ............
Answer: ashram rules on personal cleanliness and community sanitation.

Question. What does the given lines tell us about Gandhi?
Answer: The given lines show us that Gandhi wanted the Indian society to grow and develop. His aim was not limited to just getting freedom of the nation.

Question. Why did Gandhi appeal for teachers?
(a) To enhance literacy rate
(b) To teach the kids
(c) To spread awareness about cultural and social backwardness
(d) To bring economic prosperity
Answer: (c) To spread awareness about cultural and social backwardness

Question. Whose wives had volunteered for the work?
(a) Devdas’s
(b) Mahadev Desai and Narhari Parikh’s
(c) Mahadev Desai and Devdas’s
(d) None of the options
Answer: (b) Mahadev Desai and Narhari Parikh’s

Short Answer Type Questions

Question. Describe the role of Rajkumar Shukla in ‘Indigo’. 
Answer: Rajkumar Shukla plays a very significant role in the Champaran Movement presented in the chapter ‘Indigo’. He was the poor farmer who resolutely followed Gandhi and convinced him to look into the problems faced by the indigo farmers. If he had not been resolute or visited Gandhi, the Champaran sharecroppers would have suffered for longer duration and the freedom struggle would have started late.

Question. Why did Gandhi feel that taking the Champaran case to the court was useless?
Answer: Gandhi felt that taking the Champaran case to the court was useless because after discussion with the lawyers, he realised that the peasants were crushed and fear stricken. As a result, they would not fight their case and the court would favour the Britishers. Hence, going to court was useless and the people needed to be free from fear.

Question. What were the terms of the indigo contract between the British landlords and the Indian peasants?
Answer: The terms of the indigo contract between the British and the peasants was related to the arable land. The arable land in the Champaran district was divided into estates which were owned by Englishmen and worked by Indian tenants. The chief commercial crop was indigo. The landlords compelled all tenants to plant 15% of their holdings with indigo and surrender the entire indigo harvest as rent.

Question. How did the invention of German synthetic indigo affect the peasant-landlord relationship in Champaran? 
Answer: The invention of German synthetic indigo affected the poor peasant-landlord relationship adversely. The landlords/ Britishers wanted to get free from the agreement and demanded compensation. As a result, poor farmers were further pushed into poverty. Further, when the news of synthetic indigo reached the peasants, they felt cheated and hired lawyers so that they could get justice.

Question. Explain the possible reasons for Gandhi’s quick popularity among the peasants of Champaran.
Answer: Gandhi very quickly became popular among the peasants because he had come to help them fight for justice without any fee. Further, he had gone against the British law and authority to do so. Consequently, without any knowledge about Gandhi they had come to protest against his trail.

Question. What conflict of duty was Gandhi involved in? Or What does Gandhi refer to as a ‘conflict of duties’? 
Answer: Gandhi told the court that he was involved in a ‘conflict of duties’, i.e. he must not set a bad example by breaking the law (by refusing to comply with the eviction order), but he must also render humanitarian and national service for which he had come to Champaran.

Question. What made the Lieutenant-Governor drop the case against Gandhi?
Answer: The Lieutenant-General dropped the case against Gandhi because thousands of peasants held a spontaneous demonstration in Motihari leaving the government helpless and baffled. The judge did not want to aggravate the situation and decided to hold the result of several days. Finally Gandhi was released without bail and in the end, the case was dropped.

Question. The peasants were themselves the most crucial agents in the success of the Champaran Civil Disobedience. Explain. 
Answer: The peasants were the most crucial agents in the success of the Champaran Civil Disobedience because without their presence in such large numbers, the British authority and the landlords would have continued their tyranny in Champaran. If the peasants had not stood with Gandhi or placed trust in him, then the movement will have been a great disaster. Gandhi alone could not have achieved success of Champaran. The support of the peasants made the movement a success.

Question. Though the sharecroppers of Champaran received only one-fourth of the compensation, how can the Champaran struggle still be termed a huge success and victory?
Answer: Though the sharecroppers of Champaran received only one-fourth of compensation, the struggle was a huge success and victory because the objective of Gandhi in his Champaran campaign was to mould a new free Indian who could stand on his own feet and thus make India free. The peasants found confidence in fighting their own battles and they were liberated from fear of the British. They not only made the landlords surrender part of money along with their prestige but the peasants also gained courage.

Question. Gandhi makes it clear that money and finance are a secondary aspect of the struggle in Champaran. Comment on aspect that you think was most important for Gandhi.
Answer: Gandhi made it clear that money and finance are secondary in the struggle in Champaran. For Gandhi, it was the removal of the fear amongst the peasants that was central. His persistent efforts, firm determination and resolution taught courage to the peasants who realised that they too, had certain rights. For him, a successful challenge to the British tyranny was more important than the money and finance involved in the agreement.

Question. Gandhi firmly denied CF Andrew’s help during the Champaran campaign. Substantiate with his reason.
Answer: Gandhi was opposed to CF Andrews helping him in Champaran because he wanted the lawyers to be self-reliant and know their own strengths. He told them that their cause was just and they must rely upon themselves to win the battle. He did not want them seek a prop in Mr. Andrews because he happened to be an Englishman.

Question. Gandhi was a lawyer himself. Examine how his professional expertise helped in Champaran. 
Answer: The fact that Gandhi was professionally a lawyer worked to his benefit in the Champaran episode. When Gandhi came to understand the sharecropping agreement, his first action was to view the entire situation. In midst, he realised that there was no point in getting into cases as law courts would hardly be able to do justice to the peasants. He felt that it was necessary to remove the terror of Britishers and teach the peasants how to be courageous. Once he was able to do so, the British authority had no choice but to review the case justly and provide justice.

Question. As the host of a talk show, introduce Rajkumar Shukla to the audience by stating any two of his defining qualities. You may begin your answer like this: Meet Rajkumar Shukla, the man who played a pivotal role in the Champaran Movement. He ............ 
Answer: Meet Rajkumar Shukla, the man who played a pivotal role in the Champaran Movement. He is that resolute man who did not leave Gandhiji’s side knowing fully well that he was the only one who could help the situation with the farmers. He is a determined and dedicated man who was always present wherever he was required.

Question. Gandhi effectively managed to redress the problems of the indigo sharecroppers with the Lieutenant Governor. What did he achieve?
Answer: Gandhi successfully dealt with the Lieutenant Governor to resolve the issues facing the sharecroppers of indigo. The estates were returned to the farmers once the landlords abandoned their claims to them. The farmers gained confidence and understood that they had supporters as well. The landlords were forced to give up some of their wealth and status. Gandhi, therefore, intervened to end the impasse between the farmers and landlords.

Question. What factor/s were largely instrumental in the victory of the peasants in ‘Indigo’?
Answer: There are various factors that were instrumental in the victory of the peasants in ‘Indigo’. The most important of them all was the leadership and advocacy provided by Mahatma Gandhi. Gandhi’s involvement brought national attention to the plight of the peasants. Further, Gandhi’s strategic approach to negotiations and his insistence on non-violent protest empowered the peasants to stand up against oppressive landlords. This ultimately led to their immediate victory and inspired a broader movement for social and economic justice across India.

Question. In smaller localities, the Indians were afraid to show sympathy for advocates of home-rule. Based on the statement above from ‘Indigo’, what inference can be drawn about the political climate in India at that time? State your answer in 20-30 words.
Answer: Based on the statement, it can be reasonably inferred that the political climate in India was marked by feelings of apprehension and anxiety. The Indians, specifically in smaller localities lived in fear of being surveilled by the British authorities and as such did not wish to commit any acts that could put their lives in jeopardy.

Question. With reference to ‘Indigo’, describe one action by Gandhi to prove that he was concerned about the social well-being of the Champaran people. Answer in 20-30 words.
Answer: Gandhi had taken many initiatives that prove he was concerned about the social well-being of the Champaran people. Gandhi tried to improve the lives of the Champaran people by requesting teachers to volunteer their services. He also set up primary schools for the children in the villages.

Question. Read the following line from ‘Indigo’ and answer the question that follows. ‘They thought, amongst themselves, that Gandhi was totally a stranger, and yet he was prepared to go to prison for the sake of the peasants...’ In 40-50 words, state the significance of this event to the sharecroppers’ court case and to India’s freedom from British rule. 
Answer: The event of Gandhi going to jail for unknown peasants is significant because it bolstered the confidence of the masses in Gandhi’s commitment towards the betterment of the Indian population oppressed by Britishers. This event also fostered a sense of unity and kinship among the masses. With the strength of their unity, the peasants could then overpower the corrupt Britishers and gain at least some of their money back. This event is also important because it was the first instance of Civil Disobedience in India.

Question. How was self-reliance intertwined with the Champaran incident? 
Answer: The Champaran incident demonstrated self-reliance as Mahatma Gandhi encouraged the peasants to take control of their situation. Instead of relying on others, he urged them to fight for their rights against the British landlords. His leadership taught them to be courageous and assertive in seeking justice.

Long Answer Type Questions

Question. Why is the Champaran episode considered to be the beginning of the Indian struggle for independence?  Or How did civil disobedience triumph for the first time in India?
Answer: The Champaran episode was one of the major events in the struggle for independence. It was in the course of this small but significant movement that Gandhi decided to spur the exit of the British from India. A close examination of the problem of the Champaran peasants opened up Gandhi’s eyes to the unjust policies of the British. He realised that people had to be made free from fear and only then could they be freed from foreign oppression. The spontaneous demonstration of the people proved that Gandhi had the people’s support in his fight against the Britishers. The triumph of the civil disobedience at Champaran motivated the launching of the movement on a large scale during the freedom movement. Gandhi winning the case of the sharecroppers proved that British authority could be challenged. Hence, the Champaran episode served as a stepping stone to the Indian struggle for independence.

Question. Gandhi’s stay was not a loyalty to abstractions; it was loyalty to living, human beings. Why did Gandhi continue his stay in Champaran even after indigo sharecropping disappeared? Or What changes occurred in the lives of farmers after Gandhi’s visit to Champaran? Or Gandhi worked for the social backwardness in the Champaran village. Elaborate.  Or Gandhi not only alleviated the economic conditions of the Champaran people but also their social and cultural background. Justify. 
Answer: After the Champaran battle was won and the land reverted to the peasants, Gandhi continued to stay in the region. His loyalty was to living human beings and he realised that a lot needed to be done for the upliftment of the peasants in the villages of Champaran. Gandhi took the initiative and began the work of eradicating their cultural and social backwardness. Primary schools were started so that the poor peasants and their children could be educated. Gandhi appealed to teachers and many of his disciples, including his wife and son, volunteered for the work. Health conditions in the area were also miserable. Gandhi got a doctor to volunteer his services for six months. All this goes to prove that Gandhi’s loyalty was not to abstractions; his politics was always intertwined with the practical day-to-day problems of the millions.

Question. Gandhi said, “Freedom from fear is more important than legal justice for the poor.” How does it become clear from the lesson ‘Indigo’ that freedom from fear is an essential condition for justice?
Answer: Gandhi’s statement that “Freedom from fear is more important than legal justice for the poor” stands true. We get a glimpse of how true that statement is from the Champaran episode. The peasants of Champaran were so exploited by the foreign rulers that they were scared of the British landlords. In the Champaran episode, in spite of fighting endless legal battles, the results were inconclusive. When Gandhi learned about the conditions of the peasants of Champaran, he concluded that the peasants were so crushed and fear-stricken that going to the law courts was useless. The real relief would come if they were free from fear and to teach these peasants to be courageous. So, Gandhi helped the peasants face their situation boldly. He not only refused to go to the court but also got arrested for being the Champion of sharecroppers. Seeing his example, multitudes gathered at the court, which the Britishers couldn’t control. Consequently, the trial was postponed and Gandhi was released without Bail. Later, Gandhi made the landlords surrender the money as well as their prestige, thus, making the peasants shed their fear. In this way, it becomes clear from the lesson ‘Indigo’ that freedom from fear is an essential condition for justice.

Question. Gandhi, Father of our Nation, is a great leader whose values have been admired by one and all. Describe at least three characteristics of Gandhi you get to know from ‘Indigo’, which you wish to adopt into your own life quoting suitable instances from the story.
Answer: The characteristics that Gandhi displays in the lesson ‘Indigo’, which we can adopt into our own lives are
(i) Humility and Simplicity: Gandhi was a simple and humble man. He did not object to being treated as a peasant at Rajendra Prasad’s house by the servants.
(ii) Non-violent Attitude: He used peaceful means to bend the British law. He was prepared to go to jail for subverting the order for his eviction from the district.
(iii) Fellow Feeling: Gandhi believed in the equality and brotherhood of all Indians. Hence, he worked for the people of Champaran even though he did not belong to the area and was not familiar with them.
(iv) Humanitarian Approach: Gandhi’s work was not just associated with politics or power. He wanted the betterment of the Indian society at large. Hence, he called upon teachers and his disciples to work for social and medical upliftment as well as literacy of the peasants of Champaran.
(v) Determination: Gandhi was a determined man. In spite of the challenges he faced in Champaran, he stayed there for about a year to ensure that justice for the peasants there was accomplished.
(vi) Self-reliance: Gandhi was a self-reliant man and wanted the Indians to be self-reliant too. Hence, he worked to liberate the peasants from their fear and even scolded the lawyers for believing that CF Andrews, a British pacifist’s help would make their struggle easy.

Question. Imagine Gandhi were to deliver a speech to students in present day India showing them the path to becoming responsible world leaders. Based on your understanding of Gandhi’s own leadership skills, write a speech, as Gandhi, addressing the students about the qualities that every leader and politician should nurture. Dear students, you are all leaders of social change. I see many bright and enthusiastic faces that assure me that our future is in good hands. I have learnt from my own experience ............
Answer: Dear students, you are all leaders of social change. I see many bright and enthusiastic faces that assure me that our future is in good hands. I have learnt from my own experience that emptying away all the biased thoughts and prejudices gives new values that enhance living. I stress upon the importance of Truth and Non-violence and call you to ‘Be Fearless’ on all endeavors. It is you who is the future, the tomorrow of the nation and the instruments of social change that we want to see in the nation. The modern youth and students have the spiritual and ethical values to become the means to form idealistic thoughts, that aim for greatness. I encourage young minds about self-reliance as a crucial necessity to success. The young leader of today must be flexible, self reliant, independent and open-minded. Simplicity, kindness, truth and non-violence should be the life’s mantra of youth. These are the essential things that you as students have to learn and follow. Morality and spirituality of course cannot be forgotten.

Question. Biographies include features of non-fiction texts-factual information and different text structures such as description, sequence, comparison, cause and effect, or problem and solution. Examine Indigo in the light of this statement, in about 120-150 words. [
Answer: Biographies include features of non-fiction texts - factual information and different text structures such as description, sequence, comparison, cause and effect, or problem and solution. ‘Indigo’ by Louis Fischer is in fact an excerpt from a biography. However, it has features of fiction as well as non-fiction texts. It includes factual information. We know about the interview carried out by the author in order to write on about Gandhi. Louis Fischer visited Gandhi in 1942 at his ashram- Sevagram where he was told about the Indigo Movement started by Gandhiji. We also know about the December 1916 annual convention of the Indian National Congress Party in Lucknow. Apart from this, there are many structural evidences in the text that point to its non-fictional nature. Almost each and everything is explained without any scope of loopholes. We know clearly what the Sharecropping Agreement in Champaran was. We also get a brief background of almost all the important people in the event starting from Rajkumar Shukla to JB Kripalani. Even when the author displays (astonishment) at Kripalani’s act of housing Gandhi, we know exactly why such an emotion is expected. Further, the entire episode is present in a chronological order. We know when Gandhi went to Champaran and why. We are told what his next steps were and with what insight were they taken. In the correct order, we know how Gandhi’s act garnered support from the farmers and how it resulted in the enquiry and resolution. Thus, we can state that Indigo includes the features of a fiction as well as a non-fiction text.

Question. ‘Lost Spring’ and ‘Indigo’ highlight the apathy of society and exploitation by those in power. Elaborate. 
Answer: ‘Lost Spring’ by Anees Jung and ‘Indigo’ by Louis Fischer, both shed light on the harsh realities of societal apathy and exploitation by those in power. In ‘Lost Spring’, Jung exposes the plight of impoverished children like Saheb and Mukesh, forced to scavenge for a living amidst the affluence of urban India. The story highlights the indifference of society towards the struggles of marginalised communities, perpetuating cycles of poverty and exploitation. Similarly, ‘Indigo’ explores the exploitation of Indian peasants by British colonialists during the indigo cultivation period. Fischer portrays the ruthless exploitation of farmers by British indigo planters, who prioritise profits over human welfare. Both narratives serve as powerful indictments of social apathy and systemic exploitation, urging readers to confront and address the injustices faced by marginalised communities. They emphasise the importance of empathy, activism, and collective action in challenging oppressive systems and fostering a more equitable society.

Question. How did Gandhi use Satyagraha and non-violence at Champaran to achieve his goal?
Answer: It is true to say that Gandhi used Satyagraha and non-violence at Champaran to achieve his goal. Gandhi had wished to obtain more information about the conditions in Champaran than Shukla could impart. So, he visited Muzaffarpur to inquire from the lawyers there about the issue. When he was collecting all the facts and met the Commissioner, he was advised to leave Champaran. Gandhi did not leave and decided to launch a peaceful ‘Satyagraha’ and Non-Violent Movement. Next morning, there was a spontaneous demonstration by the peasants. Gandhi helped the officials in regulating the crowd, as he did not want any form of violence. After showing some early hesitation, prominent lawyers also declared their unqualified support, which resulted in dropping of the case. On the basis of the evidence collected after a thorough investigation, Gandhi succeeded in making the landlords agree to refund 25% of the compensation money. Thus, Gandhi’s peaceful and Non-Violent Civil Disobedience and Satyagraha helped him in achieving his goal.

Question. ‘Lost spring’ and ‘Indigo’ bring out how the common man is a victim of exploitation. Explain. 
Answer: It is true that both ‘Lost Spring’ and ‘Indigo’ bring out the fact that the common man is a victim of exploitation. In the stories presented in ‘Lost Spring’, little children and poor ragpickers are shown to be exploited for the betterment of the authority. People in Seemapuri do not have any facilities and live in abject poverty. However, they have ration cards which they have been provided by those in authority for votes. Similarly families in Firozabad are exploited and cannot raise their voices for being imprisoned by those in authority. A similar picture is presented in ‘Indigo’ wherein the poor sharecroppers of Champaran were being exploited by the Britishers for their own benefits. First, their land was taken from them. Then, they were made to work hard and when a new cheaper version of Indigo was found, the sharecroppers were to compensate for the losses.

Question. The prose selections, ‘Deep Water’ and ‘Indigo’, bring out the importance of overcoming fear, in order to be able to lead our lives successfully. Imagine yourself to be a motivational speaker who has to address high school students. Write this address in 120-150 words elaborating on occurrences from the two texts to inspire your audience and to convince them about the importance of overcoming fear. You may begin like this ... Good morning, students! We all know what it’s like to be afraid. Fear is our body’s natural response to a perceived threat or danger. But when ... 
Answer: Good morning, students! We all know what it’s like to be afraid. Fear is our body’s natural response to a perceived threat or danger. But when we are determined to learn to face our fears, we win at life and become a champion. It is no hidden fact that fear immobilises us and prevents us from progressing. We have read the story of William Douglas. Due to his fear of water he could not lead a normal life. He could not go fishing, canoeing, etc. with his friends. But he decide to get over his fear. Rather than giving into it, he learnt swimming and practiced it with full persistence, determination and sincerity till his fear dissipated. Much like Douglas, we also read about the peasants of Champaran could not take a stand for their rights due to their fear of the Britishers. It was when they gathered around the courthouse in Motihari that they realised that the main hurdle in them getting justice was their fear. Once, they understood the need to overcome their fear, they came together and relentlessly worked towards getting justice. Thus, we need to face our fear, devise a plan and work through it. It is important to remember that fear does not get dispelled in an instant. It takes months and even years of persistence to get over it. It takes time but once the fear fades away, one is free to live life to the fullest.