Indigo Revision Class 12th English

Class XII English – Revision Mock Test

Chapter 5: Indigo – Louis Fischer

Complete Revision Test with Answers

Total Questions: 

Sections: 15 Very Short + 10 Short + 5 Long + 4 Extracts

Extracts: 4 × 6 = 24 marks

Section A – Very Short Answer Questions

Answer the following in 1–2 sentences.

Q1.Who was Rajkumar Shukla?

Answers

1.Rajkumar Shukla was a poor, illiterate sharecropper from Champaran who persistently requested Gandhi to visit the peasants and help them against British landlords.

Q2.Why did Shukla meet Gandhi?

2.Shukla met Gandhi to seek his help for the peasants of Champaran who were being exploited under the tinkathia system.

Q3.Where did Gandhi first meet Rajkumar Shukla?

3.Shukla first approached Gandhi at the Lucknow Congress session.

Q4.What was the main problem faced by the peasants of Champaran?

4.The peasants were forced by British landlords to grow indigo on a portion of their land and were exploited through unfair agreements and payments.

Q5.What was the significance of the tinkathia system?

5.Under the tinkathia system, peasants were compelled to cultivate indigo on three-twentieths (15%) of their land.

Q6.Why did the British landlords agree to refund 25% of the money to the peasants?

6.The landlords agreed to refund 25% because Gandhi's investigation and the peasants' unity had put moral and political pressure on them.

Q7.Why did Gandhi refuse to leave Champaran?

7.Gandhi refused to leave because he believed that obeying the order would mean abandoning the helpless peasants who needed his support.

Q8.Who was J.B. Kripalani?

8.J.B. Kripalani was a professor who welcomed Gandhi at Muzaffarpur and helped him establish contact with local people.

Q9.Why did the British official order Gandhi to leave Champaran?

9.The British official considered Gandhi's presence a threat to their authority and ordered him to leave Champaran.

Q10.What did Gandhi do after receiving the official notice to leave?

10.Gandhi appeared before the court and respectfully stated that he would disobey the order because of his duty towards the peasants.

Q11.Why did Gandhi agree to the 25% refund?

11.Gandhi accepted the 25% refund because the amount was less important than the landlords' acceptance that they had been unjust.

Q12.What was the role of Kasturba Gandhi in Champaran?

12.Kasturba Gandhi helped improve the villagers' living conditions by teaching cleanliness and basic hygiene.

Q13.What did Gandhi teach the peasants besides fighting for their rights?

13.Gandhi taught them self-reliance, cleanliness, education, courage and awareness of their rights.

Q14.What was the significance of the Champaran episode?

14.The Champaran episode demonstrated the power of non-violent resistance and civil disobedience and weakened British authority.

Q15.Why did Gandhi consider the Champaran struggle a turning point?

15.It was a turning point because the peasants gained confidence, the landlords' authority weakened, and Gandhi successfully challenged British injustice through non-violence.

Section B – Short Answer Questions

Answer in about 40–50 words.

Q1. Why was Rajkumar Shukla's persistence important in bringing Gandhi to Champaran?

Answer:

Rajkumar Shukla was determined to obtain Gandhi's help for the oppressed peasants. He followed Gandhi from place to place and repeatedly reminded him of his promise. His persistence finally brought Gandhi to Champaran, where Gandhi investigated the peasants' grievances and launched a successful movement.

2. Describe the condition of the Champaran peasants under the British landlords.

Answer:

The peasants were poor and exploited by British landlords. They were forced to grow indigo on a fixed portion of their land and surrender the produce. Later, when synthetic indigo reduced the value of natural indigo, the landlords demanded compensation from the peasants for releasing them from the agreements.

3. Why did Gandhi go to Muzaffarpur before going to Champaran?

Answer:

Gandhi went to Muzaffarpur to obtain detailed information about the situation in Champaran. Professor J.B. Kripalani received him there. Gandhi also contacted lawyers and local people to understand the problems of the peasants before beginning his investigation.

4. What happened when Gandhi was ordered to leave Champaran?

Answer:

Gandhi received an official notice ordering him to leave Champaran immediately. He refused to obey because he considered his duty to the suffering peasants more important. He appeared in court and accepted the consequences of his civil disobedience.

5. Why did the lawyers' attitude towards Gandhi change?

Answer:

Initially, the lawyers were prepared to help Gandhi only through legal proceedings and were even discussing their fees. Gandhi's courage and commitment impressed them. When Gandhi said he would continue the struggle even if he had to go to prison, the lawyers decided to support him.

6. Why was the amount of the refund less important to Gandhi?

Answer:

Gandhi understood that the exact amount of money was not the main issue. The 25% refund was significant because it forced the British landlords to surrender some of their authority and accept that they had treated the peasants unjustly. It restored the peasants' confidence.

7. How did Gandhi's campaign influence the peasants of Champaran?

Answer:

Gandhi's campaign gave the peasants courage and self-confidence. They stopped being afraid of the British landlords and began asserting their rights. The successful movement also taught them that injustice could be challenged peacefully through unity, courage and non-violent resistance.

8. What role did education and cleanliness play in Gandhi's Champaran campaign?

Answer:

Gandhi believed that political freedom alone was insufficient. He and his associates opened schools and worked to improve sanitation and personal hygiene. These activities aimed at the overall development of the villagers and taught them self-reliance and responsibility.

9. Why did Gandhi consider the Champaran episode a victory for the peasants?

Answer:

The peasants gained freedom from the oppressive indigo system and developed courage to oppose injustice. More importantly, the British landlords were forced to accept a refund and their prestige declined. The peasants realised that they could stand up against exploitation.

10. How does Indigo present Gandhi as an effective leader?

Answer:

Gandhi is shown as courageous, practical, patient and compassionate. He listened carefully to the peasants, investigated their problems and used non-violent resistance. He did not merely seek financial compensation; he aimed to remove fear and develop self-reliance among the oppressed people.

Section C – Long Answer Questions

Answer in about 120–150 words.

1. Describe the Champaran episode and explain its significance.

Answer:

The Champaran episode began when Rajkumar Shukla requested Gandhi to visit Champaran and help the oppressed peasants. The peasants were forced to grow indigo under the tinkathia system. When synthetic indigo became available, the British landlords demanded compensation from the peasants for releasing them from their agreements.

Gandhi investigated the matter and refused to obey an order asking him to leave Champaran. His civil disobedience created a strong impact. The authorities withdrew the case against him. An official inquiry was established, and the landlords were forced to refund 25% of the money to the peasants.

The real victory was not the money but the destruction of the peasants' fear. The episode established the power of non-violent resistance and became an important milestone in India's freedom struggle.

2. “Gandhi's greatest achievement was not the refund but the removal of fear.” Discuss.

Answer:

The statement accurately describes the central achievement of Gandhi's Champaran movement. The peasants had suffered exploitation for years because they were afraid of the powerful British landlords. Gandhi understood that merely obtaining financial compensation would not solve their deeper problem.

Through his presence, courage and non-violent approach, Gandhi encouraged the peasants to overcome their fear. His refusal to obey the order to leave Champaran demonstrated that even an ordinary person could challenge an unjust authority peacefully. The landlords gradually lost their prestige and influence.

The 25% refund was therefore symbolic. It showed that the British landlords had been forced to compromise. The peasants gained confidence and became aware of their rights. Thus, Gandhi's greatest achievement was psychological and social: he taught the peasants courage, self-respect and the power of collective action.

3. How did Rajkumar Shukla contribute to the success of the Champaran movement?

Answer:

Rajkumar Shukla played a crucial role in bringing Gandhi to Champaran. He was a poor sharecropper who had personally experienced the suffering caused by the indigo system. Although he was not educated or influential, he possessed remarkable determination.

He approached Gandhi at the Lucknow Congress session and requested him to visit Champaran. Gandhi initially had several commitments, but Shukla followed him persistently and reminded him of his promise. Finally, Gandhi agreed to visit Champaran.

Shukla's persistence brought the problem of the Champaran peasants to Gandhi's attention. Once Gandhi arrived, he investigated the situation and organised a peaceful movement. Thus, Shukla's determination became the starting point of an important episode in India's freedom struggle.

4. How did Gandhi use civil disobedience in Champaran?

Answer:

Gandhi used civil disobedience in a peaceful and disciplined manner. When he reached Champaran, the British authorities ordered him to leave the district. Gandhi respectfully refused because he believed that his duty to the suffering peasants was more important than obeying an unjust order.

He appeared before the court and openly accepted responsibility for disobeying the order. He was prepared to face imprisonment rather than abandon the peasants. His courage impressed the local lawyers and the peasants.

The authorities eventually withdrew the case against him. Gandhi's action demonstrated that an unjust law could be opposed without violence or hatred. His method combined truth, courage and non-violence and became a powerful example of Gandhian civil disobedience.

5. What lessons about leadership can be learned from Gandhi's actions in Champaran?

Answer:

Gandhi's leadership in Champaran teaches several important lessons. First, a good leader listens carefully to the problems of ordinary people. Gandhi personally investigated the peasants' complaints instead of depending entirely on second-hand information.

Second, he demonstrated courage and remained firm without becoming violent. His refusal to leave Champaran showed that leadership requires standing up for justice. Third, he focused on long-term social improvement. He promoted education, cleanliness and self-reliance along with political rights.

Gandhi also understood that real change requires removing fear from people's minds. He therefore encouraged the peasants to become confident and independent. His leadership was based not on force or authority but on truth, empathy, courage and non-violence.

Section D – Extract-Based Questions

Extract 1

Gandhi reached Champaran to investigate the grievances of the peasants. The British landlords had forced the sharecroppers to grow indigo on a fixed portion of their land. Gandhi decided to collect detailed evidence before taking further action.

Questions – 1 × 6 = 6 Marks

a. Why did Gandhi go to Champaran?

Answer: He went to investigate the problems and exploitation faced by the Champaran peasants.

b. Who were the sharecroppers?

Answer: They were poor peasants who cultivated land belonging to landlords and had to surrender part of their produce or earnings.

c. What crop were they forced to grow?

Answer: They were forced to grow indigo.

d. What was the fixed portion of land called?

Answer: It was known as the tinkathia system, under which indigo had to be grown on three-twentieths of the land.

e. What approach did Gandhi adopt?

Answer: He adopted a systematic approach by collecting evidence and investigating the peasants' grievances.

f. What quality of Gandhi is reflected here?

Answer: His patience, practicality and commitment to finding the truth are reflected here.

Extract 2

The British official ordered Gandhi to leave Champaran immediately. Gandhi did not obey the order. He appeared in court and stated that he was ready to accept the consequences of his action because his duty towards the peasants was more important.

Questions – 1 × 6 = 6 Marks

a. Who ordered Gandhi to leave Champaran?

Answer: A British official ordered Gandhi to leave Champaran.

b. Did Gandhi obey the order?

Answer: No, Gandhi refused to obey the order.

c. Why did Gandhi refuse?

Answer: He refused because he believed that his duty towards the suffering peasants was more important than obeying an unjust order.

d. What method of protest did Gandhi follow?

Answer: He followed the method of peaceful civil disobedience.

e. Was Gandhi afraid of punishment?

Answer: No. He was prepared to face the consequences, even imprisonment.

f. What does this incident reveal about Gandhi?

Answer: It reveals his courage, determination, sense of duty and faith in non-violence.

Extract 3

The landlords agreed to refund twenty-five per cent of the money they had illegally exacted from the peasants. Gandhi accepted the settlement. For him, the amount of the refund was not the most important thing. The important point was that the landlords had been forced to surrender part of their prestige.

Questions – 1 × 6 = 6 Marks

a. What percentage of the money was refunded?

Answer: Twenty-five per cent of the money was refunded.

b. Who paid the refund?

Answer: The British landlords paid the refund.

c. Why did Gandhi accept the settlement?

Answer: He accepted it because the settlement represented the landlords' acknowledgement of their injustice and loss of authority.

d. What was more important than the amount of money?

Answer: The reduction of the landlords' prestige and the peasants' growing confidence were more important.

e. What did the settlement prove?

Answer: It proved that the British landlords could be challenged and forced to compromise through peaceful resistance.

f. What major change occurred among the peasants?

Answer: They lost their fear and gained confidence in standing up for their rights.

Extract 4

Gandhi's work in Champaran did not end with the settlement. He and his associates opened schools and worked to improve sanitation. Gandhi believed that political freedom was not enough; people also needed education, cleanliness and self-reliance.

Questions – 1 × 6 = 6 Marks

a. What did Gandhi do after the settlement?

Answer: He continued working for the social and educational improvement of the villagers.

b. What did Gandhi establish in Champaran?

Answer: Schools were opened for the villagers.

c. What other important issue did he address?

Answer: He worked to improve sanitation and cleanliness.

d. What did Gandhi believe was necessary besides political freedom?

Answer: He believed that education, cleanliness, self-reliance and social awareness were also necessary.

e. What does this show about Gandhi's idea of freedom?

Answer: It shows that Gandhi viewed freedom as holistic development rather than merely political independence.

f. Mention two qualities of Gandhi reflected in this extract.

Answer: His social responsibility and vision for overall development are reflected in the extract.