INDIGO- AN OVERVIEW
Thisis the extraordinarystory of how one man's indomitablespirit inspired a nation to triumph over
tyranny. Thisis the story of Mahatma Gandhi,a man who owned nothing-and gained everything!!
-Louis Fisher
THEME:
The account deals with an unequal battle between the oppressed and the oppressor. It
illustrates the plight of shargqrpppers under the wicked designs of the colonial Lords and how these
peasants foil their attempts in spite of all odds.
The extract portrays Mahatma Gandhi's unique leadership qualities that are displayed while
securing justice for the oppressed people through -truthfulness, sincerity of purpose, untiring effor!s
and convincing arguments and negotiations that eventually bore fruit and presaged their triumph.
Justification ofTitle:
The title 'Indigo' focuses our attention on the issue ofuploitation of indigo sharecroppers at the
bands of cruel British planters: The British compelled them through a long-term agreemenytto plant
indigo on 15 per cent of their land and surrender the entire harvest as rent. After the development
of synthetic indigo by Germany, the British planters extracted money from the peasants as
compensation for being released from the 15 per cent agreement. The peasants who wantedtheir
money back filed civil suits. Rajkumar Shukla persuaded Gandhi to take up the case of Indigo
sharecroppers. So indigo sharecropping exemplifies the injustice of the British and the Indians'
submission to British authority. The Champaran movement that centred on indigo sharecropping led
to the social and cultural upliftment of the peasants.Thus the title 'Indigo' is highly suggestive and
appropriate.
About the Individuals mentioned in the Extract
Narrator & Author- Louis Fischer
Gandhiji- a prominent political leader of India ( Father of The Nation).
RajkumarShukla-a poor, emaciated but resolute peasant of Champaran.
Rajendra Prasad-a lawyer who later became the First President of India.
J.B. Kripalani-a professor of the Arts College in Muzzafarpur.
Malkani- a Government school teacher.
Sir Edward Gait-the LieutenantGovernor.
Mahadev Desai and Narhari Parikh- volunteer teachers.
Kasturbai-Gandhi'swife.
Devdas- Gandhi's youngest son.
Highlights ofthe Lesson:
Raj Kumar Shukla- A poor, illiterate but resolute sharecropper, in hope of persuading
Gandhiji to accompany him to Champaran follows Gandhiji to Lucknow, Kanpur,
Ahemdabad, and then accompanies him to Calcutta, Patna, Muzzafarpur & then Champaran.
The duo reach Patna and spend a night at Rajendra Prasad's residence (the future President
of India) because of his simple Jiving style, scanty clothes and fompany of RauKumar Shukla
the servants at Prasad's residence think Gandhjii to be an untouchable
Thisis the extraordinarystory of how one man's indomitablespirit inspired a nation to triumph over
tyranny. Thisis the story of Mahatma Gandhi,a man who owned nothing-and gained everything!!
-Louis Fisher
THEME:
The account deals with an unequal battle between the oppressed and the oppressor. It
illustrates the plight of shargqrpppers under the wicked designs of the colonial Lords and how these
peasants foil their attempts in spite of all odds.
The extract portrays Mahatma Gandhi's unique leadership qualities that are displayed while
securing justice for the oppressed people through -truthfulness, sincerity of purpose, untiring effor!s
and convincing arguments and negotiations that eventually bore fruit and presaged their triumph.
Justification ofTitle:
The title 'Indigo' focuses our attention on the issue ofuploitation of indigo sharecroppers at the
bands of cruel British planters: The British compelled them through a long-term agreemenytto plant
indigo on 15 per cent of their land and surrender the entire harvest as rent. After the development
of synthetic indigo by Germany, the British planters extracted money from the peasants as
compensation for being released from the 15 per cent agreement. The peasants who wantedtheir
money back filed civil suits. Rajkumar Shukla persuaded Gandhi to take up the case of Indigo
sharecroppers. So indigo sharecropping exemplifies the injustice of the British and the Indians'
submission to British authority. The Champaran movement that centred on indigo sharecropping led
to the social and cultural upliftment of the peasants.Thus the title 'Indigo' is highly suggestive and
appropriate.
About the Individuals mentioned in the Extract
Narrator & Author- Louis Fischer
Gandhiji- a prominent political leader of India ( Father of The Nation).
RajkumarShukla-a poor, emaciated but resolute peasant of Champaran.
Rajendra Prasad-a lawyer who later became the First President of India.
J.B. Kripalani-a professor of the Arts College in Muzzafarpur.
Malkani- a Government school teacher.
Sir Edward Gait-the LieutenantGovernor.
Mahadev Desai and Narhari Parikh- volunteer teachers.
Kasturbai-Gandhi'swife.
Devdas- Gandhi's youngest son.
Highlights ofthe Lesson:
Raj Kumar Shukla- A poor, illiterate but resolute sharecropper, in hope of persuading
Gandhiji to accompany him to Champaran follows Gandhiji to Lucknow, Kanpur,
Ahemdabad, and then accompanies him to Calcutta, Patna, Muzzafarpur & then Champaran.
The duo reach Patna and spend a night at Rajendra Prasad's residence (the future President
of India) because of his simple Jiving style, scanty clothes and fompany of RauKumar Shukla
the servants at Prasad's residence think Gandhjii to be an untouchable
