Champaran Satyagraha (1917)

Gandhi's first experiment in India with Satyagraha took place in Champaran, a district in Bihar in 1917. The indigo farmers of Champaran were exploited and oppressed by European plantation owners. The farmers were forced to grow indigo in place of other crops on their land. They were forced to grow indigo on 3/20 of the total land (known as Tinkathia system) and also to sell their products at a very low price. The price fixed by the indigo plantation owners should not satisfied the peasants. In 1917, Gandhiji reached Champaran and made a detailed inquiry into the condition of the farmers. Although the authorities ordered him to leave the district, he did not give in. He continued his investigation in defiance of government orders. Gandhiji worked to ensure that the farmers got security of tenure and freedom to grow the crops of their choice. He started a satyagraha against this 'Tinkathia System'. Then, Gandhiji, who had investigated the grievances of the farmers, was arrested and put on trial in court. Finally, the government appointed a committee of enquiry on which Gandhiji served as a member. The committee accepted most of the demands of the farmers. The committee of enquiry recommended some measures to allieviate the miseries of Indigo cultivators thereby bringing the satyagraha to an end. Thus, Gandhiji was able to succeed in his first experiment of Satyagraha in India.