An honest and authentic account of Mahatma Gandhi’s first major work in the country after his return from South Africa, ‘Satyagraha in Champaran’ is a well documented book that narrates in graphic details the entire Champaran story—geography and history of the region, the non-violent crusade against the injustice perpetrated by the indigo planters, emancipation of ryots from the age-long tyranny, and the constructive work begun to improve the lot of the villagers. It is also an effective delineation of Mahatmaji’s method of work—the technique of Satyagraha, which, later organised through the length and breadth of the country, won India freedom from foreign rule.
Coming from the pen of an active participant in the Champaran Satyagraha and later the Freedom Movement, this book acquires the significance of an important document in the history of Indian nationalism.

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Contents

Publisher’s Note —Pgs. 7

Foreword —Pgs. 9

1. Land and Life —Pgs. 15

2. History of Champaran —Pgs. 19

3. Europeans & Indigo Cultivation —Pgs. 23

4. Grievances of Tenants —Pgs. 28

5. 1907-1909 —Pgs. 37

6. Sharahbeshi, Tawan, Harja —Pgs. 49

7. Government Measures —Pgs. 67

8. Abwab —Pgs. 77

9. Survey and Settlement —Pgs. 85

10. The Advent of Mahatma Gandhi —Pgs. 89

11. Mahatma Gandhi at Bettiah —Pgs. 109

12. Interview with the Hon’ble Mr. Maude —Pgs. 115

13. Consternation Amongst Planters —Pgs. 123

14. Mahatma Gandhi Interviews the Governor —Pgs. 134

15. The Appointment of the Enquiry Committee —Pgs. 139

16. The Sitting of the Enquiry Committee —Pgs. 146

17. The Report of the Champaran Agrarian Enquiry Committee —Pgs. 154

18. Planters Uneasy —Pgs. 157

19. The Champaran Agrarian Act —Pgs. 163

20. How Volunteers Served —Pgs. 167

Appendix A The Champaran Agrarian Bill, 1917 —Pgs. 175

Appendix B 

The List of Volunteers From the

Bombay Presidency —Pgs. 188

Index —Pgs. 189

One of the foremost Gandhian leaders, Dr. Rajendra Prasad was born on December 3, 1884 at Zeradei, a village in the then district Saran of Bihar. Schooling in District School Chapra, and higher education in Presidency College, Calcutta. A brilliant student, topped the list in successive examinations of Calcutta University. Started career as a lawyer in 1911 in Calcutta High Court, later shifted to Patna.Right from student days engaged in activities of public concern. Founder of the ‘Bihari Students’ Conference’. Rendered valuable assistance to Mahatma Gandhi in Champaran Satyagraha (1917-18). Gave up a flourishing legal practice to join the Non-Cooperation Movement (1920). A top-rank Congress leader and freedom-fighter. Thrice elected Congress President. Prominent role in the rebuilding of the country. Food and Agriculture Minister in the Interim Government. President of the Constituent Assembly. President of the Republic of India from 1950 to 1962. An erudite scholar, serious and constructive thinker, and speaker and writer of great distinction. Honoured with various distinguished titles in the country and abroad. Conferred with Bharat Ratna in 1962.After relinquishing office on May 13, 1962, retired to his old hermitage in Sadaqat Ashram, Bihar Vidyapith, Patna, where he breathed his last on February 28, 1963.