CBSE Class 12th Indigo Most Important Questions with Solutions in English Medium Full Syllabus

CBSE Class 12th Indigo Most Important Questions with Solutions – “Indigo” is most likely referring to Chapter 5 of the CBSE Class 12 English textbook, Flamingo, titled “Indigo”. It is a prose extract based on an interview with Mahatma Gandhi by Louis Fischer in 1942. The chapter narrates Gandhi’s experiences during the Champaran Satyagraha of 1917, where he led a non-violent movement against the oppressive indigo farming practices imposed by British planters on Indian sharecroppers.

Key Points & Main Characters About The Chapter

• Setting: Champaran district, Bihar, India
• Time Period: 1917
• Mahatma Gandhi: Leader of the Champaran Satyagraha
• Raja Harihar Singh: British planter who exploited the sharecroppers
• Rajkumar Shukla: Gandhi’s translator and interpreter
• The Champaran sharecroppers: Oppressed farmers forced to grow indigo

Plot Summary

• The Champaran sharecroppers were compelled to plant indigo on 15% of their land and surrender the entire harvest as rent to the British planters.
• This practice was deeply unfair and exploitative, leaving the sharecroppers in debt and poverty.
• In 1917, Gandhi arrived in Champaran after learning about the plight of the sharecroppers.
• He organized the Champaran Satyagraha, a non-violent protest movement against the indigo system.
• Gandhi convinced the sharecroppers to refuse to cooperate with the planters and not pay the unjust rents.
• He also exposed the planters’ cruel practices to the world through interviews and public speeches.
• After a long and arduous struggle, Gandhi and the satyagrahis achieved success.
• The British government appointed a commission to investigate the grievances of the sharecroppers.
• The commission ruled in favor of the sharecroppers, abolishing the tinkathia system and allowing them to keep a larger portion of their crops.

Themes

• Exploitation and oppression
• Non-violent resistance
• Justice and equality
• Importance of leadership

“Indigo” is a powerful and inspiring story that highlights the effectiveness of non-violent resistance in bringing about social change. It also sheds light on the historical context of British colonialism in India and the struggles of ordinary people for their rights.

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CBSE Class 12th Indigo Most Important Questions with Solutions

Q:- Strike out what is not true in the following.

a. Rajkumar Shukla was
(i) a sharecropper.
(ii) a politician.
(iii) delegate.
(iv) a landlord.

Ans a landlord.

b. Rajkumar Shukla was

(i) poor.
(ii) physically strong.
(iii) illiterate.

Ans poor, illiterate

Q:-  Why is Rajkumar Shukla described as being ‘resolute’?

Raj Kumar Shukla was a poor, emaciated sharecropper in his mid-30s who had fallen victim to British landlords. Despite his illiteracy, he was adamant about upsetting the British landlords’ unfairness. He is portrayed as a persistent, determined individual who is not easily deterred by challenges

Rajkumar Shukla is described as being ‘resolute’ because even after being told about the prior engagements of Gandhi at Cawnpore and other parts across the county, he does not quit.

Q:- Why do you think the servants thought Gandhi to be another peasant?

CBSE Class 12th Indigo Most Important Questions with Solutions- Gandhi’s appearance: He was known for his simple and austere lifestyle, often dressing in plain dhotis and khadi clothing. This attire was similar to what many peasants in India wore at the time. Class 12th Indigo Most Important Questions with Solutions

His association with Rajkumar Shukla: Gandhi had arrived at the house in the company of Rajkumar Shukla, a poor indigo sharecropper whom the servants already knew. Seeing them together, the servants might have naturally assumed that Gandhi was also a peasant seeking help or assistance.

Lack of awareness about Gandhi’s stature: In 1917, when this incident is believed to have occurred, Gandhi was still relatively unknown outside of certain circles. He hadn’t yet risen to national prominence as the leader of the Indian independence movement. So, it’s possible the servants simply weren’t familiar with who he was.

Prevailing social hierarchy: Back then, India had a rigid social hierarchy with distinct classes. Peasants occupied the lower rungs, while wealthy landowners and their servants belonged to the upper echelons. Given this context, it wouldn’t be surprising for the servants to make assumptions about someone’s social status based on their appearance and company.

It’s important to note that this is just speculation based on the available information. The exact reasons why the servants mistook Gandhi for a peasant might never be fully known. However, the factors mentioned above provide a plausible explanation for their misconception.

Q:-  List the places that Gandhi visited between his first meeting with Shukla and his arrival at Champaran.

Between his first meeting with Rajkumar Shukla in Lucknow and his arrival at Champaran, Mahatma Gandhi visited several places, though the exact itinerary and duration of his stays can vary depending on sources. Here’s a likely order based on available information:

1. Cawnpore (Kanpur): Gandhi briefly stopped here to meet with some people before proceeding further.
2. Sabarmati Ashram near Ahmedabad: He returned to his ashram for a short period to consult with other members and organize the Champaran satyagraha.
3. Calcutta (Kolkata): Here, he gathered further support for the cause and met with prominent leaders like C.R. Das and Surendranath Banerjee.
4. Patna: In the capital of Bihar, he met with local leaders and gathered evidence from indigo farmers about their plight.
5. Muzaffarpur: This town served as a staging ground for Gandhi and his colleagues before they finally proceeded to Champaran. CBSE Class 12th Indigo Most Important Questions with Solutions

Q:- What did the peasants pay the  British landlords as rent? What did the British now want instead and why? What would be the impact of synthetic indigo on the prices of natural indigo

CBSE Class 12th Indigo Most Important Questions with Solutions- The peasants in Bengal, under British rule, faced a rent system called tirakulti. This system forced them to cultivate indigo on 15% of their land, with the entire harvest going to the British landlords as rent. This left them with less land and resources to grow food for themselves and their families, creating a burden and a source of resentment.

Shift in rent demands

With the invention of synthetic indigo in Germany, the demand for natural indigo from India dropped significantly. British landlords realized their lucrative indigo rent system was at risk. Therefore, they offered to release peasants from the indigo cultivation requirement in exchange for compensation.

• Falling demand for natural indigo: Synthetic indigo was cheaper and more readily available, making natural indigo less profitable.
• Peasant unrest: The harsh tirakulti system led to widespread discontent and occasional revolts, threatening the landlords’ control.
• Desire to maintain control: While releasing peasants from indigo cultivation, they aimed to still extract some form of rent or payment to maintain their financial advantage.

Impact of synthetic indigo

• Price collapse: With a readily available and cheaper alternative, the demand for natural indigo plummeted, leading to a sharp decline in its price.
• Peasant hardship: As the price of natural indigo fell, the landlords’ income decreased. This often resulted in increased pressure on peasants to pay higher rents in cash or other forms, further worsening their already difficult situation.
• End of an era: The collapse of the natural indigo market signaled the end of a major chapter in India’s agricultural history, forcing changes in farming practices and economic arrangements.

It’s important to remember that the transition from natural to synthetic indigo had profound consequences for both the British landlords and the Indian peasants, reshaping the landscape of colonial agriculture and contributing to the growing nationalist sentiment in India.

Q:- The events in this part of the text illustrate Gandhi’s method of working. Can you identify some instances of this method and link them to his ideas of satyagraha and non-violence?

Q:- Why did Gandhi agree to a settlement of 25 per cent refund to the farmers?

Q:- How did the episode change the plight of the peasant

Q:- Why do you think Gandhi considered the Champaran episode to be a turning-point in his life?

Q:- How was Gandhi able to influence lawyers? Give instances.

Q:- What was the attitude of the average Indian in smaller localities towards advocates of ‘home rule’?

Q:- How do we know that ordinary people too contributed to the freedom movement?