A. THINK AS YOU READ :
1 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 - (iii) A delegate is not true .
(b) Rajkumar Shukla was :
(i) Poor (ii) Physically Strong (iii) Illiterate
Ans - (ii) Physically strong is false .
2. Why is Rajkumar Shukla described as being ' resolute '
Ans - After he meet Gandhiji , Shukla wanted the leader to go to his village Champaran and solve the problems of the peasants there . But Gandhiji was busy for many months and had no time . So , Shukla accompanied Gandhiji to whatever place he went because he did not want to lose Gandhiji's sight . So , he remained with him and finally took him to the village . This proves that he is 'resolute'.
3. Why do you think the servants thought Gandhi to be another peasant ?
Ans - Gandhi was too simple and modest , his dress was very ordinary and he never behaved as a great leader . So , the servants thought so .
B. THINK AS YOU READ :
1. List the places that Gandhi visited between his first meeting with Shukla and his arrival at Champaran ?
Ans - Gandhi visited Rajendra Prasad's house at Mujaffarpur , Professor Malkani's home before he reached Champaran .
2. What did the peasants pay the British landlords as rent ? What did the British row want instead and why ? What would be the impact of synthetic indigo on the prices of natural indigo ?
Ans - Firstly the peasants were bound by some old contract to plant indigo on the fifteen percent of their holdings, and then they had to pay all the harvest as rent . Now after learning about synthetic indigo the British no longer wanted the production of the rural indigo since it was getting profitable . So , they claimed from the peasants that in order to free them from the indigo growing contract , compensation should be paid .
C. THINK AS YOU READ :
1. The events in this part of the text illustrate Gandhiji's method of working . Can you identify some instances of this method and link them to his ideas Satyagraha and non violence ?
Ans - It is known to all that Gandhiji listened to his inner voice and followed it , he never did anything that was not allowed by his conscience . When he was on the right path he never cared for any threat , nor was afraid . He believed in fighting evil goodness and patience . As far as possible he tried to fight violence and injustice with non - violence . In Champaran also he was so harassed by the authorities , but he did not succumb . These were his ideas of Satyagraha and non-violence he lived in truth and non- violence .
D. THINK AS YOU READ :
1. Why did Gandhiji agree to a settlement of 25 Percent refund to the farmers ?
Ans - Gandhiji asked for 50 Percent refund to the farmers , but the planters offered only 25 percent which they thought would be opposed and the deadlock would continue . But Gandhiji agreed and ended the trouble , he told that the amount was not important , the surrender of the British and the assurance of the farmer's rights were more important .
2. How did the episode change the plight of the peasants ?
Ans - After the Champaran episode the peasants understood their rights , they became confident and gained courage . Besides , when the British planters left , the estates came back to the peasants themselves . So, their sufferings came to an end .
E. UNDERSTANDING THE TEXT :
1. Why do you think Gandhi considered the Champaran episode to be a turning - point in his life ?
Ans - The Champaran episode was a turning- point in Gandhiji's life because through this he was able to prove to the British that Indians are capable enough to fight for their country and their rights , and if the ignorant people are deceived , leaders like him are always there to help and fight for them .
2. How was Gandhiji able to influence lawyers ? Give instances ?
Ans - They lawyer of Gandhiji wished that Andrews- Gandhiji's devoted pupil should stay back in India to help in the Indians struggle , but Gandhiji told them not to do so because it would mean thier weakness . So , they should have faith on themselves and fight for the country with unity and self - reliance .
3. What was the attitude of the average Indian in smaller localities towards advocates of ' home rule '?
Ans - In those days the average Indian people were afraid to support or express sympathy towards the advocates of home- rule .
4. How do we know that ordinary people too contributed to the freedom movement ?
Ans - Even in other episodes the ordinary people offered tremendous support to the leaders of the freedom struggle . When Gandhi was in trouble in Motihari the common people came in uncontrollable crowds to stand by him . They became to oppose the authorities and finally Gandhi's case was dropped only because of Civil disobedience .
F. ADDITIONAL QUESTION AND ANSWERS :
1. What was the event in which Rajkumar Shukla met Gandhiji in Lucknow ?
Ans - It was the annual convention of the Indian National Congress in Lucknow , in December , 1916 .
2. Why did Shukla went up to Gandhi ?
Ans - He came up with some serious problems of the peasants of Champaran , his village , and wanted hel from Gandhi to solve them.
3. Did Gandhi went at once with Shukla ? Why ?
Ans - Gandhi had several meetings and appointments at hand . So , he told Shukla to wait for some months .
4. How was Shukla able to impress Gandhi and then take them with him Champaran ?
Ans - After he meet Gandhiji , Shukla wanted the leader to go to his village Champaran and solve the problems of the peasants there . But Gandhiji was busy for many months and had no time . So , Shukla accompanied Gandhiji to whatever place he went because he did not want to lose Gandhiji's sight . So , he remained with him and finally took him to the village . This proves that he is ' resolute '.
5. Where did Gandhiji and Shukla go at first ?
Ans - At first they went to Patna .
