University Grants Commission, New Delhi Recognized Journal No. 41311 ISSN: Print: 2347-5021 www.research-chronicler.com ISSN: Online: 2347-503X Champaran: Probationary Internship of Future Gandhi Premlata Research Scholar (History), Tilka Manjhi University, Bhagalpur, (Bihar) India Abstract Gandhi plays an important role in freedom movement. He started Champaran Satyagraha for the freedom of the nation. He arrived Champaran on 10April 1917 and took rest at the house of Sant Raut in Amolwa Village with a group of eminent lawyers. He observed the situation of the locality and launched satyagraha. Key Words: Champaran, Freedom, Farmer, Struggle, Victory Mahatma Gandhi himself admitted and So, the most noteworthy place of North shared with Louis Fischer in 1947, the Bihar, Muzaffarpur acquired historical importance of Champaran Satyagraha. He importance as vital centre of intellectual said, deliberation. “I will tell you how it The credit for Gandhi’s visit at happened that I decided, to Muzaffarpur goes to Professor of History urge the departure of the J.B. Kripalani of the G.B.B. College, British. If was in 1917.”1 (Later rechristened as L.S. College) whom Gandhi had seen at Shantiniketan of When Raj Kumar Shukla approached him Tagore. for a visit to Champaran, the place was alien to his topographical knowledge. But On arrival at Muzaffarpur railway station the utmost sincerity in consistency and Gandhi was warmly received by Kripalani stand fast persuasion finally moved along with host of inmates of college Gandhi to undertake a visit to a place, hostel of which he was Superintendent. Gandhi has not heard of it.2 Another distinguished Professor Malkani Although Raj Kumar Shukla was resolute, of the erstwhile GBB College, was host for Gandhi was aware that he was not two days in the college campus. articulate enough to impart detailed Overwhelmed by Malkani’s hospitality information about the prevailing Gandhi observed: conditions in and around Champaran, he “It was an extraordinary was scheduled to visit. Hence, Gandhiji thing in those days for a decided to first visit Muzaffarpur, which government Professor to was in way to Champaran to gather harbour a men like me”.3 relevant information. Gandhi meeting with British Officials at his own initiative proved an eye opener. Volume V Spl. Issue II: November 2017 (191) Guest Editor: Dr. Md. Irshad University Grants Commission, New Delhi Recognized Journal No. 41311 ISSN: Print: 2347-5021 www.research-chronicler.com ISSN: Online: 2347-503X He was bluntly treated as an outsider by undiluted love and respect for Gandhi was the secretary of the British Landlord so immense that Gandhi was overwhelmed (Planters) association which was politely by their humility, simplicity and but firmly refuted. Even the Tirhut extraordinary faith that they responded in Commissioner bullied him to be an Gandhi. unwelcome guest and ordained to leave “In meeting with the Tirhut and once again Gandhi refused to peasants I was face to face oblige. On both occasions, Gandhi sticking with God, Ahimsa and to his ground proved to be a turning point Truth.”5 vis-à-vis his futuristic firm campaign for swaraj in the days to come. It is apt to add that Gandhi’s unshakable faith in the people at large continued to be Seeds of Civil Disobedience (1930) were lifelong governing principles. This was firmly planted in his refusal to obey orders indelible legacy of Champaran to of British officials in Champaran on Gandhian thought. unethical grounds. Throughout his defiance of arbitrary British Commands, Although, he went non-compliance what he remained polite and friendly but very he deemed in comparable with firm in his resolution. hisconscience, he remained non-offensive while offering civil resistance to their Louis Fisher, his acclaimed American orders. biographer has state, The fact was that the motivated case “He was giving them against him was withdrawn. A commission (British) concrete proof that on enquiry was constituted and the case their might hitherto dreaded was withdrawn against him made him and unquestioned, could be surer about the efficacy of his campaign in challenged by Indians”.4 Champaran. He himself has recorded in his The India, events in Champaran provided autobiography, the first opportunity for mass mobilization “The Champaran struggle which had no parallel earlier. Ground was a proof of the fact that, reality in Champaran were more disinterested service of the challenging because the peasants were people in any sphere ignorant and had no knowledge about ultimately helps the country Gandhi as a person or a leader. All they politically.”6 knew that a ‘Masiha’ has come to mitigate their miseries. Buoyant by the success of Champaran Satyagrah, Gandhi was now resolved to As a matter of strategy, Gandhi was fully carry the spirit of the same to its logical avoided tagging Congress with Champaran end by applying broad principles of mission as the Congress was soft towards peaceful civil resistance based on effective the Government. Further, the rayyats of teamwork and people’s participation in Champaran has no idea about the world National perspective. outside the region. However, their Volume V Spl. Issue II: November 2017 (192) Guest Editor: Dr. Md. Irshad University Grants Commission, New Delhi Recognized Journal No. 41311 ISSN: Print: 2347-5021 www.research-chronicler.com ISSN: Online: 2347-503X References: 1. The Life of Mahatma Gandhi-Louis Fischer Happer Colophon Books. 2. Ibid. 3. Ibid, p. 149. 4. Ibid, p. 151. 5. The story of My Experiments with Truth (Autobiography of MK Gandhi), p. 385 6. Ibid, p. 388 Volume V Spl. Issue II: November 2017 (193) Guest Editor: Dr. Md. Irshad .