VBQs Class 12 English Indigo (Louis Fischer)

Please refer to VBQs for Class 12 English Indigo (Louis Fischer). All value based questions for English Class 12 have been provided with solutions. We have provided below important values questions and answers. Students should learn these solved VBQs for Class 12 English as these will help them to gain more marks and help improve understanding of important topics.

Indigo (Louis Fischer) VBQs Class 12 English with Answers

Question. Gandhi was not permitted to draw water from Rajendra Prasad’s well because:
(A) the servant thought Gandhi was another peasant.
(B) Rajendra Prasad was not at home.
(C) Gandhi looked like a vagabond.
(D) Gandhi was a Harijan.

Question. In the light of the following statement, pick the option that lists characteristics of Gandhi. “Gandhi never contented himself with large political or economic solutions. He saw the cultural and social backwardness in the Champaran villages and wanted to do something about it immediately.”
1. Pragmatic
2. Obedient
3. Compassionate
4. Philanthropic
5. Patient
6. Dramatic
(A) 1, 3, 6
(B) 2, 4, 5
(C) 1, 3, 4
(D) 2, 5, 6

Question. Who were ready to follow Gandhi into jail?
(A) Peasants
(B) Lawyers
(C) Shukla
(D) J.B. Kriplani

Question. When Gandhi visited the secretary of British landlord’s association, the secretary:
(A) proceeded to bully him.
(B) advised him to leave Tirhut.
(C) said that they could not give any information to an outsider.
(D) was very helpful and cooperative.

Question. Complete the statement about the form of the chapter, ‘Indigo’.
The chapter ‘Indigo’ is __________ a Louis Fischer book.
(A) a preface to
(B) the blurb for
(C) the foreword of
(D) an excerpt from

Question. The big planters thought Gandhi would demand:
(A) repayment in full.
(B) double the amount.
(C) fifty percent of the amount.
(D) no payment, just an apology.

Question. Champaran episode was considered as a turning point in the history because:
(A) its voice spread far and wide.
(B) it became famous.
(C) the British were scared.
(D) it was conducted to protest the courts’ order to postpone the trial.

Question. How did Gandhi act with the officials outside the court?
(A) Showed his power.
(B) He was firm and stubborn.
(C) He said that he would disobey the order.
(D) He cooperated with them.

Question. Gandhi helped peasants of Champaran by:
(A) fighting and securing justice for them.
(B) hiring lawyers for them.
(C) educating them.
(D) teaching them cleanliness.

Question. What does Shukla`s following Gandhiji everywhere reflect about his nature?
(a) Sheer determination
(b) Obstinate nature
(c) Obsequiousness
(d) Shamelessness

Question. Where was Gandhiji`s ashram?
(a) Near Cawnpore
(b) In Lucknow
(c) In Champaran
(d) Near Ahmedabad

Question. Why was Gandhiji going to Cawnpore?
(a) To attend his relatives
(b) To attend some family functions.
(c) Due to some appointment.
(d) To his ancestral house.

Question. For how long did Shukla remain with Gandhiji?
(a) For several weeks
(b) For few months
(c) For a year
(d) For few days.

Extract Based MCQs :

I. Read the given extracts and answer the questions that follow: 
They thought he would demand repayment in full of the money which they had illegally and deceitfully extorted from the sharecroppers. He asked only 50 per cent. “There he seemed adamant,” writes Reverend J. Z. Hodge, a British missionary in Champaran who observed the entire episode at close range. “Thinking probably that he would not give way, the representative of the planters offered to refund to the extent of 25 per cent and to his amazement, Mr. Gandhi took him at his word, thus breaking the deadlock. ” This settlement was adopted unanimously by the commission. 

Question. The deadlock broke because :
(A) Gandhi’s settlement offer was worth considering.
(B) All commission members agreed to adopt the representative’s offer.
(C) Reverend J. Z. Hodge’s intervention brought both parties together.
(D) The sharecroppers refused to be convinced by the commission.

Question. Gandhi knew that he would not get an agreement on the demand for 50% repayment. Choose the option that offers the correct justification for the assumption made above.
(A) He had anticipated the negotiating tactics of the planter’s representative.
(B) He had been informed about the depleting funds of the planters.
(C) He had taken the advice of the Reverend on board.
(D) He had evaluated the commission’s attitude towards Indians.

Question. Based on the given context, choose the option that exemplifies a deceitful extortion, out of the examples given below.
1. The artisans demonstrated for their rights, peacefully, on the streets.
2. The head of the artisan union pretended to address all the problems faced by them.
3. The head of the artisan union came with goons and took all the assets of the poor artisans.
4. The artisans in Hafrgunj decided to sell their wares directly to the government outlets.
(A) Option 1
(B) Option 2
(C) Option 3
(D) Option 4

Question. Given below are four real-life situations. Choose the option that perfectly describes a deadlock.

(A) Situation 1
(B) Situation 2
(C) Situation 3
(D) Situation 4

II. But Champaran did not begin as an act of defiance. It grew out of an attempt to alleviate the distress of large numbers of poor peasants. This was the typical Gandhi pattern — his politics were intertwined with the practical, day-to-day problems of the millions. His was not a loyalty to abstractions; it was a loyalty to living human beings. In everything Gandhi did, moreover, he tried to mould a new free Indian who could stand on his own feet and thus, make India free. 

Question. The given extract DOES NOT talk about :
(A) details of the daily problems faced by human beings.
(B) efforts to relieve suffering of the common people.
(C) the reason for the occurrence of Champaran.
(D) Gandhi’s principles in the field of politics.

Question. Which option showcases an example of action (A) -result (R), from the passage?
(1) A= defiance R= poor peasants
(2) A= free Indians R= free India
(3) A= free India R= defiance
(4) A= defiance R= free Indians
(A) Option 1
(B) Option 2
(C) Option 3
(D) Option 4

Question. Choose the option listing the sentence that is the most appropriate example of an ‘act of defiance’, from the following:
She picked up the telephone terrified of what was about to come. She could hear nobody on the other side. Meanwhile, there was a thud at the door loud enough to scare her. Curious as she was, she wanted to open it as soon as possible. Her mother tried to stop her several times, but she went ahead, nevertheless.
(A) She picked up the telephone terrified of what was about to come.
(B) Meanwhile, there was a thud at the door loud enough to scare her.
(C) Curious as she was, she wanted to open it as soon as possible.
(D) Her mother tried to stop her several times but she went ahead nevertheless.

Question. Choose the correct option with reference to the two statements given below.
Statement 1: His was not a loyalty to abstractions; it was a loyalty to living, human beings.
Statement 2: Gandhi was a humanitarian at heart.
(A) Statement 1 is the cause of Statement 2.
(B) Statement 2 is the effect of Statement 1.
(C) Statement 2 can be inferred from Statement 1.
(D) Statement 1 and Statement 2 are independent of each other.

III. They had merely heard that a Mahatma who wanted to help them was in trouble with the authorities. Their spontaneous demonstration, in thousands, around the courthouse was the beginning of their liberation from fear of the British. The officials felt powerless without Gandhi’s co-operation. He helped them regulate the crowd. He was polite and friendly. He was giving them concrete proof that their might, hitherto dreaded and unquestioned, could be challenged by Indians. The government was baffled. The prosecutor requested the judge to postpone the trial. Apparently, the authorities wished to consult their superiors.

Question. The officials felt powerless because:
(A) of Gandhi’s refusal to co-operate with them.
(B) of Gandhi’s polite and friendly behaviour.
(C) the crowd was listening only to Gandhi.
(D) the crowd was getting violent.

Question. Gandhiji’s behaviour towards the British prior to the proposal of postponement of the trial was that of:
(A) indifference.
(B) calm acceptance.
(C) ignorance of consequences.
(D) polite helpfulness.

Question. The demonstration proved that the:
(A) policies of the British had failed.
(B) dread instilled in the hearts of Indians had begun to lessen.
(C) dealings with the Indian citizens had been unsuccessful.
(D) might of the British had not been understood by Indians.

Question. Which style, from those given below, is being used by the author, when he says, “Apparently, the authorities wished to consult their superiors.“?
(A) Humourous
(B) Dramatic
(c) Sarcastic
(D) Persuasive

IV. ‘I am Rajkumar Shukla. I am from Champaran and I want you to come to my district’!’’

Question. Why did he request the addressee to come to his district?
(A) To sort the problems of the local advocates.
(B) To convince others to start growing Indigo.
(C) To sort the problems of the sharecroppers.
(D) To start India’s struggle for Independence.

Question. Who was Rajkumar Shukla?
(A) Advocate
(B) Zamindar
(C) Peasant
(D) British official

Question. Whom was he speaking to?
(A) Mahatma Gandhi
(B) Rabindranath Tagore
(C) Kasturba Gandhi
(D) Kriplani

Question. Where does the district ‘Champaran’ lie?
(A) Foothills of Himalayas
(B) Gangetic Plains
(c) Western Ghats
(D) Thar Desert

V. He was illiterate but resolute. He had come to the Congress Session to complain about the injustice of the landlord system in Bihar.

Question. Which city had ‘he’ come to where the Congress Session was going on?
(A) Kanpur
(B) Lucknow
(C) Gandhinagar
(D) New Delhi

Question. Why had ‘he’ come to the Congress Session?
(A) To complain about the injustice of the landlords in Bihar.
(B) To complain about the young boy who had tossed him in water.
(C) To complain about the problems of bangle makers.
(D) To complain about the problems of rag-pickers.

Question. Who is ‘he’ in the above extract?
(A) William Douglas
(B) Saheb
(C) Mukesh
(D) Rajkumar Shukla

Question. Why is ‘he’ described as being ‘resolute’?
(A) He had followed Gandhiji wherever he went.
(B) He had pledged to learn swimming.
(C) He was determined to master the art of bangle making.
(D) He was ready to plant new crops after three years of drought.

VI. He was polite and friendly. He was giving them concrete proof that their might, hitherto dreaded and unquestioned, could be challenged by Indians. The government was baffled.

Question. Who is ‘He’ in the above lines?
(A) Rajendra Prasad
(B) Jawahar Lal Nehru
(C) Mahatma Gandhi
(D) Kriplani

Question. How did ‘he’ prove that Indians were no longer dreaded?
(A) Gandhiji did not appear in the Court.
(B) The judge was threatened to give verdict in his favour.
(C) The courtroom was flocked by peasants in thousands.
(D) None of these

Question. Which is the word which has the similar meaning as ‘till now’?
(A) Concrete
(B) Hitherto
(C) Dreaded
(D) Baffled

Question. Who are ‘them’?
(A) British Officials
(B) Landlords of Bihar
(C) Advocate Unions
(D) Peasants Association

Short Answer Type Questions :

Question. Explain the possible reasons for Gandhi’s quick popularity among the peasants of Champaran.
Ans. Gandhiji didn’t leave Champaran after his victory. During his stay there, he had realized that the people of Champaran were culturally and socially backward, so he decided to work on this front also. He decided to open primary schools and taught about personal hygiene, community cleanliness etc. to the people of Champaran. Gandhiji’s wife Kasturba joined him in this movement. Gandhiji’s appeal among the peasants was enhanced by his ascetic lifestyle, and by his use of the dhoti and the charkha. Thus, with his firm determination and persistent efforts, he was able to bring changes in the ordinary man’s life.

Question. Though the sharecroppers of Champaran received only one-fourth of the compensation, how can the Champaran struggle still be termed a huge success and victory? 
Ans. Gandhiji’s persistent efforts, firm determination, and resolution led to his success in Champaran. He went to Champaran at the request of an illiterate peasant and there he listened to the grievances of the sharecroppers and started the Civil Disobedience Movement. He became victorious and the landlords withdrew their claims over their estates and were reverted back to the farmers.
They learnt courage and realised that they too, can be defenders. The landlords obliged to surrender part of their money and prestige. Thus, Gandhiji broke the deadlock between farmers and landlords.

Question. Why did Gandhi chide the lawyers?
Ans. Gandhiji came to know about the plight of poor peasants of Champaran. He was told that Muzzaffarpur lawyers frequently represented peasant groups in court. Gandhiji chided them for collecting big fee from the sharecroppers. After his chiding the lawyers realised that it was shameful for them not to help peasants as Gandhi being a stranger was ready even to go to jail for the peasants.

Question. How did Gandhiji show that he cared for the cultural and social backwardness of Champaran villages?
Ans. The peasants of Champaran`s villages were culturally and socially backward, besides being crushed and fear-stricken by the British due to the sharecropper agreement. Gandhiji freed them from exploitation by teaching them that they have rights and also supporters of their cause. The backwardness was tackled by opening primary schools, improving the healthcare facilities and teaching the villagers personal cleanliness and community sanitation.

Question. Instead of going to Champaran, Gandhi went to Muzzafarpur. Give a valid reason.
Ans. Shukla had already poured information about the troubles of the poor peasants. But Gandhi wanted to obtain more information about conditions than Shukla was capable of imparting. So, he sent a telegram to Prof. J.B. Kripalani. He came at the station with his students. Gandhi stayed for two days at the house of Prof. Malkani. Muzzafarpur lawyers too called on Gandhi to brief him.

Question. Why is Raj Kumar Shukla described as being resolute?
Ans. Raj Kumar Shukla was a poor, illiterate peasant from Champaran. When he came to know that Gandhi was in Lucknow, he decided to meet him to help the poor sharecroppers of Champaran. He requested Gandhi to come to Champaran but Gandhi was not free. He had appointments in Cawnpore and in other parts of India. Shukla followed him everywhere and even to his ashram at Ahmedabad and urged him to fix a date. Finally, Gandhi had to agree to visit Champaran. This clearly shows that Shukla was resolute.

Question. “The battle of Champaran is won“. When and why did Gandhiji exclaim this?
Ans. Gandhiji said that the battle of Champaran is won when the prominent people agreed to go to jail for the course of Champaran. Gandhiji knew that now he would be able to pressurize the government.

Question. The peasants were themselves the most crucial agents in the success of the Champaran Civil Disobedience. Expand.
Ans. The peasants were the most crucial agents in the success of the Champaran Civil Disobedience. This is because if they had not withstood Gandhiji and not placed trust in him, then the movement will have been a great disaster. Gandhiji alone could not have achieved success of Champaran, the peasants were the supporters that made the movement a success.

Question. Why do you think Gandhiji considered the Champaran episode to be a turning point in his life?
Ans. Gandhiji considered the Champaran episode to be a turning point in his life because it was during this struggle that he decided to urge the departure of the Britishers. He had made the peasants learn courage and realise that they too had rights and can defend themselves. He made them get rid of their fear also. Apart from this, he also taught the Indians a lesson of self-reliance. In this way, Champaran episode was, in fact, a turning point in Gandhiji’s life.

Question. Gandhi was a lawyer himself. Examine how his professional expertise helped in Champaran.
Ans. Terror-stricken peasants had no voice to raise and no relief in the courts against the unfair dealings of the landlords. When Gandhiji came on scene, he viewed the entire situation and declared that there was no point in getting into litigations, as law courts would hardly be able to do justice to the peasants. He felt that it was necessary to teach these downtrodden farmers how to be courageous. Until and unless, they got over the terror of the Britishers, they would never experience any sense of relief, he realized. Therefore, he gave priority to empowering and emboldening the peasants rather than waging legal battles for them.

Question. What did Gandhiji do about the social and cultural upliftment of the Champaran villages?

OR

What steps did Gandhiji take to remove the cultural and social backwardness in the rural areas of Champaran?
Ans. Gandhiji decided to open primary schools so he appealed for teachers. A couple of his disciples volunteered themselves as teachers. Gandhiji also took help of a doctor. Some basic ailments of the villagers were treated. Not only this, Gandhiji’s wife Kasturba also joined him in this movement and also taught the rules of personal cleanliness and community sanitation to the women.
Thus, with his firm determination and persistent efforts, Gandhiji was able to bring changes in the ordinary man’s life.

Question. Gandhi makes it clear that money and finance are a secondary aspect of the struggle in Champaran. Comment on aspect that you think was most important for Gandhi. 
Ans. Gandhiji’s persistent efforts, firm determination, and resolution led to his success in Champaran. He went to Champaran at the request of an illiterate peasant and there he listened to the grievances of the sharecroppers and started the Civil Disobedience Movement. He became victorious and the landlords withdrew their claims over their estates and were reverted back to the farmers. They learnt courage and realised that they too, can defend. The landlords obliged to surrender part of their money and prestige. Thus, Gandhiji broke the deadlock
between farmers and landlords.

Question. When Gandhi got the whole hearted support of the lawyers, he said, ‘The battle of Champaran is won’. What was the essence behind his statement? 
Ans. When Gandhi asked the lawyers what they would do if he went to jail, one of the senior lawyers replied that they would go back home. Gandhi then scolded the lawyers asking their obligation towards the poor peasants. He said that it would be shameful desertion on their part if they deserted the peasants in absence of Gandhi. So lawyers realised their mistake that if an outsider, Gandhi, was supporting the cause of the peasants, they had social duty towards them. Hence they said that they would accompany Gandhi to jail. Finally, getting support of educated Indians like lawyers, Gandhi gained confidence that now they would win against the British.

Question. Why did Gandhiji agree to a settlement of mere 25 percent? 
Ans. Gandhiji agreed to a settlement of mere 25 percent compensation from the British because he wanted them to part not only from money but also from their prestige. For him, breaking deadlock was more important than the amount of money.

Question. Why has Raj Kumar Shukla been described as being resolute? 
Ans. Rajkumar Shukla, the Champaran sharecropper, requested Gandhiji at a Congress Session in Lucknow, to fix a date to visit Champaran where the sharecroppers were being subjected to injustice. Until Gandhiji fixed a date to go with him, Shukla did not leave him, rather he accompanied him wherever he went. Gandhiji was impressed by his tenacity and determination and finally agreed to go there from Calcutta.

Question. Why did Gandhiji not accept C. F. Andrews’ help during the Champaran Movement?

OR

Why did Gandhiji oppose to C. F. Andrews helping him in Champaran? 
Ans. Mr. Charles Freer Andrews was an Englishman and Gandhiji did not want his help. He did not believe in seeking help from him. Since, the cause was good, he believed that their victory was certain. He wanted that the lawyers must not take any help from an Englishman as their fight was against the English. That’s why Gandhiji wanted the lawyers to be self-reliant.

Long Answer Type Questions :

Question. How did Civil Disobedience triumph at Motihari? 
Ans. Gandhiji began his efforts at Champaran by trying to get the facts. For this purpose, he visited the secretary of the British Landlord’s Association, but he refused to give any information to an outsider. Next, he called upon the British official commissioner of the Tirhut division in which Champaran district lay. The commissioner bullied him and advised him to leave Tirhut but he stayed there. This shows that Gandhiji was a staunch seeker and believer of truth.
Gandhiji consulted the lawyers and chided them for collecting fee from the sharecroppers, However, Gandhiji disobeyed the court’s order and rather proceeded to Motihari, the capital of Champaran. He mobilized the support of the lawyers and peasants. He got an official notice to quit Champaran immediately. However, he disobeyed the order and was summoned to court. The spontaneous demonstration of thousands of farmers was their liberation from the fear of the British. Gandhiji just wanted the civil disobedience movement or Satyagraha in a non-violent manner. Later on, Satyagraha and non-violence became the main pillars of strength for India’s freedom struggle.

Question. Why did Gandhiji consider freedom from fear more important than legal justice for the poor peasants of Champaran? 
Ans. The ruthless exploitation of the poor farmers by the landlords of Champaran prompted the farmers to fight endless legal battle against the landlords with the help of eminent lawyers. However, the battles were inconclusive. Terror-stricken peasants had no voice to raise and no relief in the courts against the unfair dealings of the landlords. When Gandhiji came on scene, he viewed the entire situation and declared that there was no point in getting into litigations as law courts would hardly be able to do justice to the peasants. He felt that it was necessary to teach these down-trodden farmers how to be courageous . Until and unless, they got over the terror of the Britishers, they would never experience any sense of relief, he realized. Therefore, he gave priority to empowering and emboldening the peasants rather than waging legal battles for them. After that, Gandhiji decided to accept a settlement of 25% of the compensation money as what mattered more to him was the moral victory of the farmers and making the landlords realise their own dishonesty and surrender the money as well as their prestige. Thus, Champaran episode marked the beginning of a total transformation of the poor and exploited peasants. Within a few years, the British planters abandoned their estates, which reverted to the peasants.

Question. Why did Raj Kumar Shukla invite Gandhiji to Champaran? How did Gandhiji solve the problem of the indigo farmers?
Ans. Raj Kumar Shukla invited Gandhiji to Champaran to fight against the injustice meted out to the peasants in Champaran.
Gandhiji scolded the lawyers for collecting big fees from the sharecroppers. He telegraphed Dr. Rajendra Prasad to come from Bihar with his friends who conferred with Gandhiji who asked them what they would do if he was sentenced to prison. The senior lawyers replied that they had come to advise and help him. Being a stranger Gandhiji was prepared to go to prison for the sake of the peasants. They also agreed to follow Gandhiji to jail.
Gandhiji and the lawyers had written down dispositions by about ten thousand peasants and notes made on other evidences. He was served summons but remained firm. Then he received a written communication from the magistrate that the Lt. Governor of the province had ordered the case to be dropped. Gandhiji agreed to a settlement of 25% refund to the farmers.

Question. How did Gandhiji succeed in getting justice for the indigo sharecroppers?

OR

Give an account of Gandhiji’s efforts to secure justice for the poor indigo sharecroppers of Champaran?
Ans. Gandhiji stayed at Muzaffarpur where he met the lawyers and concluded that fighting through courts was not going to solve the problem of the poor sharecroppers of Champaran. He declared that the real relief for them was to be free from fear. With this intention, he arrived in Champaran and contacted the Secretary of the British Landlord’s Association. The Secretary refused to provide him any information. After this, Gandhiji met the Commissioner of the Tirhut Division who served a notice on him to immediately leave Tirhut. Gandhiji accepted the notice by signing it and wrote on it that he would not obey the order. He was even willing to court arrest for the cause of the peasants. After four rounds of talks with the Governor, an official commission of inquiry was appointed in which Gandhiji was made the sole representative of the peasants. Through this commission, Gandhiji succeeded in getting 25% of the compensation award for the poor sharecroppers from the British landowners. The peasants realised that they had rights and defenders. They learnt courage.

Question. Imagine Gandhi were to deliver a speech to students in present day India showing them the path to become responsible world leaders. Based on your understanding of Gandhi’s own leadership skills, write a speech, as Gandhi, addressing the students about the qualities that every leader and  politician should nurture.
Dear students, you are all leaders of social change. I see many bright and enthusiastic faces that assure me that our future is in good hands. I have learnt from my own experience.
Ans. Dear students, you are all leaders of social change. I see many bright and enthusiastic faces that assure me that our future is in good hands. I have learnt from my own experience that sweeping away prejudices gives new values for living. I stress the importance of Truth and Non-violence and called you to “Be Fearless”. I understand the feeling and sympathy of youth and called you as instruments of social change. I believe that only spiritual and ethical values can bring in changes to the social order. I want modern youth and students to become the means to form idealistic thoughts. I encourage young minds about self-reliance as a crucial necessity to success.
I am open-minded and want all the young people to be the same. I insist on being tolerant of all religions.
I emphasize on simplicity, kindness, truth, and non-violence as life’s mantra. These are the essential things that you as students have to learn and follow. Moreover, I want the youth of today to follow moral values. I wish Indian youth to follow my ideals to lead a peaceful India.
Thank you

Question. How did Gandhiji use satyagraha and non-violence at Champaran to achieve his goal?
Ans. The peasants of Champaran were in great fear of the British government because they were forced to plant 15% of their holdings with indigo and surrender the entire produce to the landlords. When synthetic indigo came, the landlords released them from this condition after demanding compensation from them. The innocent peasants agreed without realising what they were doing. When Raj Kumar Shukla told Gandhiji about it, Gandhiji visited Champaran and realized that the peasants were greatly in fear of the British. He realized that it was necessary to rid them of their fear. He started the Civil Disobedience Movement. That is why the Champaran episode is considered to be the beginning of the Indian struggle for independence as everyone realized that they could stand against the British, and they could not order them around in their own country. The farmers learnt courage and realised that they too had rights just like the defenders. Thus, the Champaran episode was a landmark and is considered to be the beginning of Indian struggle for independence.

Question. Why did Rajkumar Shukla invite Gandhiji to Champaran? How did Gandhiji solve the problem of the indigo farmers? 
Ans. Rajkumar Shukla invited Gandhiji to Champaran to fight against the injustice meted out to the peasants in Champaran.
Gandhiji scolded the lawyers for collecting high fees from the sharecroppers. He telegraphed Dr. Rajendra Prasad to come from Bihar with his friends who conferred with Gandhiji, and advised Dr. Prasad and his friends what they would do if he was sentenced to prison. The senior lawyers replied that they had come to advise and help him. Being a stranger, Gandhiji was prepared to go to prison for the sake of the peasants. They also agreed to follow Gandhiji to jail.
Gandhiji and the lawyers had written down depositions by about ten thousand peasants and prepared notes based on other evidence. Gandhiji was served summons, but he remained firm. Then, he received a written communication from the magistrate that the Lt. Governor of the province had ordered the case to be dropped. Gandhiji agreed to a settlement of 25% refund to the farmers.

Question. How did the court scene at Motihari change the course of India’s struggle for freedom?
Ans. In Champaran, the peasants were greatly in fear of the British government. The cause of the problem was indigo and the greed of the landlords. They had forced the tenants to plant 15% of their holdings with indigo and surrender the entire produce to the landlords. When synthetic indigo came, the landlords were ready to release the above condition. They demanded compensation, the repercussions of which the peasants did not know and agreed to it.
Later, when the peasants came to know about synthetic indigo, they asked for their money back. The British hired thugs to oppose them. Gandhiji realized that there was no need for lawyers. He realized that it was necessary to release them of their fear which was difficult to achieve as they were uneducated.
However, with his determination, he championed their cause. Soon, he led a movement of non-violence and Satyagraha. Many farmers demonstrated around the courtroom where Gandhiji was summoned. This made the British feel challenged. Sharecroppers from Champaran came barefooted to see Gandhiji. Muzzaffarpur lawyers too called on him. He explained what he had done was an ordinary thing. He had simply told the Britishers that they could not order him in his own country. Gandhiji tried to mould new free Indians who could stand on their own feet.
This new realization gave him a direction to lead the freedom struggle and thus, proved to be a turning point in the course of India’s struggle for freedom. This was the first time Gandhiji realised that India was capable of mass movements and it was after this episode that he started the national struggle for freedom across the country.

Question. Why is the Champaran episode considered to be the beginning of the Indian struggle for Independence? 
Ans. The Champaran episode was a landmark in Gandhian style of fighting against the British. It grew out of an attempt to make the sufferings of poor peasants less severe. The peasants of Champaran were in great fear of the British government because they were forced to plant 15% of their holdings with Indigo and surrender the entire produce to the landlord. When synthetic indigo came, the landlords released them after demanding compensation from them. The innocent peasants agreed without realising what they were doing. When Raj Kumar Shukla told Gandhiji about it, Gandhiji visited Champaran and realized that the peasants were greatly in fear of the British. He realized that it was necessary to liberate them of their fear of British. After the Civil Disobedience Movement, the farmers also got encouraged and realised that they too had rights and defenders as well. It was a spontaneous demonstration around the courthouse which made everyone realise that it was the beginning of the Indian struggle for Independence. Everyone also realized that they could stand against the British, and they could not order them around in their own country. That is why the Champaran episode is considered to be the beginning of the Indian struggle for Independence.