A TIMELINE OF EVENTS
In the second half of the 19th century, Champaran had close to 100,000 acres of indigo plantations. However, after Germany invented the synthetic dye in 1897, demand for natural indigo fell drastically. By 1914, only 59 plantations on 8,100 acres remained in all of Bihar. However, after the First World War broke out, trade with Germany was stopped, which renewed the demand for natural indigo from Bihar. A system called Tinkathia mandated that peasants grow indigo on a portion of their land, or else pay higher rent to the indigo factory, owned by the imperialists. Farmers began to agitate and some even took a collective vow to not grow indigo.
April 11, 1917: MK Gandhi reaches Muzaffarpur, writes letter to Champaran commissioner LF Morshead, saying that he has come to study indigo plantations with “cooperation of local administration” April 13: Gandhi calls on Morshead, who then writes to the district magistrate (DM) of Champaran, warning him of Gandhi’s impending visit. “There is a danger of disturbance to the public tranquility should he visit”
April 16: Gandhi sets off atop an elephant to Jasaulpatti, where indigo plantation tenants have complained about oppression by British planters. He is stopped en route by a police constable; returns to Motihari. DM asks Gandhi to leave district by next available train. Gandhi refuses, writes to the Viceroy
April 17: Asks Sabarmati Ashram to return his Kaiser-i-Hind medal awarded by the British Government April 18: Gandhi starts taking testimonies of indigo farmers; appears before magistrate in the afternoon, says he is bound to disobey the DM’s orders and stay on in Champaran
April 20: Legal proceedings against Gandhi are abandoned on Lieutenant Governor’s advise. Bihar Planters Association, European Defence Association write letters, pass resolution, fearing Gandhi’s presence in Champaran will have disastrous consequences to the welfare of Europeans in Champaran
April 22 onwards: Starts visiting villages, often by foot, staying overnight in some cases, to collect testimonies
April 25: Bettiah subdivisional magistrate observes, “by the planters Mr Gandhi is very naturally regarded as natural enemy”, “to the raiyats, he is their liberator”
June 4: Gandhi visits Ranchi, hands over testimonies to the Lt Governor Sir Edward Gait
June 10: Champaran Agrarian Enquiry Committee is appointed; comprises Gandhi, four Indian Civil Services British officers and FG Sly, the commissioner of Central Provinces July - August: Several commission meetings take place in Bettiah, Motihari and neighbouring villages Gandhi opens schools in Champaran, Kasturba assists
October 3: Committee submits its report; Gandhi goes to Motihari October 11: Visits Bettiah; 4000 people wait for him at the station October 13: Gandhi returns to Ahmedabad November: Mahadev Desai joins as Gandhi’s secretary