Page 76 - NIS English 16-31 May 2023

Nation Amrit Mahotsav

PANDIT RAJKUMAR SHUKLA

HERO OF CHAMPARAN

SATYAGRAHA

Born: August 23, 1875; Died: May 20, 1929

hamparan and its surrounding areas are to Champaran. Mahatma Gandhi assured
Cknown throughout the country and the Shukla that he would visit Champaran. On
world as the place of Mahatma Gandhi's April 10, 1917, Mahatma Gandhi arrived
experiment. It was the movement that in Patna at Rajkumar Shukla's request.
elevated Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi to Following that, he went to Champaran and
the status of Mahatma Gandhi. Rajkumar advocated for farmers through satyagraha.
Shukla was instrumental in drawing Mahatma Rajkumar Shukla continued to tell everyone
Gandhi's attention to the plight of peasants about Mahatma Gandhi in the area so that the
in Champaran, Bihar, who were subjected to public could trust Gandhi and the movement
an oppressive system set up by European could continue under his leadership. As a
indigo planters. Pandit Rajkumar Shukla was result of his efforts, farmers were freed from
born in a village in Bihar's Champaran district forced indigo cultivation. Only after this
on August 23, 1875. He was very concerned did the Champaran Satyagraha become an
about Champaran's Tinkathia system. He indelible chapter in Indian history.
worked hard to come up with a solution. Mahatma Gandhi did Satyagraha for the
Rajkumar was a victim of this predatory first time on Indian soil, in Champaran itself.
system. In such a situation, he fought against This struggle gave new enthusiasm and
the colonial power's discrimination in the confidence to the people of the country.
Champaran region and emerged as a leading Bapu had shaken the foundation of British
leader. He organised the surrounding farmers rule by using weapons like Satyagraha in
and persuaded them to stop growing indigo, Champaran. After this movement, Mahatma
and as a result, people began to stop growing Gandhi emerged as a great leader in the
indigo. Following this, the British filed a case world. The national struggle for freedom
against the farmers and imprisoned them. entered a new phase after the success of the
Rajkumar Shukla continued to meet with Champaran Satyagraha. After the Champaran
lawyers in order to defend the farmers' cases Satyagraha, the rest of Shukla's days were
and provide quick justice to them. spent in poverty, having sacrificed all his land
Later, he met Mahatma Gandhi and told and property in the movement. Shukla died
him about the plight of farmers in Champaran on May 20, 1929. The Government of India
and how British colonial officials exploited has issued a commemorative postage stamp
them. He asked Mahatma Gandhi to come in honour of Rajkumar Shukla.

74 New India Samachar May 16-31, 2023