How did Mahatma Gandhi begin the satyagraha movement in Champaran?

Created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

The Mahabodhi Temple at Bodh Gaya, Bihar, India, features a tall, intricately carved central spire surrounded by smaller shrines, trees, and gardens. — Bihar Mahabodhi Buddhist temple, built in the 2nd century ce, Bodh Gaya, Bihar, India.

Mahatma Gandhi initiated the Champaran Satyagraha in 1917 after being invited to Bihar by farmer-leader Raj Kumar Shukla to address the oppressive tinkathia system, which forced tenants to grow indigo under exploitative conditions.1

Rather than launching an immediate protest, Gandhi prioritized a thorough investigation. He collected thousands of testimonies with volunteers like Rajendra Prasad and J.B. Kripalani and established education programs for the local community with Kasturba Gandhi.1

When colonial officials ordered him to leave, Gandhi refused, choosing arrest over compliance. This act of civil disobedience drew massive public support, forcing the government to drop the case and allow his inquiry to continue. The resulting pressure led to the formation of the Champaran Agrarian Enquiry Committee, which ultimately recommended the abolition of the tinkathia system, a victory for the farmers' rights and dignity.1