Explore Exams

All Exams Test series for 1 year @ ₹349 only

Kheda Satyagraha (1918) – Modern India History Notes

Kheda Satyagraha of 1918 is known to be the first non-cooperation movement led by Mahatma Gandhi. This satyagraha was centred on the peasant-Patidar community of Kheda, who refused to agree to a 23 percent tax hike imposed on them despite a disastrous crop failure and outbreak of plague and cholera. With the help of stalwarts such as Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, Gandhiji's team members such as Indulal Yagnik, Shankarlal Banker, and Mahadev Desai, among others, travelled across the countryside raising awareness about farmers' rights. In this article, we will discuss the features of Kheda Satyagraha which will be helpful for UPSC exam preparation.

Table of Contents

Kheda Satyagraha – Background
Features
Conclusion
FAQs
MCQs

Background

Kheda Satyagraha – Background

Farmers in Gujarat's Kheda district were in distress due to crop failure.
The government refused to remit land revenue and insisted on collecting it in full.
Mahatma Gandhi advised the peasants to withhold payment of revenue until their demand for its remission was met as part of the experiment.
When it was discovered that the government had issued instructions that revenue be recovered only from those peasants who could afford to pay, the struggle was called off.
During the Kheda movement, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel became a follower of Gandhiji.

Other Relevant Links
Gandhi in South Africa(1893-1914)	Gandhi in India
Champaran Satyagraha(1917)	Experiment with truth in South Africa
Ahmedabad Mill strike(1918)	Rowlatt Satyagraha(1918)

Features

Kheda Satyagraha – Features

Crops in Gujarat's Kheda district failed due to drought in 1918.
Farmers were entitled to remission under the Revenue Code if the yield was less than one-fourth of the normal produce.
The Gujarat Sabha, comprised of peasants, petitioned the province's highest governing authorities, requesting that the revenue assessment for 1919 be suspended.
The government, on the other hand, remained steadfast and stated that if the taxes were not paid, the farmers' property would be seized.
Gandhi requested that the farmers not pay the taxes. Gandhi, on the other hand, was primarily the spiritual leader of the struggle.
Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and a group of other devoted Gandhians, including Narahari Parikh, Mohanlal Pandya, and Ravi Shankar Vyas, went around the villages, organising the villagers and telling them what to do, and providing the necessary political leadership.
Patel and his colleagues organised the tax revolt, which was supported by Kheda's various ethnic and caste communities.
The revolt was notable for its adherence to discipline and unity.
Even when the government seized the farmers' personal property, land, and livelihood for non-payment of taxes, the vast majority of Kheda's farmers did not desert Sardar Patel.
Gujaratis in other parts of the state who sympathised with the cause of the revolt assisted by sheltering the protesting peasants' relatives and property.
Those Indians who attempted to purchase the confiscated lands were socially shunned.
Finally, the government attempted to reach an agreement with the farmers. It agreed to suspend the tax for the current year and the following year, to reduce the rate increase, and to return all confiscated property.

Conclusion

The movement's greatest achievements were that it remained nonviolent, that peasants were educated about their rights, and that the community remained steadfast in its demand for a tax holiday that year. The struggle at Kheda sparked a new wave of awakening among the peasantry. They realised that they would not be free of injustice and exploitation until their country attained complete independence.

Other Relevant Links
Modern India History Notes	Era of Militant Nationalism(1905-1909)
First world war and nationalist response(1914-1919)	First Phase of Revolutionary Activties(1907-1917)
Emergence of Gandhi	World War 1
Swadeshi Movement & Boycott Movement (1905-1908)	Growth of Militant Nationalism

FAQs

Question: What was the Kheda Satyagraha?

Answer: The Kheda Satyagraha was a non-violent movement led by Mahatma Gandhi in 1918 in the Kheda district of Gujarat, where farmers protested against the British government’s refusal to waive taxes despite a severe drought.

Question: Why did the peasants of Kheda refuse to pay taxes in 1918?

Answer: The peasants refused to pay taxes because the region was affected by drought and crop failure, making it impossible for them to pay the land revenue tax imposed by the British.

Question: What role did Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel play in the Kheda Satyagraha?

Answer: Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel played a pivotal role in organizing and mobilizing the peasants during the Kheda Satyagraha. His leadership and negotiation skills contributed significantly to the success of the movement.

Question: How did the Kheda Satyagraha end?

Answer: The Kheda Satyagraha ended with a victory for the peasants, as the British government eventually agreed to waive the taxes for that year after months of peaceful protest.

Question: What was the significance of the Kheda Satyagraha in India’s freedom movement?

Answer: The Kheda Satyagraha was significant because it marked the successful application of Satyagraha (non-violent resistance) in India’s freedom movement. It strengthened Gandhi’s leadership and the use of peaceful protests to achieve political goals.

MCQs

1. In which year did the Kheda Satyagraha take place?

A) 1915
B) 1916
C) 1918
D) 1920

Answer: (C) See the Explanation

The Kheda Satyagraha took place in 1918 in the Kheda district of Gujarat under the leadership of Mahatma Gandhi.

2. What was the main demand of the Kheda Satyagraha?

A) Lowering of land revenue
B) Waiver of taxes due to drought
C) Reduction of salt tax
D) Complete independence from British rule

Answer: (B) See the Explanation

The main demand of the Kheda Satyagraha was the waiver of land revenue taxes due to drought and crop failure.

3. Who was one of the prominent leaders, apart from Gandhi, in the Kheda Satyagraha?

A) Jawaharlal Nehru
B) Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel
C) Subhash Chandra Bose
D) Bhagat Singh

Answer: (B) See the Explanation

Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel played a key role in organizing the peasants and negotiating with the British authorities during the Kheda Satyagraha.

4. What principle was the Kheda Satyagraha based on?

A) Armed resistance
B) Non-cooperation
C) Satyagraha (non-violent resistance)
D) Civil disobedience

Answer: (C) See the Explanation

The Kheda Satyagraha was based on the principle of Satyagraha, which means non-violent resistance led by Mahatma Gandhi.

5. Which of the following was an outcome of the Kheda Satyagraha?

A) Complete independence for India
B) Reduction in land revenue
C) British government waived taxes for that year
D) Introduction of new tax laws

Answer: (C) See the Explanation

As a result of the Kheda Satyagraha, the British government waived the land revenue taxes for that year, marking a victory for the peasants.

GS Mains Questions and Model Answers

Q1: Discuss the significance of the Kheda Satyagraha in the Indian freedom movement and its impact on Gandhi’s leadership.

Answer: The Kheda Satyagraha of 1918 was a landmark event in India’s freedom movement. It was significant for several reasons: it marked the successful application of Satyagraha, or non-violent resistance, in a rural context, where peasants suffering from drought and famine refused to pay taxes to the British government. The movement highlighted the plight of the rural population and demonstrated the effectiveness of mass civil disobedience. For Mahatma Gandhi, the success of the Kheda Satyagraha solidified his leadership and established him as a major figure in the Indian freedom struggle. It also strengthened the use of Satyagraha as a tool for peaceful resistance against British rule.

Q2: Analyze the role of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel in the success of the Kheda Satyagraha.

Answer: Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel played a crucial role in the Kheda Satyagraha as one of the key leaders who organized and mobilized the peasants. Patel, along with local leaders, ensured that the farmers stayed united in their demand for tax relief despite the pressure from the British authorities. He negotiated with the colonial government and played an instrumental role in persuading the British to waive the taxes. Patel’s leadership during the Kheda Satyagraha marked the beginning of his rise as one of the most important leaders in the Indian freedom movement.

Q3: Evaluate the success of the Kheda Satyagraha and its influence on subsequent peasant movements in India.

Answer: The Kheda Satyagraha was a successful movement as it led to the waiver of taxes by the British government, providing much-needed relief to the suffering peasants. Its success demonstrated the power of non-violent resistance and inspired future peasant movements in India. The tactics used in Kheda, such as unity, non-cooperation, and peaceful protest, became a template for other struggles, including the Bardoli Satyagraha led by Vallabhbhai Patel. The Kheda Satyagraha also helped build a stronger connection between the urban nationalist leaders and the rural masses, laying the groundwork for the larger freedom struggle.

Previous Year Questions on Kheda Satyagraha

1. UPSC CSE Mains 2018 (GS Paper 1)

Question: Analyze the significance of the Kheda Satyagraha of 1918 in the context of India’s freedom movement.

Answer: The Kheda Satyagraha of 1918 was significant in India’s freedom movement as it marked the first successful application of Satyagraha in rural India. Led by Mahatma Gandhi, the movement demanded a waiver of taxes for peasants affected by drought and crop failure in the Kheda district of Gujarat. The movement not only provided relief to the peasants but also demonstrated the power of non-violent resistance. It strengthened Gandhi’s leadership and showcased the potential for mass mobilization in India's struggle for independence.

2. UPSC CSE Prelims 2019

Question: Which of the following was a key outcome of the Kheda Satyagraha in 1918?

A) The British government agreed to reduce land revenue taxes
B) The British government waived land revenue taxes for that year
C) The British government introduced the Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms
D) The peasants received compensation for crop failure

Answer: B

Explanation: The Kheda Satyagraha ended with the British government waiving the land revenue taxes for that year after months of peaceful protest, marking a victory for the peasants and Gandhi’s leadership.

Other Relevant Links
Indian Polity Notes	Indian Economy Notes
Art and Culture Notes	Governance Notes
Ancient India History Notes	Medieval India History Notes
Modern India History Notes	Geography Notes
Science And Technology Notes	Environment And Ecology Notes
Post Independence Notes	Society Notes
Internal Security Notes	Ethics Notes
Disaster Management Notes	World History
International Relations	Social Justice Notes
CSAT Notes	Government Scheme Notes