Understanding the Kheda Satyagraha

The Kheda Satyagraha was a significant movement during India's struggle for independence, led by Mahatma Gandhi. It was a form of civil disobedience that took place in the Kheda district of Gujarat.

When was the Kheda Satyagraha Held?

The Kheda Satyagraha was held in the year 1918. This makes option 3 the correct answer.

Causes of the Kheda Satyagraha

The main reasons for the Kheda Satyagraha were:

• Severe crop failure in 1918 due to drought.
• An outbreak of plague and cholera, which further worsened the economic condition of the farmers.
• Despite the distress, the Bombay Presidency government insisted on collecting the full land revenue tax from the farmers.
• According to the revenue code, if the yield was less than a quarter of the normal produce, the farmers were entitled to a remission of the tax. The farmers of Kheda argued their yield was much lower than that, but the government refused to grant remission.

The farmers asked the government to suspend revenue collection, but their pleas were ignored. Mahatma Gandhi decided to support the farmers' cause and launched the Satyagraha.

Key Leaders and the Kheda Movement

Mahatma Gandhi played a crucial role in guiding the Kheda Satyagraha. He was assisted by other prominent leaders, most notably Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, who emerged as a key organizer and leader of the farmers during this movement. Other leaders included Indulal Yagnik, Shankarlal Banker, Mahadev Desai, and others.

The method of protest was non-violent civil disobedience. The farmers were asked to refuse to pay the revenue and face the consequences peacefully. Gandhi encouraged the farmers to be strong and not submit to the oppressive demands of the government.

Outcome of the Satyagraha

The Satyagraha continued for several months, with farmers facing seizure of their property and arrest. However, their resolve and non-violent resistance eventually led to a negotiation. The government finally reached a compromise:

• The government agreed to suspend the revenue collection for the year.
• They also agreed that the tax would be collected only from those farmers who could afford to pay.
• Furthermore, the government ordered the return of seized property.

Although the explicit remission for all wasn't achieved, the movement was considered a success as the government had to negotiate and concede to some demands, recognizing the power of organized non-violent protest.

Revision Table: Important Early Satyagrahas Led by Gandhi

Additional Information: Related Movements and Context

The Kheda Satyagraha, along with the Champaran Satyagraha (1917) and the Ahmedabad Mill Strike (1918), were among Mahatma Gandhi's earliest experiments with Satyagraha in India after his return from South Africa. These movements helped establish his leadership and the effectiveness of his non-violent methods in the Indian freedom struggle. The Kheda movement specifically demonstrated the potential of mobilizing peasants for political action.

The experience gained from these early struggles prepared Gandhi and his followers for larger movements like the Non-Cooperation Movement.