POETS AND PANCAKES

BY ASHOKAMITRAN

A Project Report
Submitted by
________________
Reg.no:
Grade: XII

Central Board of Secondary Education, New Delhi In partial fulfillment of curriculum

English internal Assessment conducted by CBSE, New Delhi.

2024-2025

TRINITY CENTRAL SCHOOL [CBSE] SENIOR SECONDARY

Affiliated to CBSE, New Delhi Affiliated no: 1930882 Chithirancode, Kanniyakumari District.
CERTIFICATE

This to certify that ______________is a student of class XII with

Reg.no: _______ has successfully completed the project on
________ . The above-mentioned project work has been completed
under my guidance during the academic year 2024-2025.
ACKNOWLEDGMENT
I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the ALMIGHTY for his divine
guidance and blessings throughout the course of this project.

I am deeply grateful to the Correspondent, Rev. Fr. Godvin Sounder Raj,

Principal, Rev. Sr. Mary Curie, and my subject facilitator, Miss. A.V. Teenu, for
their invaluable guidance, constant encouragement, and constructive suggestions
during the course of this work.

I extend my sincere gratitude to my parents for their unconditional support and

motivation to me to complete this project punctually.

Signature of the student

ENGLISH PROJECT

INDIG
O
 SUBMITTED BY
Miria Tephi
Rizzia Paul
Ritcia
Harishma Grace
Haniya Sulthana
INDEX

CERTIICATE OF COMPLETION

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

OBJECTIVES

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

BACKGROUND OF THE

STORY JUSTIFICATION OF

TITLE

REASON FOR CHAMPARAN MOVEMENT

NEED OF INDIGO

METHODS OF INDIGO CULTIVATION

CHAMPARAN- A TURNING POINT

LEADERSHIP OF GANDHI

CONCLUSION

BIBLIOGRAPHY
Objectives
Objectives of Gandhi we get to know from the prose Indigo and which we can implement in our

own lives are

● Humility

and Simplicity: Gandhi did not object to being treated as a peasant at Rajendra

Prasad's house by the servants.

● Non-Violent Attitude: Gandhi used peaceful means to bend the British law. He was

prepared to go to jail for subverting the order for his eviction from the district of Champaran. ●

Humanitarian Approach: Gandhi called his wife and children to work for medical upliftment

and literacy of the peasants of Champaran

● Determination: Gandhi stayed in Champaran for about a year to ensure that justice for the

peasants there was accomplished.

● Self-reliance: Gandhi did everything himself and taught the lawyers there to be self-reliant.

He did not take help from Charles Freer Andrews, a British pacifist, despite the lawyers

requesting him to do so.

● Fellow Feeling: Gandhi worked for the people of hamparan even though he did not belong to

the area and was not familiar with them.

About The Author

Philadelphia-born Louis Fischer (1896-1970) was a political historian

and a recognized authority on the Soviet Union. During World War I,

he fought with the Jewish Legion, a British military unit in Palestine.

In 1922, he moved to the Soviet Union. He remained there for 14

years, working as a journalist.

 In 1933, the Nazis burned Louis Fischer's writing for its sympathy

toward Communism. Fischer left the Soviet Union during the Stalinist purges of intellectuals, many

of Fischer's friends and fellow Jews among them. He gradually drifted away from Communism.

Fischer traveled extensively, enlisting with the International Brigades during the Spanish Civil War

and visiting India where he befriended Mahatma Gandhi.

In 1938, Fischer returned to the United States and eventually joined

the faculty at Princeton University. By 1950, he was utterly

disillusioned with Communism and took part in the milestone anti

Communist symposium "The

God That Failed." His 1930 The

Soviets and World Affairs was

used as a textbook in 1950s

America. The excerpt Indigo is taken from the book The Life Of

Mahatma Gandhi
Background Of Champaran Movement
The Champaran Movement of 1917, led by Mahatma Gandhi, marked a significant turning point

in India's struggle for independence. It was one of Gandhi's earliest interventions in the Indian

freedom movement and laid the foundation for his strategy of non-violent resistance or

Satyagraha. The movement originated in the Champaran district of Bihar, where indigo farmers

were subjected to the exploitative system of Tinkathia by British planters. Under this system,

farmers were forced to grow indigo on a portion of their land, often a third, regardless of the

losses they suffered due to the unsuitability of the land for indigo cultivation. The farmers were

also subjected to oppressive rents and taxes, leading to deepening poverty and debt. When the

demand for natural indigo declined with the advent of synthetic dyes, British planters still forced

the farmers to grow it to extract maximum profits. Gandhi was invited to Champaran by local

leaders like Raj Kumar Shukla, who sought his help in addressing the grievances of the farmers.

Upon his arrival, Gandhi conducted a meticulous survey, collecting firsthand accounts of the

farmers' suffering. Despite facing government opposition and threats of arrest, he persisted,

gaining widespread support from the local

population. Gandhi's efforts led to the formation of

a commission that included him, and as a result of

his non-violent pressure, the colonial government

ultimately abolished the Tinkathia system and

reduced taxes, bringing relief to the farmers.

The Champaran Satyagraha was Gandhi’s first major political victory in India, showcasing the

power of peaceful resistance and mass

mobilization. It also the beginning of his deep

connection with the Indian peasantry, aligning

their struggles with the broader nationalist

movement. The movement is seen as a

precursor to subsequent civil disobedience

campaigns, playing a critical role in Gandhi's

emergence as a national leader and in shaping India's fight against British colonialism.

Reason for Champaran

The Champaran Movement of 1917 was a crucial event in India's struggle for independence,

ignited by the severe exploitation of indigo farmers

in the Champaran district of Bihar by British

colonial planters. The root cause

of the movement lay in the oppressive Tinkathia

system, under which local farmers were coerced

into cultivating indigo on a portion of their land—

typically three out of every twenty parts, or about

15%. This system was highly exploitative because

it did not consider the farmers’ preferences, soil conditions, or market demand. British planters

enforced indigo farming to extract maximum profits, even though growing indigo was

unprofitable for the farmers, leading to widespread poverty and debt.

A key reason for the movement was the introduction
of

synthetic dyes in Europe, which caused the demand

for natural indigo to plummet. Despite this, British

planters continued to insist on indigo cultivation,

further impoverishing the already struggling farmers.

The farmers were not only forced to grow indigo but also had to sell it at fixed, extremely low

prices. This economic exploitation was compounded by oppressive taxes, rents, and various forms

of coercion and violence by the British planters.The farmers of Champaran had few avenues for

redress, as the colonial administration typically sided with the British landlords, and any resistance

by the farmers was often met with harsh retribution. These conditions created deep resentment

among the peasantry and drove them to seek help from leaders who could take up their cause. Raj

Kumar Shukla, a local farmer and activist, played a pivotal role in bringing the plight of

Champaran’s farmers to the attention of Mahatma Gandhi.

Gandhi's involvement transformed what was a local

issue into a significant national struggle. His entry into

Champaran was

driven by his
firm belief in
justice and non-
violent

resistance. After
meeting the
affected farmers,
Gandhi

realized that their

conditions were not just a result

of economic oppression but also tied to larger structural

issues of colonial exploitation. The Champaran Movement

was thus sparked by the urgent need to end the exploitative

Tinkathia system, reclaim farmers' rights over their land, and challenge the broader system of

British imperialism in India.

In summary, the Champaran Movement was initiated

to address the immediate economic grievances of

indigo farmers, who were trapped in an exploitative

system that drained their resources and autonomy. It

was also a protest against the larger injustices of

colonial rule, making it one of the first steps towards

India's broader fight for independence. Gandhi’s

leadership in the movement was critical in shaping its non-violent approach, and the eventual

success of the movement demonstrated the power of mass civil disobedience as a tool against

colonial exploitation.

Justification Of Title

The title ‘Indigo’ is quite appropriate, to

the point and suggestive. It at once focuses

our attention on the central issue-the

exploitation of the indigo sharecropper

peasants at the hands of cruel British

planters. They compelled them through a

long term agreement to raise indigo on 15

percent of their land holding and surrender the entire indigo harvest as rent. After the development

of synthetic indigo by Germany, the British planters extracted money from the peasants as
compensation for being released from the 15 percent agreement. The peasants who wanted their

money back had filed civil suits. The

planters who behaved as lords above

the law and were dreaded by the poor

were obliged to surrender part of

money and with it part of their

prestige. The extract also points out

the work done by Gandhi and his

associates to improve the economic,

political, cultural and social fief of

the indigo sharecroppers. Their

education, health and hygiene also received due attention. The plight of indigo sharecroppers,

then- struggle under Gandhi’s leadership and ultimate victory when Indigo sharecropping

disappeared from important landmarks thus indicating the title ‘Indigo’ as highly suggestive and

applied

Character sketch

Gandhi:

Gandhi is portrayed as a man of moral convictions

who supported non-violent protests and nonviolent

demonstrations. He is shown as someone who was

willing to go to great lengths to achieve his goals and

stood up for what he believed in. Gandhiji had a

strong

magnetic presence and persuasive powers. He had the

ability to attract individuals from every level of

society
and turn them into allies in the freedom movement. It

also emphasises his understanding of legal procedure

and regard for the law. One gets to know about his

humble lifestyle and rejection of materialism and luxury. He is a knowledgeable, kind, and

determined person who is prepared to make significant sacrifices for the benefit of his nation and its

people

Raj Kumar Shukla:

Raj Kumar Shukla was a poor, emaciated sharecropper

in his mid-30s who had fallen victim to British

landlords.

Despite his illiteracy, he was adamant about upsetting

the British landlords’ unfairness. He is portrayed as a

persistent, determined individual who is not easily

deterred by challenges. He has few words but strong

opinions. He uses simple expressions, yet his tone of

voice as well as his actions show his sincerity and determination. In order to get Gandhiji’s
assistance in fighting the British landlords, he went to meet him. He stayed by Gandhiji’s side until

he gave him a time to visit Champaran. In the Champaran episode, Raj Kumar Shukla had a

significant part to perform.

Rajendra Prasad:

Rajendra Prasad was a lawyer in Patna, who later on

became the President of the Congress part and of India

.He was an eminent freedom fighter, a renowned jurist,

an

eloquent parliamentarian, an able administrator, a

statesman par excellence and above all, a humanist to the

core. An ardent follower of Mahatma Gandhi, he

represented all that is best in Indian culture. He provided

legal assistance to the indigo farmers and helped them

navigate the legal complexities of their struggle.

Charles Freer Andrews:

Charles Freer Andrews (12 February 1871 – 5 April

1940) was angelican priest and Christian missionary,

educator and social reformer, and an activist for India

Independence. He became a close friend of

Rabindranath Tagore and Mahatma Gandhi and

identified with the Indian liberation struggle. He was

instrumental in convincing Gandhi to return to India

from South Africa, where Gandhi had been a leading

light in the Indian civil rights struggle.

Kasturba Gandhi:
She was an Indian political activist. She married

Mohandas Gandhi in 1883 and was very influenced by

him. Kasturba and Gandhi left South Africa in July

1914 and returned to live in India. In spite of

Kasturba’s chronic bronchitis, she continued to take

part in civil actions and protests across India and often

took her husband’s spot when he was in prison. The

major part of her time was dedicated to serving in

ashrams. Here, Kasturba was referred to as “Ba” or

Mother, because she served as mother of the ashrams

in India.

Devdas Gandhi:

Devdas Mohandas Gandhi (22 May 1900 – 3 August

1957) was the fourth and youngest son of Mahatma

Gandhi. He was born in the Colony of Natal and came

to India with his parents as a grown man. He became

active in his father's movement, spending many terms

in jail. He also became a prominent journalist, serving

as editor of Hindustan times.

Need of Indigo

The British had a significant need for indigo during the colonial

period for several reasons:

Textile Industry: Indigo was a crucial raw material for the

textile industry, especially in Europe. It was used to produce a

vibrant blue dye that was in high demand for coloring fabrics.

Blue textiles were particularly popular among European

consumers, and indigo was the primary source of this color.

Profitability: Indigo cultivation was highly profitable for the British East India Company and other

European colonial powers. It was considered a cash crop because of its value in international trade.

The indigo trade contributed to the economic prosperity of the British Empire.

Economic Control: Encouraging indigo cultivation in India allowed the British to exert economic

control over the region. They imposed indigo cultivation on Indian farmers through a system known

as the "indigo plantation system" or "ryotwari system." Indian farmers were forced to cultivate

indigo instead of food crops, which sometimes led to dire consequences for their livelihoods.

Export Revenue: Indigo was one of the principal commodities exported from India to Europe,

generating substantial export revenue for the British. This revenue played a significant role in

sustaining the colonial administration in India.

Champaran –A Turning Point

The Champaran episode was a turning point in Gandhi's life. The Champaran episode proved to

help the Indian Independence. Gandhiji took up a fight for the sharecroppers against the landlords.
Rajkumar Shukla who told him about the injustice suffered by the sharecroppers took Gandhiji to

Champaran. Gandhiji assessed the situation and understood that the landlords were forcing the

sharecroppers to plant 15% of their holding with indigo and then give up the entire harvest to them

as rent. Since Germany had come up with the concept of synthetic indigo, the price of the natural

indigo fell. The landlords forced the sharecroppers to pay compensation. It was then that Gandhiji

heard about the ill-treatment of a peasant.Gandhiji decided to look into the matter, but he received

an official notice to leave Champaran and quit whatever he was doing there. Gandhiji fought against

this injustice by telling the court that it was a conflict of duties and he had come to serve the

peasant. In the end, he won his case against the cruel landlords and made them pay 25% of the

money back to the sharecroppers. This movement emboldened the peasants and they got to know

their rights. He made the British realize that Indians now have the courage to oppose injustice. This

episode gave Gandhiji a clear direction to launch the freedom struggle.

Methods Of Indigo Cultivation

There were two main methods of cultivating indigo - Nij and Ryoti. Within the system of Nij

cultivation, the planters produced indigo on land controlled by them or on land acquired or rented

from Zamindars and produced Indigo directly employing hired laborers. Under the Ryoti cultivation

system, planters forced the ryots (the farmers) to sign contracts with terms and conditions specified

for the Indigo Cultivation.

Nij System :

● In this type of cultivation , the planters used their

land to cultivate Indigo.

● The land which they cultivated was either owned by

 them or was leased by them from the Zamindar .They hired

laborers to grow Indigo .

● The Indigo crop required high nutrition for healthy growth so for the cultivation of Indigo on

large scale large areas of land was required , for this , the land owned by the peasants was

bought or taken on rent leaving them without any means of leaving.

Ryoti system:

● Under the ryots system ,Indigo cultivation was done by

ryots .

● The planters and ryots signed agreements or contracts to

ensure transparency in the deal.

● The village headman was allowed to sign contracts on

behalf of the ryots , this was a loophole in the agreement that

was extensively used by the peasants as they forced the head man to sign the contract.
Leadership of Gandhi

Mahatma Gandhi was a political and spiritual leader

who was known for his authentic, nonviolent, and

selfless leadership. He was a champion of human

rights and was considered one of the greatest leaders

of the 20th century. Some of his leadership qualities include:

Nonviolence:

Gandhi's leadership was based on the principles of nonviolence and Satyagraha, which was mass

non-violent civil disobedience. He believed that brute force was not an effective way to deal with

problems.

Selflessness:

Gandhi was more concerned with the interests of his country and people than his own was. He gave
up materialism and lived simply.

Authenticity:

Gandhi was authentic in his commitment to his goals and spoke the truth regardless of the

consequences.

Empowerment:

Gandhi focused on empowering others by actively listening to them.

Leadership by example:

Gandhi practiced what he preached by dressing like the poorest Indian and having minimal

possessions.

Flexibility:

Gandhi was able to reinvent rules and follow unconventional approaches when needed.
Conclusion:

Mahatma Gandhi's efforts to help the indigo farmers in Champaran, Bihar, who were being

exploited by the British landlords. Through his non-violent methods and strong determination,

Gandhi managed to bring significant changes and improve the farmers' lives. This chapter highlights

Gandhi's leadership and the power of peaceful protest, showing how one person's dedication can

make a big difference. It provides important lessons about standing up for what is right and about

the impact of collective action. It teaches us how Gandhiji was constantly fighting for the

development of his countrymen from the very beginning, not only helping to free India. The indigo

farmers all united together against the Englishmen. They all participated and played a major role in

first war of 1857.

The Champaran incident was also a turning point in Gandhiji’s life and he was able to understand

the gist of the Indian’s problems. It was more than a victory with this episode he was able to hack

down the cruel Britishers with his determination and intellect. He also tried to revamp the

conditions and molding new India by making them tripped and self-reliant.

The successful resolution of the Champaran issue led to significant changes for the farmers. They

gained self-reliance and the courage to stand up for their rights. The episode highlighted Gandhi’s
unique approach to politics, which focused on helping people rather than just following ideals.

Gandhi’s efforts went beyond solving the immediate problem; he initiated educational, health, and

sanitation programs to improve the overall quality of life in Champaran. His actions, supported by

his wife, disciples, and other volunteers, brought lasting development to the region and inspired

further movements for justice and equality in India.

Bibliography

•https://www.successcds.net/cce-cbse/class-xii/english/indigo.html

•https://betterexams.com/indigo-summary/

•https://www.toppr.com/guides/english/english-flamingo/indigo-

summary/ •https://www.scribd.com/document/589526716/5-Indigo

•https://www.youthforhumanrights.org/voices-for-human-rights/champions/mahatma-gandhi.html