NCERT Class 12 English Flamingo: Chapter 5 — Indigo
This chapter, an excerpt from Louis Fischer's "The Life of Mahatma Gandhi," details Gandhi's first visit to Champaran in 1917. It begins with Gandhi's recollection of how he decided to urge the British to leave India. The narrative focuses on Rajkumar Shukla, a poor, illiterate but resolute peasant from Champaran, who approached Gandhi at the Indian National Congress convention in Lucknow. Shukla's persistence in seeking Gandhi's help against the unjust landlord system in Bihar led Gandhi to agree to visit Champaran. The chapter describes their journey, including an incident where Gandhi was mistaken for a peasant and denied water from a well. Gandhi's stop in Muzzafarpur to gather more information before reaching Champaran highlights his methodical approach. The chapter sets the stage for Gandhi's pivotal role in the Champaran Satyagraha, a significant event in India's struggle for independence.
Quick info
| Board | CBSE / NCERT |
|---|---|
| Class | Class 12 |
| Subject | English |
| Book | Flamingo |
| Chapter | Chapter 5 — Indigo |
| Language | English |
| PDF type | NCERT Textbook |
| Session | CBSE 2026 |
| Reading time | 4 minutes |
| Word count | 660 |
Learning outcomes
- Understand the historical context of the Champaran Satyagraha.
- Analyze Gandhi's methods of activism and negotiation.
- Appreciate the significance of peasant struggles in India's independence movement.
- Identify key figures like Rajkumar Shukla and their roles.
- Learn about the social and economic conditions in Champaran during that era.
Vocabulary
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| urge the departure | To strongly advise or insist that someone should leave. |
| harbour a man like me | To give shelter or refuge to someone, especially when it might be risky. |
| conflict of duties | A situation where one's obligations or responsibilities clash with each other. |
| seek a prop | To look for support or assistance. |
| emaciated | Unhealthily thin due to illness or lack of food. |
| resolute | Firmly determined; unwavering. |
| tenacity | The quality of being determined and persistent. |
| imparting | To make information known; to communicate. |
| yeoman | A free man, especially one of the middle class; historically, a small landowner. |
| pestered | To trouble or annoy someone persistently. |
| untouchable | A member of a hereditary group traditionally regarded as forming the lowest part of the caste system in India. |
| pollute | To contaminate or make impure. |
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Practice questions
- Who was Rajkumar Shukla and why did he meet Gandhi? Answer: Rajkumar Shukla was a peasant sharecropper from Champaran. He met Gandhi to seek his help against the injustice of the landlord system in Bihar.
- Why did Gandhi decide to go to Muzzafarpur before Champaran? Answer: Gandhi decided to go to Muzzafarpur to obtain more complete information about the conditions in Champaran than Rajkumar Shukla could provide.
- What incident at Rajendra Prasad's house shows the social hierarchy and Gandhi's perceived status? Answer: At Rajendra Prasad's house, the servants, knowing Shukla as a peasant who pestered their master, let him and Gandhi stay on the grounds. They did not permit Gandhi to draw water from the well, fearing he was an untouchable, which shows their caste-based prejudice.
- What does 'resolute' mean in the context of Rajkumar Shukla? Answer: In the context of Rajkumar Shukla, 'resolute' means he was determined and unwavering in his goal to get justice for the Champaran peasants and to seek Gandhi's help.
Practice MCQs
Q1. In which year did Gandhi decide to urge the departure of the British?
Explanation: Gandhi recounts in the chapter that he decided to urge the departure of the British in 1917.
Q2. Where was Champaran located?
Explanation: The chapter states that Champaran was in the foothills of the towering Himalayas, near the kingdom of Nepal.
Q3. Who was Rajkumar Shukla?
Explanation: Rajkumar Shukla is described as a peasant from Champaran who was a sharecropper.
Q4. Why did Gandhi stay at Professor Malkani's home?
Explanation: Gandhi stayed with Professor Malkani, a government teacher, who considered it extraordinary for a government professor to 'harbour' someone like Gandhi in those days.
Q5. What was the reason for the servants not allowing Gandhi to draw water from the well?
Explanation: The servants' action stemmed from caste prejudice, as they feared Gandhi might be an untouchable and pollute the water source.
Frequently asked questions
Who is the author of the chapter 'Indigo'?
The chapter 'Indigo' is an excerpt from the book 'The Life of Mahatma Gandhi' by Louis Fischer.
When did Gandhi first visit Champaran?
Gandhi first visited Champaran in 1917.
What was the main issue that led Rajkumar Shukla to seek Gandhi's help?
Rajkumar Shukla sought Gandhi's help to address the injustice of the landlord system in Bihar, which affected the indigo sharecroppers.
What does the incident at Rajendra Prasad's house reveal about the society at that time?
The incident reveals the deep-rooted caste system and the prejudice against 'untouchables', as Gandhi was prevented from drawing water from the well.
Why is Rajkumar Shukla described as 'resolute'?
He is described as resolute because he was determined and persistent in his efforts to get Gandhi to visit Champaran and help the peasants.
What was the significance of Gandhi's visit to Muzzafarpur?
Gandhi visited Muzzafarpur to gather more information about the conditions in Champaran before meeting the peasants, showing his methodical approach.
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NCERT Class 12 English — Flamingo — Chapter 5 — Indigo. Verified by NCERT Help Editorial Team. Reviewed on 29 Jul 2026. Last updated 10 Aug 2026.