In which year did Mahatma Gandhi organise a satyagraha to support the peasants of the Kheda district?

Correct option is D

​The correct answer is (d) 1918

Explanation:

• Mahatma Gandhi organized a Satyagraha to support the peasants of Kheda district in 1918.
• The peasants in Kheda (in present-day Gujarat) were suffering due to high taxes and a poor harvest, which made it impossible for them to pay the taxes. Gandhi, along with his followers, launched a non-violent movement to demand tax relief for the distressed farmers.
• Information Booster:

Kheda Satyagraha (1918)

• Date & Location: Launched on March 11, 1918, in Kheda District, Gujarat (then Bombay Province).
• Initiators: Initially led by local leaders, including Mohanlal Pandya, with the peasant-Patidar community of Kheda.
• Leadership: Gandhi’s involvement marked the start of his mass leadership in India’s freedom struggle.

Causes

• Bad Harvest (1917-18): Poor crop yield worsened by high prices of basic commodities.
• Plague: Severe plague in Gujarat, with 16,740 deaths recorded in Kheda.
• Increased Taxes: Tax rates in Bombay Presidency were increased by 23% during 1917-18.
• Refusal of Petition: Peasants petitioned for tax reduction, but authorities denied the request despite the Famine Code.

Course of Action

• No-Revenue Campaign: Initiated by Mohanlal Pandya and Shankarlal Parikh in November 1917.
• Gandhi’s Involvement: Gandhi was approached in February 1918 and visited Kheda to assess the situation. He supported the peasants’ demands and decided to adopt Satyagraha.
• March 22, 1918: Gandhi urged volunteers to take a pledge not to pay the land revenue.
• Community Support: Despite Gandhi's detention, local leaders like Pandya continued the campaign, gaining widespread support.

Resolution:

• Government’s Response: After an investigation, the government concluded that there was no justification for suspending the revenue. However, local authorities were instructed not to confiscate lands.
• Political Leadership: Gandhi, with the support of leaders like Vallabhbhai Patel and Narahari Parikh, provided leadership and organizational guidance.
• End of Satyagraha: Gandhi decided to end the Satyagraha despite the absence of specific guarantees from the government.

Additional Knowledge:

• In 1919, Gandhi led the non-cooperation movement following the Jallianwala Bagh massacre.
• In 1915, Gandhi returned to India from South Africa and began organizing for social reform and national movement.
• In 1917, Gandhi led the Champaran Satyagraha in Bihar to address the issues of indigo farmers.