Kheda Satyagraha (1918) – History of Modern India Notes

The satyagraha movement in the Kheda district of Gujarat in India was led by Mahatma Gandhi, in which Gandhi agreed to help the peasant movement for income remission in Kheda at the request of local peasant leaders. The movement is known as Kheda Satyagraha or Kheda Andolan or Kheda Movement. Unlike earlier peasant movements, which developed from rural dissatisfaction, peasant movements in the twentieth century were regulated by national independence struggles. During this period, the middle-class, modern-educated class became more involved in peasant resistance activities. It sowed the seeds of patriotism among the peasantry as well.

Kheda Satyagraha or Kheda Andolan was mainly focused on the peasant-Patidar community of Kheda, who refused to accept a 23% tax increase enforced on them despite a devastating crop failure and plague and cholera outbreak.

Kheda Satyagraha (1918)

Background of Kheda Satyagraha

• The government examined the land and crops in Kheda. Based on land statistics, the tax was hiked by up to 23 percent. The peasants were dissatisfied with this. Poverty, famines, scarcity of resources, untouchability, drunkenness, and British persecution affected the peasants regularly.
• Famine is one of the major causes of Kheda Satyagraha. The famine affected the peasantry and resulted in massive crop failure. On the other hand, the government refused to accept crop loss and insisted on full land tax collection. On the other hand, the peasantry conducted their investigations and repeatedly stated that the government was not justified in seeking the entire land tax.
• The Gujarat peasant’s sabha petitioned and telegraphed the province’s top administrative authorities, requesting the postponement of the income assessment for 1919. However, officials ignored the public demand for tax relaxation.  When the authorities refused to accept the Kheda peasants’ demands for non-payment of land tax, Gandhi encouraged them to engage in satyagraha. This Kheda Satyagraha’s reasons create a short note on Kheda Satyagraha in Indian history.

Features of Kheda Satyagraha

• Mahatma Gandhi was primarily the intellectual leader of the movement in Gujarat. He was helped by the newly formed Satyagraha Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and other local lawyers and advocates such as Indulal Yagnik, Shankarlal Banker, and Mahadev Desai. They went on a tour of the countryside, organizing the locals and providing them with political leadership and direction. Many enraged Gujaratis from Ahmedabad and Vadodara joined the revolt’s organizers, but Gandhi and Patel discouraged the involvement of Indians from other regions, preferring to keep the battle strictly Gujarati.
• During the famine, the peasants of Kheda filed a declaration requesting that the tax for this year be repealed. The Bombay government rejected the declaration. They threatened the peasants that their farms and properties would be taken if they did not pay, and many would be imprisoned.
• Withholding the tax, the government’s collectors and inspectors dispatched thugs to grab property and animals, while the police took all agricultural property and lands. The farmers did not resist arrest or violence to react against the force. Instead, they donated money and valuables to the Gujarat Sabha, officially organizing the demonstration.

In terms of discipline and cohesiveness, the Kheda Satyagraha was remarkable. Even after losing everything of their personal property, land, and livelihood, most of Khera’s farmers stood firm in their support for Patel. Gujaratis sympathetic to the revolution in other areas of the state resisted the government apparatus and aided in protecting the protesting peasants’ families and possessions.

Effect of Kheda Satyagraha

Finally, the government attempted to facilitate an acceptable resolution for both parties. The current and next year’s taxes would be postponed, the rate increase would be reduced, and all seized property would be returned. Acceptance of the peasants’ demand resulted in a fresh awakening. The battle taught them that freedom from injustice and exploitation would not be possible until their country achieved complete independence.

Kheda Satyagraha is regarded as one of the finest achievements in Indian history. The unique aspect of this movement is that the activists do not engage in any violent behavior during the campaign duration. Nonetheless, they are presented in a very nice and humble manner. The difficult battle of Kheda Satyagraha formed the foundation of patriotism among Indian peasants, increasing national pride. The Kheda Satyagraha’s achievement astounded the country and offered hope for an independent India. After many struggles, Kheda Satyagraha inspired Indian folks to fight for their country’s freedom. Also, a short note on Kheda Satyagraha in Indian history works with its glory from time to time.

FAQs on Kheda Satyagraha

Q 1. What were the causes of Kheda Satyagraha?

Answer-

Kheda Satyagraha or Kheda Andolan was mainly focused on the peasant-Patidar community of Kheda, who refused to accept a 23% tax increase enforced on them despite a devastating crop failure and plague and cholera outbreak.

Q 2. What was the main Demand of the Kheda Movement?

Answer-

The major demand of the Kheda Movement was a reduction in revenue payments. They were incapable to pay revenue due to high taxes, plus an epidemic of the plague had caused them physically incapacitated, stopping them from working during the harvest season and losing out on the time window to pay revenue.

Q 3. Why did Gandhiji start the Satyagraha at Kheda in Gujarat?

Answer-

Due to the outbreak of Plague and Crop Failure, the farmers and peasants of the Kheda District of Gujarat, demand the relaxation of the revenue tax and Land tax. For support to the farmers and peasants, Gandhiji in 1918 led the Kheda Movement.