Effortlessly grasp NCERT Solutions for Class 12 English Flamingo Chapter 5 “Indigo” Q&A. Gain insights into the historical narrative’s intricacies with expertly crafted answers. These solutions provide essential support for comprehensive exam preparation, offering a deep understanding of the chapter’s themes, characters, and literary techniques. Immerse yourself in the world of “Indigo” through meticulously curated solutions, enhancing your analytical and interpretive skills in the process.
NCERT Solutions for Class 12 English Flamingo Chapter- 5 Indigo Questions and Answers
THINK AS YOU READ ➤➤➤
1. Strike out what is not true in the following.
(a) Rajkumar Shukla was :
(i) a sharecropper
(ii) a politician
(iii) delegate
(iv) a landlord
Rajkumar Shukla was:
Answer: (i) a sharecropper.
(b) Rajkumar Shukla was:
(i) poor
(ii) physically strong
(iii) illiterate
Rajkumar Shukla was:
Answer: (i) poor
(iii) illiterate.
2. Why is Rajkumar Shukla described as being ‘resolute’?
Answer: Rajkumar Shukla earned the title of “resolute” due to his unwavering determination that ultimately persuaded Gandhiji to visit Champaran. In December 1916, during the annual convention of the Indian National Congress in Lucknow, Rajkumar traveled all the way from Champaran to meet Gandhi. He passionately shared with Gandhiji the immense injustice inflicted upon the peasants in his region. Despite Gandhiji’s prior commitments and engagements, he explained that he couldn’t immediately go to Champaran. Nevertheless, Shukla refused to accept “no” as an answer. He persisted, accompanying Gandhiji wherever he went. Even after Gandhiji returned to his ashram near Ahmedabad, Shukla continued to insist, saying, “Fix a date.” It was this extraordinary tenacity that ultimately led Gandhiji to set a date for the visit. Therefore, Rajkumar Shukla was rightfully described as “resolute” for his unyielding spirit and determination that brought about Gandhiji’s visit to Champaran.
3. Why do you think the servants thought Gandhi to be another peasant?
Answer: Gandhiji’s profound belief in simplicity extended not only to his way of life but also to his demeanor. He arrived with a peasant, displaying no airs of superiority. Consequently, the servants naturally perceived him to be just another peasant. His unassuming manner and down-to-earth nature further reinforced his commitment to living a humble and unpretentious life.
THINK AS YOU READ ➤➤➤
1. List the places that Gandhi visited between his first meeting with Shukla and his arrival at Champaran.
Answer: Gandhiji visited the following places between his meeting with Shukla and his arrival at Champaran.
(i) Cawnpore
(ii) the ashram near Ahmedabad
(iii) Calcutta
(iv) Patna
(v) Muzaffarpur
2. What did the peasants pay the British landlords as rent ? What did the British now want instead and why? What would be the impact of synthetic indigo on the prices of natural indigo?
Answer: The peasants were compelled to cultivate indigo on fifteen per cent of their land, and the entire indigo yield served as rent to the British landlords. Now, the British sought to abolish this arrangement and return the entire land to the peasants. However, they demanded compensation for this change. The reason behind this decision was that Germany had made advancements in synthetic indigo production. As a result, the price of natural indigo was expected to plummet due to competition with the synthetic alternative.
THINK AS YOU READ ➤➤➤
1. The events in this part of the text illustrate Gandhi’s method of working. Can you identify some instances of this method and link them to his ideas of satyagraha and non-violence?
Answer: Please attempt it yourself.
THINK AS YOU READ ➤➤➤
1. Why did Gandhi agree to a settlement of 25 per cent refund to the farmers ?
Answer: Gandhi’s agreement to the settlement of a 25 percent refund to the farmers was driven by two crucial factors. Firstly, the negotiations had reached a standstill, and the representatives of the planters offered the 25 percent refund with the assumption that Gandhi would never accept it. Surprisingly, Gandhi embraced the proposal, breaking the deadlock and securing at least a 25 percent refund for the peasants. The second, and more significant, reason was that until then, the planters had acted as if they were above the law, holding an air of superiority. However, their willingness to surrender a portion of the money indicated that the peasants also had rights, and those rights would now be defended. This marked a transformative shift in the power dynamic, acknowledging the peasants’ rightful position and challenging the planters’ previous behavior as lords.
2. How did the episode change the plight of the peasants ?
Answer: The episode had a profound impact on the fate of the peasants. In a span of just five years, the British planters relinquished their estates and left the region. As a result, the land they once occupied was returned to the peasants. The settlement, in essence, turned out to be a transformative step that led to the peasants becoming the rightful owners of their land. This significant shift in ownership marked a turning point for the peasants, granting them control over their own destinies and providing an opportunity for a better and more secure future.
UNDERSTANDING THE TEXT ➤➤➤
1. Why do you think Gandhi considered the Champaran episode to be a turning-point in his life?
Answer: The Champaran episode was a pivotal turning point in Gandhi’s life, as he showcased the power of non-violence and satyagraha, gaining national prominence. His success in Champaran popularized his ideas, leading to subsequent movements and inspiring global leaders. Gandhi’s enduring impact on India’s history and the world is a testament to the transformative power of his philosophy.
2. How was Gandhi able to influence lawyers ? Give instances.
Answer: Lawyers had arrived to counsel Gandhi, stating they would abandon the cause if he faced imprisonment. Despite being a stranger, Gandhi stood willing to endure jail for the peasants. Ashamed, the local lawyers, familiar with the peasants, returned to Gandhi, now committed to joining him in jail.
3. What was the attitude of the average Indian in smaller localities towards advocates of ‘home rule’?
Answer: In smaller localities, the average Indians were afraid to show sympathy for advocates of home rule.
4. How do we know that ordinary people too contributed to the freedom movement ?
Answer: Undoubtedly, ordinary people played a significant role in the Indian freedom movement. The Champaran movement exemplifies this, with an illiterate peasant, Rajkumar Shukla, leading the complaint and persuading Gandhi to intervene. Local people cooperated, while Gandhi, an outsider, joined the cause. Throughout history, ordinary people have been the worst victims of foreign rule, and their contributions were crucial to India’s freedom movement. In the Champaran episode, we witness numerous ordinary individuals making meaningful contributions in their own unique ways.
TALKING ABOUT THE TEXT ➤➤➤
Discuss the following:
1. “Freedom from fear is more important than legal justice for the poor.”
Do you think that the poor of India are free from fear after Independence?
Answer: Please attempt it yourself.
2. The qualities of a good leader.
Answer: Not to be likely asked in the examination. Please attempt it yourself.
WORKING WITH WORDS ➤➤➤
• List the words used in the text that are related to legal procedures. For example: deposition
• List other words that you know that fall into this category.
THINKING ABOUT LANGUAGE ➤➤➤
1. Notice the sentences in the text which are in direct speech. Why does the author use quotations in his narration?
2. Notice the use or non-use of the comma in the following sentences.
(a) When I first visited Gandhi in 1942 at his ashram in Sevagram, he told me what happened in Champaran.
(b) He had not proceeded far when the police superintendent’s messenger overtook him.
(c) When the court reconvened, the judge said he would not deliver the judgment for several days.
Answer: Please attempt it yourself.
THINGS TO DO ➤➤➤
1. Choose an issue that has provoked a controversy like the Bhopal Gas Tragedy or the Narmada Dam Project in which the lives of the poor have been affected.
2. Find out the facts of the case.
3. Present your arguments.
4. Suggest a possible settlement.
Answer: Please attempt it yourself.
| ➤ ABOUT THE UNIT |
THEME
The leadership shown by Mahatma Gandhi to secure justice for oppressed people through convincing argumentation and negotiation.
SUB-THEME
Contributions made by anonymous Indians to the freedom movement.
READING COMPREHENSION
• Intensive reading of factual writing to understand events and facts. The thoughts as you read questions at the end of each section help in understanding descriptions of people, consolidating facts and focusing on what is important to understand further sections.
• Scanning for specific instances in the text to support given statements.
• Inferential questions to reason out certain statements in the text.
TALKING ABOUT THE TEXT
Discussion as a take-off from the text and making pupils think about issues such as freedom from fear as a prerequisite for justice. Understanding leadership qualities – direct relevance to pupils prospects Fluency development.
WORKING WITH WORDS
Making pupils notice the specialist vocabulary used in legal parlance.
NOTICING FORM
• Use of direct speech in narration. Pupils are already aware of the form changes when spoken words are reported. They should now be able to notice the choice of form in contexts of use to strengthen the effectiveness of narration.
• Use of the comma to separate subordinate clause from main clause if it precedes it, and its omission if it comes after the main clause.
THINGS TO DO
Extension activity to help pupils understand the method of Gandhian activism and relate it to current problems of national importance.
• Investigation of facts
• Presentation of arguments
• Settlement